Like everyone else, I really enjoyed Paul Gorski’s visit. Typically, I can’t wait for speakers to end when I’ve been working all day but this time, I really wish we had more time. I don’t know what his background is, but it amazes me how passionate he is for the underprivileged. I have a better understanding of who I am as a teacher. I think the author of Black Ants and Buddhas would have really enjoyed hearing Gorski speak. I thought I was an activist for the special needs but I realize now that there is so much more that I can be doing. We have our Exceptional Children’s Week coming up in 2 weeks. That’s wonderful, but it’s like the Black History Month. I try my best to advocate on my students’ behalf and always have people address questions directly to my students and not me, but what else can I do?
I was also moved by the 10 chair activity. Who knew that so few had all the power? I knew to some extent but seeing it visually, I’m a visual learner, was eye-opening and heartbreaking. How could so many people associate themselves as middle class and actually not have a “chair”? There are so many injustices in the US and I bet you most people would not put education as an injustice since it’s available for free. But how fair is it that suburbia doesn’t have to worry as much about medical care, school supplies, qualified teachers with low student to teacher ratio, etc. and inner city and rural areas do? How fair is it that the richer keep getting richer with tax breaks and the poor keep getting neglected and pushed aside to remain unheard? What can I do as a teacher? I need to figure this one out….this summer when the program’s over.
I also enjoyed Gorski’s visit. And I also wanted more time–the end of the powerpoint seemed to go fast and that was the part I really wanted to hear as well–ways to use this information in the classroom. I wondered if he had heard of the book that I am reading for my book review. The author really seems to be on the same page as Gorski and the talk and her book really mesh together well. I wonder what will happen with the “gentrification” that he is talking about–since there is movement from inner city to suburbia –will surburbia start to see the effects that inner city schools have been seeing?
March 23, 2008 @ 5:50 amI also enjoyed listening to Paul Gorski. He put a whole new perspective on the inequalities that exist within our society. The chair activity was a very good visual and I had the same thoughts as you did. You ask a good question…What can I do as a teacher? That is a hard one…I think Gorski got us thinking more about this particular question and how to be an advocate for our students that we teach.
March 24, 2008 @ 11:55 amI also really enjoyed the chair activity. I have always known that there is a huge discrepancy in the wealth distribution in the U.S., but actually seeing the inequality visually really helped put it into perspective for me.
March 24, 2008 @ 1:38 pm