American Life, Hebert, Brown vs. Board of Education

Alyssa Giammarco
Dr. McKamey
FNED:346
30 October 2018

The Problem We All Live With- Part One 

"Maria usually brought home A's but when she got a C Neshia asked the teacher why she had not been notified, the teacher told her that she had to many kids in her class to call all of their parents. Neshia said teachers did not seem to care. Classes were dumbed down, and often unorganized, and everything that seemed to be good news turned into bad news."

This quote is revealing that in the Missouri school district teachers are not caring if their students succeed or not. This is very frown upon because a teachers job is to educate these children and provide extra help for them to be successful. Many of these students were not graduating because the school was losing their records or other important things. The school was very unorganized and lazy which resulted in students suffering for what they couldn't control. This quote relevant to the pod cast because the speaker is talking about the Normandy school district and the problems that parents were finding out. 

Link to the Pod Cast:

https://www.thisamericanlife.org/562/the-problem-we-all-live-with-part-one

Separate and Unequal 

“Ninety-five percent of education reform is about trying to make separate schools for rich and poor work, but there is very little evidence that you can have success when you pack all the low-income students into one particular school,” 

This quote is relevant to the article because the author is talking about the schools in which black and hispanic children are enrolled in. These children are exposed to high levels of poverty. This results in exceptions, and parental involvement being very low. This quote is revealing that there is a good percentage of education changes that is happing, however all of the students that come from high poverty are put into the same school. How does this make any sense? People want education to change but they are basically segregating low income students into one school and high income families into another. 

Link to the Reading:

https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/22/opinion/22herbert.html

Separate Is Not Equal: Brown vs. Board Of Education 

"Through personal stories and broad historical themes, the exhibition traced the fight to bring the injustice of segregated schools before the United States Supreme Court. Their victory in Brown v. Board of Education transformed the nation."

This quote is saying that the Brown vs. Board of Education changed American history by eliminating segregated schools. This was one of the turning points that transformed our nation. This quote is relevant to the Brown vs. Board website because it talks about the events that took place, public programs, and resources. 

Link to the Website:

http://americanhistory.si.edu/brown/index.html 

Joseph Kahne & Joel Westheimer

Alyssa Giammarco
Dr. Corinne McKamey
FNED:346
27 October 2018

In The Service Of What? The Politics Of Service Learning By: Joseph Kahne and Joel Westheimer

Summary of the Article:
In the beginning of the article the author explained the importance of service learning, and how it can improve the classroom, community, and the experience for students in every grade level. With serve learning students become more active and engaged in projects. This is because serve learning projects   "aim to respond to the needs of the community while furthering the academic goals of students." According to the author examples of service projects include working with the homeless, analyzing and monitoring swamplands, and oral history of the community. "Such service learning activities seek to promote students' self-esteem, to develop higher-order thinking skills, to make use of multiple abilities, and to provide authentic learning experiences-all goals of current curriculum reform efforts." This quote reveals that students who are involved in a serve learning project will adapt these importance skills more easily then people who are not involved in one.

Furthermore, the author discusses two examples of service learning projects in a classroom. The first serve learning project dealt with Mr. Johnson's project for his 12th grade U.S. government course. Mr. Johnson's strategy involved letting his students choose their serve learning project. For example one of his students chose to work in a center for babies whose mothers were addicted to high levels of cocaine during their pregnancy. Another student chose to work in a hospital running errands for doctors and locating sites for patients. A third student chose to prepare and distribute survival kits for the homeless.  Mr. Johnson explained that if his children worked with people who were less fortune than them, then they would "experience the excitement and joy of learning while using the community as a classroom." The second service learning project that the author addressed is Ms. Adams a seventh grade teacher who took a different approach on what her children could choose as a topic. Ms. Adams and her class talked about issues of common concerns and then voted on the issue of homelessness as their topic. Ms Adams had her students listen to speakers from the homeless, create files of newspaper articles on homelessness and read other items. To get involved in the community she had her students select two homeless advocacy groups and helped them raise money. She then had them reflect as a class or in small groups on the readings they read, what they learned throughout the project, and on their overall experience. The author godson to explain the similarities and differences the Mr. Johnson and Ms. Adams share. For their similarities they both provide learning experiences that reflect toward areas of concern. They also address the importance of those in need and they encourage their students to make a difference. As for differences, Mr. Johnson's class focused on civic duty, whereas Ms Adams class focused on critical analysis of the concerns on homelessness and strategies to help those in need.

