Over the past 7 weeks in this course I have really enjoyed the topics covered and the discussions that have been facilitated. The one elements of this course that stands out to me the most was the documentary 2 million minutes. Not only was this documentary eye opening to see how successful a charter school here in AZ is, but it also facilitated a great discussion. This discussion was not only strong and intense in class but it also flowed over into my classmate’s blogs. I very much enjoyed reading my peers perspectives of this Charter school and how they were similar or different to mine. It was interesting to see what we felt would prohibit us to run a school like BASIS in our districts. Finally, it was after we studied BASIS that TfA decided to take optional “field trip” to visit BASIS. While I was unable to attend it was interesting to know that TfA is trying to copy that model in our own Phoenix classrooms.
Overall I very much enjoyed this course and what it added to me not only in a personal educational sense but also in a professional sense. I appreciate my professor and my peers hard work and risk taking in classroom discussions and other elements of this course. It was a very valuable course.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
Business Minded Students
This two minded track that Mr. Kiyosaki spoke of highly aligns with the fundamentals of ISSN schools. "Since 2003, Asia Society has worked in partnership with school districts and charter authorities to create the International Studies Schools Network (ISSN). ISSN is a national network of design-driven public schools that are achieving success in attaining their core mission: to develop college-ready, globally competent high school graduates." (Asia Society, 2009)
Thinking of the structure and set up of the ISSN school I think they are a great way to run schools and also align with the mission and goals of the ISSN school. With this said, I think it would take a lot of renovation for their model to work in my school district. I think that the model would be very successful if all of the teachers were truly invested and believed in the idea that ISSN is “indisputable [that] we now live in an interconnected and interdependent world.” (Anthony, 2008) And we, as educators, are going to have to work extremely hard to, “fully prepare every young person for the challenges and opportunities he or she will face within the new global village” (Anthony, 2008) that we live in.
As for my students I strongly believe that they would latch onto the ISSN school models. My students are so thirsty for knowledge of the world. They want to know how everything is connected and how it works together, that if they knew that they would have the opportunity to work on projects related to the real world rather then the monotonous routines we train them to go through. While I know that it would take some work to get the kids invested I believe it is possible. My only concern is with investing the parents as well. A lot of my parents are very traditional and just want their students to learn what they are supposed to learn and they can be close minded to an idea like this. Again, I think it would take a lot of convincing that we have to prepare our students for the real world, not just the AIMS and if we want to prepare them for the real world we are going to have to get them to understand and participate in this globalization era.
Knowing that “more than one in five U.S. jobs is now tied to international trade” (Anthony, 2008) I would be a fool to say that I wouldn’t want to attend a school like the ISSN schools. Although, I think I am biased considering I studied business in college and I truly understated the market value that you add to yourself in the eyes of an employer if you are comfortable and confident in your globalization skills. In society today we have to be educated in what is going on in the world and if we can prepare our students for globalization and language diversity in high school it is only going to give them a jump start into their college careers.
Sources
Asia Society. (May 2009) Education and Learning. International Studies Schools Network. http://www.asiasociety.org/education-learning/international-studies-schools-network/international-studies-schools-network
Jackson, A. (May 2008). Educational Leadership. High Schools in the Global Age. Vol. 65. Number 8. Pages 58-62. http://www.trinity.edu/departments/education/Degree_Programs/May%2008%20Ed%20Leadership_jackson.pdf
Thinking of the structure and set up of the ISSN school I think they are a great way to run schools and also align with the mission and goals of the ISSN school. With this said, I think it would take a lot of renovation for their model to work in my school district. I think that the model would be very successful if all of the teachers were truly invested and believed in the idea that ISSN is “indisputable [that] we now live in an interconnected and interdependent world.” (Anthony, 2008) And we, as educators, are going to have to work extremely hard to, “fully prepare every young person for the challenges and opportunities he or she will face within the new global village” (Anthony, 2008) that we live in.
