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It really does matter and it  begins with the leaders.

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Response For Ginny's Political Agendas For Education- Avery

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Response For Ginny's Political Agendas For Education- Avery

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Ginny you are absolutely right. If we had the Pre-K program in all of our school systems maybe our high school drop out rate wouldn't be that high either. If we are truly trying to close the achievement gap why not follow the research and begin educating all students at the age of four.

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Gender bias in America's school systems is extremely appalling. While it isn't as blatant as it was a couple of decades ago, sexism is still very prevalent in our school systems today. A recurring theme that is seen in our coed school systems is that males receive the most amount of time and attention in class. Let's end our gender bias system and start creating more single-sex schools.

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That is why we put both of our older 2 kids through a school led Pre-K program.  We wanted them

to understand how a school worked first.  How to interact with others, walk in a line, go through the

cafeteria line.  Then in Kindergarten, it's about learning to read, write, and math.  Not how to behave \

and function in a school setting.

-Ginny

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Ginny, you are so right!  I see that firsthand from teaching Pre-K.  Students learn so much from Pre-K (I'm sure you know that as well from your middle son!).  A lot of Pre-K is "social" and it's amazing to see what 4 year olds learn in a school year about being "social".  I told my Parapro (who started with me late in the year) that in August when the kids come, they don't know how to sit on the rug, they don't know where the bathroom is, they don't know how to walk in a line or how to act in the cafeteria.  This is just a small part of Pre-K, but I feel the more they know when they start Kindergarten, the more ahead they are - especially with the new CCS.

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I think that it is wonderful that there are programs

out there to help these young adults who want to

become more stable.  I wish that there was more

information available to these young parents that are

in high school or just completing high school.  I know

that the Pregnancy Resource Center in Monroe is

great with helping them deal with the pregnancy and

parenting.  I just wish there were more quality programs in our area.  College is expensive.  I think that a lot of people assume that they cannot afford it.  There isn't a lot of support on filling out financial aid or finding scholarships, but there are so many out there.  This is what our next generation needs--support!

-Ginny

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I totally agree! They expect so much out of our Kindergarten students, and many of them have had NO education until they walk in the door in August as a 5 year old.

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Ginger - Reply to Dee'drya - Political Agendas

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Ginger - Reply to Dee'drya - Political Agendas

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Dee'drya, I agree with your post.  Maybe that's what one of our major problems with

education is.  The fact that the

ones who write the curriculum are so removed from the real life of the classroom, there is a loss of understanding as to how the classroom operates in 2015.

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Still Failing at Fairness - Ginger Yancey

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Still Failing at Fairness - Ginger Yancey

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I found this  book to be almost redundant.

Every chapter discussed how educators and

society focused on males more than females.

After reading this book, I became more

aware of my teaching style.  Did I call on boys

more than girls?  Did the boys seem to have the

answers?  I did find it interesting to learn about

the segregation that went on years ago.  I guess

I was never aware that segregation was not

only a "color" issue, but also a "gender" one.

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I agree with the research that having preschool available for all kids will help close the gaps.  The legal grade students have to start school in Georgia is still First.  It will be more beneficial for our nation to provide preschool to all children.  It stated that research has proven that preschool "improves the ability of children from low-income families to be employed and stay out of jail".  I know that even in first grade I can tell a difference between children who started in pre-k and those who started in Kindergarten.

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I wish that I could say that I was shocked.  Look at our legislation...it is still predomininately white males.  No child left behind was lead by Clinton.  Her child went to an Ivy League school and college.  Before I came to my school system, the school board members agreed to come to the schools and help out.  They were to spend a certain amount of hours volunteering and to see how our schools were truly run.  It did not last.  We have principals and AP in our school system who send their kids to private schools because they see that public school curriculum is not written for the average child.

-Ginny

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I completely agree that the book made me think about how I was doing

things in my classroom.  I started to make sure that I wasn't making my girl's

arms stay up too long.  Did I encourage them to talk?  Did I only "help" the boys

and make the girls find their own correct answers.  Then I watched my kids at recess and I realized that they all felt comfortable with each other.  I must be

somewhat fair if they all get along.

