Blog #11 Semester Reflection

One thing that really stood out to me this semester was the article by Thomas Hehir on Eliminating Ableism in Education. It helped me think about how students with disabilities, like me with ADHD, are often expected to learn the same way as everyone else instead of getting the support they actually need. What stuck with me most was how some teachers focus more on “fixing” the disability than helping students succeed in the way that works best for them.

Another important reading for me was Christine Sleeter’s research on Ethnic Studies. I learned that most school curriculums focus mainly on white, Euro-American stories, leaving out the voices of students of color. I liked how ethnic studies classes let students see themselves in what they learn. It reminded me how important it is for kids to feel seen and valued at school, especially if they don’t often see their history in textbooks.

Lastly, Patrick Finn’s Literacy with an Attitude taught me about the difference between empowering education and domesticating education. It made me realize that not all students are taught in a way that helps them build real power or leadership. I think students from working-class communities deserve education that helps them speak up and make change, not just follow rules.

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Introduction

Hi! My name is Ashley Loiselle and I am a Junior at Rhode Island College. I am majoring in Early Childhood Education. I plan to open my own daycare in the future with my best friend. I completed my freshman year of college at the University of Rhode Island and decided to transfer for my sophmore year to RIC. Not only did I change schools, I also changed majors. Originally I thought the medical field was something I wanted to do but after working with young children the past few years, I know that is what I would like to do in the future. I love hanging out with my friends and spending time with my family. I like to go on hikes, bake and cook, and am a big movie watcher.

Finn

Patrick Finn’s Literacy with an Attitude connects with Alfie Kohn’s article What to Look for in a Classroom . Both authors talk about how schools often focus too much on control and order instead of helping students become active, thoughtful learners. Finn explains that working-class students often receive a basic kind of education that teaches them to follow directions and stay in line. He calls this “functional literacy.” On the other hand, students from wealthier backgrounds are given “powerful literacy,” which helps them ask questions, speak up, and become leaders. This idea connects to Kohn’s writing because Kohn also believes that good classrooms are not about quiet students doing worksheets. He wants schools to focus on group work, student choice, and learning that matters. In both texts, the authors agree that schools need to give all students the chance to grow, think, and participate, not just obey. They also both point out that teachers have a big role...

Kohn

Alfie Kohn’s article “What to Look for in a Classroom” made me think about what kind of classroom I want as a future teacher. He explains that learning should be meaningful and active, not just quiet students listening to a teacher talk. That idea reminded me of some of my past classes, where I felt bored and uninterested because we only followed directions, completed worksheets, and only listened to the teacher speak. In other classes, the teacher encouraged us to ask questions, share our ideas, and collabarate with one another. I remember feeling more comfortable to speak up and share my ideas than in classes that were teacher focused. Kohn’s ideas about student choice, collaboration, and respect feel important to me because that's when real learning occurs. I believe students need to feel like their thoughts and voices matter in order to grow and build confidence. If classrooms only focus on rules and control, students might stop caring about what they are learning. ...

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