Week Six

Gloria Ladson-Billings takes a look at struggling African-American students in the classroom, but also examines what exactly teachers can do to help shore up learning deficiencies and poor academic progress. Native American Cornel Pewewardy suggests that many Indian children often struggle in school because the material is not "culturally congruent" or "culturally compatible" and maintains that these would learn more efficiently if the home language is also used in the classroom. Ladson-Billings goes on to state that three things are vital In order for all children to find cultural relevance, in as many words - 1. Students must experience academic success, 2. Students must develop and maintain cultural competence and 3. Students must develop awareness of and challenge the status quo of the social order. Finally, the article emphasizes the importance of teachers to create, nurture and care about the relationships with their students. Relating to students is a big part of helping any student simply "get it" and knowing it's okay to fail the first time, that they'll be helped believe they'll eventually succeed is so important.

I really enjoy reading these kinds of articles. While there is certainly a lot to be said about teaching strategies and what more can be done to help students succeed. Having several teachers that I knew cared about me really improved my attitude towards school and learning. Believing in a student really does go a long way. As a coach now in my eighth year I can tell you a players performance can drastically change if they're injected full of confidence while also knowing it's okay to fail. Of course my players also understand they must work hard to succeed, especially after failure. I've always believed in this sports reference saying - it's not always about the X's and the O's, it's more about the Jimmy's and the Joe's - i.e. It's obviously very important to be prepared, to have thought out well lesson plans and to be knowledgeable in content area, but it's just as important if not more to get to know your students and form healthy, positive and trusting relationships.