In this paper, we are going to be looking at different strategies that are utilized to understand how teachers are able to work with different demographics of students. This will be accomplished by focusing on: the tenets of inner discipline and the value of reconciliatory justice inside the classroom. Once this occurs, is when we will show how these elements can help educators to more effectively reach out to students.
Inner Discipline and Reconciliatory Justice
Over the last several years, the field of education has been continually evolving. This is because of shifts in how teachers are reaching out to students and the lasting impact it is having on them. These changes are from political and social factors taking place. Evidence of this can be seen with observations from Superfine (2012). He determined that these elements are working in conjunction with each other to create a change in the kinds of services that are provided to stakeholders. This is because of shifts in landmark Supreme Court cases and everyone wanting more resources to prepare students for the challenges they will face in the real world. To fully understand the way these transformations are occurring requires: focusing on the tenets of inner discipline and the value of reconciliatory justice inside the classroom. Together, these elements will highlight the impact they are having on my personal teaching philosophy. (Superfine, 2012)
Which tenets of Inner Discipline match your personal philosophy of classroom management? Which do you disagree with? Why? (and does the age or type of student you deal with influence your views?)
The different philosophies of inner discipline include:
All children are worth the effect it takes to teach them and they should be treated with respect.
Teachers should always treat children the way they want to be treated themselves.
Teachers should never hurt a student's inner dignity.
These elements are important, in illustrating the overall scope of the changes and the impact they are having on everyone around them. This is used as a basic foundation for helping to establish various strategies educators will utilize in reaching out to their students. (Coloroso, 2002)
The different tenets from inner discipline that match my personal philosophy include: all children are worth the effect it takes to teach them and teachers should never hurt a student's inner dignity. These elements are important, in showing how an educator cares about the individual's well being and sees them as something more than just another person. When this happens, they will establish a relationship where they are serving as a mentor and confident. It is at this point when the student, will be more open to new ideas and understand how to apply them in the real world. This will have a positive influence on their attitudes and beliefs. (Coloroso, 2002)
One of tenets I disagree with, is teachers should always treat children the way they want to be treated themselves. This is a generalization that is ineffective inside the classroom. The reason why is educators set the tone and direction. If they are treating their students as equals, it will be difficult to establish some kind of order and help them to listen. In these cases, the entire class will believe that they can do what they want and will not take the teacher seriously. (Coloroso, 2002)
As a result, some kind of balance must be maintained in establishing authority and giving everyone enough freedom to think creatively. If an educator is too much of friend to the students, it will make it difficult in effectively reaching out to them. While at the same time, excessive amounts of discipline will encourage them to rebel. This is why some kind of equilibrium must be taken in instilling enough authority and establishing a personal relationship on a certain level. (Coloroso, 2002)
The age and type of student is impacting my views. This is because they will be more mature, when they are older and select demographics are easier to relate to. For instance, working with students who are younger and from troubled backgrounds will require overcoming barriers they have to authority. Whereas, those who are older and more academically inclined, will be interested in learning new ideas and understanding how they can apply them to their own lives. This is illustrating how the age group and background is influencing my views about reaching out to them. (Klein, 2001)
What value do you see in Reconciliatory Justice in the classroom? How could you use the concept in your classroom? (Consider the age and type of students you work with, as well as time constraints and other factors that might influence your use of this strategy.)
Reconciliatory justice is valuable by providing educators with the ability to bridge divides between different demographics of students inside the classroom. This allows them to break down social and racial barriers, in order to effectively reach out to them. When this happens, the educator can serve a liaison, which the students will learn to trust and respect. (Picower, 2012)
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