Hyperlink:
http://www.cpsed.net/chsw/
This is a link to the school website of Cranston High School West. Cranston High School West provides service learning projects in all of their Career and Technical programs. When I transferred there as a sophomore from Johnston High School I enrolled into the Child Development Program. This program gave me the opportunity to be involved in the community while still learning. As a sophomore you get to work in the preschool that is attached to the classroom. This is the year that the students get to create relationships and bonds with the preschoolers while also becoming familiar with their environment. As a junior the students get to go out into the community and intern at a facility called The Trudeau Center. This is an inclusive school where you get to develop skills in helping children who have a difficult time with learning. I loved going to the Trudeau Center because I was able to make a difference in the children's lives. Cranston West sends their students to schools that need more guidance to help them learning. As a senior in the program you have the choice on what school you would like to student teach in. This is where you develop lessons plans for every domain. Towards the end of your senior year you will take these lesson plans from your field sites and construct a binder filled with pictures, stories, etc from your experience. Cranston West gives their students the oppurtunity to help the community and people in need. They provide one of the best programs that will help their students become more responsible in the future.

Points To Share In Class:
I believe that every student in every school should be assigned a serve learning project because it helps them get involved in the community while still learning. There are many people out in the community who are less fortunate and who are struggling. With schools going out and helping, they can make a great difference in their lives.

Link to the Reading:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-JcBFAuLc-0Uk96Z2g3NDI2bkU/view

August

Alyssa Giammarco
Dr. McKamey
FNED:346
9 October 2018

Safe Spaces: Making Schools and Communities Welcoming to LGBT Youth: By Annemarie Vaccaro, Gerri August and Megan Kennedy

"Classrooms lay the foundations for an inclusive and safe society; a just community where common interests and individual differences coexist. To the extent that teachers, school administrators, and college professors create an atmosphere in which difference is not only tolerated but expected, explored, and embraced, students will be more likely to develop perspectives that result in respectful behaviors. Without the deliberate creation of an inclusive atmosphere however, what happens inside classroom walls reproduces the prejudices that exist outside these walls; straightness and gender conformity are assumed; LGBT identity is deviant."

This quote is revealing that every classroom in a school should be accepting to all kinds of students. Acceptance should start in preschool classrooms. This is because usually preschool classrooms start their development in learning. Due to this these classrooms should be welcoming to everyone no matter if they are different. If a classroom is not welcoming then these children grow up with a mindset that its not normal to be different which is horrific. In my opinion one of the teachers responsibility is to create a learning environment that makes the children feel safe and welcoming. Teachers can incorporate this in their teaching style. This quote is relevant to the text because the author is talking about how classrooms play an important role and the impact it has on their students.

"In an episode entitled "Sugar time!" Busters adventures take him to Vermont, where he meets David, Emma, James, and their two moms, a blended family that teaches Buster the art of maple sugaring. The lesbian moms are featured incidentally, with Emma simply stating that she loves both of them very much. Sexual orientation is never explored; the words "gay" or "lesbians" are never used."

This quote is saying that the words gay or lesbian are not commonly used in conversation. Its sad that even a tv show does not show consideration towards people who are different. They are not being accepting to every single person. Instead of making this a common thing to hear or watch cartoon tv shows are eliminating what is important for children to understand at a young age. Due to this many children are growing up with questions and no answers. This quote is relevant to the text because the author is talking about being accepting to all students in the classroom, however if producers of tv shows can't be welcoming then this is most likely going to happen in the classroom.

“Justin a promising musician, was bullied because of his sexual orientation. He took his life after finishing his freshman year of high school. After Justin’s death, his mother campaigned to change district policies that required teachers to remain neutral regarding issues of sexual orientation. Tammy Aaberg named the problem: ‘most of the teachers and principals… mean well-they want to intervene. But the teachers still don’t know what they can and can’t do.’ LGBT students need advocacy and protection, not neutrality.”

