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Portfolio Summary

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This class has helped me to see the world in a different light and understand the privilege that I have been given because of where I grew up, the family I was born into and the social capital I have etc. . However, there are billions of people around the world who do not have these small privileges that I so easily take for granted. By looking back on my life and reviewing the vocabulary we have discussed in class, I have come to the conclusion that I need to keep my eyes open at all times to be aware of my surroundings and find ways in which I can use my privileges for change. This can be through standing up on social media, teaching multi-cultural inclusive pedagogy or speaking on behalf of those who cannot do so for themselves by being an active citizen in politics (voting for those who will benefit the minorities). To show my understanding from what I have learned in this class (and knowing I have no singing abilities), I decided to write poem about social injustice. I researched...
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(Re)imagined classroom

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The following text is a description of my original imagined future classroom:  As my students enter for the day, they enter into a room that has become a safe haven of learning. The sign on the door, made by the students reminds them that they are a part of a learning family: I always try to help them to see their understand their importance in the classroom, even from their first step into the classroom.  (source: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/83/8c/07/838c0712bf01739bda13c4d614bdea24.jpg) Their creativity is sparked as they are inspired by the colorful banners that promote positivism and potential. The paper clouds and birds remind them that they can 'fly'. The flower pom poms we made as an art project show them that we are proud of our work. A large rainbow rug displaying the letters of the alphabet is spread across the floor, where my students sit each morning as I read a poem to spark our learning for the day. We recite the alphabet to show our progress ...
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Book Club

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I had the opportunity to read the book Holler if you Hear Me: The education of a teacher and his students by Gregory Michie which is a collection of stories and experiences that a teacher had whilst working in a public elementary school with students in small reading groups. Michie recounts the lessons that he learned through his teaching experiences and shares having the rare chance to meet with his students years after they graduate from his class. These students are from low-income, working poor families and are referred to being 'Mexican American'.  Within this Portfolio Assignment, I will discuss points of disruption, examples from the book that support class discussions and how reading this book has influenced my thinking as a teacher.  Disruptions: I didn't find many disruptions in the book as I was mostly just inspired by the incredible teacher that Michie was. However, I was struck to find examples of deficit thinking and social reproductio...
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Community Experience

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For my community experience, I focused on poverty and welfare by interviewing Bryant Pankratz, who works for the LDS church Welfare Department. He has been working for the church for over 20 years. The following are my notes from my interview with him: What do you do? - in charge of facility maintenance, repair and construction for welfare based structures in us and Canada: bishop's storehouse, DI, family services (counseling) - obtaining funding for welfare projects (humanitarian for refugees, immunization, disaster (Texas), education projects (adults, refugee children (schools, classes, church works with partners to build schools, train teachers, clean water, wheelchairs, usually the first to respond to disasters, easier in US because of resources. - church works through area offices to help with projects, natural disasters etc. How does the welfare department help people in the states?  - natural disasters, refugees, food, homeless support etc. - welfare (package f...
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Investigating Oppression

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Throughout history, women have had fewer opportunities and rights than men (this is also known as oppression ). Although this has changed and women, for example now have the right to vote, the oppression of women can  be seen in society today. This article will discuss women in history and today. Although 85% Of Americans believe in Women’s equality, only 18% identify as feminist. There is a negative connotation with being feminist, but this may simply come from a misunderstanding or low cultural capital. Perhaps prejudice comes when we think of feminism but overall, I believe this is just because a large part of the population is unaware of the social injustices that women around the world still experience on a daily basis.  Today, women are powerful in society. They are leaders in politics, medicine, education and all aspects of the world that we live in. For example, i n 2017, women hold 105, or 19.6%, of the 535 seats in the 114th U.S. Congress - 21, or 21.0%, of th...
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