Friday, May 1, 2009

Diversity Event

This event was honestly sent by a saving grace. There were many events that I had wanted to attend but because of my work schedule and school schedule I wasn't able to go to them until today. 

There was a conference held in the Student Union from 10:00 am till 5:00pm. It was an all day event but split up into different sections. I went to the event at noon. It was session two titled Diversity.

I wasn't sure quite what to expect from this conference at first. I wasn't sure if it would be just facts or stories or idea swapping. I was very surprised at how much I really enjoyed it. I felt engaged in what they had to say. The main idea was how diversity can bring in a whole new realm of ideas and contributions to not only the workplace but schools, community, and government as well. IT was put into terms that diversity wasn't just a word that could be spoken about, rather a word that should be built on change. There is no reason why we cannot add these ideas to our regular lifestyle. Rather than point out the differences, accept  and embrace them. The enforced the ideas that our world can grow much more efficiently if diversity becomes a part of our lives. 

I find nothing wrong with bringing about diversity into our society, actually i see it as very beneficial. I have always wondered what it would be like to be a different race or have a different accent or live in a different country. I'm sure many people have wondered that as well. Well, if we continue to accept the ideas of diversity and act upon those ideas then we will have real life examples of the differences we once though about in ourselves. Diversity should be big in schools, children should be able to feel comfortable whenever they are in a diverse setting and by starting them off young they will adapt and it will become part of their regular routine. 

This event made me realize that when i finally do become a teacher I will embrace and promote diversity as much and as well as i can.  I will put posters up showing diversity, teach about, do activities. Each little thing counts and I want to be that someone who makes that little difference. Children today, especially now need to lean on a good foundation if they want to get a good understanding of how the world should be rather than how it has been.

Talking points...#10

Privilege, Power and Difference
What can we do?
Allan G Johnson

Johnson argues about racism. He claims that in order to fix what the present problems we need to learn from our past mistakes and take into account what has been done before. 

1> " Dont let other people set the standard for you."
This quote was short but I really enjoyed for the simple fact that it is 100% true. We need to find the power within ourselves to be ourselves and think our own thoughts. we need to be heard, seen and understood if we want to make a change. But it starts with our individual self.

2> "Its easy to have opinions, but it takes work to know what you're talking about."
So many people in this world, even our own friends and family members have done this in the past. They can spit out all they have to say but its straight air. I know I have done it before to. Sometimes its hard to have facts to back up what you really mean to say but the more we do that the more informed we will be.

3>"Its amazing how much of the time we compare ourselves to other people as a way to see how well we fit in."
I know for a fact that this occurs far too often, especially with women. People are so worried about fitting in that they forget what is really important and that is coming together to brign about change and acceptance of diversity. 

Once again as said before, all this talk about change and acceptance does no good if there are no actions, facts and will power behind this method of madness. People can talk all they want but can they do?

Talking Points...#9

Citizenship in School: reconceptualizing Down Syndrome
By: Christopher Kliewer

The issue with equality in schools has always been visible, however it is a double edge sword when it comes to children with down syndrome. Its often hard to find that happy medium for all the students. I do feel, however, that those with down syndrome should be taken out of the classroom when working in subjects with which they have a hard time understanding. this way here those students in the classroom will be able to understand at their pace and the down syndrome students wont become overwhelmed with the ideas of finishing their work at the time of all the other kids.  I understand that Kliewer wants everyone to have individual needs met and respect. In order to have those individual needs, sometimes those children need to be somewhat separated from some class situations to help them better understand. 
1.} No child was inherently an intellectual burden to a classroom, in fact she argued each student contributed a unique and potentially valuable dimension to the web of relationships that formed a school community." The quote is basically saying that students who attend shcool should receive the same treatment regardless of their diagnosis. No child should have guilt of feeling like they are hindering the other classmates. The teacher should recognize each child and what they have to offer. 

2.} "If you came into the room and were told there was a retarded child in class, a child with special needs, I dont think you would pick Lee out. The kids really agree that he is as capable as they are. Intellectually the same." I liked this quote because the kids see him just the same as they are and i feel that it allows the student (lee) to feel more comfortable in a classroom setting. 

3.} "Its about all of us working together, playing together, being together, and thats what learning is. Dont tell me any of these kids are being set up to fail." Like I said above, i feel that inside the classroom if a particular student or students are having a tough time with the curriculum then it is okay to take them aside but I dont not feel that these students should be completely shut out and sent off all together in a separate classroom. 

I think each student should be accounted for individually this way here the teacher is able to pin point they needs inside and outside of the classroom. I enjoyed this reading because it opened up my eyes to what is happened without many realizing the controversial split.