This quote is relevant to the text because the author is talking about how classrooms and teachers play a significant role on students. This quote is saying that children are committing suicide because they are getting bullied so bad. These children rather harm their bodies than live through the pain they are in. In the case, Justin took his life because he was bullied due to his sexual orientation. This makes me very upset because school should be a safe place for many children but for Justin it was not. After his death Justin's mother campaigned to change district policies in regards of teachers standing up for children who are being bullied. Many children are being bullied because of their sexual orientation. Teachers should get involved instead of sitting back and thinking of what they can or cannot do. They should at least do something! For example teachers should provide a judgement free classroom so these individuals know they are not alone.

Talking Points to Share in Class:
In my opinion I think that all classrooms in every grade, and school should be welcoming to all students . A classroom should be a safe place for all children and not a place where they are scared or feel threatened. Today bullying is a major problem that needs to be fixed. Many children are being bullied and the result is them harming their bodies. We as teachers should be creating a positive atmosphere where children are happy to come to class and be with their peers.

Link to the Reading:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-JcBFAuLc-0SVJiRmNrcllrRlU/view

Linda Christensen Responce

Alyssa Giammarco
Dr. Corrine McKamey
FNED: 346
1 October 2018

Unlearning the Myths That Blind Us By: Linda Christensen 

"The "secret education," as Chilean writer Ariel Dorfman dubs it, delivered by children's books and movies, instructs young people to accept the world as it is portrayed in these social blueprints. Ami often that world depicts the domination of one sex, one race, one class, or one country over a weaker counterpart."
This quote is revealing the impact that children's books and movies have on young children. I would have never thought that children would be impacted negatively when reading or watching children's books or movies. Young children read and watch these movies and think that their lives will be the same as they see it in these "blueprints." Our world is created by domination. This is because in sex, males are dominant, in race white people are dominant, and in class rich people are perceived to be the dominant side. The Untied States is a dominating country, we use power over one another. This is relevant to the text because the author's of children's books are dominating our children because they are small and impressionable, and books are how they learn. Everywhere around us there is power. 

"When we read children's books, we aren't just reading cute little stories, we are discovering the tools with which a young society is manipulated."
This quote is relevant to the text because authors of children's books are dominating young children in such a negative way. Children are so small and dependable on other people for assistance. Everywhere there is power and in this specific quote the authors of children's books are the people who have the power. These authors are displaying real world stories as something cute so it will be relatable for children. These authors include cute characters, fun fonts, pictures, and color to make it appealing for young children. They understand the world through books and not the real world around them.

"Children's cartoons, movies, and literature are perhaps the most Influential genre "read." Young people, unprotected by any intellectual armor, hear or watch these stories again and again. from the warmth of their mother's or father's lap. The messages. or "secret education," linked with the security of their homes, underscore the power these texts deliver. As Tatum's research suggests, the stereotypes and world view embedded in the stories become accepted knowledge."
This quote is revealing that children are hugely influenced by books and movies. They are so young and impressionable. They learn from adults and in this quote from their parents. Children also learn from books, movies, colors, characters, and writing styles which gets children involved and interested in learning. This quote is relevant to the text because authors of books take power and use it over children. These books and movies are dominating young children while they are so young. It's impacting them in a negative way.

Point to share in class:
Before reading this article I always thought that reading to children was one of the most important things to do. After reading the article I am  now conflicted about reading to children because of the major power it has on what we read to them, and the affects it has on their learning. In my classroom I try and read books that are children friendly and don't have a significant amount of power in them so the children can actually learn from reading the book. 

Link to the Reading:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-JcBFAuLc-0NEFOT1BJZXVnZnM/view

Richard Rodriguez

Alyssa Giammarco
Dr. Corinne Mckamey
FNED 346
30 September 2018

Aria By: Richard Rodriguez

Summary: After reading this article I learned many things; one thing that I learned that was important was how society wants everyone to fit into the binary of speaking English. This story by Richard Rodriguez was mainly about how there are multiple language curves for young children. He explains his personal experience with the language curves. His experience included being a fluent Spanish speaker going to school where all they speak is English. He was basically forced to learn English because that's what everyone spoke. He explains that English was a difficult task for him to learn because all he speaks at home is Spanish, however he was expected by his teachers to talk English like all of the other students while in the classroom. Due to his difficulty with learning English, the authors parents began to help him practice at home by doing games after dinnertime. Now his whole family is trying to speak English at home to help him become a better student in class. When Richard became seven years old English was his primary language and Spanish was his second. However the language curve still affected him and his house after learning fluent English.

