Ethnic Stereotyping

Ethnic Stereotyping Think Twice Before You JudgeEthnic stereotype is a false statement that has been repeated so many times that is accepted by many people as generally true. The use of ethnic stereotypes often leads to misunderstanding and hurt feelings. Some stereotypes, based on unbiased observations of actual behavior, can be accurate and useful. During my first semester at KCC my friend and I went to the library to get a current event from the T.V. for an upcoming assignment. As we were watching the news, she commented that she was afraid of North Korea more than Iraq because, and I quote, "Don't take this the wrong way, but Koreans are cruel ruthless killers." I was completely shocked and speechless. My Korean blood was boiling inside, but I managed to act cool and said that there are cruel people in every community. Of all things I didn't expect her to make a rude comment like that.J. and P. CoatsI felt really upset because she is my best friend and I couldn't possibly think why she said somethin g so rude and hurtful.Name-calling, pre-judgments, false assumptions of ethnic stereotyping are all examples of small-scaled problems in our society. Ethnic stereotyping can lead to irrational fear, suspicion and hate that will represent a major threat to democratic and open society. This can also lead to social harm when the categories we create to group people become the basis for prejudice. As a society we need to become more culturally competent. This is having cultural awareness and sensitivity towards others. Cultural competence teaches appropriate behaviors, respect and mutual understanding. We need to learn respect what we may not always understand another individuals experience. We need to accept the fact that we may not always know everything. We need to have the willingness to pursue information in...

Student Expectations for Beginning Teachers

Student Expectations for Beginning Teachers As a beginning teacher, youve probably set the bar high when it comes to student expectations. After all, you want to be perceived as competent and in control of your classroom. You can enhance this aspect of your formal education by exploring helpful tips and advice from experienced teachers on ways to set realistic and achievable behavioral goals for your students. Managing Your Classroom At the outset of your new career, its normal for you to struggle with feelings of insecurity about your ability to manage your classroom. You may think, for example, that if youre too nice, your students won’t respect your authority. Still, its possible for you to create a warm, friendly classroom and gain your students respect at the same time. Allowing your students to make simple decisions, such as which assignment to do first, will improve your chances of developing a cooperative classroom and give your students a boost in confidence. A time is coming, of course, when things dont go as you planned. Be prepared for these moments with emergency strategies and time fillers, like math drills and journaling activities. Learning the Ropes One of the biggest challenges youll face in configuring your classroom to run smoothly is dealing with time management. It may take weeks for you to learn the schools policies and procedures and for your students to learn your classroom routines. If you cant remember the school policies regarding lunch count, library books, or the like, ask a fellow teacher. Likewise, encourage your students to ask questions if they forget something important. Allocate as much time as you can during the first few weeks of school to learning school procedures and developing your own within these parameters. The more time you devote to this, the easier it will be later on. Be careful not to overwhelm your students; instead, establish simple routines that they can handle. Once you see that your students are getting the hang of basic routines, you can expand or alter them. Understanding Basic Expectations Each classroom and school will require the development of a unique set of expectations, but there are some that have stood the test of time: Follow classroom rules.Be on time.Be prepared for class.Be considerate and respectful.Show respect for school property and other students.Hand in assignments on time.Wait to be dismissed.Use an inside voice.Actively participate in class discussions.Stay seated during classroom activities and events.Help each other.Work quietly and follow directions.Raise your hand before speaking. Cultivating Success You want to see your students succeed, but you may feel pressured to get through the curriculum and may not devote sufficient time to learning about your students personal abilities and interests. Before barreling through the content, get to know your students so you can better comprehend what to expect of them. Starting with the first day of school, create an open dialogue with your students and encourage them to share information about themselves. For example, ask the students to pair up and interview each other, and then share what they learned with the class. Practicing Self-Management Skills To build confident, independent students who can think for themselves, practice self-management skills early on. If you plan to have your students participate in learning centers and small groups at some point, they will need to practice working independently. It may take weeks to build independent learners. If this is the case, then hold off on the learning centers and small groups until your students are ready. Keeping It Simple When you keep routines and independent work simple, youre helping students to build their confidence and self-management skills, which in turn will help them become more successful learners. As these skills become more ingrained in your students, you can increase their workload and their access to a greater variety of academic materials. Sources Bluestein, Jane. â€Å"Great Expectations!†Ã‚  Dr. Jane Bluestein Instructional Support Services, LLC, 15 Aug. 2017, janebluestein.com/2012/great-expectations-for-new-teachers/.