Reflection Paper #7: React to the article teaching for Inclusion.
This article was very informative and gave great insight into the plight of teachers being fully objective in the classroom and with their students. I also found this article to be very thought provoking and raised my own self awareness in general as an individual living in a diverse and multi-cultural environment. As I think about daily living and interacting with others, I can admit that this sometimes may create conflicting views that could in some instances become volatile. We must always at the very least reflect tolerance for this wide spectrum of diversities- race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual preferences, and disabilities (physical or cognitive). There is so much to consider and incorporate in your teaching style and this article gave a lucid representation of the pitfalls one may encounter as well as the victories. One very important aspect of this article in my opinion is that as an educator we must be authoritative and be in total control of the classroom. This article emphasized that a teacher must create their own culture in the classroom. Culture – own beliefs, morals, and values for the progression of a group. Well, this gave me a moment of pause because this very same concept wants me to bring people of many cultures into one, at least for the time they are in my classroom. I realized that I must first be brave enough and willing to negate many of my own complexes in order to be a successful educator and communicator. Setting your own classroom culture or atmosphere is indeed a must and most definitely should begin the first day of school. Consistency in this area must also be factored in. One of the motto of my homeland, Jamaica, is “out of many, one people”. Most Jamaicans do not categorize themselves as black, white, Indian or Chinese because we are all Jamaicans – one people, one country. I feel this is the right concept to take into my classroom and formulate my own culture. An atmosphere of free thinking, open discussions, respectful comments and behavior, tolerance of differences and the belief that everyone is equal and all will be treated as such. Making sure that the ground rules are in place will set the tone and will perpetuate the order of events thereafter. There were many great tips to follow for class discussions and making sure the students don’t get rancid hyperbole emotions that will result in degradation of any other student. In order to do this, creativity, training, interest and intelligence will be necessary from me. This article will serve me well. I think that this is an article that I will keep and refer back to time and time again as I continue my quest to be an effective and successful educator.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Response to poem Arizona God Damn
This poem express outrage at the state of Arizona its people and its laws. Instead of moving forward, Arizona appears to be regressing. With outright obstinate against change for racial justice, it appears that if it does not profit or if they have no threat of loss of revenues, they will not be motivated to transform. It appears that we will have to go "old school" on Arizona and have some civil right rallies and displays to help them see the light.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
The Most Interesting of our American Birds Comment
This poem epics very well the damage that greed and carelessness can cause our environment and economy. Brings forth conscious awareness. I pray a solution is forthcoming very soon to this debacle.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Reflection Paper #3
Reflection paper #3: Read Frames, Paradigms and Paradigm Shifts. What are paradigms? What is a paradigm shift? Have you had one? Why is it important for teachers to experience paradigm change?
A paradigm is our own formulated perspective of how we visualize the world. A paradigm defines our belief system and becomes our measuring stick, if you will, of appropriate conduct and behavior, decision making and reasoning skills, processing of information and solving problems, morals and ethics. Paradigms are taught and learned experiences gathered from nature and nurture that ultimately determines who you are. Paradigms can be confining in the sense that they may place limitations on freedom of thinking and block us into a tunnel vision effect. Most cultures are based on a certain set of unwritten rules that are acknowledged by every member and is internalized as the only standard of correct behavior and way of thinking. Anything outside of that culture’s paradigm is viewed as unorthodox and is not encouraged, frowned upon or may have harsh or harmful consequences.
Paradigm shifts primarily happens when new information challenges the old ingrained beliefs and causes internal conflict that will inevitably result in acceptance and change. I personally have experienced many paradigm shifts over the course of the past four years in dealing with becoming legally blind. I was under the impression that blind people could not live alone, work, be independent. I didn’t think it was possible to have a real purposeful and fulfilling life. All of those taboos, myths and misconceptions have been replaced with new beliefs that I know to be true from experience. If we, as educators, are to impact our classrooms of students with new and challenging information to comprehend, then we first must be able to reciprocate. We as teachers cannot induce change if we have not experienced it. The entire spectrum of learning is based on paradigms that construct our way of thinking. In order to be a successful educator, challenging our students to think freely and make sound cognitive decisions and conclusions is a must.
A paradigm is our own formulated perspective of how we visualize the world. A paradigm defines our belief system and becomes our measuring stick, if you will, of appropriate conduct and behavior, decision making and reasoning skills, processing of information and solving problems, morals and ethics. Paradigms are taught and learned experiences gathered from nature and nurture that ultimately determines who you are. Paradigms can be confining in the sense that they may place limitations on freedom of thinking and block us into a tunnel vision effect. Most cultures are based on a certain set of unwritten rules that are acknowledged by every member and is internalized as the only standard of correct behavior and way of thinking. Anything outside of that culture’s paradigm is viewed as unorthodox and is not encouraged, frowned upon or may have harsh or harmful consequences.
