My thoughts on Charter Schools is still pretty open. Based on the information given working in a Charter School is an option. I like how the teachers and parents work together and have the power to be able to elect board members and teachers for their school. With me believing so deeply in community, parents and teachers working as one to better their childs, and children around them future; if this is what Charter Schools are truly about then I am for it. I also like the freedom they seem to have, with not following all the Public School guidelines. I believe this gives the teachers and any staff working in that type of school, more freedom to really connect and implement their philosophies within their class rooms.
Further more, I am relieved to know that they have to follow testing and a few more guide lines given by the state. This is not the best way, but at least shows some progress and success of the students learning.
First Impression
June of 2009, graduating from Central High School was defiantly an experience. I had to keep in mind, though I went here before, many things have changed since then. Walking through the door, keeping a blank mind, I felt almost overwhelmed when I passed the second door entrance. The feeling wasn’t negative more as a surprise to a whole different atmosphere and settings change so quickly. It was passing time so the student body of over three hundred students livened the hallways. The main office is first thing to your right, where I set up my first visit with Ms. Evelyn Nordquist, one of the administrators. You are welcomed before reaching the main office by a security guard or hall monitor. This is to ensure safety and make sure students are not leaving and are recognized when coming in late.
I was drawn to the building by how decorated the walls and floor was, with the school colors and plaques and students work and trophies. A very active high school feel. Central is a very big school; it has four floors that have signs to direct to where you are going on each floor, for example the third floor is mainly English classrooms, on that floor you will see signs that read “ENGLISH”. I found this very helpful considering the size of the school. You are also able to know what is going on throughout the school not just from the morning news and announcements, but from the posters that students and staff put up. Though the school is the oldest high school in Minnesota, you would not be able to tell based on the new equipment and technology. They also have a swimming pool, huge football field Griffin Stadium, and a tennis court outside.
The student body was very diverse, I seen many different ethnicities, and also classes, from students who come from wealthy homes to students who are homeless. I found this very interesting; wondering if student success is as diverse as the students. Though they seemed to have everything, I noticed right away there were little to no African American teachers throughout the whole school. With a student body as diverse as they are, I expected to see the same among the staff. Ms. Mary Mackbee has been the Principal there for many years, and is also a culturally diverse individual with a big heart for all her kids.
Though I was impressed with the school itself, I would have liked to see more on the website. Though it was rich with information, easy to get to for students and parents, I would have liked to see more numbers. Meaning, though they stated they are a school of excellence and test scores have proven that, what races or ethnicities earn these great scores?
The school itself is not hard to miss on Lexington Avenue in St. Paul. There are many things walking distance and very convenient for the students, such as SA and BP gas station across Lexington and Concordia. With Oxford and Jimmy Lee Recreation Center, that has also been there for many years right across the street from the school. Many students walk to school being that their homes are less than a mile away, with some living right across the street. The area itself is rich with home owners, renters and people who do not have children in school anymore. Gathering information from surrounding residents, they all state they love the area and have no issues with the school being there. Even sometimes walking over and attending plays and other events that are open to the public. Though there was one incident where a student rough housing with friends after school on busy Lexington and Selby Avenue (One block away) and hit was hit and killed by a car. Other than this tragedy, I received positive feedback.
I always felt that Central was an urban school, now walking through the neighborhood and actually paying attention to the surroundings outside and inside the school, it feels like a suburban school. But what makes a school suburban and why did I feel like it was and urban school? This I have not yet figured out.
Educational Autobiography
I have many reasons, based upon my educational background, on why I would like to be a teacher. I have had great teachers throughout my elemenatry and high school years. I was lucky enough to always get the teachers that took that extra time with me and others when needed. My twin sister pointed that out to me, “You always had the teachers that would work with you, my teachers were always fun but they never gave me that extra help”. I felt the opposite, now I see and appreciate my teachers like that, but what about the students like my sister? They notice the difference in teachers and want to learn. This is one of many reasons to why I would like to educate.
In junior high I remember my favorite teacher was Ms. Wessel, now Mrs. Wegworth. She taught social studies, and was very serious about her work. She had some since of humor, but we all new she had no tolerance for misbehavior. I loved this firmness about her, she challenged me and always pushed me to do my best. She knew the hardships I was going through at home and was completley understanding, but she did not let that be a crutch for me, but instead my motivation. There was a project that we had to complete and present with a presentation board. My assignment was on Mongolia. I remember giving this project my all, I even put my all into my presentation board, I was very artisitc so I really enjoyed that part. I stayed up the night before glueing and glittering this board. I remember walking into school and a classmate asked to see my board, we both were always competative and I could tell he was a little jealous. That day I presented and recieved and A. Mrs. Wegworth still has my board today as an example for the project.
There are many experiences that has lead me to take this path in life. I am still observing and figuring out why I want to continue the path. I know it is definate and my love for knowledge and educating is just a small portion of why I would like to become what should always be a positive force in childrens’ lives.
I agree with Dickeman, when she states how important it is for teachers to recongnize our own “forgotten, repsressed, or ignorged” heritages and aslo know our family history.I am still growing and have not yet came to know ones’ self as an adult let alone a teacher. I know for a fact I would like to teach, but now my answer on why I would like to teach is not complete. I believe this time is college is digging into ones self and finding that answer inside and outside of the class room. I also believe that answer will not be complete until I am the one in the front of the class.
Landscapes of Teaching
I imagine teaching the youth that is within my community and the city of St. Paul. I feel starting were I was raised and educated is very important. To give back to the community by helping educate youth and those around me, I feel is an act of appreciation and wanting to see others succeed.
St. Paul is an urban city. I would like to begin teaching in urban areas being that I am familiar with some of the issues that keep our children out of school such as, attendance issues do to bussing and transportation, troubled parents/non-involved parents and hungry students. These are only a few issues that need resolutions among many.
I would define urban as cities that have middle class and lower class working families. Though there are some wealthy families that may live in this area. This area has many great schools with successful graduates, but may not have as much funding for things as the suburbs. I would define Rural as a county that is in poverty, suburban: used to be mainly a “white community”, but still more of were wealthier people live.
My own personal experience definitely shapes how I want to teach. I feel education and human services go hand-in-hand. Facing homelessness and other hardships through a little of my school years and not always getting the best help from school social workers and counselors, but more resources coming from teachers; has lead me to truly believe in this. To be able to go beyond teaching to help the students and their family, I feel would make a huge difference in the educational future. For example in St. Paul many schools like Maxfield Elementary have programs that welcome their students’ families to get help with things that may keep the parent from being able to provide things that would keep there child/children in school and attentive at all times. Such as giving out food, pampers, and holding dinners so that parents and teachers can mingle and be on the same page when it comes to better serving the student.
I do believe race, class and ethnicity play a big role in better serving the student and their family because every need is different. In understanding others culture you can be sure you will be able to reach them.
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