bshantah1

Inquiry Project Introduction

2009-05-11T06:52:00.000-07:00

A “community” is defined in Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary as “an interacting population of various kinds of individuals in a common location or as a group of people with a common characteristic or interest living together within a larger society”. Central to its definition is a social component of the individuals living in the community, and the relationships between them. These relationships stem from similarities and differences in culture, social class and socioeconomic status, along with privilege, need and availability of resources. This paper explores the impact of culture (in terms of ethnicities) within a community and social class on students. We will be identifying social and cultural influences noted in our observations and interviews with students of two Newark High Schools: West Side High School and East Side High School. Each school is located in different sections of Newark, and is demographically diverse. Each population within the communities has affordances that differ between them. Our goal is to draw connections between our observations, prior research and knowledge, and resources suggested in this course in relation to our topic.
We chose to make observations in these communities because we wanted to choose areas of Newark that were demographically different. Ideally, we would want to explore all of Newark’s Wards and expand the scope of our horizons in order to collect more data for the topic we address in this paper, however, time constraints and other academic commitments prevent us from doing so.

Summary of Project Findings

2009-05-11T06:02:00.000-07:00

After doing some research for a couple of weeks we found our first two students to interview for the project. My partner and I asked a number of questions to get to know the students personally and to get to know them academically. After the interview process we found that each student came from two different types of families. One student was African American and lived in the projects with his mom, grandmother, and siblings and the other was Brazilian who lived in a home with parents and two siblings. These two students attend East Side High School and both consider themselves C-students.

We also had taken a walk and drive around the east district of Newark. We found the location of East Side High School, a recreation center, and a couple of local parks. We wanted to find out how far the recreation center and parks were from the school. While driving around the east district we also found that there were a lot of restaurants that seemed to crowd the area. The types of restaurants that were found were Portugese, Spanish, and some Brazilian. The city was filled with diversity, culture, and food. We took a few pictures of the parks, recreation center, and high school. We also did the same type research in the west district. We made sure to take a number of pictures and also locate food, culture, parks, and recreation centers.

Unequal Childhoods

2009-05-11T04:57:00.000-07:00

Some ideas that the text brought to our discussion were two terms used to describe the processes of raising children, which are concerted cultivation and the accomplishment of natural growth. Concerted cultivation which consist of the organized activities often used by the middle class parents and the accomplishment of natural growth that consist of child play and unorganized time and activities and is used by the poor or working class parents. Learning about these two terms and understanding which process works better for a specefic family also will help me in understand how to work with the children in the classroom setting and also how to teach in the inner city.
After reading that the accomplishment of natural growth is used in the homes of working class parents and these are the types of families that I will encounter when working in the inner city, I think that using this process in the classroom will be a great idea. A form of natural growth that I will use often in the classroom is cooperative learning so that the students will feel as though they are doing work independently but as a group, which is similar to what is done at home (when they are out at play)but with some guidance by me (the teacher). When teaching in the inner city it will be great to apply the natural growth process in the classroom. The students will obtain a lot of information because they are teaching each other and what is implemented at home by thier parents is now implemented in the classroom settng.

Self Assessment

2009-05-09T19:53:00.000-07:00

What I have learned about myself this semester is that I have a lot to learn about my own community. Attending this course has taught me more about myself and my community than I ever knew. I felt ashamed that I didn't know what was going on around me everyday (Unequal Childhoods opened my eyes a little wider). I have also learned that I really didn't know much about the comprehensive high schools in Newark. Doing the research in my community has also opened my eyes much wider and now I feel as though I can teach in the inner city.
I have learned that public education can be a little difficult to deal with, but there is so much hope for public education. Public education is actually not bad [I am the product of a public education :)]there just need to be some minor changes made starting with administration and then the students.
Lastly, teaching can also be difficult, but with much dedication and better understanding of the students, it should become easy. Teaching can become very stressful due to the number and types of students you may come into contact with each day and the administration. This is why having patience is important. This course has not changed my mind about teaching in any way, but has answered many questions that I had prior to attending.

