Kirsten's Teacher Blog

               When it comes to money, it plays a big role within the education system. Unfortunately, students are judged by their teachers and peers based on their economic status. A classroom should be a safe space for students to not worry about coming from less fortunate conditions. Students look up to the teacher, they watch what you do and listen to what you say. So, I think it’s unprofessional and very wrong for teachers to be stereotyping and treating students differently on something they have no control over. In the article  The Myth of the Culture of Poverty,  it talks about how “believing that poor people are different from those with higher incomes is dangerous and wrong”. Schools located in a high-income area have more resources, cleaner conditions, and a higher quality learning environment. These schools are likely better funded, which increases the quality of schools and classrooms and provides students with more re...

          Thinking back on my past years in school before college, I realized how many teachers of mine were women.  I had a total of 8 male teachers throughout my middle school years to senior year of high school, that were not just a PE coach. I had none in elementary school. There is a gender divide when it comes to the classrooms. Truthfully, I had never taken the time before this to realize how majority of my education was taught by women before college. I found Jennie Weiner’s podcast very interesting as she spoke about how males are more often given the leadership role because they have “male characteristics” that are more fit for leadership than women are. I find this very irritating, and it led me to stop and think about the leadership roles at most of the schools I’ve been to. The majority of them had male principles. I think male teachers are often perceived as scary or tough to their students. They are put into this stereotype tha...

         After reading and watching the videos from this module, I don’t think it’s fair to say I have the full picture. Will anyone ever truly know everything that is happening/has happened? In school they don’t teach us the full picture. They pick out certain parts and leave the rest unspoken. So much is hidden from us and for what reason? Unfortunately, I was never taught about Ruby Bridges, I never knew her story growing up. Hearing that adults were throwing rocks at her and treating this little six year old girl was heart breaking. Watching Victoria’s video informed me of so much that I wasn’t aware of. It amazes me how little we can be taught, but at the time, thinking we were learning so much. The failure of the educational system and the miseducation of students can be the fault for this. Students should be able to ask questions and teachers should be able to answer them unbiasedly. One thing that stood out to me in the readings was Autumn Roberson-...

       In the beginning of this module, we had to fill out an anticipation guide. There were certain statements that we had to agree/disagree with before and after this module. There are so many different views, including when it comes to talking about historical events. There are so many events that not a lot of us were taught about in school. We hear stories about people who never lost anything, never really had to fight for anything, the white side of history. But what about everyone else? Why do we fail to talk and include them? Other diverse cultures remain in the margins. One of the statements that stuck out to me was “this teaching pretends that there is a uniform collective story, which is akin to saying everyone remembers events the same. ” I can remember so many classes where the teacher would be teaching a lesson and a student may say “well this is what I think about it” giving their point of view and/or opinions. This student rarely spoke, so I could te...

       I remember talking about the importance of school in one of my classes in high school. It became this big discussion between my class and many students brought up different points in the  conversation. Schools provide an environment for their students to help grow as individuals and develop skills needed to succeed in their future. School teaches you how to read, write, add, subtract, etc. but it also teaches you valuable lessons like how to work with others, time management, responsibility, and communication. Most kids spend around eight hours a day, 5 times a week in a classroom. School is supposed to be a place where a child can go to further their creativity, a place where they can feel safe and enjoy what they are learning. Schools "play an important role in protecting children" (Sawchuk, 3). Health is another big topic of conversation. Teachers have to adapt to certain learning styles for each child. Every kid learns differently. Some may understand...

      Hello, my name is Kirsten Dawson! I am a freshman majoring in elementary education! Growing up I always knew I wanted to work with kids but for the longest time I went back and forth between teaching or becoming a pediatric nurse.  My mom has been teaching kindergarten for almost 30 years. As I got older, I would spend nights helping her in our living room stapling books, putting together folders, cutting lamination, and I would often drive up to her school on weekends to help in her classroom. My Memaw also taught for 32 years so teaching runs in the family!  I made up my mind around junior year of high school to be a teacher after giving it much thought. Helping people has always been a passion of mine, especially when it comes to kids. Throughout elementary school I had some of the best teachers who were so loving, selfless, and patient. Every day they showed how much they loved each of their students and it really inspired me. I have dre...