Course Reflection and Professional Application
While conducting research in this course, I came across a quote from Cesar Chavez, “We need to help students and parents cherish and preserve the ethnic and cultural diversity that nourishes and strengthens the community – and this nation”. Prior to this course, I was knowledgeable about the cultural, linguistic, and learning needs in my classroom. What I have learned is the importance of not only knowing about the diversity but being able to address it professionally and provide the best possible education for every student. I learned the importance of involving and communicating with the families of my diverse learners as well as the community. I will continue to educate myself about best …show more content…
Through analyzing the diversity in my building and the changing demographic trends, I realized the dire need for professional development and support. Without training and outreach programs throughout the school community, there will continue to be groups of students that are underserved. In my building, this underserved population continues to be our Hispanic students. Per the District Report Card Data for 2015-2016, there are 9,987 students in my district, 1,137 are Hispanic, we have nine interpreters, and zero English Language Learner (ELL) specialists (Ohio Department of Education, 2016). This is a problem that must be addressed. This population is expected to grow to 30% in the next ten years (Laureate Education, 2015d). Increasing linguistic support is essential. It is impossible to communicate with families and students without ELL support, and without this communication, it is impossible to “create equitable and inclusive practices that lead to positive social change” (Walden University, 2016, p. 3). Currently, I am using technology to communicate with my ELL students. It is the only option I have, and it is my professional responsibility to educate these students to the best of my ability. Until ELL support is more readily available, I will continue to use Google translate to communicate with my ELL students daily for the remainder of the 2016-2017 school
While conducting research in this course, I came across a quote from Cesar Chavez, “We need to help students and parents cherish and preserve the ethnic and cultural diversity that nourishes and strengthens the community – and this nation”. Prior to this course, I was knowledgeable about the cultural, linguistic, and learning needs in my classroom. What I have learned is the importance of not only knowing about the diversity but being able to address it professionally and provide the best possible education for every student. I learned the importance of involving and communicating with the families of my diverse learners as well as the community. I will continue to educate myself about best …show more content…
Through analyzing the diversity in my building and the changing demographic trends, I realized the dire need for professional development and support. Without training and outreach programs throughout the school community, there will continue to be groups of students that are underserved. In my building, this underserved population continues to be our Hispanic students. Per the District Report Card Data for 2015-2016, there are 9,987 students in my district, 1,137 are Hispanic, we have nine interpreters, and zero English Language Learner (ELL) specialists (Ohio Department of Education, 2016). This is a problem that must be addressed. This population is expected to grow to 30% in the next ten years (Laureate Education, 2015d). Increasing linguistic support is essential. It is impossible to communicate with families and students without ELL support, and without this communication, it is impossible to “create equitable and inclusive practices that lead to positive social change” (Walden University, 2016, p. 3). Currently, I am using technology to communicate with my ELL students. It is the only option I have, and it is my professional responsibility to educate these students to the best of my ability. Until ELL support is more readily available, I will continue to use Google translate to communicate with my ELL students daily for the remainder of the 2016-2017 school