Personal Connection:

I can relate to this article because I have interned in a school where a saw a child who spoke fluent Spanish try and assimilate to the English spoken language. The good news was the child was so young so he had years to become accustomed to it. However it's still sad that a child so young is forced to learn a language that they never spoke at home or even knew was a language. Another connection I can make to this article is that my grandma spoke fluent Italian when coming into America. She came here when she was six years old. It was hard and difficult for her to learn English at first. She got frustrated in school just like Richard did. For many years my grandma spoke broken English. With a lot of practice, she learned English and it became her primary language. The last connection that I can make to this article is when I was in highschool and I had to take Spanish. It was very difficult for me to learn a new language because all I have been speaking my whole life is English. Even though I got frustrated I was forced to adapt to a new language. This relates to Richard when he was forced to learn a new language when all his life he spoke fluent Spanish. 

Points to share in class:

In my opinion I believe that its horrific how people are forced to adapt a new language to fit in the binary. Why does a person who's primary language is Spanish like Richard, or Italian like my grandma be pressured to learn another language? 

Like to the reading:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-JcBFAuLc-0MW5DdnZyVnpGSHc/view?usp=drivesdk

Social Justice Event

Alyssa Giammarco
Dr. McKamey
FNED-346
24 September 2018

For my social justice event I watched a Ted talk about how childhood trauma affects health across a lifetime. Nadine Burke Harris brought up a important point when talking about how childhood trauma affects children in so many ways. "Things like abuse, or neglect, or growing up with a parent who struggles with mental illness or substance dependance." All of these can impact a child's health at a young age resulting in childhood trauma.  First Nadine told us that after her residency she wanted to go somewhere that she was needed and could make a difference. She started working for California specific medical center. As a team they opened up a health clinic in a poor and low income neighborhood in San Fransisco. I couldn't believe that prior to them opening up their health clinic, there was only one heath care provider to serve and help more than 10,000 children. It was interesting to hear about a "disturbing trend" of ADHD: Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Children were being sent to her with this disorder. However she did research about it and said she could not provide a diagnose for ADHD. This is because most of the children that she saw experience such extreme childhood trauma. Nadine quoted, "one of the things they teach you in mental health school is that if you're a doctor and you see a hundred kids that all drink from the same well and 98 of them develop diarrhea you can go ahead and write that prescription for dose after dose after dose of antibiotics. Or you can walk over and say what the hell is in this well." This quote is so important because in today's generation to help "cure" a disorder in a child at a young age doctors tend to prescribe more medication to "solve" issues. This affects children because they depend on these drugs that doctors provide them for many years. As an adult if they try and take them out of their system they are going to have a difficult time concentrating and start craving a drug in replace of their medication. This can later lead to addiction/drug addiction for many but not for all. 

Connect to in class readings:
"There are children in the poorest, most abandoned places who, despite the miseries and poisons that the world has pumped into their lives, seem, when you first meet them, to be cheerful anyway."
I can connect this quote to a piece that we read in class: Amazing Grace by Johnathan Kozol. Kozol told a descriptive and detailed story about the horrible struggles adults and children from the South Bronx had to face everyday. This can be related to the Ted talk because the children he was describing are growing up in an area where they are dealing with trauma that will only affect them as they get older. Most of the adults that he described had a lot of trauma in their childhood that resulted in substance abuse as they entered adulthood. This quote reveals that even though some children's lives are filled with hurt, anger, and horror, when you meet them they make it seem like everything is fine. This is because these children face these obstacles everyday which makes them costumed to it. 