Absract/ What I Have Learned

2009-05-09T19:35:00.000-07:00

Abstract- The purpose of this research was to explore the affect of social and cultural influences on students. We interviewed three students and make observations of the community surrounding East Side and West Side High Schools in Newark, NJ. We compared our data to that of prior research and observations. Our analysis revealed the educational experience of students is impacted by their social status, but not necessarily their cultural background. Our data presents information that supports the findings of prior research that suggests that these factors can impact learning.

What I have truly learned after doing the research was that the impact of learning always seem to start at home. I always thought that culture had a huge impact on learning, but that is not always the case. There can also be students who are poor and who are rich, but if education is not enforced at home, the students will not show interest. When I become a teacher I should will be in touch with my students and what goes on at home. Doing the research and interviewing has proven that this is possible. The students will tell you what you want to know if you sit down with them, talk, and ask questions.

What I Am Learning About My Inquiry Question

2009-05-09T19:14:00.000-07:00

So far I seem to be learning a lot about my Inquiry question, which is to explore the impact of community cultural differences and social inequalities on education/students. I seem to be learning about the students in different communities of Newark. Im getting to know students that I would not usually talk to, which is great because not only am I talking to these students they are opening up to me by answering some private questions. I have also been taking pictures of the different communities of the East and West district of Newark.
After talking to the tenagers and getting an understanding of what type of students they are and the types of homes they come from has made me realize that teaching in a public school can be difficult. There are a number of different students with different problems and perspectives on education. I have also realized that teaching in a public school can be difficult because of what the students may encounter in their surrounding environment. Dealing with public education can be difficult but it is not impossible to handle.

Study of Urban Community (Unequal Childhoods)

2009-04-20T06:20:00.000-07:00

1.Turn to the NJRCL report and pay specific attention to the information provided about Essex County, and the concerns, challenges, and recommendations in the report. Review the six families in Unequal Childhoods, and make connections between the NJRCL report and the realities these families might face if they lived in Essex County, NJ.

According to the NJRCL report the self-sufficiency wage may vary according o the number of the children and adults that reside in the household. The wage in Essex County could be between $30,000 and $70,000. After reviewing this it is clear that the Bindles and McAllisters would not be able to survive in Essex County at all. They are already on welfare or public assistance and it is very difficult for them to pay their $600 a month rent and provide food for their children. If they had to live in Essex County they would fall well below the poverty line. Survival would be tough for them.

Those that live pretty well in Unequal Childhoods such as the Williams, Tallingers, Handlons, and Marshalls would also live pretty well in Essex County. I believe that their combined yearly income may fall between $80,000 and $100,000, which means that they are above the poverty line and are self-sufficient. But although they are self-suffiencient with expenses such as mortgage and food I don’t know how often they will keep up with their extra-curricular activities.

The Taylors, Drivers, and Yanellis all fall a little below the poverty line although they are still considered a working class family. Their survival depends on the number in the household. Because Essex County is clearly much more expensive then where they live they will have difficulty as well.

2.Look at the two reports from the LSNJ on living in poverty. What further information can you glean from the reports regarding the struggles the poor families in Unequal Childhoods might face if they lived in NJ?

The much poorer families such as the McAllisters and the Bindles would fall well below the poverty line. According to the LSNJ the poverty line for one adult and two children is about $17,000. It is sad to say but welfare probably wouldn’t even give them the needed support they need for survival. Their children would probably face additional problems such as receiving a good education just because of their living conditions. The Drivers, Yanellis, and Taylors would also have much difficulty even though they work because they have larger families. The larger the family the more difficult it is to live in Essex County.

3.Finally, turn inward and think about who you are as a budding urban educator. In what ways is this information useful (or not) for you? In terms of better understanding a community? What do you need to learn, or what skills and dispositions (frames of mind) do you need to develop related to demographics and economics to be a successful urban educator?

This information is very useful if I am going to be an urban educator. Before attending this class I set in my mind that I was going to be a tough teacher that wanted all assignments done on time and perfectly, but what I have come to realize is that I cannot be that tough teacher at all. I have learned that I will be dealing with real children with real intense problems at home. Now that I have a clear understanding of their community and way life I can’t be as tough, as I wanted to be. Although I will not be able to change their lifestyles at home, I realized that my ultimate goal is to make their school life less stressful as possible to assure a healthy learning environment.

