Literacy

The two articles posted made me reflect on my personal experience of my high school era and the values I intend to hold as a future educator. I went to a racially diverse high school and experienced first hand the Shannon's of the classroom and that in some classrooms, as horrendous as this concept is, let them get out of learning. If the students protested hard enough the young middle to upper-class white teacher would not argue with the students for fear of further retaliation. This concept of allowing students to pass within a classroom and not learn a single thing is absolutely appalling. I would never think of allowing a student to govern my classroom and I would definitely not allow a student to sit within my classroom and not learn anything. As a future educator I hope to instate rules that will allow for students to learn as much as I can possibly teach them as efficiently as possible.
The second article, as soon as it began, I was infuriated. Attending a racially mixed high school, predominantly black, allowed for many stereotypical slurs to be placed upon the institution and its students. The curricula wasn't well developed, the teachers weren't as qualified as they should be, etc. It was a constant challenge to prove that we were the students that would defy the odds and make something of ourselves. I don't ever want my students to have struggle for their education and feel as though they have to continually prove themselves to the community or anyone else who places judgment upon them. The teacher's opening line of "I knew she was ignorant just as soon as she opened her mouth!" infuriates me. I cannot believe an educator would pass judgment upon a parent like that let alone to another educator. Not only is it unprofessional but it is grossly hypocritical and says a lot about the lack of character the woman possesses. I would never want my students to feel as though they were being looked down upon b their teacher in a manner that would make them feel uncomfortable and would place a learning hindrance upon them. That teacher deserves to be fired and her certification taken away.
These articles really shed light on an issue that needs to be taken into severe consideration by all future educators and administrators. Our children must be held accountable and must be placed in an environment that encourages that accountability and learning. Just as Carter created an environment that helped his stubborn students learn, every educator may take from that and should be able to create a classroom that allows for children to learn well and efficiently.