Download - The Light In Their Eyes Presentation
William Breitsprecher, Gloria Gaston, Theresa JamesUrban Education, 2007, Dr. Chapman
The Light in Their Eyes
By Sonya Nieto
Urban Education, 716
UW-MilwaukeeDr. Chapman
Fall 2007
William Breitsprecher, Gloria Gaston, Theresa JamesUrban Education, 2007, Dr. Chapman
Learning is More Than:
• Course content• Classroom
experience• Test scores• Final grades
William Breitsprecher, Gloria Gaston, Theresa JamesUrban Education, 2007, Dr. Chapman
Learning Is:
• Actively constructed
• Developed on experience
• Creating & recreating ideas
William Breitsprecher, Gloria Gaston, Theresa JamesUrban Education, 2007, Dr. Chapman
Contradiction in Schools
• Transmitted by teachers, yet actively constructed by students
• Distrust teachers & students can construct meaning
• “Teaching basics” under-serves students, assumes they can’t do more
• Severe with high concentrations of poverty, non-majority students
William Breitsprecher, Gloria Gaston, Theresa JamesUrban Education, 2007, Dr. Chapman
Cultural Capital
• Experiences give advantages in learning
• Schools serve some students
• Fail to recognize experiences of other students
William Breitsprecher, Gloria Gaston, Theresa JamesUrban Education, 2007, Dr. Chapman
Teachers Need To:
• Build on what students have
• Not lament what students don’t have
• Not penalize students
• Realize all students can learn
William Breitsprecher, Gloria Gaston, Theresa JamesUrban Education, 2007, Dr. Chapman
Cultural Differences
• Influence learning• Constantly change• Are not barriers to
learning• Are opportunities
to reach out
William Breitsprecher, Gloria Gaston, Theresa JamesUrban Education, 2007, Dr. Chapman
Context of Learning
• Social, political, economic factors influence learning
• Affect teacher perceptions
• What & how teachers teach
William Breitsprecher, Gloria Gaston, Theresa JamesUrban Education, 2007, Dr. Chapman
Cultural Sensitivity
• Negative messages devalue some, often non-majority students
• Difficult to identify with school
• Students de-emphasize school achievement, protect self-esteem
William Breitsprecher, Gloria Gaston, Theresa JamesUrban Education, 2007, Dr. Chapman
Zone of Proximal Development
• Schools must make learning accessible to students
• Teacher’s actions influence whether and to what extent students learn
• All children learn given opportunities for appropriate interactions
William Breitsprecher, Gloria Gaston, Theresa JamesUrban Education, 2007, Dr. Chapman
Inequities in Schools
• Intentional or unintentional, doesn’t matter
• Results are same• Students respond
to high expectations, caring, respect
William Breitsprecher, Gloria Gaston, Theresa JamesUrban Education, 2007, Dr. Chapman
Culture & Learning
• Student identification, maintenance of native culture is good
• Teacher is cultural accommodator, mediator
• Focus on differences in isolation of broader context does not increase learning
William Breitsprecher, Gloria Gaston, Theresa JamesUrban Education, 2007, Dr. Chapman
Transforming Teachers
• Learn about students
• Identify with them• Build on strengths• Challenge displays
of privilege, inherent biases
William Breitsprecher, Gloria Gaston, Theresa JamesUrban Education, 2007, Dr. Chapman
School Reform
• Anti-racist, anti-bias• All students have talents,
strengths• Those close to students must
be meaningfully involved• High expectations & standards • Empowering & just
William Breitsprecher, Gloria Gaston, Theresa JamesUrban Education, 2007, Dr. Chapman
Multicultural Education
• Framework for rethinking schools
• Recognize all students as capable, worthy
• Give hope, affirmation