Hi everyone. My name is Roxanne Wright and this is my education blog. I am a 22 year old licensed preschool teacher, who is currently studying Elementary Education and Theater in college. I have worked as an Arts & Crafts Director, Children's Theater Director, and an Environmental Educator. This blog is full of my educational dreams, inspirations, and tips. I would love advice from parents and educators so I can one day become the world's best teacher. Thank you so much.
~Roxanne Wright
My everyday blog is: roxannewright.tumblr.com
from-student-to-teacher
THEME FOR ENGLISH B
By Langston Hughes
The instructor said,
Go home and write
a page tonight.
And let that page come out of you—-
Then, it will be true.
I wonder if it’s that simple?
I am twenty-two, colored, born in Winston-Salem.
I went to school there, then Durham, then here
to this college on the hill above Harlem.
I am the only colored student in my class.
The steps from the hill lead down into Harlem
through a park, then I cross St. Nicholas,
Eighth Avenue, Seventh, and I come to the Y,
the Harlem Branch Y, where I take the elevator
up to my room, sit down, and write this page:
It’s not easy to know what is true for you or me
at twenty-two, my age. But I guess I’m what
I feel and see and hear, Harlem, I hear you:
hear you, hear me—-we two—-you, me, talk on this page.
(I hear New York too.) Me—-who?
Well, I like to eat, sleep, drink, and be in love.
I like to work, read, learn, and understand life.
I like a pipe for a Christmas present,
or records—-Bessie, bop, or Bach.
I guess being colored doesn’t make me NOT like
the same things other folks like who are other races.
So will my page be colored that I write?
Being me, it will not be white.
But it will be
a part of you, instructor.
You are white—-
yet a part of me, as I am a part of you.
That’s American.
Sometimes perhaps you don’t want to be a part of me.
Nor do I often want to be a part of you.
But we are, that’s true!
As I learn from you,
I guess you learn from me—-
although you’re older—-and white—-
and somewhat more free.
This is my page for English B.
(Sorry if I posted this before. I love it though.)
I was told by a group of the 8th grade girls today that I am the “most awesome teacher” because I am always doing interesting things.
They were referring to the things that I do outside of school.
This month, I am running in the Zombie Crawl, which is a local 5k where you dress up either a zombie or survivor. I went last year and it was really cool and since I love all things zombie, I’m going all out this year.
I do photography and share it with the kids.
They know things about me. What I like, music that I listen to, my love of outdoors and so on.
I’m “awesome” because I am willing to share my world with my students. I’m not afraid to talk TO them, not AT them.
I have always had a classroom where it’s a community, not a dictatorship.
I wonder why other teachers are so hesitant to build relationships with their students and really get to know them.
My favorite line is when she says: “I’m “awesome” because I am willing to share my world with my students. I’m not afraid to talk TO them, not AT them.” That is so important in my opinion! Do you share your world with your students?
List of classes that should be required in public education
- Personal Finance (This is, I think, the most important one. I really think the state of America/wherever would be improved by learning the basics of finance.)
- English (with an emphasis on basic grammar, spelling and usage in everyday life. Not just book reports and research papers.)
- Current Issues (To create an informed populace and a basic interest in the world, to be taught to older students)
- Sex Ed. (No abstinence-only bullshit)
- Foreign Language (Of closest country maybe? at least.)
- Life Skills (Cooking, nutrition, family, basic medical solutions, work interviews, resumes, getting along)
- Personal Fitness (Not just “lets run in circles”, but “lets learn teamwork” and “lets see the benefits of fitness”)
- Computer Usage and Online Safety (The computer and the internet is a fully integrated part of life and children should know usage and especially how to be safe)
- People of the World (Diversity, etc.)
- Emotion Regulation(skills involving this for oneself and with others)
- Outdoor Skills
- Cooking Skills
- Community Service/Awareness Classes
- Etiquette/Manners
- Geography
Plus the obvious ones. Feel free to add. I wish I could do something to help integrate some of these into curriculum. And if nothing else, at least Personal Finance.
