Tomorrow is the First Day of School for the 6th Graders at Waldo Middle School. I started thinking about my first day of school in 6th grade. Sadly, my long-term memory doesn't remember that day... BUT I do remember my teacher (Ms. Strong), where my class was located (in "the bungalow"), and my classmates. I started 6th grade in 1998, thirteen years ago... WOW... that seems such a long time ago!!!
I searched for some information about the middle school I went to, La Merced Intermediate (LMI) School. LMI was a 5th-8th grade school when I attended. My site for Student Teaching is at Waldo, which is a 6th-8th grade school. Here are some stats about the demographics of LMI...
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| In 1998, total population 1776 students. |
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| In 1998, 67% free/reduced lunch. |
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| In 1998, 1 teacher to about 31 students. |
And at Waldo Middle School (2009-2010):
- Total Student Population: 756
- Free/Reduced Lunch: 57%
- Student/Teacher Ratio: 1 teacher to about 15 students
When I attended LMI in 1998 it was 87% Hispanic. At Waldo it consists of 67% Hispanic. I think it will be interesting to see how I adjust being in a school system around a majority of Hispanic students. I have grown accustom to the White population of the Pacific Northwest... and since I have attended private colleges for my post secondary education, I have been surrounded by White people for the past 6 years. I had close friends in middle school and high school who are Hispanic, but some of my most hurtful memories from grade school was when I was teased by Hispanic males and females...
I don't want my negative experiences in the past to shape how I see specific students... and in this case Hispanic males and females... and maybe by addressing it I will be able to look beyond those negative experiences when I was in middle school. I know I want all students to be successful and learn, AND as a teacher... I don't want to think "I know it all" and I also want to be able to be knowledgeable enough to support my students... I think I wanted to share a bit about my past in middle school... to look into how I experienced it... to keep in mind how these students that I see/ meet tomorrow may be feeling... and how the administrators, teachers, staff, student teachers, etc. may be feeling... and what experiences they have had that they bring with them in this school... Waldo Middle School.
This is interesting. I think a lot of opinions that are formed about a general ethnic population stem from either very early memories of engaging with people of that ethnicity or fear and misunderstanding of its respective culture. I hope this will be a very positive experience for you!
ReplyDeleteYes, it is interesting!! I think it is important to continually self-analyze oneself to understand these ideas that one have to create an equitable classroom for all students to learn and succeed. So far it has been a very positive experience. :)
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