One of the ideas exhibited in Ladson-Billings’ The Dreamkeepers is one that I have always thought to be a brilliant solution for the school of low socioeconomic status, full of students and parents who may not always have the time to attend open houses because of work conflicts, but who are always concerned for the best interests of their children. Paul Robeson Elementary School, Ladson-Billings’ own creation of an ideal school, is a ”neighborhood center and gathering place that is open from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm. It includes a daycare center, a preschool, a health clinic, and a job training center” (p. 153). I wholeheartedly agree that a school should be the glue that binds a town or community together. Parents and students alike should be familiar with schools, and schools should offer additional services to aid parents and students. This would also create jobs or opportunities for students (or parents) to learn a trade. I just think that it is so important for a school to have its arms open to the community. A school’s aim is obviously to help its students succeed, but if that goal spread to bettering the entire community and creating opportunities for young and old, public education would become even more meaningful.
Patricia Hillard is one teacher Ladson-Billings observed, and I think this woman’s view of knowledge is similar to my own. She teaches writing as an ongoing process. Since I am in the English field, writing is something very meaningful to me. Students so often feel pressure to write something perfect in their first draft, but this rarely happens. I want to help my future students understand that we will keep working together until their piece is the way they want it. I also love that Hillard’s students are “eager to share their latest publications” (p. 89). Students should find joy in the creation of a piece, but writing is often viewed as tedious. I want my students to learn to love writing as a vehicle for expressing themselves and getting through life, not just as something they need to do to pass a class.
I was also inspired by the stories of The New Dreamkeepers in the afterword. All of these teachers work hard every day to make the best possible environment for their African American students and their white or other race students alike. I think it’s important that we recognize and embrace differences, and in the classroom, each student’s unique background can bring something special and positive to the class. These teachers highlighted here are winning examples that caring teachers are all around, and we can make a difference for our students.
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ReplyDeleteWouldn't it be so amazing to work in an ideal school such as the one Ladson Billings' describes. A school should absolutely be the center of the community providing safety and guidance, not only for the students, but the parents as well. In the end the schools goal is produce quality citizens for that very community. Caring in the classroom is becoming more and more common, however it needs to be taken a step further. I think that administration and public school systems should consider the importance of caring for all students and making needed adjustments. Great analysis Kate! At this point I just can't wait to teach!
ReplyDeleteIt is very reassuring to read about when educators are getting it right. For the semester, we've been reading about the neglect of students and how teachers and students are unable to relate (I'm looking at you, "Politics of Caring"). Scare tactics are only effective if they provide a plan for avoiding failure or destruction. I agree with you that Ms. Hillard's class is an example of success, and in turn, serves as an objective to aim towards.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Phil's comment, I agree that school needs to be the center of the community. In doing so, the school itself must maintain a community within its walls. The school community is a completed puzzle that acts as a piece to a larger puzzle. We're not just teaching students English, or History, or Math; we're teaching them how to be capable members of society. We're teaching them the values that they need to survive on the streets, at work, at home, and everywhere in between.
The Bedford High School, the school I observed for this class, is actually an example of a school environment attempting to use its resources to open itself up to the community as a whole. They've actually down this in two ways: first, they have a pre-school in the premises for parents to enroll their children in, and high school students are able to take classes like Early Childhood Education and work in the pre-school for credit. Also, the school has an ROTC program that connects to the neighboring Hanscom Air Force Base and this connects students with that organization. I agree with you that all schools should be making steps like these to make themselves central to the community. :)
ReplyDeleteI really like the idea of the school being aware of its community. The school is one of the central pieces to a town or city. And the school needs to understand and respect the parents and community as much as the other way around. Because, after all, the parents pay for the school. What that school did to help the parents was very smart. My high school didn't do a lot of those kinds of things, but it didn't really need to. I would love to go back and see if my school has changed or just stayed the same.
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