Prompt 4

Before entering the class I observed, I researched online the basic information of the school, I found that it was a Title 1 school and very racially diverse. Going in I already had judgements and biases of the school based on that background information. Growing up I attended a school that was 91% Caucasian, even though during High School I did work with Special Education students, I did not work with racially diverse Special Education students. This experience was a lot different for me.
I understand that I, myself may still have biases that need to be broken and that when I walk into a classroom I must have a tolerance for differences in children, because without it I will not succeed. I believe that teaching, especially in the special education field, is an area of teaching that requires this type of open-mindedness towards people regardless of their race, gender, culture, economic background, behavior, physical and mental capabilities and other personal attributes. I realize that this is only the beginning of my learning experience and that I have a lot to learn about working with children in special education.
Entering the classroom as my teachers "assistant" to the students and faculty I was known as just another white teacher. When I read Delpits article The Silence Dialogue, I felt as if all of the other multicultural students and teachers were thinking I was just another narrow minded white teacher. In her article she states a premise, "Those with power are frequently least aware of- or least willing to acknowledge- it's existence." I felt as if this statement itself was biased towards me as a future teacher. As a student I did not feel as if I was above any teacher based on the color of my skin, nor my ethnicity.
What I have learned from Delpit's article and observing in the classroom that it's very vital and important for a child to speak and express their thoughts and culture. Issues found in the classroom according to Delpit, "The power of the teacher over the students." The teacher is accused of teaching other students that weren't "white" power in a white man's world. Parent's are going to be the hardest challenge, especially entering in as a white female teacher. I believe that they will not understand what my duty as a teacher is, and that I have learned and understand the importance of integrating culture into the classroom. Overall, in Delpit's article, I have learned that having a Universalized Education could prevent caring educators from recognizing the actual learning needs and strengths, of parents' children that are culturally different. An advantage of having multilcultural education in the classroom is for me as the teacher and the students to gain knowledge of all the students' cultures'. Advantages of the students' I tutor are most of them are bilingual or even trilingual. I believe that is one key to success and really impressive, especially for students' with disabilities.