I have also realized that I will be living in the same environment as my students and although I will be living in the same environment I will not be facing similar hardships. So, I need to learn some skills to get through to these children because I definitely cannot relate to them on an economic level. My question is: What can I do to make these children happy while at school? I can honestly say that this information has been helpful and will think about and use the information when trying to achieve my goals as an urban educator. I will be able to understand my students on a personal and educational level because I now have some insight of their struggles at home.

Final Project Details

2009-03-30T12:05:00.000-07:00

Final Project
Exploring the impact of community cultural differences and social inequalities on education
We are going to identify social inequalities and cultural differences via survey and short interviews. The questions will address topics surrounding student cultural background, household relations, educational apathy, parent or guardian reinforcement and interest, along with evidence of extracurricular activities and programs offered to the students or that they participate in regularly. We will survey students, parents, and administrators. Our population will consist of a minimum 200 students, randomly selected based on their willingness to participate. We will survey 10 students from each grade (9-12) in 5 different public schools, one from each ward of Newark.

We will present our data in tabular and graph form.

Community Assessment

On our walk through the different communities, we will look for evidence of local parks and extracurricular facilities within a 5-mile radius of the schools. These facilities include Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCAs and recreational facilities. In addition to the educational and recreational affordances, we will identify community businesses other institutions that help shape the cultural establishment of the students that live in these communities.

Student Survey

What type of household do you live in?
q 1 parent/guardian household
q 2 parent/guardian household
q 1 parent/guardian household with grandparent(s)
q 2 parent/guardian household with grandparent(s)

What type of student do you consider yourself to be?
q A student
q B student
q C student
q D student
q F student

What is your religious background?
q Christian
q Muslim
q Roman Catholic
q Jewish
q Other
q None

Did you or your immediate family (parents, siblings) immigrate to this country? Yes or No

If any, list all extracurricular activities that you are involved in on a regular basis.
Academic:

Nonacademic:

Were these extracurricular activies suggested by your parents or did you choose participate in them on your own?

What is the highest level of education achieved by your parent(s)?
q Elementary school
q Some High School
q High School Diploma
q Some College
q Associates Degree
q Bachelor's Degree
q Master's Degree or higher

Are you most likely to complete homework at school or at home?

Are you punished if you are not living up to any educational standards set forth by your parents or guardian?

Does someone in your household help you with your homework? Circle Yes or No

Briefly explain your parent(s)/guardian(s) views on education.

Do you live an area where there is a lot of drug and gang violence? Yes or No

Do you notice any community differences between where you live and where your friends live? Explain briefly.

Are there any parks or recreation centers available for use in your neighborhood? If yes, are they in good condition and do you use them?

Teacher Survey

How often do your students complete their homework?
q Always
q Sometimes
q Never

Do you notice any consistent patterns of student apathy if so check below:
q Tired
q Angry
q Sluggish
q Inattentive
q Other

Rate parent involvement and interest from 1 to 5.
(1 being the least interested and involved)

How are your student’s attitudes toward you? Rate from 1 to 5
(1 being the least respectful)

Are there any academic changes after warning notices are distributed? Briefly explain.

Please list any extracurricular activities offered by the school for the students to participate in.

Is homework help provided for students after school?
Circle yes or no

Are computer labs available for students after school?

Annotated Bibliography

2009-03-23T07:42:00.000-07:00

Jones-Kowaleski, L. (May 2000). Staying out of Trouble: Community Resources and Problem Behavior among High-Risk Adolescents. Journal of Marriage and the Family.62(2)449-464.Retreived March 22, 2009 from
http://www.jstor.org.ezproxy.montclair.edu:2048/stable/1566751

Research from the 1990 United States Census and the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 Merged Mother-Child shows that the lack of community resources continues to have an effect on adolescent behavior. Poor neighborhoods that lack community resources struggle daily and as a result adolescents lack residential stability, difficulty developing skill necessary to succeed in school, and difficulty staying out of trouble leaving little room for personal growth. In addition to the growing number of problems of adolescents in poor communities there is a high number of teenage pregnancy occurring. Adolescents born to young parents cause socioeconomic disadvantage causing much more long-term effects than adolescents born to parents who are much more stable. Other limitations such as parents only having enough money to spend on food and other basic living needs with no money left over to spend on adolescent needs also makes it difficult for adolescents to stay out of trouble.

