Valuable Apprenticeship

After reading through the article “High School Child Development Courses Provide a Valuable Apprenticeship” written by Sally M. McCombie on January 1, 2009, I came to the realization of the enormous effects socialization can have on teachers, parents, students and children.

In this article, it was clear from the beginning that the primary element in preparing for an effective child development program was to get the parents involved. The State of Pennsylvania came to the conclusion that parents should take a more initial role in the educational curricula. By involving the parents, it was their intention that teachers would have strong partners which extended beyond the classroom in the child development process. This ideology proved valuable because parents became more knowledgeable on the topics of intervention, and the importance of rearing their child.

After further analyzes, I was also amazed at Pennsylvania’s interest in instituting classes for high school students in the area of Child Development. Whether intentional or not, being aware that the majority of high school students are sexually active, which constitutes for more than fifty percent of babies being born out of wedlock, gave the state of Pennsylvania an advantage. These bold actions lead to the development of what is called the “learning labs”. With well prepared teachers in the area of childhood care and development, high schools students were now trained in the area of observation, interaction, guiding, planning, preparing, and evaluating classroom activities. Exposing them to these daily activities, methods and processes was significant in their future success as teachers and parents.

In contrast, teachers were not only parental partners but intellectual mentors who guided the parents and students through a learning process which should be envied. Teachers worked with students individually or in small groups in order to plan, schedule and practice nutritional presentations. After completing their tasks, both student and teacher would reflect on methods practiced in order to make changes to their next session. This “hands on training” proved effective because it gave students insight as to how to manage their own classroom, for those interested in becoming future teachers.

Finally, from a “Vygotskian” perspective, this form of socialization is vital when developing cognition. He states “the potential for cognitive development depends upon the zone of proximal development”. By having the student, teacher, and child interact and socialize, exposed the student to information, knowledge, and skills necessary to succeed in the field of child development which cannot be attained otherwise or alone. It is clear that even in the process of child development socialization, enculturation, interaction, and inclusion is vital for an effective program.

Fiscal and Monetary Comments

After sitting through hundreds of hours of television news and reading articles regarding our “faltering” economy, I continue to have strong views about opinions which oppose the standard economic business cycle and the methods by which we as Americans are looking to resolve the immediate issues facing our economy. As I have stated in the past, seasons are the natural forces of nature by which a system prunes and regenerates itself. We as Americans have grown too comfortable with our successes and have forgotten the natural processes which got us here in the first place. The decisions being made in Washington and in the offices of the Federal Reserve are decisions which will only have an immediate but not a long lasting effect. It is in some way a “band aid” being place over a massive wound.

Even though we have learned that fiscal and monetary policies are means by which government and the Federal Reserve exercise their economic strategies and control inflation and unemployment, we see that both practices have limitations. The Monetary policy exercised by the Federal Reserve puts more money in circulations through cuts in the cost of credit and/or interest. This type of policy takes time and eventually will not affect the economy immediately but long term. The Fiscal policy in the other hand, exercised by Congress and the President will circulate money only by means of tax cuts and or social funding. By providing stimulus packages (funding) doesn’t mean that citizens will spend their money rather than save it, and just merely providing social funding will not mean that organizations will disperse or even manage the money well due to lack of or immediate monetary needs.

I believe making quick decisions in a crucial time may mean complete disaster, in which we as a nation may not be able to recover from - let along our economy rebound. The realities of our economy are there, and I understand that waiting and not responding to the crisis may also have its devastating effects. But, I believe that the only way to recover from the overall economical and national crisis developed by the partisan agendas which have lead to the distrust of those in office is to regain the trust of the American people and let government work once again. Our economical crisis is just a mere image of a greater problem lingering and lurking around the door. It is an example of a broken, divided and self centered nation which needs healing and it begins with the American citizens working together with the American government. Breathing and inspiring to a new and patriotic generation!

If I had to choose the lesser of two evils, I would suggest that the latter fiscal policy (tax cuts and stimulus packages) may work better in regards to the given crisis. I believe it will speak out to Americans that the American government is interested in governing and still holds an interest in the American people and not only in the American dollar. Advocating for the fiscal policy and strong bi-partisan leadership will not only turn the economy around but the American spirit as well.

Culture and education

In today’s society there is one topic which is challenging all aspects of the economic, academic, social and religious arenas, and that is “diversity”. Diversity has found its way into the center of human development, behavior, paradigms and it’s a topic that we need to address, analyze, and tackle in order to advance into the next stage of global progress. In the following dissertation I will be commenting on how can culture and schooling effect students’ development?