As for my students I strongly believe that they would latch onto the ISSN school models. My students are so thirsty for knowledge of the world. They want to know how everything is connected and how it works together, that if they knew that they would have the opportunity to work on projects related to the real world rather then the monotonous routines we train them to go through. While I know that it would take some work to get the kids invested I believe it is possible. My only concern is with investing the parents as well. A lot of my parents are very traditional and just want their students to learn what they are supposed to learn and they can be close minded to an idea like this. Again, I think it would take a lot of convincing that we have to prepare our students for the real world, not just the AIMS and if we want to prepare them for the real world we are going to have to get them to understand and participate in this globalization era.
Knowing that “more than one in five U.S. jobs is now tied to international trade” (Anthony, 2008) I would be a fool to say that I wouldn’t want to attend a school like the ISSN schools. Although, I think I am biased considering I studied business in college and I truly understated the market value that you add to yourself in the eyes of an employer if you are comfortable and confident in your globalization skills. In society today we have to be educated in what is going on in the world and if we can prepare our students for globalization and language diversity in high school it is only going to give them a jump start into their college careers.
Sources
Asia Society. (May 2009) Education and Learning. International Studies Schools Network. http://www.asiasociety.org/education-learning/international-studies-schools-network/international-studies-schools-network
Jackson, A. (May 2008). Educational Leadership. High Schools in the Global Age. Vol. 65. Number 8. Pages 58-62. http://www.trinity.edu/departments/education/Degree_Programs/May%2008%20Ed%20Leadership_jackson.pdf
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Happiness
For this weeks blog post about Happiness I have decided to connect my happiness post to the season of Lent that is rapidly approaching. Seeing as I am Catholic and tomorrow is Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent, a season where you give something up or decide to work towards achieving a goal I have decided to tie my happiness goal to the season of Lent. For my Lent goal this year I have decided to strive to eat better and make my gym visits more regular. By accomplishing these goals I will then choose to give up five to ten pounds which will greatly be aided by also giving up chocolate. :) My happiness is making sure that my body is healthy and happy. Lately I have been getting so caught up in the business of teaching, grading and going to school that I have lost sight of my own health and happiness. I know that we all go through these phases in our lives but Lent is a time in my life that really allows me to reflect on my life and truly reflect on what it is that is making me happy in my life and what are the toxins that I have to work to rid my body of. Being able to take the time in my life to reflect and really focus on my body and spirituality is what truly makes me happy. So i find the timing of this assignment truly ironic seeing as it allowed me time to reflect on what truly makes me happy and then ensure that I am am to tie those ideas and goals to my goals for the approaching season of Lent.
Monday, February 8, 2010
BASIS Charter School
BASIS Charter Reflection
While the documentary Two Million Minutes as well as BASIS mission statement makes it very clear that its is no secret that American students are lagging further and further behind their international peers I also question the radical analysis of education that BASIS engages in. I understand that BASIS has a “goal of offering best education in the United States, the Blocks combined the depth and rigor of the European and Asian college prep schools with the expansiveness of the American curriculum and the openness of the American classroom” but their plan has a black hole embedded within it.
While BASIS Tucson offers the type of education students receive in other industrialized countries and the type of education Americans will need to compete in the global economy their students population is not representative of the local community that Arizona serves. Within the short clips of the documentary that we were exposed to the lack of diversity within BASIS was very apparent. BASIS did not have a sample of students who we know and identify as ELD students nor did they mention serving students with special needs. As a charter school they can exercise this right within their school walls but as a teacher in an inner city public school as well as a product of an inner city public education it is hard for me to relate to what BASIS is doing. I can only imagine teaching what I love to teach now to a sample of students who want to be in class, have no learning or language disabilities, and are there to strive for greatness. This is not the norm currently in my school and while BASIS is having tremendous success with the public education that they provide I do not see how that education can penetrate the system we currently have in the United States.