-Ginny

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I also started my college career at an all girl institute.  I don't know remember whether I felt any more empowered there, but I do remember not having to worry about what the opposite gender was thinking.  The school I started at was big on sorority life.  I was not.  Therefore, when I did not join a sorority, I was shunned upon.  I was an outcast.  So there are still different diversities even among small group.

-Ginny

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I agree when you stated "should I assume the opposite when someone is wearing an expensive pair of shoes?"

I have students who wear the most expensive shoes out there, but they do not have money for school supplies.

Having nice shoes is what is important in the neighborhood.

-Ginny

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In your reflection, you wrote that we must understand which groups we are apart of.  While watching the video, I realized that I was more than just part of the white culture.  I had lived through more and I can relate to many of my students on different levels.
-Ginny

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I agree with the part about no having the materials to teach.  I spend a lot of my time looking for materials or ideas.  Then I still have to write the lessons and prepare them.  I spend hours.  It becomes overwhelming and frustrating.

-Ginny

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I liked the part of your paper where you stated that we must

teach with diversity to accommodate all learning styles and

make assignments to fit the needs of all the students.

-Ginny

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I have always attended co-ed institutions, but I can see why an all girls or all boys school would be the way to go. Especially in the middle and high school years. I love that you said you felt empowered either way!

-Ivy

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I love how you started your reflection with the quote from the video. It is such a powerful quote! If we cannot acknowledge how will we begin to fix things?

-Ivy

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I truly agree with your reflection that diversity and inclusion start from the top. I love the fact that you came from a diverse classroom, so you can speak on the large impact of feeling a sense of belonging and diversity in the classroom. I can only hope that I make each of my students' feel at home in my classroom and educate myself on the different backgrounds and cultures in my classroom.

-Ivy

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Natalie: A Day In His Shoes-Response  to Ginger

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Natalie: A Day In His Shoes-Response  to Ginger

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Ginger I also agree with you. I felt sorry for him as well,but also felt he

is very smart! Yes! As Americans we are quick to judge, myself included. A

day in his shoes may prove to be very interesting.

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As a lover of shoes I tend to pay attention to the shoes people wear.

I like to tell myself that I can in fact tell alot about someone based on what's

on their feet. If this is true, then it's safe to say we can tell numerous judhments about the

man in the picture. After watching this video, I couldn't help to question if I am

stereotyping based on shoes or simply determining a personality trait.

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Natalie:   A Day In His Shoe-Response to Avery 

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Natalie:   A Day In His Shoe-Response to Avery 

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I totally agree with you Avery! I couldnt help but to

think about how witty the person must be to take

something so ordinary and create shoes. It made me think

how often we take things and people for granted

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I can only assume that a day in his shoes would

be very difficult. It is clear that his shoes are made

out of an item we toss in the trash or recycle bin.

One man's trash is surely another man's treasure, as

clearly depicted in the picture. It is possible a day in

his shoes may simple consist of using inginuite in order

to survive

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Natalie- Paradox of Diversity

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Response to Cynthia Still Failing At Fairness- Avery

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Response to Cynthia Still Failing At Fairness- Avery

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after reading your reflection I thought about where I might be right now if I had followed the wishes of the woman who raised me. She wanted me to go to an all boys high school and I fought her tooth and nail. In the end I won and attended a coed school. I am so grateful that the Lord did not allow me to be subjected to teaching that may have altered the way I perceived women.

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Response to Dee'drya's Shoe Reflection - Avery

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Response to Dee'drya's Shoe Reflection - Avery

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You make me think about my grandmother God Rest Her Soul. She used to constantly remind me that if I continue to judge a book by its cover, I will never know what is inside of it. Let's read more into our students.

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Response to Cynthia's Shoe Reflection - Avery

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Response to Cynthia's Shoe Reflection - Avery

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You are absolutely right about entering into relationships with an open mind. That is the reason why I tend to not let other teacher's perceptions about students they have taught change my opinion about a student that may be assigned to my classroom.

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This one was from me, I forgot to add my name! Ivy

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Your right Ginny. Being materialistic is a part of today's world. The children do talk about each other's wardrobes. I do my part by picking out a child and I bring him or her name brand hand-me-down clothes and tennis shoes. I always say that they are from an anonymous donor.

