CTSE 130

Tran, Tu

10

Electronic Journal

03/11/2003

The most important event that influenced your decision to become a teacher.

All through high school I told most people that I hated children, and I avoided them at all costs, even with things as simple as babysitting. But then the summer after my freshman year of college I needed work, so my parents recommended working at the YMCA. At first I was reluctant since the job was directly involving children, but I knew that jobs were limited, and this job was 40 hours, outdoors, and with people my age. Although the first few weeks were difficult for me, I later realized that I had a passion for teaching. As an only child I had never been around other children, and the thought of them was very threatening to me. But working with these children made me happier than I had ever been, and my natural leadership ability and patient demeanor came out. Each day I learned more and more about children, and I felt that I could really connect and relate to them. I realized how fulfilling it was to help these kids learn and succeed, and I felt that I had an impact on their lives, even if it was as small as boosting their self esteem, giving them confidence, or teaching them something new. I formed relationships with these children that I never thought possible, and I found myself wishing the weekend would end so that I could go back to work. I had discovered a passion and enthusiasm hidden beneath a thin layer of fear and nervousness. It was through this experience that I knew that I could see myself teaching for the rest of my life. This experience also made me look back and think about how many other experiences led up to this passion and that it wasn’t just this one experience that made me want to be a teacher. Since I often struggled with school, I had many dedicated teachers who helped and encouraged me. I also loved coaching my high school cheer team, teaching them dances and stunts and watching everyone improve and learn. And with my peers, I was always the one that people came to for help and advice, and someone who people could count on. These are all minor things that helped to make me the person I am today, and the person I will be: a teacher.

I really enjoyed writing this reflection.  I feel that this really reflects my inner emotions and beliefs, and demonstrates my passion for teaching.

Sophomore

Core 1: Coursework

4/8/2003 4:53:28 PM

CTSE 130

Tran, Tu

13

Discussion

04/15/2003

One Killed and 3 Are Wounded at New Orleans School

A gunman carried an AK-47 assault rifle into a high school gymnasium killing a 15-year-old boy and wounding three teenage girls. About 200 students witnessed a 15-year-old girl get shot through both legs, two other girls get wounded, a 16-year-old get wounded in the thigh, and another 16-year-old get shot in the buttocks. The students ducked for cover, hiding anywhere they could, but the gunman escaped with three accomplices. Angry parents immediately went to the school and began demanding information and yelling at police. At the time the police knew no information, but later discovered that the shooting may have been retaliation for a killing on April 7. The police also learned that the gunman had probably entered the school grounds either by jumping over a fence or by passing through a hole in it. The police said Tyrone Crump, 17, Herbert Everett, 18, and Michelle Fulton, 17, were all charged with first-degree murder. The fourth teenager, Larry Moses, 19, who hid the other three after the shooting was charged as an accessory. Besides the shooting, the words "murder all" were spray-painted on one wall of the red-brick school. The police stated “It is common for feuds and bad blood to spill from the neighborhoods into the city's schools, even in normally quiet neighborhoods.” After the shooting, school officials said they would try harder to keep guns out of the schools.

I find this type of story extremely sad. It is depressing that some teenagers are so troubled that they think that the only way they can deal with their problems is with violence. It is also disappointing that this type of event has occurred a lot recently. Because of this, the school and parents must take action and prepare for such a situation. Parents need to prepare themselves for such a situation. They need to talk with their children about how to behave if shooting broke out, and details like how they would get in contact with their parents. Parents also need to plan out how they would behave. The anger and panic that occurred in this situation simply made the whole thing worse, and parents need to set up some sort emergency group with a leader who gets all the information. Parents also play a large role in preventing this type of situation. Parents need to talk to their children and help children cope and deal with depression or stressful situations. Parents need to teach children that adults are there to help, and that violence is not the answer. The school also must play an important role to prevent and deal with this type of situation. Although violence may begin “on the streets”, and many teachers may feel that it is not the schools problem if its not on campus, the fact is that it is the schools problem. Violence typically can start in the school, fester in the school, and then occur in the school. Therefore when teachers see any hint of violence or anger they need to deal with it, not ignore it. Schools should also discuss with students ways to deal with things like anger and depression, what to do when they hear about others threatening violence, and what to do if a violent event occurs. For instance at Foshay Learning Center, they have a bell that signals that there is an intruder in the school, so the classrooms all go on lockdown and the students get under their desks until an administrator comes and lets them out. It is important that schools and parents take an active role in preventing this type of situation. One can not put all the responsibility on the other one, for instance, the school can’t expect the parents to “deal with their child”, and the parents can’t expect the school to be a completely secure place. They need to work together to stop things like this from occurring, yet also know how to confidently handle a situation if it does occur.

I have very strong feelings about the issue of school violence.  In an age where school shootings often occur, I feel that this article is very relevant. I feel that in my writing I am able to express some of my feelings on this subject.

Sophomore

Core 1: Coursework

4/15/2003 4:40:57 PM

CTSE 130

Tran, Tu

7

Discussion

02/25/2003

Justifying a Liberal Arts Education in Hard Times

Many critics believe that the Liberal Arts Majors in college are an “overpriced indulgence for the affluent few who do not have to worry about earning a living upon graduation.” Fewer and fewer of today's undergraduates are pursuing the liberal arts, with most of them studying practical subjects like finance, marketing, real estate and pharmacy. But people like James O. Freedman, 67, the retired president of Dartmouth, still believe that liberal arts are very valuable, and he has spent his life fighting for them.