"Issues of power are enacted in classrooms."
This quote is from The Culture of Power by Lisa Delpit. This quote can be related to the ted talk about how childhood trauma affects health across a lifetime because it talks about codes of power. During the Ted talk when hearing about how many children came to Nadine with symptoms of ADHD it made me think of this quote. Delpit explained that as a child you have little to no power, whereas your parents make most of your decisions for you. For example Nadine talked about things that she learned from mental health school which was that if you're a doctor and you see many children drinking from the same well and some of them develop a disease that you prescribe doses of pills to cure their body. This is when Delpit's codes of power come into place because children are so young and have little to know control in making a decision. Parents have complete power over their children just like teachers have complete power over the students in their classrooms. 

Links to the Readings:
Amazing Grace By: Johnathan Kozol
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-JcBFAuLc-0Ml9vUkdMdFdoNDg/view
The Culture Of Power By: Lisa Delpit
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-JcBFAuLc-0ZXdvUDB5X3lDVDg/view

Ted Talk: Nadine Burke Harris
https://www.ted.com/talks/nadine_burke_harris_how_childhood_trauma_affects_health_across_a_lif
etime#t-808876

Kozol and All Lives Matter Article

Alyssa Giammarco
Dr. Corrine McKamey
FNED:346
23 September 2018



Amazing Grace by Johnathan Kozol

"You just cover up ... and hope you wake up the next
morning," says a father of four children. one of them an
infant one month old, as they prepare to climb into their
sleeping bags in hats and coats on a December night."
This quote is revealing the struggle that families in the Bronx had to face. To some of us on a cold December night we bundle up underneath blankets. For these families including their small children, have to sleep in tiny sleeping bags without heat and hope to be alive the next morning. This is a horror story for these families that need to be changed.  This quote is relevant to the text because the author is talking about South Bronx and the obstacles that some children and families face while living there.

"There are children in the poorest, most abandoned
places who, despite the miseries and poisons that the wurld
has pumped into their jives, seem, when you first meet
them, to be cheerful anyway."
This quote is relevant to the text because the author is talking about the South Bronx and the obstacles that some families have to go through while living there. This quote reveals that even though some children's lives are filled with hurt, anger, and horror, when you meet them they make it seem like everything is fine. This is because these children face these obstacles everyday which makes them costumed to it. When I think about it, it's actually very sad that these children can put a smile on their face and go on with their day even though everything is not okay.

A small and wiry woman wearing blue jeans and a
baseball cap, a former cocaine addict who now helps ad-
dicted women and their children, she tells me that more
than 3.000 -horneless families have been relocated by the
city in this neighborhood during the past few years, and she
asks a question I will hear from many other people here
during the months ahead. "Why do you want to put so
many people with small children in a place with so much
sickness? This is the last place in New York that they should
put poor children. Clumping so many people, all with the
same symptoms and same problems, in one crowded place
with nothin' they can grow on? Our children start to mourn
themselves before their time."
This quote is relevant to the text because the author is talking about the South Bronx and how many families and children face obstacles on a every day basis while living there. Why would the government try and put many people with the same sickness in a small space together!! This plan makes absolutely no sense in my eyes. I understand the government is trying to help people in the bronx but this plan is just not a good idea. Especially when there are children mixed in this plan.

Points to share in class:
I agree with Kozol on many of his points that he shared about South Bronx. I believe that the government plays a huge role in why so many families are left in poverty and fighting for their lives almost everyday. The lower class basically has nothing to live off of because their income is so little. Also they have no essential resources or materials to help them and their families survive. This is heartbreaking and horrific that the government turned this place this way. They should be setting up clinics, health care centers, and other forms of help for the lower class families.

Link to the reading:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-JcBFAuLc-0Ml9vUkdMdFdoNDg/view (Kozol Reading)

All Lives Matter by Kevin Roose
The real issue is that, while strictly true, "All Lives Matter" is a tone-deaf slogan that distracts from the real problems black people in America face.
This quote is relevant to the text because the author of this article is talking about how Black Lives Matter and how many people believe that the slogan should be changed to All Lives Matter. The slogan of Black Lives Matter was created to stop violence and racism towards African Americans. For example there were many shootings that involved African American men that were shot and killed by white police officers. The slogan was created to end harmful violence on African Americans. Changing this slogan to All Lives Matter would not ave the same effect because not all races face what African Americans do. The real problem that needs to be changed it the treatment on African Americans. This is why the slogan All Lives Matter would not work.

