On page 8 of the book excerpt "Perceiving and Responding to Differences," Gonzalez-Mena asks the following question: Why is transformative education a better approach than simple parent education in the face of cultural differences?" Consider what you have learned about transformative education from this reading and then respond to the author's question considering not only parent education but your own education as well. From the book excerpt “Perceiving and Responding to Differences,” Gonzalez-Mena (2008) states that transformative education occurs when two people or groups come together and interact in such a way that both are transformed, and has a desired effect in the presence of diversity (p. 25). Transformative education is a better approach than simple parent education in the face of cultural differences because it helps to support the entire development of the child. Transformative education allows for all involved to be equally respected by the teacher, parents, and the children. It also helps to ensure that different perspectives and viewpoints are gained through dialogue with others. By engaging in transformative education it allows the teacher and parent to …show more content…
Through dialogue teachers and parents can help contribute to their child’s education based on their cultural experiences. It is important for parents to have positive ongoing communication with their children’s teacher. Transformative education is better approach because it allows the learning process to open up and develop educational experiences that are tailored toward the diversity of all and helps to enhance the educational experience. Just as it is stated in the text, it transforms each other’s life experience to a different level of knowledge and sensitive multiethnic care (Gonzalez-Mena, 2008, p.
It is also important to understand “The Assimilation-Pluralism-Suppression Continuum” because how we educate our students’ will affect their path along the continuum. According to Bennett (2014), “informed and caring teachers will play an important role in the future of new second and third generations children, their classroom peers, and our increasingly diverse society as a whole” (Bennett, 2014, p. 165). This is a huge responsibility teachers’ need to understand and not take lightly. As a teacher, we will play a role in the continuation of classic assimilation or creating a culturally pluralist society.
“Different but Equal” is a video in which Basil Davidson, the narrator, attempts to expand and heighten the understanding that Western civilization has about Africa. Often thought of as underdeveloped or uncivilized, Basil focuses mainly on the accomplishments of Africans throughout the years and uses them to contrast the surprisingly popular belief of African inferiority. Just a few of the main issues being brought up are how Europeans routinely discredited African accomplishments, the often disputed race of the Egyptians and their society, and why the thought that Africans are ‘uncivilized’ isn’t accurate. The video uses science, archaeology and history combined with the input of well-known researchers to give a more accurate depiction of
The article talks about how teachers need to have cultural compatibility. While it might be difficult for some teacher to grasp and understand the different cultures behaviors and beliefs. For those teacher that can are more likely to provide a learning environment that is enriching and responsive to the children’s different cultures. Teacher should have “meaningful interactions with members of other cultures and promote cultural disequilibrium (Colombo, 2005, p. 2).” Activities that have this are more likely to increase cultural competence.
It promotes teaching and learning to ensure children’s ‘school readiness’ and gives children the broad range of knowledge and skills that provide the right foundation for good future progress through out life.
Although we see many immigrants who drop out of school and have a challenging time adjusting to their new lives it is up to the teacher to help and inspire these kids to be the best they can be. Some of the ways teachers can do this are to learn about communication, the culture the student has, and using a support system through the school and with the children’s families. It is a difficult task to comprehend what these children have been through and even harder to make a connection with them. That is why all teachers need these resources and the drive to see children like Enrique succeed in education and throughout
Henry Giroux, however, believes in a “transformative education.” “Transformative intellectuals are aware of their own theoretical convictions and are skilled in strategies for translating them into practice (Giroux, 1991).” In other words, Giroux believes that all teachers need to hold an “active role in shaping the curriculum” and be able to exercise their power or beliefs in teaching (Giroux, 1991). Likewise, Giroux discusses transformative education as a form of pedagogy which is always associated with power (Giroux, 1991). Giroux believes that critical pedagogy plays a role in transformative education. Giroux’s interpretation of critical pedagogy was shaped from the philosopher Paula Freire whose focus was on the student’s abili...
