The Guy in the Red Shoes

http://www.willatworklearning.com

If no one in class is learning anything from a specific teacher there is something wrong. It either means the teacher should consider changing his/her teaching technique or all/most of the students are stupid. It’s obviously not the students, there is no such thing as a stupid student. Everyone is different, thus every person’s ability to learn is different. In the video the young man tells the teacher, “If you would just, get up and teach ‘em instead of giving ‘em a freaking packet.” Packets. She, the teacher, the instructor, it becomes obvious she is not really interested in teaching those kids.  If you look at the graph on the right hand side you can see that statistically most people can only remember 10 percent of what they read.  Clearly not all people/students learn from reading. I am one of them. In the past I have had teachers that teach using packets, but I never really learned anything.  All it does is refreshed anything I know but simply forgot, but most likely nothing new. It becomes more and more obvious that the teacher isn’t really interested in teaching the students anything when the y teach off of packets.

Got Privilege?

Anything that anyone does or is can be considered privilege. Yes, people now have become more sensitive on who they are. If someone is successful in life they will say something like, that person is successful because they are white, rich, Asian, smart, the choice of words are infinite. It normally depends on who is the offended and the offender. People are more interested in victimizing themselves in order to gain compensation. In the video username RazorBladeKandy states, “We were once a society that bragged about our accomplishments and well standing, and are now a society that brags about our degree of victim-hood, victim-hood being real or imagined.”  Now people isolate themselves from other people simply because they feel victimized. Everyone can be successful regardless of having privilege or not. Having privilege gives you a head start on the road of success, but not having it doesn’t mean you can’t get on the same road. Everyone can go on the road of success it just depends on the passion the one person puts into it that will allow them to be successful in life. 

Into the Wild

In Into the Wild Chris shows his passion for nature and adventure. He is willing to go into the wild regardless of being prepared or not. He was willing to risk his like in order to feel free; to feel the freedom that his parents did really give him. To become free from society; breaking away from their material things that society sees as privileged. There was only one place where he could feel like he is his own person, for Chris the wild was his peace. The lack of communicating with people and only having his books to keep him company was perfect for him. Through his adventure he shows his fearlessness towards nature. He takes anything dangerous nature has to offer and turns it into a challenge. In a way Chris can be seen as a hero. He was willing to hitch hike his way to a new adventure. Chris had the ability to take any challenge straight on. He showed his strong will power to overcome any challenge nature had to offer regardless of the law. He had the capability of not having a thing and still being humble; willing to give the little he had for others well being.

Photo by Geraldine Rocha

Although Chris came from what most of society would call a “privileged” home, he was willing to leave it all behind and live day by day. Living each day to the fullest without having to worry what day it is or what time it is. He became inspired by other people, during his adventure he inspired others; regardless of him knowing or not. He created his own privilege. He clearly believed he could do anything. Anything was possible as long as you believed in yourself. His life was cut short, but he lived to the fullest in his ultimate adventure in the wild.

His story can be inspiring to anyone. You don’t necessarily have to be an adventurer in order to get inspired by Chris. The simple act of him following his dreams is an inspiration on his own. It tells a person that anything is possible as long as you believe in yourself. Your determination towards what you believe in. He was able to travel with little to no money; had the adventure of a life time. If people become more determined to what they believe in they can reach their ultimate goal. 

Andrade

I  believe if all Oakland public schools were the same as in Cohorts the students would be better off. They are helping students raise their GPA and have a higher percentage of students going to colleges. They are helping grow a new generation of well educated people. Rather than not caring if a student passes or fails, whether or not that student goes to college or not. Being a graduate of an Oakland public school makes me feel as if I got cheated out of an education. Most teachers look and act as if they don’t care about the students. The Oakland public schools don’t really know what is going on with their student. But if teachers encouraged their students more, we could get the drop rated to go down and college applicants up higher.

But because I graduated from an Oakland Public School I have decided to make a change. I have been inspired to become a teacher and make a difference in my community. It only takes one person to make a difference in a child’s life, and I want to be that difference. 