 Although this article focus’s mostly on Mr. Freedman and his life and books, I feel that the topic itself is very interesting. I myself am liberal arts major in Gender Studies, and I constantly have to face criticism from others: “what are you going to do with that?” and “your classes must be so easy”. I strongly believe in the liberal arts majors. Unlike the other specific majors that teach you how to do something specific, liberal arts teaches you how to think. More than any other major I feel that the liberal arts broaden your mind and shape you as a person. Liberal Arts majors are getting as much or more out of college as any other major, and will allow students to explore a variety of options after graduation, not just one set category

I am very passionate in my belief that the Liberal Arts Majors are positive. With many teachers thinking that it is important to get students to think, I find it frustrating the Liberal Arts Majors aren’t as valued. 

Sophomore

Core 1: Coursework

4/1/2003 3:45:49 PM

CTSE 130

Tran, Tu

7

Electronic Journal

02/25/2003

• Electronic Journal (6): After viewing the First Year video, what do you think your individual strengths and weaknesses may be? What was your initial reaction to the video?

 I think that my temperament is a strength. I am very mellow, and easygoing, so I rarely get angry, yell, or lose my temper. This will be helpful If I have an unruly class, or if I get frustrated. I also am a good leader. It is very natural for me to take charge, and lead others, so I would feel comfortable leading a classroom. I’m a very hardworking and dedicated person, so I stick to things until I see results or am satisfied. I think this will be beneficial when working with kids, because I will have a personal desire to see them succeed. Most importantly though, I know what it is like to have to work through learning difficulties. I myself had to determine the best style of learning for myself, and I feel that this experience would allow me to connect to my students. I feel that I also would be a good role model for kids that are struggling to show them that they can succeed. Some weaknesses for me are that I often don’t discipline my students enough. I have a very hard time being the rule maker, and I sometimes let kids get away with too much. Similarly I sometimes get intimidated by other teachers. Since I’m not yet comfortable teaching, I feel like I’m doing things wrong. But I think both these weakness’ will be overcome through my schooling, and any other weakness’ that become apparent to me with be worked through during my career. My initial reaction to the video was that I was very impressed by the teachers. I was impressed simply by the fact that in their first year they decided to teach at such challenging schools and classrooms. I was also amazed at their overwhelming desire to help their students. They went above and beyond because they saw potential where others may not have. I was also saddened by the situations for some of these children. It’s disheartening to watch such young kids face such challenging things from abuse to speech impairment. Yet I was given hope, since they both dealt with these issues with the help of their teachers. I was angered by how the schools handled some of these situations. With the boy who had the speech impairment, I was shocked at how the school refused to deal with it. I wonder if anyone would have helped him if this teacher hadn’t come along. Also with the child who was abused, I felt that the principal seemed fairly unconcerned. But overall the film really inspired me. It made me want to be a better teacher, and showed me that all kids have potential and that I can help.

I found this video truly inspiring, and it allowed me to really analyze my own strengths and weaknesses.  I picked this assignment because I feel that it really describes my traits as a teacher.

Sophomore

Core 1: Coursework

4/8/2003 4:39:42 PM

CTSE 130

Tran, Tu

9

Discussion

03/11/2003

Schools Seek Balance as Students Join War Debate

All over America schools are wondering “How do we teach the controversy?” The answer has varied just like the political stands. Many schools use “"Teaching with the News: Crisis with Iraq," an Internet outline (www.choices.edu) of policy choices on Iraq that has framed debates in some 4,000 American schools in recent weeks.” A public school in Bloomfield, Conn. had a satellite television linkup which allowed the students to discuss rock music, adolescence and fears of war with English-speaking Iraqi students at an elite high school in Baghdad. Yet many schools attempt to avoid discussion of the war since it can cause arguments and even brawls. For instance in Michigan, Superintendent Jim Ryan of the Plymouth-Canton district announced to parents that students would watch no live television broadcasts at school if war broke out. But many of the teachers said that this violated academic freedom. But students clearly want to discuss the issue at hand. Here in California at three Los Angeles high schools, hundreds of students walked out of classes in protest of the war. Currently the school district is urging the city's 900 principals to offer students opportunities to speak out about Iraq during school time.

 I think that it is very important that teachers spend some class time to discuss what’s going on. This is an issue which is extremely important to our generation, since this is the first war that most of us have seen, and students want to speak out about their feelings. There is no reason why teachers should ignore the student’s desire to discuss the war, and they should encourage their desire to learn and get involved in current events. If anything the war is a learning tool to get kids involved in history and world issues. It is also an opportunity to learn about other countries, like the school that had the live satellite connection with Iraqi students. This is an issue that affects all of us, and I feel it is important to help students understand what is going on, and to help them formulate their own opinions on the subject.

With the war being the current world focus, I felt that this article was extremely relevant.  I feel that it is important for children to understand what is going on, and feel that they can speak out about their beliefs.

Sophomore

Core 1: Coursework

4/1/2003 3:53:42 PM