The purpose of our schools and teachers
What is the Purpose of Schools?- The purpose of school is to give students an education they will need as they grow up and an education they can continue to build on disregarding what career they take on as adults. A school should be a safe place where parents leave their children with confidence that they will be safe and they will learn things that help them. Although recent times have not be able to back this up, there is hope that school will go back to a safe place for everyone in it. The purpose of school is to provide students with comfort they may not get in their homes. School should encourage students to grow in their curiosity and give them a sense of exploration with precautions and responsibilities.
Who are marginalized students in schools and what do they need from our school system?- In my experience, when I think of students who are being marginalized, I think of children who don't have a big income in their families. What we should do in school and as teachers besides showing them empathy is to treat them like all the other students. By treating all students equally, we would put an end to marginalizing students. A child does not need to feel like they are different from their classmates just because their school supplies or clothes are hand-me-downs and not the newest or most popular. Schools should focus on familiarizing all students with the different lifestyles and family situations so no one feels like they are outsiders. Doing this would tear down the economic hierarchy. Something teachers should do to include all students in make lessons, activities, and homework based on students' lives that way someone always feels familiar with what they are learning.
-Nancy Aguilar
Hi Nancy! I want to start by thanking you for this awesome post! I think the everyday struggles of low-income students are not talked about enough, and you did a wonderful job at starting a conversation about this marginalized group. My one suggestion would be to think of specific ways to give low-income students a helping hand. I think many educators focus too hard on trying to make sure that everyone is equal, and although they have good intentions, they miss the fact that some students need a little extra help to become equal. I think your idea of talking about students of all backgrounds regularly is great, and I would love to know your specific ideas on how to broach this topic that could be uncomfortable for some students. This conversation has to be handled respectfully and tactfully with those who are privileged and those who are not as privileged kept in mind.
ReplyDeleteI agree that having a conversation about the privileges and lack off can be a difficult conversation specially with kids but I would like to hear it so that then I could also give it to my students.
DeleteHey Nancy! I really liked how you explained what the purpose of school is. I feel like we get lost in all of the concepts of what the purpose truly is but you made it simple and easy for anyone to grasp. You are absolutely correct that schools should be a comforting place for students to grow to their full potential, and I really hope that in the future schools truly will be a safe place for kids to become more confident rather than the environment it is in today's world.
ReplyDeleteYes, I definitely hope schools in the future will be more safe so we can focus again in the students education and not having to constantly be worried that school isn't safe for them.
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