Journet- Week 5

                                              Culture and Community Characteristics

I can relate personally to much of this weeks readings.  In every school we know that curriculum, instruction, assessments, school leadership and organization is very important.  However, being culturally responsive and creating a welcoming community within the school is just as important as the academics.  Making sure that students feel welcomed and part of the school community is key in keeping the students engaged and excited about learning.

The characteristic, the school environment is inviting, safe, inclusive, and supportive of all, is what I would hope all students have access to.  As a parent, I would hope that my middles schoolers do feel invited, safe, included and supported.  If my child is culturally different, has an IEP, a 504 plan, is LGBT, has a different home language, is gifted, is low income, high income etc... I would hope that my child feels welcome in their classroom, school and community.  I would never want them to feel bullied by peers or unsupported by teachers.

As a future teacher, this is the same environment I will create in my classroom.  I would never single out a student for being different but celebrate their differences.  I will not tolerate any negativity from students or adults towards others.  In AMLE it states " The essence of a happy, healthy school is reflected in the talk one hears." (pg 33)  This so true what conversations do you hear students having?  Are they positive or negative?  What kind of conversations go on in the staff cafeteria?  Are teachers gossiping about each other or their students?

The other characteristic that I really liked was every students academic and personal development is guided by an adult advocate.  In the adolescent years students may not trust adults because sometimes adults may be to critical of teens.  They have forgotten what it was to be a teen.  Teens may not be able to talk to their parents because they feel they might be judged or reprimanded.  Being an Middle school teacher we should strive to be trusted adults and advocates for our students.  We have to create an environment where our students feel safe to speak to us.  We use these opportunities to guide them in their academic and personal growth.  I know as a parent my teens may not always feel like they can come and talk to me.  Actually, I have worked hard in not being judgmental or critical of them.  For the most part I can hear them out without turning a conversation into a lecture.  I do have deep conversations with them where I guide them and give them advice.  I know that there will be times that  they will not be able to speak to me and it is in those times that I hope they have a trusted adult at school that can guide them or reinforce my adult rational.  I hope that my teens have advocate at school where I don't always know whats going on.  Vice Versa, I hope to be that advocate for students who may not feel heard in my classroom or school.

Thinking back to my middle school and high school years, I remember not being able to speak to my mom about things for what ever the reason.  I do remember pivotal conversations with certain adults in my life and still to this day I member how they have encouraged me.  I remember many of them being teachers and knowing my home life and how they knew what to say.  I have carried their words with me through tough times.  I have gone out of my way to let them know how much of an impact they have made in my life.  Now working in a school for almost 10 years, I have seen many middles schoolers graduate and occasionally some will come back and visit.  What is very rewarding to me is when one says " Ms. Journet, I remember how you were so encouraging.  I thank you for all your help and support."  Sometimes as an adult I may not remember a specific conversation that they may be referring to but because I try to always be positive, it warms my heart to know that I made an impact and left an impression on a student.