Awareness of own cultural interpretations by Shreeja Babu https://padlet.com/shreejab/rt6ct7g9kc79 By Shreeja Babu en-us 2017-10-13 10:48:21 UTC 2017-10-13 11:02:15 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Thunder.png Wise words shreejab https://padlet.com/shreejab/rt6ct7g9kc79/wish/196751212 Someone once told that in my practice as a teacher I must “Beware of the bigotry of low expectations.” Do not assume that a refugee student is not capable of achieving the same task you give to the other students. With the right approach and support we can provide these students with the education they deserve and a warm environment for them to thrive in. ]]> 2017-10-13 10:50:41 UTC https://padlet.com/shreejab/rt6ct7g9kc79/wish/196751212 Example of students thriving shreejab https://padlet.com/shreejab/rt6ct7g9kc79/wish/196751412 This article looks at a family of refugees who left Syria. The students are happy to be in Australia and to get to attend school. These students have aspirations and goals they wish to achieve.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-31/refugee-journey-from-syria-to-school-in-sydney/8852204]]> 2017-10-13 10:51:58 UTC https://padlet.com/shreejab/rt6ct7g9kc79/wish/196751412 How to fight against bias shreejab https://padlet.com/shreejab/rt6ct7g9kc79/wish/196751633 In order to fight against these biases, teachers should actively change the way they look at other people. Here, this article looks at steps to take in order to combat implicit bias in ourselves (Suttie, 2016). Whilst going through these four steps to reduce bias in ourselves, we should also make sure that we hold all our students to a high standard. Positively encouraging students to make the most of their education, especially those who may have had interruptions in theirs, is what every teacher should be doing to every one of their students.
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/four_ways_teachers_can_reduce_implicit_bias]]> 2017-10-13 10:53:10 UTC https://padlet.com/shreejab/rt6ct7g9kc79/wish/196751633 Expressions of bias, and their effects shreejab https://padlet.com/shreejab/rt6ct7g9kc79/wish/196751835 As humans, it is natural for people to make assumptions about what they see in front of them. However, if these assumptions are negative, they may be expressed in our behaviour through microaggressions. Microaggressions are often expression of prejudice that may seem innocuous, but they can lead to students feeling unwelcome and marginalised (Solorzano, Ceja, & Yosso, 2000). While we focus on teaching students content, students also learn about our biases towards them and their classmates. These instances of bias alienate our students, question their capabilities, and dismiss their identities as individuals that are not representatives of their culture. ]]> 2017-10-13 10:54:11 UTC https://padlet.com/shreejab/rt6ct7g9kc79/wish/196751835 Diversity in our classroom shreejab https://padlet.com/shreejab/rt6ct7g9kc79/wish/196751896 The society we live in is filled with diversity and is reflected strongly in our classrooms. Its good that our students can bring lots of different experiences and perspectives into our classrooms. However not every student will have positive experiences. Many refugee students have suffered and endured hardship, trauma and loss (van Kooten-Prasad, 2017). Many of them will have had interruptions in their education (Matthews, 2008), and when they come to Australia they may need support to aid their learning. 
 
When we are confronted with these students it is important that we do not hinder their education with our own biases and prejudice. Many of the students do not speak English as their first language. They are becoming accustomed to our culture. And they may struggle with settling into their new life. It can be daunting for a young teenager, and as teachers we should not be making them feel uncomfortable or unwelcome in the classroom. 
]]> 2017-10-13 10:54:31 UTC https://padlet.com/shreejab/rt6ct7g9kc79/wish/196751896 References shreejab https://padlet.com/shreejab/rt6ct7g9kc79/wish/196752237 Matthews, J. (2008). Schooling and settlement: refugee education in Australia. International Studies In Sociology Of Education, 18(1), 31-45. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09620210802195947

Solorzano, D., Ceja, M., & Yosso, T. (2000). Critical race theory, racial microaggressions, and campus racial climate: The experiences of African American college students. Journal of Negro Education, 69(1/2), 60-73.

Suttie, J. (2016). Four Ways Teachers Can Reduce Implicit Bias. Greater Good Magazine. Retrieved from https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/four_ways_teachers_can_reduce_implicit_bias

van Kooten-Prasad, M. (2017). Students from refugee & displaced backgrounds – a handbook for schools. FAIRFIELD: Queensland program of assistance to survivors of torture & trauma Inc. Retrieved from http://qpastt.org.au/tbcwp1/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/handbook-2007-updated-2014.pdf]]> 2017-10-13 10:56:10 UTC https://padlet.com/shreejab/rt6ct7g9kc79/wish/196752237