It was a time of racial unrest. Riots and the Rodney King incident set the tone for unrest and questioning. Gangs and violence were a part of life for the students she would try to teach. She had hopes of fighting the battle in the school and not in the streets.
- What realities and challenges confronted her in the beginning of the year?
The reality of what she faced as a teacher started from day one. It was a world she didn't know or understand. Angry students fighting for a place in life and teachers fighting to keep them from finding a place. No one having a chance and no one giving that chance for change.
- What were some of the case scenarios of the lived experiences of the students she had in class?
Discussions of what types of life experiences they have brought more questions than answers. The idea of giving respect before it was earned as they had come to learn by life on the street. Life ambitions was to die trying to live not live trying to just live. Erins first step was to teach them to respect themselves and open up to the other students that were not any different than they were.
- What strategies did Erin incorporate to break down the barriers between the students and the teacher?
The introduction of the game with the red tape on the floor showed the students how much they were the same. This was one of the first steps she made to get the students to engage and change attitudes and would be the first step to greatly impact their academic lives and lives in general.
- What were the attitudes and challenges from other teachers and administrators in the school?
Erin's first step forward to try and use books that were available, but not for her students, again brought questions and resistence. It was a reinforcement of why the students she was trying to teach had the self image issue of no one caring. They were living what they had been taught, not even worthy of using the same books that other students in the school had the opportunity to use. Here again change would take place by her believing in herself and in them.
- What role did Erin's expectations for the students have on their learning?
Erin's expectations were not only for the students but for the system. 'No' was not acceptable and because of the expectations, it pushed students to be more than they would ever imagine.
I really liked and appreciated the answer to your second question on the realities and challenges that Erin Gruwell faced in the beginning of the year. I liked how you said "Angry students fighting for a place in life and teachers fighting to keep them from finding a place." That is an awesome quote and right on the money.
ReplyDeleteDo you think that you will go into schools and the teachers and administration are keeping the students from finding a place in life? What about students with disabilities? Are they more likely to be kept from finding their place in life?