[Pocket Sharing] reflecting on the importance of our actions

I have been using Pocket for a while now (3 years?) and it has been very handy.  For those that are not familiar, it is a read it later application (in fact, I think it was initially called "Read It Later").  It lets you quickly save links that you'd like to revisit.
I thought it might be a good idea to start sharing some of the articles that I've kept in my pocket, as well as share some thoughts about it.  These will likely be a combination of blog posts, news articles, and journal articles.

Previous pocket sharing

This time I am sharing an assortment of different topics which prompted me to further think about the importance of our actions

1. Untitled blogpost from Alfie Kohn

Notable quotes
"You have to look harder and think deeper to realize that what appears to be progressive instruction sometimes turns out to be more traditional and less impressive than it seemed at first glance."


"If compliance is ultimately valued more than curiosity (even by some teachers who don't recognize themselves in that description), then students may be given directions that are marvelously sophisticated, but the point is still to have them follow directions rather than play with unsanctioned or unconventional possibilities."

"the real power [of these passages] emerges when teachers themselves are invited to reflect on their craft and to ask 'Am I doing all I can to nourish students' curiosity, to help them think for themselves and with one another?'"



Thoughts

Kohn discusses how traditional ideologies can be masked by what appears to be progressive thinking in education.  This was an excellent read that provides good reflection for anyone who thinks "they are on the right path" (where we are assuming there is a correct path).

This also reminds me of a workshop that I attended a year ago, where the facilitators (the wonderful @robintg and @lkpacarynuk) discussed the importance of having your room reflect your beliefs about mathematics education.  In other words, what do you have on the walls? How are your desks set up? What is being celebrated? What does your room say about your practice?

Kohn wasn't writing specifically about mathematics education, but the connection is clear.  What I thought about from Kohn's post was more general: the importance of constantly re-examining our actions in order to reflect our beliefs about mathematics education.  Of course, our beliefs can also be shaped by this process of reflection and careful thinking.  This is not a one way street -- it's more like a busy intersection of ideas and continuums.

2. Dear White Teacher

Notable quotes
"'Mrs. Lathan, you know they’re scared of us and our parents, too. That’s why they don’t be calling home. They just send us to you.'"

"...teaching students of color how to navigate a classroom with routines and rules centered in ideals of whiteness, where there is only one “right” way to be a successful student: show in ways recognized by white culture that you respect authority, work to a standard, don’t challenge, don’t make waves, apologize when you do."

"Many white teachers are discouraged, believing that they are ill-equipped to meet the needs of students of color simply because they don’t have the same experiences as them. In response, they freeze."

"I know that you don’t look or sound like me, but that doesn’t mean that you have no power. My strength in the classroom does not come from my racial identity, and neither does yours. It comes from the way we treat—and what we expect from—kids and families."

Thoughts
Lathan makes a lot of good points with the story she told.  I have my own concerns with respect to punishment, detentions, ...etc.  But the reality of what she is saying is important.  Our students need to have connections with us.  The moment that we shift these opportunities for connection to someone else, regardless of the circumstances (race difficulties, behaviour...etc), we lose pieces of the puzzle down the drain.  It is often important to involve others - parents, educational assistants, other teachers, other students - in order to build a better support system around them, but we need to be part of that support.  The problem doesn't disappear by us handing them off!