The best place for me start my project is with parent interviews. This will allow me to get to know the community better as well as -hopefully - giving me some ideas for a project. I conducted just a few interviews with my last year's class and they gave me food for thought. It's fascinating for me to hear about what parents and families consider important for a child's education because sometimes it is completely different from what a school official thinks is important.
For example, two of those three interviewed parents said they would like math taught more in school because they want their child to learn how to handle money for a job or their own bank account. Very practical! Why don't we do that?
Since almost half of my families do not speak English in the home, I am going to need translators. Should I impose on friends? Beg a school tutor? We have a home school liason, but my interviews are not official school business....
Refreshment in Mexico, 2008
This summer I taught English for two weeks in the very poor state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. I enlarged my understanding of education's relationship with culture and country. I am currently in a master's program doing research on poverty and public education. Three weeks into this school year I decided to leave the large urban school distict I have taught at for nine years to start teaching in a small rural district. I'm very busy but extremely happy with this decision!
3 comments:
Definitly impose on a friend, that's what I would do. If you have a friend who is interested in education, they might be very happy to help you out. I take it you are doing your ARP over the course of this and next semester? Just clarifying...
Is there a high school student (maybe an older sibling to one of your students?) who needs credit for a community service project?
I agree with Lothlorien and Sharon----IMPOSE. What are friends for? It sounds like the new job and the project are going along quite well. I am happy for you in your new school. It makes such a difference when you are happy and look forward to going to school everyday. I've had that for a very long time and have learned how very special it truly is. Anyway, back to your question---IMPOSE! hahaha
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