“The music is all around us, all you have to do is listen.” - August Rush
This quote can be broken down in many different ways. However, it helps me to get a grasp on my future. As an educator I want to be everything my teachers weren’t, which is to be more hands-on. In my article I will talk about my experiences with diversity and culture in education, how I plan to be a sufficient educator, and I will also be supporting my information with theoretical knowledge.
Growing up I didn’t get to experience diversity; it was always the same ole same ole. The same hood, the same kids I ran with, and the same horrible education. I was a very bright young lady, but because of my upbringing and surroundings I didn’t let my intelligence show. Trouble should have been my middle name. I never missed a day in the principal’s office and the day just wasn’t right if my parents weren’t called. There are many reasons why my school days went that way, but the two main reasons was because of home and also the atmosphere of the classroom. Although I had my father in my life, he didn’t live with us. I wanted him to be around every day doing things that dads were supposed to do, but I didn’t get that privilege. I had to deal with different men, abuse, and arguments. It made me angry and I released my anger at school with my actions and behavior. As far as the work I received, it always got done and then I had nothing to do but sit and start together. The teacher never gave me anything that was challenging or assignments to make me think.
Before I went to high school my mom changed my school districts and put me in an arts school. The diversity there was crazy--you saw all different types of groups and ethnicity. It was so different from what I was comfortable with and I honestly didn’t know what to do. I was a part of the vocal concentration side and it became my peace and gave a way of release. So I began to come out of my shell more and make new friends. I started to try out for different things and after a while I started to realize I wasn’t getting in much trouble anymore. Once I started to keep myself involved and busy I was able to find my way and do better.
When I sit and think about my upbringing, my transition into a new educational environment and the college education I’m receiving now, it gives me the tools and knowledge needed to be able to help my students succeed and stay more focused on their goal. Once I become an educator, I feel that being more hands-on and involved will be very helpful to my students' education. Having a teacher be involved in your everyday learning and giving students the opportunity to do mostly hands on activities helps you as a teacher gain trust from your students.
In this century, Jean Piaget and John Dewey developed theories of childhood development and education, what we now call Progressive Education, that led to the evolution of constructivism. Piaget believed that humans learn through the construction of one logical structure after another. He also concluded that the logic of children and their modes of thinking are initially entirely different from those of adults. The implications of this theory and how he applied them have shaped the foundation for constructivist education. Dewey called for education to be grounded in real experience. He wrote, "If you have doubts about how learning happens, engage in sustained inquiry: study, ponder, consider alternative possibilities and arrive at your belief grounded in evidence." Constructivism gives the students the chance to think broader and use their hands as well, but it gives the teacher the opportunity to have teachable moments and challenge their students as well.
The new generation of educators are taking over the world and changing lives by using their life experiences and taking information from education to build a new generation of educated leaders. Because of my experiences and educational knowledge, I will be able to help a student who may be just like me achieve goals that they never imagined.