Avery

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Different types of shoes to me means different types of people, different types of backgrounds and different types of lifestyles.

Old Style Shoes vs. New Brand Name Shoes could possibly be a child being raised by grandparent vs. children being raised by parents.

Cheap Vs. Expensive Shoes

People from poverty and people of wealth. But don't forget about those who try to keep up with the Jones's.

As teachers we sometimes need to take off our old comfortable shoes and put on some new shoes to deal with the reform and change in education.

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- Cynthia

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Avery - Very good idea for encouraging our students to go green and encourage positive thinking!

- Cynthia

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Still Failing at Fairness Response - Cynthia 

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Still Failing at Fairness Response - Cynthia 

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This really hit home for me! As a graduate of an all women's college, I personally feel that my education experience while attending was as good, if not better, than it would have been if I attended a co-ed establishment. I think it is a shared opinion of my fellow alumnae that we were just as committed to our academic success, without the distraction of co-ed existence.

I believe that a possible solution to a "girls crisis" or "boys crisis" may be gender segregated learning. While attending my college, I was encouraged and empowered, not shunned or quieted based on my gender.

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I am schoked too! I can't believe these are the people that are making the curriculum for students all over the nation! We should have a diverse group of EDUCATORS establishing the cutriculum for our schools!

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Dee'drya - Reading Assignment Response - Political Agendas

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Dee'drya - Reading Assignment Response - Political Agendas

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Dee'drya - I agree! I, too, was shocked to learn that the founders of CC, and the director of education for this administration, have all attended private, Ivy League schools! It also made me question how they are able to consciously make decisions that affect our profession and our school environments that they have not been a part of.

- Cynthia

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Cynthia,

So true!

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anyone elses. I have not figured

out how to relocate the text box.

:-(

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Dee'drya Foster

Avery,

I agree with your thoughts of implementing

into my classroom next year the thoughts of

helping students to look for the positive

in situations rather than naturally falling into

the negative.

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This video reminds me that so many stereotypical judgments can be made from viewing only the shoes one is wearing. We could make assumptions about wealth, age, occupation, time of year, and how one values material possessions. The "construction boots" could lead one to believe that the wearer performs a certain job, while the extremely clean Converse could be mistaken for showmanship. Both of these assumptions could, and probably are, incorrect. This serves as an excellent reminder that we should enter into relationships with an open mind, clear of assumptions or judgments, and avoid stereotyping.

-Cynthia

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Viewing this photo, I must try to refrain from making an assumption about this person based solely on what is presented in the photo. Without further investigation into his/her culture, is it fair for me to assume this person is impoverished? Should I assume the opposite when someone is wearing an expensive pair of shoes?

-Cynthia

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Walk a day in my Shoes response - Dee'drya

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Walk a day in my Shoes response - Dee'drya

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Ivy,

I too looked at the picture and felt

pity for this person. That is all that

I saw was his feet. Honestly, I envision

a man that is diry, with ragged clothes

and I have not even seen a full picture

of the man. I am ashamed of myself

for allowing myself to judge first and

ask questions later.

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Dee'drya Foster

I found it amazing that the founders of the Common

Core are all products of a wealthy private school setting.

It made me wonder, "how on earth are they able to relate to

the typical American school environment"?

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Very good point, Ivy. "Wealth" is in the eyes of the beholder. This person may very well be pleased that his/her bare feet are now covered and protected from the ground.

-Cynthia

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It became apparent as I watched this video what you

tell about a person. If a person wears shoes (like

) it might be because their feet hurt! Or if they wear

shoes, then a person's appearance is important. Many

can be made with just a glance. Today was our

day of school. As I have sat and reflected on this year, I

back to the first day of school. As each one of

walked into my class the thoughts that I had then

different today. Some thoughts more positive and some more

. I am going to try to not allow my first impressions

next school year to take hold in my heart and mind.

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I must admit that I am a shoe person and

I love shoes!  This video made me think of

how judgmental I can be when looking

at others' shoes.  I thought it was really

interesting viewing all the different shoes.