Culture has been an issue of debate since the birth of this country. From the early migration of Europeans to the enormous exploits of African slaves, we as North Americans have been forced to face the challenges of cultural indifferences throughout society. These indifferences have also plaque our classrooms, and student responsiveness in developing an effective multicultural community within our schools. A difference in behavior, religion, attitudes, traditions, and language has challenged students to separate, segregate, and even marginalize themselves in order to adjust to this endemic process. The fear of losing one’s ethnic identity has been at the core of multicultural development and the greatest challenge facing most academic institutions today.

Teaching students the concept that they do not need to “assimilate” in order to “integrate” is vital in the process of creating a paradigm shift. For over two hundred years our school systems practiced an enculturation process which negated immigrants from keeping their ethnic identity, and acculturating an Anglo-American perspective. With the majority of European instructors populating our North American schools we need to invite and welcome minority leaders and teachers to take a role in the academic development of our children. Not until the venues of color and cultural partisans have been removed from our paradigms, social structure, and classrooms will our students ever have a chance of overcoming the affects of cultural indifferences.

Everything begins in the classroom, whether at home or in a prestigious academic setting, it is our duty as a nation to path a new way for our future generations to adhere to. Each institution has the responsibility to notice and adjust to change. Not learning from history can clog our progressive arteries and stimulate a cultural “heart attack”. By implementing a rich mandatory curriculum full of diversity, socialization, integration, and inclusion we as an academic institution can help turn the classroom into an attractive “melting pot” of multicultural flavor. It is my contention that we must reevaluate our focuses on whether we are spending too much time on issues that differentiate us, rather than on issues that brings us together (similarities). From the formal curriculum to the informal curriculum I have noticed that there is one common denominator and that is time. Let us do our part in planning, instituting, and allowing for the seasons of cultural evolution to take its course.

Rembrandt Paradigms

Many individuals are being challenged by overwhelming circumstances. With a crashing market, a record high of foreclosures and bankruptcy in the rise, we are seeing families being challenged by the new standards of living.

In the wake of these changes there is a group of individuals who is allowing the waves of despair to mold them into passionate, wise and exciting pioneers. These individuals have learned how to turn their weaknesses into strengths.

Reinventing yourself can be very difficult. We have learned that paradigms are considered the strongest form of mental models and views that an individual can have. Breaking through a paradigm, similar to the artist “Rembrandt”, you can see a connection between his emotions, circumstances and decisions in his paintings. These changes lead to a new invention of artist expression which later became his ultimate strength. He was no longer an incredible artist, but a free artist. Free to express, free to feel and free to start in a new journey of possibilities in his art.

Sometimes the pressures of pain, hurt and change can be the necessary force that creates in you a jewel. We see that in the greatest of men and the greatest of women.

Diversity in Schools

In the following essay I will be commenting on the question, “do you think that differences in language, religion, and culture should be recognized and taken into account in schools, or should schools be the central place in American society where all students are made into Good Americans?.”

In the rise of tremendous changes in our society’s demographics, religion, politics, family, and economics we as a nation should reconsider whether schools are using its full potential in the development of our communities and the embracing of cultural diversity. After researching the meaning of school we can conclude that a school is “an institution for development and instruction of a skill, business or area of interest”. If our schools are to contend with the rise of diversity in our society, it’s going to have to take a lead role in its own policies and educational structure in order to teach and accommodate the generations which are following. I believe strongly that there are fundamental characteristics in every nation that makes its citizens so unique. As “Americans” we share a common language, topography, government, and even economy. These characteristics are what allow us to share a common experience, and can be used to unite us and not divide us.

In the other hand, I believe that schools should be the central place of learning. A place where students and teachers can learn about diversity and embrace what makes us so different. If we are ever going to achieve a unified society of vibrant people we are going to have to break through the barriers of diversity. Embracing different people’s language, religion and culture could bring out the best in human beings, but integrating people’s differences can be faced with tremendous challenges. Unless we begin to restructure the way government, society, schools and religious institutions regard the populace we are going to continue to face obstacles in which the people of this country are challenged with the idea of diversity.

Change is important in the modeling or remodeling of any society. If schools are going to have the impact on those seeking knowledge and instruction, then it is going to have to model that instruction in its classrooms. Teaching diversity is not just the spreading of cultural information, but a matter of modeling and embracing cultural difference. Schools in my opinion are doing too little in the area of diversity and that is why we are lagging behind in cultural development in our society.

To conclude, I have come to realize that schools have become “mini communities” where students are contributing to the learning process and sharing a common goal to learn and succeed. Success is having the ability to overcome obstacles and achieve that which is desired, planned and attempted. We as a nation and academic institution are faced with many challenges. In order to succeed we are going to have to desire it, plan for it, and attempt it. So let’s do it!

Diversity in America

In the following essay I will be commenting and sharing about my feelings, opinions or impressions about cultural differences in America.