BASIS may claim that that they have assembled a stellar faculty that is devoted to teaching at “world standards” and who hold both their students and themselves to very high levels of accountability but the faculty they have assembled is well versed in their content area and how to deliver that content to highly motivated general education students. From what we can tell these faculty members are not equipped to serve a marginalized group of students with learning disabilities and/or special needs that are currently sitting in my classroom and many others throughout our state everyday.
I do see the advantages and pros of BASIS, their curriculum, faculty and mission statement. I also acknowledge the amazing feats that they are pulling off everyday in a state that is 48th in the nation for education. Asides from all of these amazing accolades I can still personally say that I would not choose to teach at BASIS nor would I choose to send my student to BASIS. I appreciate the diversity of students, opportunities and extra curricular activities that the public education system can provide students and knowing that I was able to make it through that system I believe that others can successfully make it through as well.
While the documentary Two Million Minutes as well as BASIS mission statement makes it very clear that its is no secret that American students are lagging further and further behind their international peers I also question the radical analysis of education that BASIS engages in. I understand that BASIS has a “goal of offering best education in the United States, the Blocks combined the depth and rigor of the European and Asian college prep schools with the expansiveness of the American curriculum and the openness of the American classroom” but their plan has a black hole embedded within it.
While BASIS Tucson offers the type of education students receive in other industrialized countries and the type of education Americans will need to compete in the global economy their students population is not representative of the local community that Arizona serves. Within the short clips of the documentary that we were exposed to the lack of diversity within BASIS was very apparent. BASIS did not have a sample of students who we know and identify as ELD students nor did they mention serving students with special needs. As a charter school they can exercise this right within their school walls but as a teacher in an inner city public school as well as a product of an inner city public education it is hard for me to relate to what BASIS is doing. I can only imagine teaching what I love to teach now to a sample of students who want to be in class, have no learning or language disabilities, and are there to strive for greatness. This is not the norm currently in my school and while BASIS is having tremendous success with the public education that they provide I do not see how that education can penetrate the system we currently have in the United States.
BASIS may claim that that they have assembled a stellar faculty that is devoted to teaching at “world standards” and who hold both their students and themselves to very high levels of accountability but the faculty they have assembled is well versed in their content area and how to deliver that content to highly motivated general education students. From what we can tell these faculty members are not equipped to serve a marginalized group of students with learning disabilities and/or special needs that are currently sitting in my classroom and many others throughout our state everyday.
I do see the advantages and pros of BASIS, their curriculum, faculty and mission statement. I also acknowledge the amazing feats that they are pulling off everyday in a state that is 48th in the nation for education. Asides from all of these amazing accolades I can still personally say that I would not choose to teach at BASIS nor would I choose to send my student to BASIS. I appreciate the diversity of students, opportunities and extra curricular activities that the public education system can provide students and knowing that I was able to make it through that system I believe that others can successfully make it through as well.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Self Reflection
1. Name five of your core values—in order of priority if possible—and describe why they are important to you.
Family – You family is what you have come from. While you can’t pick them they are you and have helped mold you to what you are today in some way shape or form. They are the foundation on my life and what I have grown to become.
Compassion – Compassion and the feeling that you can show and deal with in your life is a staple core value to me. It is a way to better understand yourself in the greater context of our world and the society that we live in.
Commitment- I firmly believe that you should find something that you love and have a passion for and you should dedicate yourself to it. This can look so different for everyone. The range can be from an individual to a degree to an occupation. Whatsoever you choose to do, do it with everything you have, be as committed as possible.
Love – Love is a basis for everything we do. I believe you can’t live a successful life without love. I believe that love manifests itself in many ways. Some people might have love for themselves, others or a profession but they do have and experience love in some way shape or form. Those who say they don’t love say so because they are hiding behind a fear, whether justifiable or not they are hiding and at some point in their lives have experienced love.
Respect- Respect is a core that that I have that is very unique. Respect is something that you cannot get unless you receive and that is the tricky part. I try my hardest to give everyone the respect they are entitled to but there are occasions where respect that I have for an individual can be tainted based on how they represent themselves and their thoughts and/or feelings. I am not saying I would give respect to someone I didn’t agree with it deals more with how they represent themselves.
