Healing Centered Engagement

In the article, Ginwright argues that we should be taking a healing-centered approach to learning. Many people are healing from trauma, and building empathy with others who experience trauma can help. Empathy is critical and the center of engagement. Ginswright shares how he feels that we are not defined by our trauma, and I agree with that; everyone has to deal with something, and it doesn't make us who we are. Once the trauma is acknowledged is when the healing process can start. This healing-based approach focuses on building an identity for someone, reflecting on the trauma, and ensuring we put our well-being first. In this new perspective, Ginswright talks about how they focus on the person, how they are a good person, and the impact of the trauma they experienced. It focuses on who you are as a person over being a victim of trauma. This can help youth workers gain more knowledge and how to help others and themselves. Although this new way of healing is political, which he makes known. He talks about this method because he feels that how we try to help our youth is not the best and can make them feel like victims of the situation. 

Comments/Questions/Points to Share: Everyone heals differently, and most people's situations are different from others. If we can understand this, there can be more empathy for those dealing with trauma, and they could feel more support during the healing process. Working with kids, I notice how every kid can be calmed down in a different way when they are upset. When I am a teacher, I want to connect with my students so I can support them in the best way for them. 

Hyperlink: https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/new-from-nea/how-support-students-who-have-experienced-trauma-guide-aspiring

When you look at everything we have done this semester, what stands out to you as meaningful?

 After looking back at the semester by looking at the slide deck and all of my blog posts, the 3 parts that stood out to me the most and I will really keep with me are all the group work/the midterm checklist we did, Delpit reading, and Teaching Bilinguals. 

The Silenced Dialogue by Delpit was the reading that stuck with me the most, and I believe brings up very important information. Her codes and rules of power were something that really made me think. It made my eyes open to see and understand better. This is something that will always be in the back of my head that I will be conscious about and think about in my teaching career. 

The Teaching Bilinguals Video that we watched will stay with me and gave great tips to help. This was very useful for me because I was able to implement them while in my service learning placement. It is also great to know for my future teaching career; it is tips I can take with me when I deal with language barriers. 

The group work for me was what stood out to me the most. Group work is really important and has helped me have a much better understanding of all the readings we have done. Not only can we teach each other, but we get to know each other in the class, which I think makes for a better-run class and better environment. It is more like we are all there to support and motivate each other when we work together and get to know each other. This way, we can all help each other because not every reading or assignment is clear to everyone, so now we can all have a better understanding of the topic we are on. As well as the midterm checklist was something that was very useful and helpful. It helped me recognize and know where I was in the middle of the semester when things start to get even more stressful. It was a great tool to use, and it was very helpful, along with the midterm letter, which I thought was a great way to let thoughts and feedback out. The midterm checklist is something I want to use on my own to help myself stay more organized and on top of everything for future semesters.

Hyperlink: https://www.cmu.edu/teaching/designteach/design/instructionalstrategies/groupprojects/benefits.html

Woke Read Alouds and RI Laws and Policies

Reflection: Being able to have support and being comfortable in your school, and being who you are is very important. All students should feel that they are safe at school. I think that the RI Department of Eds laws help those students, especially at this time. This is very important because there is communication going on regarding the importance of the topic. Having the definitions is great to have so teachers can educate themselves. If students feel the support from the school staff they will be more engaged and willing to their educational journey. It is also important that the teachers are aware and have the knowledge to support their students because this then can play into their student's mental health and safety. Being able to share and teach other students as well can have a big impact in a positive way; which could be reading articles to bring it in as a learning opportunity. The book He, They, She, as Easy as ABC is so important and was great to hear in the video. This gives the language that makes students able to express themselves and who they are. Growing up they never really teach or share; I believe now that it is important that it is shared and taught. Especially in middle schools and high schools. I know it can be a hard topic to discuss with elementary-age students, but there are ways to share. This way, students may be able to understand how they are feeling inside. 

Questions/Comments/Points To Share: My cousin recently came out as transgender. They were nervous at first to tell the family and especially my grandfather who is very old school. I know my side of the family is very supportive and of course, we gave them our full support. I will say it did take some thought to make sure I addressed them by the correct pronoun, but they understand especially with family there might be a slip-up just due to growing up with each other and being used to saying those pronouns. They know there is support and that what matters is the support and love that is given.

Hyperlink: https://www.ride.ri.gov/InsideRIDE/AdditionalInformation/News/ViewArticle/tabid/408/ArticleId/379/RI-Department-of-Education-Reaffirms-Policy-on-Protections-for-Transgender-Students.aspx