Students who are enrolled in elementary schools with a diverse population usually develop an understanding of insights and perspectives of children from different backgrounds and learn to function in a multiethnic, multicultural environment (Morrissey, 2014). Therefore, students need to learn how to interact in diverse environments. Teachers face challenges of making lessons and instructions “culturally responsive” for all students to avoid favoritism (Griner, 2012). Some students’ cultural backgrounds may have a negative impact on them in a modern classroom (Burt, 2013). It is imperative for elementary school teachers to be knowledgeable of different cultural beliefs and practices to help students adjust to traditional classrooms (Nigma, 2015). Defining the
Thirdly both approach focus on educators to provide encouragement, warmth, and acceptance. They also provide challenges for creative and complex learning and thinking, helping children to extend their ideas and actions through sensitive, informed, well-judged interventions and support. Te Whᾱriki principles points out “children learn through responsive and reciprocal relationships with people, places and things” (p. 14).
As an educator one must understand that the children you will be teaching will all come from different backgrounds, different ethnicities, different homes with different values. No one student will be the same, and no one student will learn the same. The role of a modern educator is to harness this idea of diversity and channel it into a positive learning atmosphere for children of all backgrounds. “I define culturally responsive teaching as using the cultural knowledge, prior experiences, frames of reference, and performance styles of ethnically diverse students to make learning encounters more relevant to and effective for them” (Gay, 2013, p.50.). The hope for all teachers is to capture the minds of their children, as educators we must learn how our students learn, adapt to their skill set and channel our curriculum to their strength.
It is imperative that all children learn that being different is a good thing, since this is not a natural characteristic of human behavior, this must be taught to America’s youth. Second, all educators must become familiar with all of their students backgrounds by learning how to support learners of more than one language, foster bicultural identities, identify connecting points with their students, and assist those students with cultural straddling. This will aid in the socio-emotional development of the immigrant child, which in turn will directly impact their cognitive abilities, increasing their chances to meet
Delpit's article is in support of the multicultural education theory. She invites the reader to travel with her "to other worlds…learning to see albeit dimly, through the haze of our own cultural lenses" (Delpit, 1995, pg.69). Delpit's article identifies the four problems of educating poor and culturally diverse children she believes educators need to resolve in order to achieve multiculturalism in the classroom.
The desire to learn new things means that both sides, students and teachers, must have an engaged pedagogy. According to hooks, an engaged pedagogy is both sides are willing to learn and grow. Not only the students are empowered and are encourage sharing things about themselves and learning new things but teachers are also meant to do these things (21). This is a barrier because if students and teachers are not willing to learn and grow democratic citizens cannot be created. This is so because people will not be educated of differences and others react and deal with different things in society. This goes along with the importance of self-actualization of teachers in the class...
Culture is a powerful influence plays a big role in our interactions. Culture may also impact parenting style and a developing child. Having a strong sense of their own cultural history and the traditions associated with it helps children build a positive cultural identity for themselves. This also supports children’s sense of belonging and, by extension, their mental health and wellbeing. This class is crucial in understanding and working well parents, staff, and children. An effective educator understands how students’ cultures affect their perceptions, self-esteem, values, classroom behavior, and learning. As director, I need to use that understanding to help my students and staff feel welcomed, affirmed, respected, and valued. One way that I can do this is by using multicultural literature, especially children’s literature, to honor students’ culture and foster cross-cultural understanding. If cultural differences are not understood by teachers and management, it can lead to miscommunication and misunderstandings on both sides. It will be my job to do all I can to overcome both language and cultural differences to ensure a positive learning environment for
The world is currently undergoing a cultural change, and we live in an increasingly diverse society. This change is not only affect the people in the community but also affect the way education is viewed. Teaching diversity in the classroom and focusing multicultural activities in the programs can help improve positive social behavior in children. There is no question that the education must be prepared to embrace the diversity and to teach an increasingly diverse population of young children.
Learning initially begins with one's attitude toward themselves, others, and the world we live in. It is our attitudes that play a major role in shaping our experiences, which in turn affects the way in which we learn. We must first be able to interpret the world using information we already know, in order to understand something entirely new. As a teacher, I could only hope that I can provide children with a positive educational experience, one that will broaden the scope in which they view themselves, others, and the world on a larger scale. Children already acquire a desire to learn, however, it is up to us to sti...