prompt 6- Dewey and Delpit

In order to become a culturally competent teacher I will need to communicate in ways that demonstrate sensitivity to sociocultural and linguistic differences, using a variety of verbal and non-verbal communication techniques that encourage positive social interaction and support learning in their classroom. Currently in the class I am tutoring in, I have observed that the teacher does communicate in ways that show respect and sensitivity to the differences in the classroom. But at the same time, I have also observed situations where the teacher has showed the complete opposite, and sadly I observe this more than the other.

There is this one little girl in this class who on a normal week will miss more days of school than she actually attends. She is extremely behind in many skills and fails to complete her work. It is obvious that the teacher is aware of this and so are her fellow classmates. On one or two occasions I have heard the students speaking about her absence as if it is normal and accepted. The teacher has expressed to me that this girl's mother has her hands full. Sometimes the mother can not get her to the bus stop in time to catch the bus. If this happens there is no time for the mother to bring her to school because she needs to get to work on time, instead she leaves her daughter at home with the father. The question as to why the father does not proceed to bring her to school remains unanswered. This situation seems to be pushed aside. It has become normal for this child to be absent and seems not to be any concern. I have noticed the way the teacher speaks to her is as if this is her own fault. This teacher will voice rude comments about her absence when she is not there, but then also has rude comments for when this child is in class. The effort to help this child with her work and education seems to be absent. No effort, thought, or even care seems to be given to this little girl. It is heart breaking.
In other cases I have noticed this teacher showing compassion and support to some students who are in different situations. Although she sometimes shows support, I find myself shocked at how much negative feedback and overall feelings are projected from this specific teacher.

I have found myself working with the entire class lately. Most days I come in the students are working on their daily work individually while the teacher is at her desk. I have observed that the students receive little help or positive feedback during this time of the day. I have taken it into my own hands to personally walk around the classroom and make sure each student understands what is expected of them, and if help is needed I gladly give it. There are three students who I have found ALWAYS need help and are ALWAYS off task and confused. As soon as I enter the room I notice their faces seem to light up in relief. I look at each one and give them a friendly smile and a look letting them know I'll be over to help as soon as possible. It is shocking to me to see how my presence has helped these students already.

When looking at this and thinking I relate these situations to both Dewey and Delpit. I will explain Dewey first. John Dewey writes about education being a social function. And how we learn and grow from differences and communication. In this classroom these students sometimes need to depend on one another more than their teacher. These students seem to have a special connection where they all know they lack certain support from their teacher, so in order to make up for it... they help one another the best they can. They learn from their own differences and from the difference in when people come into the class and help the students, compared to the lack of help and effort from their own teacher at times. I also believe that the interaction and special connection I have developed with certain students has grown because of our differences and able to silently communicate and work together.
Delpit explains the importance of communication and the way rules and expectations are presented to children. Children from low income, poor, and colored families sometimes need more support and definite directions. The teacher in this classroom is failing to do this. She is simply telling the children to work on their daily work without giving clear directions and expectations. She is taking away the chance and ability to learn from these children.

This tutoring experience has been one I believe I will never forget. It has opened my eyes to many things I was not aware of before hand. And it has helped me become closer to knowing what kind of teacher I would like to be. Educating children is something that needs to be taken more seriously and have more time put into it. These children are our future, and as their teachers we are who helps them to their future. Through out this semester we have been asked many times by Dr. August, "What kind of teacher do you want to be?" This question is one I feel we need to ask ourselves everyday, multiple times a day. We need to be aware of what is going on not only around us but our students also.