For years America has been considered the “melting pot” of all cultures from all corners of the earth. We as “Americans” can be proud of some of the progress in the area of diversity. Looking back at the history of the United States we learn that in view of all the existing cultures and civilizations, we continue to be a fairly young nation. To state that our country has not made errors along the way which has cost many innocent lives, and have been ignorant about racial and diverse differences is an understatement. Comparatively, it is my contention that we still continue to be a rich, progressing, and caring generation of Americans interested in developing and adapting to the differences in society and cultures.

The diversity in America is something to be “envied”. You can seek through the streets of Africa, Europe, Asia, Latin America and others, and not find the immense numbers of colors, languages and faces in any part of this world. Diversity is a rich part of our identity and culture as Americans. From the different flavors, fashions, dialects, traditions and music we are part of a wealth of people who are looking to share a common dream and succeed. Even though diversity brings about great challenges, the spirit to “achieve and overcome” is part of the DNA found in most us. Statistics have proven that even though the ignorance of oppression, racism, and prejudices has been a plaque in the progress of this nation it could not stop the numbers of migrations occurring daily in this country. Soon, the “minority” will ultimately become the “majority”. This information may be staggering but true, looking back at the last 20 years even English as a first language has been at risk.

So what does this mean? Whether or not we like it or not, Americans are faced with the reality that diversity is an important social issue that we have to overcome. Embracing the things that unite us and not divide us is going to be vital if we are going to pull together as a country. Recently, I was able to play a small role in changing history. As millions watched from their televisions, sports bars, computers and even footsteps at Washington, we watched with anticipation the first African American President take the office of the Presidency. If this is not a, “dream in the making”, I would be foolish to not take notice. America has taken a leap in the area of racial differences and diversities but we still need to instill this in our classrooms and homes. As each society continues to develop, the thirst for knowledge continues to mature. In this knowledge we have a responsibility to teach and instruct in the area of embracing diversity as a new “norm” for the next generation of citizens.

Great men and women from diverse backgrounds surrendered their own freedoms so that we can enjoy this land call America. Looking at the spectrum of colors which adorn our communities, classrooms, and even churches, this would make for a beautiful portrait. We are a people of many colors, but we share one common goal and that is to live and succeed. In the core of all diverse groups we still have a need to feel appreciated for who we are and accepted for what we are. These common desires and human values are what unite us as a people. One Love!

The Lady Vanishes

There is no denial that Alfred Hitchcock did a marvelous job in the film “The Lady Vanishes” written in 1938. With his ability to orchestrate a story that reflects the lifestyle of the 1930’s we can only sit back and marvel what it could have been like to sit on the train with Mrs. Froy. In the following essay I will be commenting on how society has changed since 1938, how it has remained the same, and how are movies different?

First, as I reflect on the film “The Lady Vanishes” much can be said about the eloquence of fashion, and the innocence of language which society produced in 1938. With the clothing trend finding its place in the populace, each garment represented the eloquence and character of each individual. With neatly pressed shirts and colorful ties, the public square seemed like the round table of an executive conference. Fashion seemed to symbolize the honor, respect and regard that individuals had for themselves and others in society. In the other hand, the conduct, behavior, and language of the 1930’s emulated the fluency and politeness which cuddled the people of its time. With words like “madam” used to address the women, and “sir” to address the men a suitable essence filled the atmosphere.

Secondly, there are certain elements of a society that remains foundational. In scope of the film “The Lady Vanishes”, Alfred Hitchcock portrays a society full of lies, violence, and deceit. Perhaps the images are not as gruesome as depicted on today’s television screen, but still resemble the deceitfulness found in the hearts of those eloquently dressed (people). I would contend that there is always “good” and “bad” in human nature, and even though we have evolved into an advanced society we still are bound by the decaying value of human morality.

Thirdly, reflecting on the making of the film “The Lady Vanishes” Alfred Hitchcock unintentionally launches us back into time when black and white films were an innovative “pass time”. With the absence of color on the big screen we are forced to view drama and movie making from a different point of view. With little emphasizes given to skin color, even though I didn’t view a colored person on the film, we notice that the ability of the actor and the plot of the story is what gave films its dye. It wasn’t about the gruesomeness of the story, the corruption of the social arena, or the amount of vulgarities that can be spoken in a matter of ninety minutes that attracted viewers; it was about the simplicity that path the way for a good story line.

Finally, in view of the changes in society since the 1930’s, there are certain qualities found in earlier generations that seem more inviting. Certainly, they weren’t absent of the festering depreciation of moral behavior, but it is my contention that it was to a lesser degree. With fashion, eloquence, speech, and simplicity being the elements that mirrored the populace, I sit back and wonder what could it have been like to sit with Mrs. Froy on the train as she “vanished”?