A single person can do anything to make a difference. An education isn't the only place where good intentions are needed. If we make a change in society we can make a change in  education. Anything can be considered educational as long as a person is willing to teach and another willing to learn. 

Why do teachers give up on students so easily? Have they lost their passion for teaching?

When will Oakland fix their public schools?

Chabot College and it potential deal breakers

Photo by Geraldine Rocha

For me Chabot College has a lot of potential deal breakers. First of all, Chabot offers 2 year degree programs and transfers, but it takes a person 3-6 years to actually achieve it. It takes the students longer because Chabot is cutting so many classes that people need. Not everyone that needs the particular classes can get in. For example, English and Math are subjects that everyone has to take, but there are not enough classes offered for the amount of students attending Chabot. Now Chabot is trying to kick out the students.

When I say “kick out” I mean they are trying to get the students that have been attending Chabot for over 2 years out. Now they are starting to offer classes that are required for certain AA degrees, but have not been available for years. For example, students trying to get their AA in Photography are not able to get their AA in 2 years; as they state. They have cut so many of the classes that are require to graduate. Now, the school has decided they will switch off on which class to offer next depending on who needs what in order to graduate. (True story, it's actually happening. My Photo teacher asked what class everyone needed next for their AA degree. Simply because the school wants to offer any classes needed and remove the once that aren't needed at the time.)

         A second deal breaker is Financial Aid cut off. Once a student reaches 90 units the financial aid department concludes that the student is doing nothing but taking random classes and is just attending for the money. Well with me that is wrong. Currently I am struggling with the financial aid department here at Chabot because to them 90.5 units are too many. I was told, "In order to be considered for financial aid again I must talk to a counselor and come up with schedule of the classes you need in order to graduate. You must fill out a petition and explain why it going to take you more units in order to complete my AA" (Financial Aid worker). This is ridiculous.  I know it took me a while to choose my major, but most of the classes I have taken go toward my AA. I am trying to take classes that at required by San Jose State in order to transfer. So why must a student that is taking classes she/he need in order to achieve an AA and/or transfer be punished. I only have two more semesters to go in which they consist of 15-18 units per semester. I do qualify for the fee waiver which helps me out financially; but I still need to pay for books and supplies. As a full time student and a part time worker money is tight. This deal breaker could mean I either struggle really hard to achieve that AA and the proper classes and units to transfer to UCSJ or i could give up and work full time. But I am NOT a quitter. So I guess I must deal with this and do the best I can to get my education. I will guard my education with tooth and nail if needed.
 

Photo by Geraldine Rocha

Dealing with this deal breaker has been a struggle but it is doable. People have to make sure they speak to their counselors in order to help them create a plan so that they may graduate or transfer faster/on time.  I will continue doing my photography whether or not they are offering the class. There are a lot of resources I could use in order to continue with my passion of photography and education.

Photo by Geraldine Rocha

Passion vs. Privilege

What is the relationship between passion and privilege?

Photo by Geraldine Rocha

       Can the word passion ever be truly defined? The word passion in the dictionary is defined as: intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction. But what does that really mean. For me passion is something that we can all feel. It’s that indescribable feeling you get when you do something you love. For example, my passions are Children, Education, and Black & White Photography. When I attend the child development and photography classes here at Chabot I lost myself. My passion for children is incredibly strong, my willingness to help out children through different stages of life. Helping them create more than path for them to choose and follow. Helping them become someone people will respect. While my passion for photography it's so big that I can spend 6hrs in the dark room or hand coloring a photograph. Even though to most people 6hrs seems like a long time to me it only feels like an hour to me. Passion is feeling inspired towards the thing you love the most. Whether that is photography, children, cars, motorcycles, anthropology, and etc.

Photo by Geraldine Rocha

          Then we have privilege, privilege in the dictionary is defined as: to accord a higher value or superior position. Once again I say what the hell that even means. Truly no one knows the definition they just understand what the word means. But privilege plays an important role in passion. For what is passion without privilege. Privilege allows passion to grow and expand. Having the privilege of finding what you really love, what truly moves you to work harder towards it. Even in a basic sentence we can tell the difference. For example:

• I like working on cars.
• I love working on cars.