2. How do you bring your values into your professional and personal lives? How good a job do you feel you are doing at living your values?
I would say that I do an okay job and incorporating my core values into my everyday life. I am by no means perfect and there are definite times where I slack more in areas then I should but for the most part I try and be very reflective in my life which ultimately involves me staying centered and focused around my core values.
3. What really interests you? How do you (or could you) actualize your interests even more, whether at work, in a community setting, or as a hobby?
My whole life I have had two interests, teens and sports. I have always had a passion for sports and I followed that passion in my undergraduate work and job after college but I always found myself wanting to work more with the kids in my neighborhood. Trying to inspire them to do and strive for the best. I was able to incorporate that a little while working in both the professional and college sporting areas but it left me feeling unsatisfied and like I wasn’t helping my community. Now that I am in a school setting where I am able to combine my passion for teens (teaching middle school) and sports (coaching) I find that I am very happy with my life.
4. How much time do you set aside each week to do what truly interests you and how significant is the reward you receive?
Depends on the week. If Gonzaga is playing then I will always set that time away. Unfortunately, with the stress of being in my second year of teaching and finishing up my Masters I do not put as much time aside as I should.
5. What are the key skills you bring to life?
The skills I like to think I bring to life are centered around being dedicated to something in your life, staying determined to accomplish the goals you’ve set for yourself and remaining balanced in whatever it is that you choose to do in life.
6. How fully are you able to express them at home? In the workplace? In your community?
I feel very comfortable and confident in expressing my values and beliefs in my home, workplace and community. They are who I am and what I represent. People don’t have to necessarily completely agree with them but just understand and accept the fact that they are what make up who I am.
7. Describe how well you do at accepting yourself and others unconditionally.
As a teacher I think I have become ever better at accepting myself and others for who they are. In order to be a well rounded person I think that you have to be wiling to see people for everything that they are even if it something that you don’t agree with or see eye to eye on. If we all saw everything the same we would live in a very boring world.
8. Name some circumstances where you have found yourself expressing awe and/or gratitude.
I expressed the greatest amount of gratitude to a program that I went through the summer after my 8th grade year that was ultimately the reason for me deciding to work hard to be the first person in my family to go to college.
9. Briefly discuss the level of trust and depth you experience in your personal relationships.
The level of trust that I experience in my personal relationships varies. Depending on the person and the environment that I am in I tend to be very hesitant to let others in. I don’t mind discussing my thoughts and beliefs but as far as allowing someone to truly understand me and where and what I come from I need to have a very deep trust in that person and know that they are willing to listen, understand and accept me no matter what.
10. When and where in your life do you feel creative or inventive?
I don’t consider myself a very creative person but when I am the most creative is when I am doing something with photos from my life. I love to find creative and interesting ways to display and present photos that represent my life.
11. Do you feel that your life path is leading you to live up to your potential?
I do believe that my path is leading me to live up to my potential. While I am not sure what my ultimate goal in life is I truly feel that I am currently on the right path in my life and I am happy with where and what I am doing right now.
12. What else seems important to you as a part of this reflection?
Another important part of this reflection is taking the time to reflect. In our jobs especially as teachers it is very easy to get caught up in everything we have to do all the time but it is so important for us to stop and take time to reflect on our lives and what we are doing to ensure that we are taking care of ourselves.
Family – You family is what you have come from. While you can’t pick them they are you and have helped mold you to what you are today in some way shape or form. They are the foundation on my life and what I have grown to become.
Compassion – Compassion and the feeling that you can show and deal with in your life is a staple core value to me. It is a way to better understand yourself in the greater context of our world and the society that we live in.
Commitment- I firmly believe that you should find something that you love and have a passion for and you should dedicate yourself to it. This can look so different for everyone. The range can be from an individual to a degree to an occupation. Whatsoever you choose to do, do it with everything you have, be as committed as possible.