Journal also states that social relations with in the community may also have an effect on adolescent behavior. Research shows that the movement of residents in and out of the community can affect adolescent behavior. New residents share less values and relationships and as a result may be a disadvantage and cause social disorganization. Social disorganization can cause neighborhood risk factors and the parents of the adolescents are forced to create their own environments. This movement into different neighborhoods causes more problems because all of the troubled adolescents begin to migrate to one area. Investment such as money, time, and institutional support should be used to decrease negative adolescent behavior and to promote the development of adolescents.

Fernandez, R., & Rogerson R. (Feb.1996). Income Distribution, Community and the Quality of Public Education. The Quarterly Journal of Economics.111 (1) 135-164. Retrieved March 22, 2009 from
http://www.jstor.org.ezproxy.montclair.edu:2048/stable/2946660

Analyzes policies and different levels of educational expenditures per student and the affect on the quality of public education in multi-communities. It also analyzes how income distribution and taxes may also have an impact on how education is provided. In order to increase the quality of public education policy makers want to attract the wealthy to the poorer cities through redistribution and as a result the tax rates will fall making it easier for the poor to survive.

Belfield, R.C., & Levin, M.H., (2002). The Effects of Competition between Schools and Educational Outcomes: A review for the United States. Review of Educational Research. 72(2) 279-341. Retrieved March 19, 2009 from
http://www.jstor.org.ezproxy.montclair.edu:2048/stable/3516034

This is a review of the United States research of the outcomes of educational competition. Some of the major outcomes of educational competition are teacher quality and the graduation and attainment percentages. Some evidence has proven that competition has impacted academic achievement such as test scores and also provided this new concept of “choice” that provides competition pressure amongst schools.

Brody, G., Conger, D.R., Gordon, C.L., Lin, K., Simons, L.R., (May 2002). Community Differences in the Association between Parenting Practices and Child Conduct Problems. Journal of Marriage and the Family. 64(2) 331-345. Retrieved on March 21, 2009 from
http://www.jstor.org.ezproxy.montclair.edu:2048/stable/3600107

The authors studied 841 African American children and their caregivers of different communities to test the hypotheses of parenting strategies that include control and corporal punishment and its impact on child conduct. Research has shown that community and racial differences may also have an impact on parental behavior as well such as setting behavioral standards and reinforcement. Further research has shown that parenting practices may be more or less effective due to the community in which the family resides.

Cogner,D. (2005). Within School Segregation in an Urban School District. Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis. 27(3) 225-224. Retrieved March 21,2009 from
http://www.jstor.org.ezproxy.montclair.edu:2048/stable/3699570

This article is about elementary schools in New York City that has been used for the study of segregation amongst different races and immigrant students in different grades and boroughs. The segregation patterns were compared between in school segregation and across school segregation. Studies have shown that segregation has took a decline since the 1990s.

My Culture

2009-03-02T07:39:00.000-08:00

Race, class, gender, sexuality, language, and religion may definitely play a role in shaping ones culture and may be the defining factors of what culture truly is. These factors have a major impact on an individuals beliefs and behaviors and can shape ones perceptions on life that may ultimately define who they are. It can be stated that I am whom I am today because of how these factors have shaped my beliefs, behaviors, and perceptions on life.

I am an African American female student who is growing up in a middle class family in the inner city of Newark. Although I have a family that is hard working and determined to have a better life, this is not the case for many families that live in the surrounding areas of Newark. So, because of that, I was taught to be a hard worker and should always be aware of those that do not focus on achievement and to always be a step ahead of those who are more fortunate. My focus for achievement is attending school and obtaining the best education provided. I attended middle and secondary school in Newark. The students were predominantly black and teachers were mostly women of all races. I have interacted with only black students for 12 years of my life and it was not until college that I had interacted with students other than black.

This was an eye-opening experience for me because I left an environment where African Americans were the majority in the classroom to a place where there were only a few African Americans in the classroom. I also realized that I was from a middle class community. Attending college made me realize what the real world was really like when it came to race and wealth. It seemed as though only and the white and wealthy attended college. For the first time ever I understood what my family was trying to teach me. Which is, never let the negative aspects of my life hold me back from my goals and always be a step ahead of those who may have it a little easier to assure that I reach my goals. Although I became very competitive in that aspect, I never stopped interacting and used it as a tool to learn about those other than black.

