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Hello everyone! My name is Marissa Roque and I am a senior at the University of Houston. I will be graduating in December with my bachelor's of science in teaching and learning with my certification area being EC-6th generalist.
I grew up in a smaller town outside of Austin, Texas. In my household I would hear my parents speak Spanish to my grandparent or other relatives but my brother and I's only language we spoke was English. Since me being from a smaller town I did not fully experience ELL students until high school. In elementary school we only had one bilingual classroom.
When I started my student teaching experience last semester I was placed at a
school that has a very diverse community of students. The school also focuses heavily on celebrating students cultures and overall making each student feel noticed. I really enjoy seeing the school do this for their students because it is important that they feel like they have a sense of belonging. For my experience in elementary school was a bit different. Therefore coming into a more diverse school it was interesting to see how ELL students learned since most of them did not speak the same language.
Lastly, my teaching philosophy is centered around how each student in my classroom are unique and have something special that they can bring to the classroom. I want to also create an environment that is a safe space and the students knows they are valued member but allows them to thrive individual ways of learning. I can do this by presenting curriculum in different learning styles and allowing opportunity for them to work amongst peers and individually.
References:
Wright, Wayne. Foundations for Teaching English Language Learners: Research Theory, Policy, and Practice, Philidelphia, PA: Calson, 2015. Print. Second Edition.
Hi Marissa, my name is also Marissa! I really enjoyed your blog post and video. I relate to a lot that you mentioned. I also have a limited knowledge of another language. That is great that you have some experience working with English second language students. I had never heard of ‘diversity night’ and hope I can incorporate this in my future classroom or school. I liked that you mentioned that it is important as teachers that we do not neglect the students’ home language when teaching them the curriculum. According to Wright, “Losing proficiency in the home language before attaining proficiency in standard English, for example, often leads to academic difficulties. In particular, learning to read in English is more difficult if students cannot read in their home language.” (pg 24) This quote proves that it is necessary to incorporate the students’ home language to their learning.
ReplyDeleteWright, Wayne. Foundations for Teaching English Language Learners: Research, Theory, Policy, and Practice. Philadelphia, PA: Caslon, 2015. Print. Second Edition.
Hi Marissa! I really enjoyed the diversity night at the elementary school, it is super simple and they just had parent volunteers come and talk about their culture and any traditions they might have. Also during the school day students wore tradition outfits from their culture.
DeleteHello Marissa! I enjoyed hearing about your experience with language (coming from a small town). Your experience is so opposite of mine because I was born and raised in Houston, which is so culturally diverse. At any point in a grocery store, there are several different languages being spoken all around. It is so interesting how you went from a small town with only one bilingual classroom, to now teaching a diverse group students. To celebrate and honor different cultures as a teacher is an important feature of being a good educator, therefore the diversity night at your elementary sound like an awesome idea. According to Wright, “Teachers need to know their students’ cultural backgrounds and how culture influences learning at school.” (p. 18)
ReplyDeleteHey Ashley! I too think that it is import to celebrate and honor different cultures that may be represented in the classroom. Like you had mentioned growing up in Houston is way different from my small town. I would have never thought of these different ideas to incorporate into my future classroom if I had not been placed at a diverse school.
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