Paradigm shifts primarily happens when new information challenges the old ingrained beliefs and causes internal conflict that will inevitably result in acceptance and change. I personally have experienced many paradigm shifts over the course of the past four years in dealing with becoming legally blind. I was under the impression that blind people could not live alone, work, be independent. I didn’t think it was possible to have a real purposeful and fulfilling life. All of those taboos, myths and misconceptions have been replaced with new beliefs that I know to be true from experience. If we, as educators, are to impact our classrooms of students with new and challenging information to comprehend, then we first must be able to reciprocate. We as teachers cannot induce change if we have not experienced it. The entire spectrum of learning is based on paradigms that construct our way of thinking. In order to be a successful educator, challenging our students to think freely and make sound cognitive decisions and conclusions is a must.
Reflection Paper #2
Reflection Paper #2: Read “Transformation: A Beginning” and “Transformation: CreatingContext, Part 1”. React to the two articles.
Transformation is a broad concept that occurs in many different ways and takes on many different forms of reality. . In order to agree that transformation is necessary, one must first come to the realization that a need of improvement is forthcoming. As new information is introduced into our lives/world - whether it is religious, technological, environmental, economical, racial, scientific, political, relations or otherwise – transformation will take place. Sometimes, I think it will happen “magically”, meaning that one will not even realize that they have been impacted to the degree that warrants and automatically fashion a paradigm shift. Transformation, the restructuring of how we perceive others and the world we live in from nurture is an ongoing process that is detrimental to growth and expansion of our minds in order to self actualize. I have read and seen various types of transformation occurrences in my life time thus far – renovation, alteration, makeover, revolution, conversion/recovery. These transformations are sometimes beneficial but unfortunately, I have lived through some that generated major setbacks.
The process of re-inventing oneself is a transformation that mandates an acute reassessment of ones behavior. This requires a personal transformation of ones self concept; the way we view our self, how others perceive us and how we behave and interact in light of these findings. This can be a painstaking evaluation as it is always easier to see someone else’s misgivings and shortcomings rather than our own. Re-inventing one’s self usually comes about because of some type of traumatic experience or abuse. Sometimes it materialize due to boredom or being in a rutStress and health issues can also play a vital role in this process as well. Whichever the case, re-inventing will require a bolster in self-esteem and perhaps a program outline of goals to acquire successful results that will evidently bring forth transformation.
Transformation is a broad concept that occurs in many different ways and takes on many different forms of reality. . In order to agree that transformation is necessary, one must first come to the realization that a need of improvement is forthcoming. As new information is introduced into our lives/world - whether it is religious, technological, environmental, economical, racial, scientific, political, relations or otherwise – transformation will take place. Sometimes, I think it will happen “magically”, meaning that one will not even realize that they have been impacted to the degree that warrants and automatically fashion a paradigm shift. Transformation, the restructuring of how we perceive others and the world we live in from nurture is an ongoing process that is detrimental to growth and expansion of our minds in order to self actualize. I have read and seen various types of transformation occurrences in my life time thus far – renovation, alteration, makeover, revolution, conversion/recovery. These transformations are sometimes beneficial but unfortunately, I have lived through some that generated major setbacks.
The process of re-inventing oneself is a transformation that mandates an acute reassessment of ones behavior. This requires a personal transformation of ones self concept; the way we view our self, how others perceive us and how we behave and interact in light of these findings. This can be a painstaking evaluation as it is always easier to see someone else’s misgivings and shortcomings rather than our own. Re-inventing one’s self usually comes about because of some type of traumatic experience or abuse. Sometimes it materialize due to boredom or being in a rutStress and health issues can also play a vital role in this process as well. Whichever the case, re-inventing will require a bolster in self-esteem and perhaps a program outline of goals to acquire successful results that will evidently bring forth transformation.
Reflection Paper #1
Reflection paper #1: What insights have you gained from your reading of the prehistoric human use of fire, the invention of the wheel and the history of writing? Why as a pre-teaching intern are you being asked to read this kind of material?
In reading the referenced articles, the epiphany of understanding that everything has born an existence through necessity of that environment or society of that particular time or era was the driving force of many inventions. I believe it was Plato, the philosopher, student of Socrates that first coined the phrase “necessity is the mother of all inventions”. Although the phrase has been altered a bit since its original appearance, it still is an accurate and profound statement. The bible begins with “In the beginning…” which to me states that a thought or an idea must first take presence in the mind. Once a thought, idea, concept or theory is formulated, then you go about bringing the task to life. I can imagine the Homo erectus, millions of years ago wanting to get warm. Perhaps they wanted to be able to see at night so they can protect themselves better. Due to this line of thinking, someone came up with the finesse of how to start a fire. This must have appeared to be a major accomplishment for that time period. Learning to start a fire opened a whole new world of possibilities conducive to the evolution of their world. Who knew that food could be cooked until fire was introduced and harnessed. The Homo erectus received many beneficial comforts and conveniences from the development of fire that we still use today. Another useful invention was the wheel. This idea has propelled many inventions such as carts, wagons, chariots, bicycles, cars, roller skates and much more. If you can roll it, then thank the person that invented the wheel although no one knows who this genius is. The development of writing originated from the necessity of trading grains – being able to track and document growth and distribution. Writing began in Mesopotamia and was further exacted in Egypt. Writing began because of the need and desire to show and leave a record of events. Even the Homo erectus drew pictures to tell a story of their life. These early forms of writing has been perfected into what we use today. Symbols, pictures, sounds have evolved into full developed words, phrases, sentences and the like. Understanding the origin of any subject or thing is important to further use and growth. This may potentially lead to new innovative ideas and inventions that will revolutionize our world. I believe this is why these articles are very beneficial to a pre-intern teaching major because it opens up your mind to first capturing these concepts and somehow transport them into the minds of the students. Getting the students to realize the beginning of an idea can progress and transform our very existence to me is an epiphany.
