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Over the course of the semester, one major experience that has shaped my views on learning and inspired my growth is my first round of practicum. While the other two schools I went to were amazing, it was the first rotation that really solidified the teacher I want to become. In my first rotation, which was at BHL, I felt that certain students were being seen, and the teacher I was observing handled her classroom in a way that was a little jarring. Because of this initial experience, I would read the texts from class with that practicum experience in mind. Chapter 2 of Ebarvia, "Creating Brave Spaces," was extremely helpful in centering me after my negative experience observing a classroom. It helped me understand what to do to ensure that my classroom is a space where my students can see how important their identity and presence is in the classroom and community. There were so many ideas in this chapter that really stuck with me and that I cannot wait to use in my own classroom.

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Me at my high school graduation! (3 years ago :o)

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How I am continuing to unpack on my perspective

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How I am continuing to unpack on my perspective

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As I continue to learn about different students experiences, from a learner and a teacher perspective, I have begun to notice just how drastically different my learning experiences have been as someone who has done well in school. I have been lucky enough to have extremely positive experiences in the classroom as a student. Part of this is because my brain works in a way that is suitable for the American education system, and part of this is because I come from a family that values education. However, after seeing the different classrooms I have been in during practicum, as well as reading the Cultivating Genius section we read for class, I have slowly begun to realize how many students don't have the positive correlation with education that I do, which is so unfortunate. Because of this, my teaching philosophy has expanded on my desire to make my classroom a safe space for all students, and especially for the ones who have had negative experiences in school. I want to show my students how education can empower them.

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“Our America: A Hispanic History of the United States” goes through the history of the Americas through a Hispanic lens, rather than the typical Eurocentric lens that focuses on Britain and the 13 colonies, which is what is often taught in history class. Felipe Fernandez-Armesto is a British professor of Spanish descent who most notably writes on cultural and environmental history. From the first Hispanic colonization of Puerto Rico, to the Mexican-American War and the addition of Texas to the United States, to the future of Latin Americans within the US, Fernandez-Armesto shows how Hispanic culture has always been present in the United States. This text also highlights why Hispanic history is so important for the future of the United States. This text was an extremely interesting perspective on United States history, and really highlights how deeply rooted Hispanic culture is within the United States.

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Piñatas! an integral part of any Mexican birthday party

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How my choice text has influenced my philosophy

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How my choice text has influenced my philosophy

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My choice text taught me things about hispanic culture and history that I didn't even know about myself. It gave me a completely new perspective on Hispanic-American culture and what it means to be a Hispanic person in the United States. I had absolutely no idea just how far back Hispanic history in the United States went, mostly because history classes and media make it seem like the presence of a Hispanic population is relatively new to the United States. It was very empowering to know just how deep my roots truly are. This text has shaped my teaching philosophy by showing me how important it is to give underrepresented students access to resources that give them a positive views of their heritage and identity. By showing students positive representations of their communities, and showing just how deeply rooted and important they are to American history and culture, I hope giving them access to resources like my choice text can help them realize just how much their presence matters in and outside the classroom.