Social Justice
ED 497 Chapter Readings and Reflections
In ED 497, we were given assignments to read Rethinking Multicultural Education: Teaching for Racial and Cultural Justice, as well as additional journal readings, such as What is All the Kids are White. We then took part in online academic discussions about institutional racism, hidden curriculum, intolerance, and other ways to create a multicultural environment within our classroom. These discussions were beneficial, especially within my placement, since my school district has both a high minority population, as well as a high ESL population. These readings gave me an understanding of how to create an inclusive classroom for students of all backgrounds, as well as how to include their own personal identities in the lessons, and better connect with them as individuals.
Participant in Elizabethtown College's "Soar Above the Hate" Event
As part of our Tempest Day of Action, I participated in an event called "Soar Above the Hate," where we talked about ideas of inclusion, and how to create a welcoming environment to all students. This event not only discussed racism and diversity within the classroom, but also personal identity, privilege, socioeconomic status, ability, and health, mental and physical.
"Stories of the Stoop" Inspirational Guest Speaker
Early in my first semester of college, I had the opportunity to attend a lecture called "Stories from the Stoop." The talk was done by a man named Chris Bashinelli. He told of where he had come from, where he is now, how his life had gone so far, and what he plans to do with it. He spoke of what kind of opportunities we have as members of certain places in society, such as from middle-class suburbia, or from the ghettos within the city. Attached are the files of the explanation and reflection I wrote for this event that explain how it affected me after I attended.