Pogue's Playground

     I believe that one of the most important aspects of schooling is that you learn to respect and work with people of all different backgrounds. I am willing to do whatever it takes to ensure that each of my students regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, etc. are educated and prepared to function in a culturally diverse society. I think that the first step in effectively educating each of my students is making sure that I am educated and well-versed on every topic that I bring forward. It is impossible for me to teach topics, especially those that are sensitive to certain groups of students, if I am uneducated on the topics myself. I certainly wish that some of my teachers from grade school would have taken the time to educate themselves on sensitive topics before engaging in conversations that played into stereotypes or "single stories."       While typing this blog, a story from fourth grade comes to mind. One day after school, I wa...

            Differentiation, in terms of education, is the changing of instruction to meet the needs of all students. Differentiation is imperative to the success of all students, but especially those with disabilities, as it ensures that they receive a free and appropriate education (FAPE). The Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) requires that children with disabilities receive a free and appropriate education. In order to ensure that a child receive a FAPE, an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), is put in place to meet the child's unique needs.      I have always told people that I was a visual or spatial learner-- turns out that learning styles are a myth. I was very shocked to learn this because I hear teachers talk about learning styles all the time. There is no evidence that suggests that preferred learning styles help students. Even if learning styles were real or beneficial to students, it would be a disservice to students if we...

The purpose of school is to create a space that is equal in opportunities to learn for all people regardless of race, ethnicity, gender or socio-economic status. Throughout history, school was not always a place of equal opportunity. I believe that the education system has come a long way and has made that possible, but there is still a lot of work to be done. I went to school in Mansfield Texas, where the school district is known for its decade long refusal to desegregate its public schools during the civil rights movement. Although the school district had a horrible past, I did go to a very diverse school where I had amazing opportunities to learn and grow as an individual. That is what school is all about. Schools should educate students in different fields and prepare them for the real world because children are our future.  As a young adult, I feel as though the schools I attended succeeded in this purpose in some aspects but failed in others. With the pressure of standardized...