Miscellaneous Post

I would like to take a minute to remind people of the MLED (Middle School Endorsement) program here at RIC. I have found that it isn't talked about that much. Basically, if you are an elementary or secondary ED. major, you can add this endorsement, which allows you to teach middle school in addition to elem. or sec. It requires that you take 4 classes. When it comes to student teaching, you simply split your 14 weeks between your two majors.
This is a good program for a few reasons. First, many of you, like myself, probably are spending more time at RIC than you expected to, or would like to, so you mine as well add on more qualifications for yourself. Second, it isn't easy to get a job in RI as a teacher, this will make you more 'marketable', thus increasing your chances of getting a job. Third, the program is spearheaded by Dr. John Niska, who is essentially a middle school education guru. He is an implemental part of the National Association of Middle Level Ed. (not sure about the exact name of the association). He speaks at conferences all over the country. He teaches many of the classes in the program at RIC as well.
You don't need to be accepted in the FSED to take these classes either.
I would like to personally recommend any students to enter this program. I have taken MLED 310 and 320, both with Dr. Niska, and enjoyed both of them. Please ask me any questions you may have about this in class or whenever.

Talking Points #3 Carlson

Carlson argues that within the school system there is a schism between 'normal students', and GLBT students. He argues that it is the responsibility of the school and it's faculty to play a role in eliminating this schism and supporting the GLBT students.

• "These abuses get tolerated because gay teachers and students operate in an environment where they feel afraid to stand up for themselves, and because any discussion of gay people continues to be absent in the curriculum so that homophobia is not interrogated"

Gay teachers and students are a minority, they are outnumbered by a lot. This makes it hard to stand up for themselves. Hopefully in the future, as more and more people come out, this will begin to change. Also, it is the responsibility of non-gay students and teachers to stand up for those that are being discriminated against.

• "For the most part the institutions that make up the gay community are not open to adolescents, so that most gay youth continue to stay unattached and even unaware of the potential community of support"

Although there is a lot of progress being made in terms of support for adults, there needs to be more support for children and teenagers. This is where the school system can help. Teachers and faculty need to make it clear to students that they have a system of support. This is important for pre-service teachers to consider.

• "...a democratic multicultural education must become a dialogue in which all "voices" are heard and all "truths" are understood as partial and positioned"

This comment expresses Carlson's belief that we need to get rid of the idea of having one, shared belief. He thinks that we need to acknowledge the fact that everyone has a different view and different opinions. Rather than ignore that, we need to embrace it. This being done, we need to focus on "building relationships based on caring and equity". Personally, I strongly agree with this statement.


I enjoyed reading this article, although it was a little slow in the middle. My only criticism would be that some of his sources, quotes, research, etc. seemed to be a little old and outdated. Much of them are from the early 90's, or later. I think that there has been a significant amount of positive change and progress made on this issue since then. That being said, I completely agree with his ideas and hopes for the future. There is still alot of progress to be made.
Carlson's 'normal community' is very similar, if not the same as Delpit's 'culture of power'. Regardless of what type of discrimination or oppression or mistreatment you are learnign about, you will always find this common denominator, wether you refer to it as a culture of power or normal community, it is always there. It has been there since white people arrived in North America and began their long history of oppression, that continues still. There has been alot of progress, considering slavery, women's rights, etc. On a positive note, I believe that we are lucky to live in a demographic region where we advocate more progress. There are still areas of this country (south, mid-west), where the morals and values of people seem to be stuck in the past. For a multitude of reasons (religion, ignorance), many of these people are unwilling to adopt many of the new ideas and beliefs that we have.

Talking Points #2 - Rodriguez

Richard Rodriguez, in "Aria", argues that although it is important for children to appreciate their native language and continue to use it, in order for them to gain the type of identity that is necessary for them to enter the 'culture of power' in America, they need to also learn to speak English.

• "the families quiet was partly due to the fact that, as we children learned more and more English, we shared fewer and fewer words with our parents."

This quote is important because it highlights the conflict that children develop between school and home. It is frustrating for children to feel like they are progressing and learning a new language, then have to go home and be forced to give it up to communicate with their parents. This is a struggle that is extremely common right now because there still exists an entire generation of Hispanic men and women that don't speak fluent English, but raise children that do. It is hard to expect parents to learn English when they have survived in America without it for many years.