Love – Love is a basis for everything we do. I believe you can’t live a successful life without love. I believe that love manifests itself in many ways. Some people might have love for themselves, others or a profession but they do have and experience love in some way shape or form. Those who say they don’t love say so because they are hiding behind a fear, whether justifiable or not they are hiding and at some point in their lives have experienced love.
Respect- Respect is a core that that I have that is very unique. Respect is something that you cannot get unless you receive and that is the tricky part. I try my hardest to give everyone the respect they are entitled to but there are occasions where respect that I have for an individual can be tainted based on how they represent themselves and their thoughts and/or feelings. I am not saying I would give respect to someone I didn’t agree with it deals more with how they represent themselves.
2. How do you bring your values into your professional and personal lives? How good a job do you feel you are doing at living your values?
I would say that I do an okay job and incorporating my core values into my everyday life. I am by no means perfect and there are definite times where I slack more in areas then I should but for the most part I try and be very reflective in my life which ultimately involves me staying centered and focused around my core values.
3. What really interests you? How do you (or could you) actualize your interests even more, whether at work, in a community setting, or as a hobby?
My whole life I have had two interests, teens and sports. I have always had a passion for sports and I followed that passion in my undergraduate work and job after college but I always found myself wanting to work more with the kids in my neighborhood. Trying to inspire them to do and strive for the best. I was able to incorporate that a little while working in both the professional and college sporting areas but it left me feeling unsatisfied and like I wasn’t helping my community. Now that I am in a school setting where I am able to combine my passion for teens (teaching middle school) and sports (coaching) I find that I am very happy with my life.
4. How much time do you set aside each week to do what truly interests you and how significant is the reward you receive?
Depends on the week. If Gonzaga is playing then I will always set that time away. Unfortunately, with the stress of being in my second year of teaching and finishing up my Masters I do not put as much time aside as I should.
5. What are the key skills you bring to life?
The skills I like to think I bring to life are centered around being dedicated to something in your life, staying determined to accomplish the goals you’ve set for yourself and remaining balanced in whatever it is that you choose to do in life.
6. How fully are you able to express them at home? In the workplace? In your community?
I feel very comfortable and confident in expressing my values and beliefs in my home, workplace and community. They are who I am and what I represent. People don’t have to necessarily completely agree with them but just understand and accept the fact that they are what make up who I am.
7. Describe how well you do at accepting yourself and others unconditionally.
As a teacher I think I have become ever better at accepting myself and others for who they are. In order to be a well rounded person I think that you have to be wiling to see people for everything that they are even if it something that you don’t agree with or see eye to eye on. If we all saw everything the same we would live in a very boring world.
8. Name some circumstances where you have found yourself expressing awe and/or gratitude.
I expressed the greatest amount of gratitude to a program that I went through the summer after my 8th grade year that was ultimately the reason for me deciding to work hard to be the first person in my family to go to college.
9. Briefly discuss the level of trust and depth you experience in your personal relationships.
The level of trust that I experience in my personal relationships varies. Depending on the person and the environment that I am in I tend to be very hesitant to let others in. I don’t mind discussing my thoughts and beliefs but as far as allowing someone to truly understand me and where and what I come from I need to have a very deep trust in that person and know that they are willing to listen, understand and accept me no matter what.
10. When and where in your life do you feel creative or inventive?
I don’t consider myself a very creative person but when I am the most creative is when I am doing something with photos from my life. I love to find creative and interesting ways to display and present photos that represent my life.
11. Do you feel that your life path is leading you to live up to your potential?
I do believe that my path is leading me to live up to my potential. While I am not sure what my ultimate goal in life is I truly feel that I am currently on the right path in my life and I am happy with where and what I am doing right now.
12. What else seems important to you as a part of this reflection?
Another important part of this reflection is taking the time to reflect. In our jobs especially as teachers it is very easy to get caught up in everything we have to do all the time but it is so important for us to stop and take time to reflect on our lives and what we are doing to ensure that we are taking care of ourselves.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)