Connecting with the Community

I believe their is a strong connection between the schools and the communities in South Bend, IN. Programs such as the Boys and Girls Club gives children the opportunity to be involved. There are several academic and learning camps that provides a bond. Various churches play a huge part in the relationship with the community and the schools. Church members volunteer in the schools as well as create programs so the children can go to the church. There is a program called Partner Up which is when participating companies or organizations partner with a primary school. The volunteers mentor and read to a student. The community can also be apart of the Dream Team which is geared toward helping children in trouble. There are a variety of opportunities to get the children involved with the community. 

As an advocate I would start with the parents and their place of employment. I would start where I know someone. If the parents employers get involved they could reach out to other businesses to help. 

Reflection on Family Conferences

I believe my conference went very well.  The information was presented in a timely fashion.  I did realize the area I need to improve in. I noticed that I often talk with my hands. To help me with talking with my hands I could hold something in my hands or put them down to my sides. The area I was worried about was talking to fast.  My parent in the conference said I did a good job of speaking at a good level and slowly. The difficult conference was funny due to the fact that my parent played the part well. I handled her in a very professional way. I was polite and did not catch an attitude back with her. Overall I would say that this conference has given me a better understanding of what a family conference is. 

Response to video: Drug Endangered Kids and Teens

My biggest fear of becoming a teacher is that I will miss the signs that one of my students are being abused. The thought of a child being physical, emotionally or sexually abused hurts my heart. Everyone thinks it won't happen under their watch yet in reality it can happen. The video showed that 95% of children parents use meth. The high percentage is crazy. I often wonder how people cause harm on children. They are innocent children who did not ask to be in this world. Family members who use meth could be a huge issue in the classroom.  Children are often embarrassed by the family member. The child would not feel connected with the other children especially if they are being abused. 

Poverty and homeless is a problem in america because it affects multiply dimensions of the child. The child not eating proper foods or having a proper goodnight rest causes the child physical balance to be off. The emotional state of the child is confusion because some children can not understand why they are going through the troubles.  By being in poverty and homeless the child's academics are affected. One child in the stories said he went to THREE different high schools. He did not have time to get organized and settled into his life. That is sad because he also didn't have time to make friends. 

My objective would be to offer support and advice. I can not relate to my students but I can try to help them understand what is happening. I would give the parents information about organizations that may be helpful. I would also to talk to my students about poverty and homeless. 

Defining point in Education

All my life I have known that I wanted to be a teacher. What I wanted to teach was the million dollar question. In high school I decided to take cadet teaching to help me determine the appropriate  grade level I wanted to teach. My junior year I student taught for a freshman and sophomore biology class. I quickly came to discover that I could not deal with older kids. My senior year I student taught for a third class at my former elementary school. After the third week I realized that I wanted to teach younger children. My heart and passion for children are at a higher level then for older students. I thought younger children cried a lot and were brats. I soon learned that I loved to be around the crying children. If I would not have student taught for a third grade class I would have never decided to major in elementary education.  Due to that one day in high school I am now on the path to becoming a elementary teacher whom is passionate about children.