My culture plays a tremendous role on how I view myself. I view my self as a person who is very determined to succeed and set many goals. Culture with the influence of religion has instilled great values and beliefs in me that will keep me in the right path to success. My goals are to reach well beyond the point of what my family has done professionally. As far back as I can remember my culture has shown me that education is limited to just high school and having jobs. So it is very important that I succeed well beyond high school, and focus on having a career. Obtaining and education and setting goals are very important to me and I have made it apart of my culture.

These are the same beliefs and attitudes about culture I will bring to my classroom. I will be a teacher in the inner city and the students need to know that having an education and setting goals should be apart of their culture. Many of the students may have a culture similar to my past culture that doesn't include much educational success, so I believe that it is my duty to set the example. As a teacher, I believe that setting goals will give the students some type of path to follow. I need them to know that just because they are from an urban community it doesn’t mean that they should not have a path to follow and their lives are limited to just the “ghetto.”

Culture plays a very important role in the classroom because it shows diversity. It may show who has the ambition to learn and who doesn’t. As a child growing up I always thought that students who were from other countries were smarter than the black students in the USA. I later learned that they were not smarter; it was just that education was apart of their culture. Their willingness to achieve was much greater than the black students here in America. That is why it seems as though they are doing so much better in school.

Religion as a cultural factor may also may play a role in the classroom. These factors will show diversity and the enthusiasm of student achievement as well. There may be students that are against certain beliefs and may not adhere activities in the classroom due to religion. I believe that having culture diversity may affect how teachers and students view one another in a positive way. It could definitely be used as a learning experience for both the teachers and students. Having cultural diversity in a classroom should create an environment that isn’t filled with judgments, but a place where everyone is open minded. As a teacher I will create a classroom environment that focuses on education, setting goals, and embracing the differences of culture.

What are some of the questions you would like to explore for final project? Why do they intrigue you?

2009-02-22T18:17:00.000-08:00

Questions I would like to explore for the final project….

1.What is the dropout rate of students in Newark and what are the main causes?
2.Does a student with both parents at home achieve in school much greater than a student with a single parent household?
3.(Newark is divided into 6 wards, North, South, East, West, Central, and Central Business) How are the students, teachers, and administration in each ward? How are they alike and different? What is education like in each ward? How do they view education? Most importantly, how do test scores differ in each ward?

Why do they intrigue me??

These questions intrigue me (especially number 3) because I always wanted to know the difference in education amongst the wards of Newark and if location has an impact on education. Although Newark is a very large city, its not just one city where the same kinds of people live. The city is divided into 6 wards with many different kinds of people. In the north there are lots of Latin Americans and some blacks that are hard workers with nice homes with occasional crimes, in the south and east there are mostly blacks, and this is where most crimes occur, and in the west there are also many blacks that are hard workers with nice homes and apartments and occasional crimes occur. In the, central and central business wards is where most Portuguese, Brazilian, and Latin Americans live and have their own businesses. This section is also known as the Ironbound. There are usually no crimes that occur in these areas. (I may have made a mistake on the central and eastwards :))

Ivan Steven-Camden NJ

2009-02-16T19:05:00.000-08:00

After watching the film in today’s class about Ivan Stevens from Camden, NJ I was truly touched. To be honest that was not the first time that I had seen the documentary, and I feel exactly the same way I felt when I saw it the first time! I still cannot believe that there are places like Camden in New Jersey. As a resident of an area, which is considered dangerous, full of gangs, and drugs I actually feel lucky that I don’t live in Camden. (It may seem a little crazy for me to say that, but its true!) I believe that the poverty that we have in Newark is different from poverty in Camden. As stated in class, Camden lacks access to resources. There is no development, it seems as though there is no way out. In Newark, there are many resources that people choose not to take advantage of. Professor Goldstein mentioned that teachers give students access to learn how to use the knowledge given to them. Understanding that as a teacher, and knowing how students like Ivan Stevens live each day really made me think about the type of teacher I will become. (It’s really going to be difficult to be a teacher in the inner city…Does Anyone Agree???)

