Social Justice

Is it good to teach what “they” want? It is an ongoing battle of teacher vs. society and there is no near end in sight. Teachers are faced with these issues everyday they step into their classrooms, should they do what they want or what they are given. In the class that I am observing the cooperating teacher showed me her “lesson plan” the entire book was pre-made, no decisions were really her own. At one of her breaks while the kids were in the library my teacher and a couple others were discussing how they were going to try and sneak some of their own lessons in with the schools. For teachers to have to try and sneak in their own work is ridiculous. We get into teaching to make an impact on kids lives, and the fact that we need to follow what someone else has already done, that doesn’t make us feel very accomplished. Teaching with social justice is an educational practice that promotes teaches to argue for justice and equity in all of their learners and in all educational settings. The practice is spread through all grade levels and academic settings, often making educators think harder and enlighten themselves as well as students. When I began to read Kohl’s article I will admit I was lost. I had to idea what was happening. Then reading though what he suggested for us, it began to make sense. I liked what he said about teaching against consciousness. “First, don't teach against your conscience. Don't align yourself with texts, people, or rules that hurt children; resist them as creatively and effectively as you can, whether through humor or by developing alternative curricula.” (Kohl)
I believe that social justice is an ongoing fight, but teachers need to teach. In order to get across what they need to, to the students they need to enjoy what they are talking about. Teachers need to display what they love in any way possible. Teacher freedom is needed.

http://www.rethinkingschools.org/archive/15_02/Just152.shtml

Special Needs

Special needs children have it hard enough in school. Getting pulled out class if they are integrated, and having a hard time keeping up with the rest of the class. They might even feel like they don’t belong. But what happens if they feel like they don’t fit in at home as either. Children going through adoption have a very hard time adjusting to their new lives. Special needs children have an even harder time adjusting. If they are in foster homes they are getting the attention and help that they need to thrive. Teachers need to handle special needs students carefully and give them the proper care. With the added stress of adoption special needs students need too have special help that they might not be receiving.

http://www.comeunity.com/adoption/special_needs/index.html