Chelsea Needham - Blog #7

Throughout reading this chapter I found myself constantly thinking that this made sense.  It was very difficult realizing how many things can affect a child's life, and just how much about being a teacher I didn't realize before my first practicum.  Growing up I was very lucky I was always in a loving and caring home, with two parents who have been happily married for 27 years.  It never occurred to me how lucky I truly was until I started my practicum.  I have multiple students who come from only one parent homes and I can see how it affects them in a negative way.  On page 199 there is the staggering statistic "about 37 percent of marriages will end before the 30th anniversary", and "it is estimated that between 20 and 30 percent of children born in the 2000s will experience the breakdown of their biological parents' relationship."  This is very difficult to think about because that is a large number of students.  School has to be a place where they can get away from the negativity and feel safe, encouraged, and a place where they can thrive.

I found that throughout the chapter it touched on aspects that I hadn't really considered in huge detail.  There are so many aspects that can affect a child's ability to learn, and it is our responsibility as teachers to work through that to give them a truly meaningful experience.  We can't allow race, gender, culture, or any other aspects of a child's life to determine what type of education they receive.  Every child is entitled to succeed in school, and every child should get the same education.  This is something that I really hope to work on as I become a teacher.  Something else that struck me was on page 218 when it talked about how students with different sexual orientations can be bullied in school.  It is sad, but very true and it is something that definitely needs to be changed in our society.  This is something we as teachers can work on because we need to create that safe environment in our classroom so that students feel safe and comfortable being who they truly are.

Discussion Question: Is there a way to balance looking out for the students who need extra emotional support without showing favoritism?  Explain how.