"There is a news bias toward stories that the majority of the audience (who are white) can identify with. So when a young black man gets killed (prior to the recent police shootings), it's generally not considered "news", while a middle-aged white woman being killed is treated as news. And to a large degree, that is accurate — young black men are killed in significantly disproportionate numbers, which is why we don't treat it as anything new. But the result is that, societally, we don't pay as much attention to certain people's deaths as we do to others. So, currently, we don't treat all lives as though they matter equally."
This quote is relevant to the text because the author is talking about how Black Lives Matter and how many people don't see that it's an actual problem. The meaning of this quote is that when a black man gets killed no one cares and it's not worthy enough to be "news" to people.  However when a white person is killed then that is worthy and considered news. What is happening to our society? Why is it that we don't treat everyone equal? Why is it that we judge people on the color of their skin? Who cares if you have white, or black skin, we are all humans!

Imagine that you're sitting down to dinner with your family, and while everyone else gets a serving of the meal, you don't get any. So you say "I should get my fair share." And as a direct response to this, your dad corrects you, saying, "everyone" should get their fair share."
This quote is relevant to the text because the author is talking about Black Lives Matter. This quote reveals that not everyone has a fair shot at anything in life. Of course everyone "wants" their fair share but the truth is not everyone gets it because life is completely unfair.

Link to the reading: 
https://splinternews.com/the-next-time-someone-says-all-lives-matter-show-them-1793849332
(All Lives Matter Reading) 

Points to share in class:
"All lives matter" is willfully going back to ignoring the problem."

I agree with this quote because the slogan "All Lives Matter" will ignore the actual problem that is trying to be addressed. The slogan "Black Lives Matter was created to stop racism, and violence including shootings among police officers. 

Kristof Article

U.S.A Land of Limitations?
By: Nicholas Kristof
August 8th 2015


“The chance of a person who was born to a family in the bottom 10 percent of the income distribution rising to the top 10 percent as an adult is about the same as the chance that a dad who is 5 feet 6 inches tall having a son who grows up to be over 6 feet 1 inch tall, “It happens, but not often.” claimed by Alan Krueger
According to this quote, what I believe the meaning that Kruger is trying to address is that it's very difficult to move up in society. She uses the example of a person born to a family in the bottom 10 percent of income will most likely never rise to the top 10 percent as an adult. The quote is saying that sometimes it can happen but not often. This quote in my opinion is completely wrong. I say this because I know people that were born into a family that had little to no money and then rose to the top 10 percent as an adult. If you work hard and dedicate your time you will succeed. This quote is mostly irrelevant to the test because Kristof is talking about America being the land of limitations, opportunities, and social classes.

“Rich kids make a lot of bad choices,” Professor Reardon notes. “They just don’t come with the same sort of consequences.”

This quote is saying that many children that are born in a family who are wealthy make a lot of bad choices and wrong decisions. This quote is also revealing that children that are raised without having to worry about anything or needing anything, do not have the same mindset on bad choices as for someone that is brought up with not a lot of money. He also was discussing his friend Rick that recently passed away, who knew that he made bad choices. However, he worked hard to try and make his life better. This quote is relevant to the text because the author is talking about America's land of opportunity.

“Talent is universal, but opportunity is not.” Nicholas Kristof

This quote reveals that the person with talent needs to have the heart and the will to get that opportunity. The quote is also telling us that every person is capable of talent but might not have the necessities to continue their talent. For example, someone can be very talented in a certain sport, but they might not get the scholarship. The author proceeds to talk about his friend Rick who struggled in many areas of his life. However, he tells us how Rick began to turn his life around for the better. This quote is relevant to the text because it's talking about America's land of limitations and opportunity.

Talking point to share in class:

The best metrics of child poverty aren’t monetary, but rather how often a child is read to or hugged. Or, conversely, how often a child is beaten, how often the home descends into alcohol-fueled fistfights, whether there is lead poisoning, whether ear infections go untreated. That’s a poverty that is far harder to escape.