           When people use the word "like" they clearly state they see it more as a hobby or a time killer. But when the person uses "love" it is clear it's something they enjoy doing regardless of the time they spend on it. It becomes a joy to do something you love, rather than a hassle to do something they like at times.

Passion Project

Photo by Geraldine Rocha

After watching the Passion Project, it made me realized that I was not alone; my struggles where also other peoples struggles. During the course of the video I traveled in time, a flash back took me back to what once was. I too use to fear asking the teacher a question, as well as presenting or simply going up to the board. I was fearful because of a bad experience with a teacher. This flashback took me back to age 11. I voluntarily went up to the front of the class to do a math problem for my 5th grade teacher. The problem she gave me was to simplify a fraction. Fearfully I notified the teacher that I didn't know how to solve the problem. Ms. McCowen embarrassed me in front of the whole class; in addition she insulted my 4th grade teacher for not teaching me correctly (according to her). After that incident I never volunteered again. I became fearful of speaking to the teacher and in front of an entire class. After being humiliated in front of my 5th grade class by the teacher, I no longer wished to deal with teachers or other students. I became a silent person. An unseen person to the educational world. 

Our lives are meant for us to experiment with different situations. When we give ourselves a goal, different roads are given to us to take. At times we may take the wrong road but we are able to learn from our mistakes. Educational mistakes can be good it gives us different experiences in life. It also helps clarify what our passion really is. In the Passion Project I appreciated how one of the students said "community college is made for people to experiment." This was something I could really relate to. After going back to school in Fall 2010, I had no idea why I was going back. I had tried majoring in Business Administration in 2006, after two semesters at Devry it was clear that Business Administration was not for me. When I went back to school I decided to major in Criminal Justice and took a random class with it; Intro to Black & White Photography. Needless to say after a few weeks I notice Criminal Justice was not my thing, but I kept the photography class. Then on the following semester I majored in business (again). Probably because my mother insisted in me studying something that would take care of me financially. But after finishing that semester I realized why I stopped in the first place. My true passion is child education and photography or anything artsy. So now I am following my true passion without the interference of others opinions.

If teachers would relax a little more in class and became a little more social with their student’s, maybe their students wouldn't be scared to talk to them. After 3 years I have meet some awesome teachers to help me find myself; teacher that actually care about their students; while still following their passion and try to inspire others. One teacher will no longer be teaching at Chabot but he is still willing to help me advance in life/career. He has gave me connection with other teachers so that I too can explore the teaching world and decide what I wish to teach. He also helps me find places where I can display my photographs.

         Truly if one person can have such a relationship with a teacher its makes them feel more comfortable, thus making it easier to speak to them. Allowing the student to have a voice, having their opinions, thoughts, and concerns heard.

         If a person is willing to help out another person without anything in return the world would be a better place. I have had teachers in my life willing to help me out, I would love to do the same for teenagers. As a 25 years old female student I know how hard it is to find legitimate help. I know for a fact at that stage of life guidance is needed. Not just allowing them to choose their path at random. High school students must be given choices, when I say choices I don't mean between getting a job as soon as possible and/or going to school. Educators should spend a little more 1-on-1 with their students. If teachers would simply ask, what do you want to do with your life? or, what do you choose to be? there are more possible questions. But by even having a simple answer educators can show them how they can actually achieve it; can help them find an internship were they can have more clarity of that career. Thus creating them to view the endless possibilities they have to get educated. The most simple thing a person can do in their life is help another person. According to Web MD, "When we act on behalf of other people, research shows that they feel greater comfort, less stress" (Davis). I believe helping a struggling student counts as an act of kindness. But act times it seems teachers feel like it's such a hassle to help a student or to answer a simple question. When ever we have a question about a certain subject why must it be so difficult for a teacher to change their educational approach  Everyone learns differently. A hands on person will always have a difficult time in a class where the teacher relies on the student to read and under stand the material with nothing but hand outs. 

So, who are we to deny a student from dreaming? from creating? from believing in themselves? 

We are guiders it's time we all wake up from this selfish world, into a caring world. 


Photo by Geraldine Rocha