More reflections

I think that I was a little harsh on the man/woman talk yesterday.  I, in my professional life, have never run across being treated unequal by a man.  I think that men these days can see that women have  just as much to contribute than they do.  So, on to the next question...

When do I notice culture and how often do I think about it?  Being in a culturally diverse school setting I notice and think about culture every day.  Each of my students comes from a unique background.  Some are native american, some are asian, some are white, some are african american, some are a mixture of many.  I think that when I notice it the most is when I assume/forget that everyone has a different story and my students correct me.  That's when we talk about how their life is different from others.  It is eye opening.  Although most students in my school live in the same district, there are two very distinct groups in our district.  Those from Homestead and those from Munhall.  In kindergarten all of the students go to the same school.  Then from first through fifth grade the kids from Munhall go to one school while the kids from Homestead go to another.  Then in middle school they are all brought back together to finish their public education. Needless to say it causes much tension between the two groups.  And it definitely divides the groups.  I have heard it said by many in our region that the kids from Munhall are better and the kids from Homestead are poor and won't amount to much.  I do not believe any of this.  I do not feel that where you come from should be the determining factor in how successful you are.  I see the potential in all of my students and I let them know that it is determination and themselves that decide their fate, not where they come from or their status.