Major Influences Shape Schools in Urban Centers

2009-02-16T18:39:00.000-08:00

There are many influences that may shape schools in the urban centers, but after reading the two pieces the two influences that caught my attention were history, and home influences. Past history plays a very important role on schools in urban centers. It seems as though minorities, mainly blacks were just left behind and when blacks were left behind so was education. Another major influence that I see often is the lack of parent involvement. Parents need to be involved especially in the urban schools because they have the most problems whether it is test scores or behavior problems. If parents aren’t involved, then the children feel that they shouldn’t be involved as well. As a teacher I must come up with a way not to let past history effect the students ability to learn.

MOVIE,FILM, & TV PERCEPTION

2009-02-06T11:39:00.000-08:00

Film

Suburban: Clueless

I thought that this film was hilarious. This movie was all about students in an overly wealthy suburban community. The students lived in huge mansions and went to a very nice high school, but these students were portrayed as spoiled kids who always got what they wanted. There were hippie students that smoked pot, party all the time, and attend class at times, there were students who were scholars, and then there were the clueless students. The clueless students (the girls) were always into shopping; the cute guys, and getting away with they could because they were rich. The teachers were also clueless; the clueless students used their charm and smarts to trick the teachers into giving passing grades. It was pathetic!!!! Everyone just lived this rich and carefree lifestyle with no worries.

Urban: Save the Last Dance

This was a more serious film about a Caucasian high school student who has to move to the hood. I believe she falls in love with a student through dance. She attended a typical urban school, with gang violence and drugs. But the main characters weren’t the gangsters; they were into simple activities such as dance. It shows the social life that isn’t always talked about in the urban community. Just students having great fun though dance. I don’t remember the teachers being portrayed to often in this film.

Music

Suburban: Britney Spears

When I think of suburban music I instantly thought of Britney Spears and that first song (think it was Hit Me Baby One More Time..lol) she was dressed in pigtails and a schoolgirl uniform (the skirt was waaaay too short). The teachers and the students in the video were way to happy. There were jocks and cheerleaders everywhere. Britney and her school girl friends were dancing, singing and skipping down the halls. It was cute, but that is definitely not how school is everyday. I believe there were even nice cars in the video. The video was unrealistic (even in the suburban community).

Urban: Kanye West

Kanye West is a great rapper but he confuses me at times. Sometimes he advocates education and sometimes he doesn’t. He even has an album called College Dropout. He feels as though education is great, but it isn’t for him, he would rather do music. Some of his raps seems as though he actually hates school. Then he has an album called Graduation (first he drops out then he graduates I don’t know L J). On the other hand he has great respect for teachers because his mom was a professor. I believe that he is a great rapper but should not speak on school. His views are confusing. Maybe he should just stick with music.

TV

Suburban: Saved By The Bell

This TV show was the best. It made everyone want to attend Bayside High. There was no violence; it was worry free fun environment. There were all types of students. There were the super geeks, jocks, the popular cute guys, and the popular pretty girls. There was even the cool hang out spot! The students got into trouble, had school dances, boyfriends, and girlfriends. The teachers were also typical teachers. They built relationships with the students, and taught lessons. I would have loved to have Mr. Belding as my principal! This was a school that everyone wishes they had attended!

Urban: Family Matters

This show was about middle class family that lived in Chicago. Although they lived in an urban community, the students were not portrayed as gangsters. They were good students that lived in a middle class environment that did come into trouble at times because of where they lived. The dad was cop in the show so there was some violence portrayed, but the actual students were not involved in violence. The teachers were also portrayed as teachers who cared (but just wanted to get rid of Urkel).

Rural: The Little House on the Prairie

Little House on the Prairie was a very boring sitcom to me. This was a very traditional school setting. All of the schoolgirls went to school with their little dresses and hair tied in bows. The boys went to school with button up shirts and casual pants and shoes. I really don’t remember any major problems that the children may encounter today. The children just went to school, I believe they went home for lunch, went back to school and then went back home after school. It was a one-room school and everyone was taught in the same classroom. The teacher was usually a woman. In rural areas they always seem live a very traditional lifestyle, where women are the care takers.

