Promoting Equity

This experience has been an incredible journey for me, both personally and professionally. I feel like I was able to learn a lot about how much of our education system is built on our culture and the differences it makes in how we teach. Being able to observe a different culture’s method of education has definitely broadened my perspective. I have been particularly fortunate for this experience, as I worked with students of all different ages, needs, and academic levels.

After seeing how responsive the students are to my CT, Mr. T, I’ve spent a lot of time observing how he works with individual students. Mr. T has a very firm but caring approach to his students and does not treat any of them differently, regardless of age, gender, or ability. This is particularly notable seeing as how he simultaneously works with students that have completely different needs. Observing how he manages to hold high expectations for all of his students regardless of their current behavior or needs was admirable and has inspired me to work harder to do the same.

Being at this school has really put me into the shoes of an ELL students and made me face firsthand the difficulties and struggles these students must feel. This experience is invaluable to me because it will help me understand my future ELL students and motivate me to work harder to make sure that they are provided enough resources to thrive. Working with students with special needs was also a blessing because it helped me recognize firsthand the significance of the role a teacher plays in providing for not just their academic growth, but their social growth as well. Watching Mr. T has taught me how to better navigate unruly moments and deal with them firmly and patiently. Students with special needs deserve just as much of an opportunity to succeed in the classroom and having a chance to look through their perspective has only motivated me to work harder to promote equity in my future classrooms.