I feel that money isn't the most important thing on the planet. However, in today's society money is what makes you survive. You need money in order to buy clothing, food, and other necessities for your family. As a preschool teacher and educator I believe that the environment that a child lives in is the most important. I feel this way because there are children who live in households that result to violence to resolve an issue. These children are forced to grow up quicker when they have not fully developed yet. It's horrible to think about, but it's the truth. Then there are the children who live in a household where their parents read to them every night and show affection to them. These children are able to learn responsibility from their parents and wait to grow up until their mentally developed.

Link to the reading:

https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/09/opinion/sunday/nicholas-kristof-usa-land-of-limitations.html

All About Me

September 16, 2018

All About Me

My name is Alyssa Giammarco and I am a sophomore at Rhode Island College. I am currently studying Youth Development with a concentration in speech as my major. I always had a passion with working with children ever since I was a little girl. When I was a sophomore in high school I transferred from Johnston High School to Cranston West where I could further my interest in teaching in the Child Development program. This program gave me the opportunity to work with children of all ages. It also taught me the skills you need to become a great teacher. I have interned in a preschool, first grade, second grade, and eight grade classroom while I was a senior in high school. In each classroom I had to adapt to the children's learning styles and abilities so I could plan age appropriate activities. I had to develop lesson plans and block plans for each classroom while managing to pass my regular classes as a high school senior.            This program helped me become the teacher I am today.

Besides managing college, I also work a full time job. I am currently a preschool teacher where I help young children develop and grow everyday. I work almost thirty hours a week while going to school full time. It sometimes becomes challenging but I overcome the obstacles because I wouldn't change where I work. I love working with my students and making a difference in their lives.

My favorite thing to do is travel. Over the summer I went on the Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship and visited five islands; St Martin, St. Kits, St. John, Antigua, and Barbados. Another place that I have visited was Orlando Florida. I have gone there with my family ever since I was little. My future place to travel to is Paris France. I hope that one day I will get the chance to see it for my self.

RIC Activities Day

       For my social justice event I went to the student activities day with Allison Perry, and Tiffany Scoco. It was interesting to see many different student organizations that were created here on campus. We showed up early and watched each table be set up. We noticed that each table were unique in their own way. Some tables that caught our eye were the anchor television channel, new student orientation, political science club and sojourn.

The first table that we walked up to was the anchor television channel here on campus. They produce and record events that happen on campus. What was also very interesting to hear was they post the videos on youtube for students to access on their own device, and they livestream on Facebook. It was clear that they try and cooperate with students to make sure everyone on campus has a way to view and watch anchor news. This specific club meets once a week on Wednesday at one thirty in the afternoon. They told us the common interests and differences among the group members. Some club members are outgoing and want to be in front of the camera while others prefer to be behind the camera. Members who enjoy being behind can post edit and they usually have a highly skilled background in technology. Before we left their stand, they gave us a anchor news t shirt that we can promote for their group.

The second group of club members that we met was at the new student orientation table. This group was recruiting new members to help with incoming freshman or transfer students get adjusted to a new environment. In the summertime they have new student orientation for freshman and transfer students. In addition during spring they have an orientation just for transfer students. Members in their club range from fifty two to eighteen years of age. They are open to everyone who wants to join, they don't have specific restrictions to be accepted in.  Not only did they provide us with useful information, but also gave us a few materials such as a brochure and a Rhode Island college sling bag.

Thirdly we went to the political science club where they explained that they fight for minimum wage increase and free tuition for community college of Rhode Island trying to aka our campus a better place. They also watch government debates between candidates. In addition we learned that they go on a trip to Washington DC every year to sight see political events. This group meets every week during free period on Wednesday's. They have forty nine members which include a president and a Vice President. They all share a strong political background and an interest in politics. Furthermore they gave a brochure and a sticker for your car window. 

Finally, the last group we saw was members of sojourn. They believe in building a good community. They seek justice and complete a lot of community service. An interesting thing about them is that they explore faith and are open to all types of people from different religions. Another unique thing was that they meet every Wednesday at seven o' three at night. We questioned why seven o' three and not an even time, and the answer was that it's random so no one will forget. In their group meetings they discuss religion but not all of the group members are religious. However, they all want to build a strong community, create world peace, and build friendships. Before leaving they gave us a magnet and a card of events that they were hosting.