Frame of Reference

2009-02-02T21:59:00.000-08:00

I am someone who has been educated within the inner city my entire life, from pre-k to high school. I have attended schools in both the Irvington Public School system and the Newark Public School system, in neighborhoods that may be considered rough by others. I also currently work in an urban center of the Newark Recreation Department. Attending these schools and working in the centers, gives me much insight on how the school system works, the behavior of students and teachers in the classroom, and the activities that go on within the centers. Having these personal experiences within the inner city brings forth many beliefs that will be discussed.
My belief on urban centers is that they are great places to keep violence and negative energy out and only allow peace and positive energy in. The inner city is full of gang violence, abuse, and addictions that children see everyday, so to get away from that they use the urban centers. These centers offer activities such as basketball, swimming, ice-skating, and street hockey free of charge so that the children will have a safe haven and not have to worry about cost. I honestly believe that these centers are great places for children of all ages to hang out in, but the downfall about the centers are location. There are some locations where the centers are actually surrounded by gang violence, so those children that are trying to escape from gang violence will still come into contact with it.
My belief on urban schools is that they are good schools, but need much help on guidance to make the school system better. I truly believe that this all starts with the parents, the administration and teachers. All schools in the urban school district are not bad, but would be better if parents were more involved. Having parent involvement may create better students that are eager to learn and also create rising test scores. The administration should come up with ideas that incorporate parent involvement other than the PTA. I also believe that the schools should have better textbooks. There are textbooks in the urban schools that are being reused year after year. Students not having the necessary textbooks to keep up with other school districts may be causing them to be left behind.
The best thing about urban schools particularly in Newark is that they try to separate the good from the bad. In Newark they have what are called the “Magnet Schools.” Admissions into these high schools require having good grades and a passing score on the admission test. There is a high school that focuses on science, a high school that focuses on history, and one that focuses on humanities. These schools usually contain the students that are interested in having an education and plan to attend college.
The teachers play a very important role within the urban schools as well. There are teachers who are concerned about student achievement and there are other teachers that are lazy and just teach for survival. As a student, I have come into contact with teachers that enjoy teaching. For example, I have had teachers that created fun ways to learn through games and hands on involvement in the classroom. I have also had teachers that did not have interaction with students, but would much rather lecture. Looking back on my experiences, learning from teachers who established relationships provided a much better learning experience.
As a teacher in the inner city I will make sure to lead by example. I will prove to other teachers with whom I work that its better to have an interaction with students and provide hands on activities, as opposed to just lecturing. My classroom setting will incorporate less lecturing and more hands on activities so that my students will get the best education possible.
Like teachers in the inner city, there are different types of students. There are students who are eager to learn and there are students who are not. Those who are not eager also aren’t interested in obtaining an education. Those who aren’t eager to learn can be considered the problem children. These are the students that may disrupt the classroom setting, and are usually associated with gangs outside of school. They do a lot of cursing and are very disrespectful to everyone. These types of students also may not appear in class or may not appear in school at times. It may seem as though these students cannot be helped, but they can with a little guidance.
Then there are students who are eager to learn. You can always distinguish the two types of students in an urban school. The students that are willing to learn are always focused, go to class on time, and usually get good grades. Knowing that there are two types of students will make me want to come up with ways to keep the eager students happy, and help the less eager become interested in what I am teaching. The classroom setting that I will create will have to be very fun and hands-on, especially if I am going to teach science. I will also build some type of relationship with each student. This is the only way that I will be able to grab the attention of those who are less interested.
Knowing what goes on in the urban communities motivates me to be the best professional possible. As a teacher, I want to help all students to succeed. I know that it will be impossible to do that because of the type of environment that I will be teaching in, but I really would like to try. I think that all students in the inner city need to be taught and told that they could be successful through education because not many believe in education. When I attended school in Newark there weren’t many teachers that expressed this to me. I had to learn that from my parents. I don’t want to be a teacher that just teaches a lesson and goes home. I want to be there before and after school to give the students as much help as possible.
As a student I know that living in the inner city is not easy, so as a professional I would like to create ways to prove to my students that not having an education is detrimental for future achievement. I want to create a classroom setting that’s fun and makes students want to come to attend my class. Although I would like to do these great things, there are many questions left unanswered. How can I use what I already know about the lifestyle of my students and incorporate it into a classroom lesson? How will I keep the students intrigued? How can I contribute to the rising test scores and the growing number of students attending college in the inner city? Most importantly, how can I become a great teacher? I believe that once these questions are answered I will have great success as a teacher.