What type of obstacles have teachers overcome?

In all of the reading this week, we read that all teachers had some type of obstacle to overcome. The obstacles ranged from personal experiences, personal fears, and resources in the classroom. Every teacher goes through these obstacles especially working with diverse group of children and we should constantly be pushing the limits and our working outside of our comfort zone to improve the education for the children.

Holding Nyla discusses the teacher’s personal fears about an inclusion classroom. Once she overcame her fears and accepted Nyla not only did her class accept her as well, they would stick up for her. I can relate to this because I do believe that for adults this situation could be fearful. It true that people are fearful of the unknown or things they don’t understand. So to be put in a situation where you don’t know about a student and their limits and special feeding, it can be fearful. I also think that we don’t give the children enough credit. The children not only accepted Nyla, they embraced her and probably treated her with more respect than their other peers.

Talking the talk discusses the teacher’s obstacles of having resources in their school. How they had a need for different aides that could speak the children’s native language and yet how hard it was for them to provide it for them either because of the pay scale or later because of the education requirement. At our school and many schools I know we are always trying to overcome the funding obstacles. We are constantly trying to stretch the dollar and provide the most useful materials, curriculum and activities we can on our budget.

In new possibilities, it talked about all type of women’s stories and how all of their personal experiences they had to overcome to become teachers. The stories I found were very empowering. I am constantly taking advantage of all of the blessings that I have in my life. When I read these stories, and their fighting spirit, I always think would I have the strength to overcome such hardships? It really puts things in perspective.

Does Culture have an affect on education?

The first story out of rethinking ECE talks about how standardized curriculum can be dry and impersonal to the students. I agree with this point, I think what the major downfall about anything standardized is that there is portion of people who can’t relate to the material. With every generation, there are more cultures and children growing up in different regions and experiences. Think about it in Hawaii alone, if there is any stories about seasons especially snow, how can a child who has never experienced that relate? There are ways to teach the curriculum and have it tailored to your class.

The second story was more of how one can create a curriculum centered on the population and still cover all of the standards. We all know that culture has an affect on education but why aren’t we doing more about it? Why don’t we all make a curriculum based off of the cultures in our community?

In New possibilities, it discusses young women and how their lives are vastly different and all of those obstacles they had to overcome. I know that the children of different cultures have an affect on education but more importantly I want to know the outcomes of the children with teachers from different cultural backgrounds. I know that different cultures have different standards and taboos and I wonder if that comes out unconsciously when they are in the classroom. I think I grew up in a pretty liberal family and I sometimes see that when I teach in my classroom. For example, I know that I’m not a stickler when it comes to minor rules, we had 5 children playing in the blocks when the rule is 4. They all were playing within the limits, no one was complaining or getting hurt so I let it slide. Another teacher came in and was shocked that I let another child play in the blocks when there can only be 4. I often question why we have so many rules but I also wonder if it has to do with culture. I know growing up my mom let a lot of things slide – the exceptions, and I wonder if that has had an affect on my teaching style.

When does “providing for the best for our children” go too far?

At some point, each parent will say that they want to provide the best for their child or they want to give their child better opportunities then they had in life. But even with the best intentions, can these expectations go too far?

In Rethinking ECE, the chapter was dedicated to young children and computers. It brought up numerous points of why computers aren’t appropriate for children under 7 years old. There is a push for children to become tech-savvy at an early age and I believe some people have replaced teaching with a computer. I get confused about this issue as well. On one side I think they are too young to be learning about computers. I wouldn’t want a child to think back on preschool and think I remember playing on the computer. The best part of preschool is getting dirty, exploring hands on and playing with all types of different toys. I enjoyed the quote at the end “Let us not let our adult excitement with what computers can do in the adult workplace deter us from offering to children the squishiness of making mud pies….The adult world of the plastic workplace comes all too soon.” Yet on the other hand, I think it must be important if NAEYC has a criteria about technology in the classroom. Granted, I don’t know what is appropriate technology for this age group. I do see that providing the exposure of a computer could be beneficial, especially for some children who are not fortunate enough to have a computer at home.

In New Possibilities, the narrative about Diane and where she asks the question of what’s more important, financially providing for her family but not being there for them or being there for them but not being about to provide for her family. It is hard especially for an immigrant single mother living in poverty. I have talked many families and co-workers about receiving help to get them out of poverty. From what I gathered from many people, is that there are many obstacles that stand in your way. It seems that once you always get a step ahead, something pops up such as the program losing money and it sets you back two steps back.

Parents do want what’s best for their child and most times that is a positive. Being part of a preschool it can sometimes pose the question, do we do what we believe is appropriate for the children or do we do what the parents want and please our clients? Hopefully the answer is the same on both ends.

Why do we teach?

After reading this week, it makes me reflect on my own personal reasons of why I became a teacher. I think for a teacher it’s important to reflect on the reasons I got into this profession. It’s for the children and for the opportunity to make a positive impact on a child’s life. It’s important because I know how easy it is to get wrapped up in everything around and becoming distracted by the obstacles and small bumps along the road. I tend to lose sight of what I’m doing and why I am doing it.

Rethinking ECE has teachers reflecting on standardized testing and how it’s hurting the children and creating more stress for everyone involved. The tests are taking us away from the children. We are either going to teach to the test or teach concrete lessons but fail at the test. It has teachers ask why are we in this profession? We are moving away from the reasons why we became teachers. Teachers are stressed out and think that these test are a reflection of their abilities. At that point, we have lost our motivation and desire to teach children.

New Possibilities is shows that as teachers, we can find our inspiration in some unique ways. I believe Tanya’s story can be an inspiration to all of us, to help us reconnect with why we teach. Personally, I got into this profession because I wanted to help children reach their full potential as people and not only in an academic setting but overall in their life. It is easy for me to get wrapped up with distractions or the environment I am in and forget what I wanted to do and why I am doing this. I think we all need to take a step back from time to time and reevaluate what we are doing and what we want to be doing.