Some were fancy, some were not.  Some

were old and worn, and some appeared

new.  As a teacher, it was sometimes

obvious which students were from low-

income or poverty, based on their shoes.

I had one student who would wear old,

ragged shoes and sometimes they were

too small or too big.  This video made me realize

how blessed my family is, as I am always

sure that my kids have good shoes to

wear.

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Like others have commented, I felt sorry

for this person.  At the same time, the

person probably feels some sort of pride,

knowing that he/she was able to find something

to cover his/her feet.  As Americans, we are so judgmental

of others.  This person probably doesn't know any different

type of lifestyle.  We in America have seen wealth,

whether it be through media or in real life.  We continue to

always want more.  This person's way of life is probably all he/she

knows.  As Americans, I feel we are "spoiled".  I would love

to spend a day in his shoes, as well as have my children also spend a day

in his shoes so that we would learn to be more appreciative of

the "things" we have.

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My first judgment was that this man must

be from an extremely poverty stricken country.

Then I had the realization that Avery and Ivy were

right.  How great is it that this man was able to use

resources that he already has.  He is probably more

comfortable than he has ever been in his life.  Ivy's

point about not seeing his face hits home.  I tell my

kids to not judge a book by its cover.  He may be

On of the happiest people on the earth.  We must

not judge and take simple things for granted.

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I thought this video was interesting.  I never really thought about the fact that I do look at people's shoes.  Most of the time, I look to see if I like their shoes.  This video made me realize that isn't the case when I'm looking at people who are homeless.  My daughter has a heart for the homeless.  I have told her on several occasions to look at their shoes.  I realize that I am wrong for not encouraging her to follow her heart to help them.  Especially now that I realize there are people giving them shoes.  That also made me think about students in my classroom.  Most of them start the year with nice, new shoes.  However, the ones that don't are always embarrassed.  I realize that new shoes is not a big ordeal to 6 year olds, but it really is at the beginning of the year.  They feel judged already by their peers.

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I really enjoyed your reflection. Being in Special Education and teaching resource and inclusion my first year I totally agree on the gen Ed an sped teachers working together. I also highly believe the positive change environment must start from the top.

-Ivy

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As I stare at this picture I don't feel sorry for this person. I envy him. I am disgusted with the society in which I live in. We seem to take everything for granted, especially our youth. Why can't we be as ingenious as the person in the picture? If Americans really want to go green, let's find a use for everything that we normally discard. My next venture in my classroom will be to teach my students how to look at something that is perceived to be negative and find the positive or good in it.

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You bring home a good point!!

Dr.vClark

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I know I feel the same as a few of you when I say I was very frustrated while reading Still Failing at Fairness. I thought the book brought up a lot of great points and it helped me to take a look at my classroom. Am I calling on boys more than girls? Am I encouraging the boys to play in the block area at centers? Am I encouraging my girls to play in the kitchen center? The main issue I had with the book is that I feel like "fair is not always equal". I feel as if it is okay for us to be different and to embrace our differences.

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I loved this little video! I really wish they would have shown a picture of each of the people wearing the shoes in the end. As I was looking at each of the shoes I was definitely stereotyping the age and sex of each person for each pair of shoes. I would really like to do something similar to this with my preschool students of the beginning of next year. I'm thinking of taking a picture of each of their shoes during open house and then putting together a little video and seeing if the students can guess who's shoes belong to who.

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As I look at the picture of the man's feet wrapped in twine and resting on Coke bottles I first think what a hard and sad life he must have to live in poverty. But, as I type I think, We can not see any more than his feet. How judgmental of me to think this just based on his shoes that he is sad or unhappy. We can not see this man's face, he may be full of joy. As students and people enter our lives and our classrooms we must be remembered of the things we take for granted and the things we see as trivial. We may all be miserable wearing "Coke bottle shoes" but this man may be thrilled just at the fact he has something on his feet. We may complain about the lack of books in our classroom library but to a child from a poverty stricken area our classroom library may look like a wealth of books. It is all in each person's perspective.

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Please share your thoughts on

what it would be like to spend a

day  in his shoes.

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After viewing the video, please discuss how this relates to sterotypes.