In reading the referenced articles, the epiphany of understanding that everything has born an existence through necessity of that environment or society of that particular time or era was the driving force of many inventions. I believe it was Plato, the philosopher, student of Socrates that first coined the phrase “necessity is the mother of all inventions”. Although the phrase has been altered a bit since its original appearance, it still is an accurate and profound statement. The bible begins with “In the beginning…” which to me states that a thought or an idea must first take presence in the mind. Once a thought, idea, concept or theory is formulated, then you go about bringing the task to life. I can imagine the Homo erectus, millions of years ago wanting to get warm. Perhaps they wanted to be able to see at night so they can protect themselves better. Due to this line of thinking, someone came up with the finesse of how to start a fire. This must have appeared to be a major accomplishment for that time period. Learning to start a fire opened a whole new world of possibilities conducive to the evolution of their world. Who knew that food could be cooked until fire was introduced and harnessed. The Homo erectus received many beneficial comforts and conveniences from the development of fire that we still use today. Another useful invention was the wheel. This idea has propelled many inventions such as carts, wagons, chariots, bicycles, cars, roller skates and much more. If you can roll it, then thank the person that invented the wheel although no one knows who this genius is. The development of writing originated from the necessity of trading grains – being able to track and document growth and distribution. Writing began in Mesopotamia and was further exacted in Egypt. Writing began because of the need and desire to show and leave a record of events. Even the Homo erectus drew pictures to tell a story of their life. These early forms of writing has been perfected into what we use today. Symbols, pictures, sounds have evolved into full developed words, phrases, sentences and the like. Understanding the origin of any subject or thing is important to further use and growth. This may potentially lead to new innovative ideas and inventions that will revolutionize our world. I believe this is why these articles are very beneficial to a pre-intern teaching major because it opens up your mind to first capturing these concepts and somehow transport them into the minds of the students. Getting the students to realize the beginning of an idea can progress and transform our very existence to me is an epiphany.
Comment to Stormy Weather Poem by Joseph McNair
Stormy Weather indeed! It seems as if an era has just passed on. This poem expresses an awe struck young boy being introduced to "real" womanhood. Infatuated with a woman of beauty, poise and grace. A songbird that called his name ,"Hello little Joe..."
Comments to Awakening Provocation
This poem is making reference to the new Arizona law just passed recently. This law targets anyone that "looks" suspiscious of performing criminal behavior. A police office has the authority to approach and ask for identification from anyone of latino or hispanic descent. This poem is expressing umbrage to this law. This poem is stating that this is not right and somehow is a form of racial profiling.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Bio
My name is Rachel Hamilton. I am seeking an AA degree from Miami Dade College in ESC Education. Once this goal is accomplished, I will transfer to Florida State University and secure my BS degree in the field of Visual Disabilities. My ultimate goal is to become an Itinerant Teacher. Itinerant teacher is also called a teacher for the visual impaired (TVI). Being a TVI would mean being able to show by example to another blind/visual impaired person that they can obtain an education and set and accomplish goals like everyone else. I believe that I can help them to see that they are valuable and can be productive citizens. I was born in Jamaica and my family migrated to the United States when I was a very young girl. I am now forty-two and perhaps more american than jamaican in a lot of ways. I began my quest for a college degree way back in 1986 when I graduated from Miami Norland Senior High. I obviously did not accomplish my goal at that time since I am still here. What can I say - life happened and I decided to follow another path. I instead found a job in the mortgage profession and found out that I was rather "gifted" in this line of work and stayed in that profession for the next eighteen years. I started out in the mortgage business as a data entry clerk and I ended that line of work as a post closing operations manager/secondary marketing. This career path can to an abrupt halt when I began to experience vision difficulties due to my diabetes. I was diagnosed with diabetic traction retinopathy. I had to make major adjustments and changes in order to manage my life and still be a productivehuman being. I enrolled in an indepenpent living program at the Miami Lighthouse For The Blind and learned how to do things in a different way. New skills allotted me with new hope and new vision for the future. Instead life ending, a new chapter was beginning and I was ready to embrace it. This is what I would like to bring to every blind or visually impaired student – hope and the realization that life still is worth living and that they can obtain a degree, have a career, full social lives, families and can contribute service and time to helping others and good causes. I want to encourage, give real skills and techniques, open minds, give new vision and provide hope and inspiration for dreaming big.
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