• That day, I moved very far from the disadvantaged child I had been only days earlier. The belief, the calming assurance that I belonged in public, had at last taken hold."

This quote has some positive tones. Basically he feels like he finally fits in. It is interesting to consider that a language barrier can create such a feeling in a child. Not speaking English made him feel like he shouldn't even be in public. It makes me think of Americans, when they are surrounded by Spanish speaking people. They can be so pompous as to still, even as the minority, feel like they are right, and the spanish speakers are wrong. I have seen situations like this many times, where the American refuses to try to speak Spanish, but rather raises his/her voice in an attempt to get them to understand his/her language. I am disgusted by people who yell English words at Spanish speaking people. You never find a Spanish speaking person raise his/her voice to an American out of frustration.

• "So they do not realize that while one suffers a diminished sense of private individuality by becoming assimilated into public society, such assimilation makes possible the achievement of public individuality"

This is a very important quote because it discusses the importance of assimilation. Basically he is saying that being an individual as part of public society is more important and beneficial than just being an individual who is not part of public society. Although acclimating is a hard thing to do, it is essential.

I enjoyed this article and found it easy to read. It is important for RIC students to understand the language issue with young students and education because of the huge population of Hispanic children in Providence.

Talking Points #1

In, Amazing Grace: The Lives of Children and the Conscience of a Nation, Jonathan Kozol portrays the desperate lives of people in the South Bronx, New York. Kozol is known for inserting himself into poor and desperate areas of the country and reflecting on his experience. His liberal position argues that the people living in these communities are neglected of the same rights and opportunities as the rest of the country.

"The place that Cliffie is referring to turns out to be a waste incinerator that was put in operation recently over the objections of the parents in the neighborhood"

• Using poor neighborhoods as 'dumping grounds' is a common accusation made by activists. Some people consider an area like this to be a dumpster, often times literally a place to put trash and other unwanted things.
  
• This is also proof of one of Kozol's accusations, that these people are suffering from medical problems as a result of living conditions that are out of their control. He stresses that for many of these people the position they are in wasn't a choice, rather a result of being a victim to harmful systems that are in place.
  

"Unlike many children I have met in recent years, he has an absolutel literal religious faith."

• This is a bright spot in the reading. It is nice to hear that families living in these conditions have faith in something positive and healthy.
• Religion has been something that people in desperate conditions have turned to for centuries. Living in an area of the world where religious influence is small, I find this particularly interesting.

"A person who works in a real job at a place like Chemical Bank, she tells me, is a rare exception in the neighborhood"

• Another main concern for Kozol is people finding it impossible to find legitimate employment. Being unable to support themselves leads to people turning to crime and drug use.
  
• When people get caught in a system that gives them no opportunities, they usually get stuck there for life. This cycle continues to their children, and their families.
  

This reading was interesting, and very similar to his book Savage Inequalities. I tend to agree with Kozol's concerns and opinions regarding low income neighborhoods. I understand that his opinions are fairly liberal, but I think that in the areas of health care, housing and education, a liberal approach will be much more effective. In these areas, liberals tend to be more empathetic and compassionate. If people continue to blame the victims for being victims, their situation will never improve. Hopefully, a democratic president will be elected, and can begin a process of resolving some of these problems. It is a common belief that republican's 'cut-throat' tactics towards the lower class are the reason neighborhoods like the one Kozol visited, exist in the first place. Furthermore, electing another republican president will only ensure that the health care, housing and educational disasters that many people live in, will continue and become more severe. Pre-service teachers should consider the consequences this election will have on the educational system before they vote.

Is this reading an excerpt from an article, or a chapter from a book?

Introduction

Hello class,
I am 24 years old. I live in Newport, RI. I am a bartender at 22 Bowens Wine Bar and Grill. This is my 3rd semester since returning to school. My major is secondary ed./english. I look forward to teaching, but I plan on taking the LSAT exams next year and applying to a few law schools. I look forward to this semester of classes and getting to know everyone.
Brian