What Lengths am I Willing to go to in Order to do Right by Every Child?

    As a future educator, I feel there is a lot we can learn about becoming culturally responsive in the classroom. To do right by students in your classroom, is to show them acceptance, patience, and humility, as mentioned in our module. In Module 10, I learned that to be a culturally responsive teacher, is to diversify your instruction to make connections to all students and their cultures and/or languages. Regardless of one's background, all students deserve to have the same learning experience and opportunities as one another. I am glad we are able to acknowledge the importance of culturally responsive teaching because certain views have not always supported this pursuit. In order to provide an equal opportunity learning experience for students in the classroom, some students or groups may require more resources and support to achieve specific learning goals. In the YouTube video, 'This is Equity', it mentioned how "we have to be willing in our system to give more to those who need more, when they need it." I completely agree with this statement, as there are groups of students, and their families, that are at a greater disadvantage than other students in a more well supported school district. To not even out that disadvantage as an educator, would be a disservice. The lengths in which I am willing to go in order to do right by every child is immeasurable because I will utilize every resource, strategy, and idea that I, or others have, until I am confident that I have given all my students an equal opportunity; whatever that may require. 

Reflection on what has Impacted Me the Most as an Educator

A theme from this semester that has had the greatest impact on me as a future educator is, ‘How do we talk about issues that matter?’ When doing Module 5, the reading,”Fostering Civil Discourse” from Facing History, was a very significant source in helping me understand the importance of addressing important issues in the classroom. I feel one of the most important things that I learned, and plan to share with my students, is to remember that it is not a goal to change someone's opinion when you're discussing 'difficult' topics. These topics are not difficult, but rather unknown. As an educator, the impact this had on me is that I can address civil discourse by making these topics known to my students by helping them gain a greater understanding of the topic by listening to and acknowledging other perspectives. When we are able to truly listen and understand other viewpoints, that is when we are able to change and adjust our own opinions. This also impacted me in the way that I want to prioritize my students’ opinions and ideas because it is beneficial for young minds to feel valued, and heard. I want to implement this in my classroom by guiding my students through discussing opinionated topics with one another. This is definitely a learned skill for many, but it is important that students are able to do so from a young age. Having such a skill can prepare them for many aspects of life, including how to be well-informed and understanding members of their community.