Reflection Paper7

I think that as teachers we have to have faith in our students and dissolve all stereotypes and treat all of our students the same. To me, if I was asked if I needed extra help, when I never asked for it, I would feel offended and inferior to the rest of the class because I was singled out and looked like I was in distress. I believe that it is our jobs as teachers to make sure our students feel comfortable in any environment and to not make them feel afraid to speak their mind for fear of being criticized. We should let all of our students know that they will not be scrutinized over what they say but let them know that they should be respectful in whatever they say as to not offend anyone. I agree that the classroom should be similar to a community, that way each student is just like the other; not an African American student, a Latino/a student, or a European student, etc. I think it makes the students feel more comfortable and for them to make easier interactions knowing that they will not be judged or any sort of that matter on what they are. However I believe that a classroom should not be so free lanced and that there should be some rules and behaviors that the students should abide by to make the classroom a peaceful and safe place. With the topic of singling out students, I think it should only happen when a student is not paying attention in hopes that that they would stay focused and remain alert with the rest of the class; but only for that specific time not periodically. Each student, to me, should make a contribution at some point in a class. Calling on those constantly who know the answer causes singling out and makes the others feel as if they are not important and that their input is not needed. I think that we as teachers should be encouraging them to want to participate even if they do not have the necessary correct answer they would still be engaging in the discussion with the rest of the class. I think that it would kind of help them to participate and they would not have the fear or not answering because they think they will be reprimanded or made fun of for their wrong answer. A classroom is not for that purpose, it is for the students to take in the information they receive and evaluate it.