JOURNAL #2
#LOOKFORTHEHELPERS
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”
-Fred Rodgers
Quote reference here
JOURNAL #2
2/2/22
I'm reflecting on Colorado State University's core principles, and how it pertains to my own educational journey. First, I'll list CSU's core principles (these are for my reference as well as yours.)
CSU's CORE PRINCIPLES:
INCLUSION
We create and nurture inclusive environments and welcome,
value and affirm all members of our community, including their
various identities, skills, ideas, talents and contributions.
INTEGRITY
We are accountable for our actions and will act
ethically and honestly in all our interactions.
RESPECT
We honor the inherent dignity of all people within an environment
where we are committed to freedom of expression, critical
discourse, and the advancement of knowledge.
SERVICE
We are responsible, individually and collectively, to give of our time,
talents, and resources to promote the well-being of each other and
the development of our local, regional, and global communities.
SOCIAL JUSTICE
We have the right to be treated and the responsibility to treat others with
fairness and equity, the duty to challenge prejudice, and to uphold the
laws, policies and procedures that promote justice in all respects.
As I reflect on these principles, I can see these values and conducts reflected in many different teaching methods. In Differentiated Instruction, the idea that every student is not only teachable, but a valuable and respected classroom addition, deserving of a teacher that is willing to explore and reflect on how to reach and educate every student. Even though we are all different, we are all deserving of respect and full effort. Through our differences we are stronger.
Visual Thinking Strategies of art interpretation emphasizes strengthening the confidence in the learner to analyze and trust their experiences and what they see; building a visual language. Teaching for Artistic Behavior (TAB) builds independence and confidence in the student's natural ability to reflect and build artistic practice. At the core, these methods respect the identity, experience and value of each person.
I could reflect on each of these principals, but I want to reflect predominately on Inclusion, Service and Social Justice. As a little girl, my mother moved to the United States when she was 5 or 6 years old. She didn’t speak English, and as her kindergarten teacher lectured, she would try and ask the person next to her (in Spanish) what the directions were. Her teacher hit her hands with a ruler and she was always in a lot of trouble. Of course now we have ESL/ EL programs, and hitting children with rulers is thankfully no longer permitted. These early experiences however had a long lasting negative effect on my mother. Of course she was intelligent, able, willing, and deserving of respect. As educators, our words and actions carry a huge burden of weight; what we say and do can affect our students and those around us profoundly. We have the ability to lift up each and everyone of our students, or we have the ability to crush their spirit. It is a careful and mindful practice.
From my personal experience as a student, my experiences teaching and the experiences of my family, I know that there are vast differences in the accessibility and equity for students. With this in mind, the principle of “Social Justice” and “Service” highlight and reiterate the need for all educators, students and people to remain vigilant and reflective about how we conduct ourselves and how to look deeper within ourselves to be and implement the changes needed. How can we make education more equitable? How can we organize these changes? How can I help?
These principals are a basic foundation to keep in mind when attempting to educate in any subject. Our different experiences make a diverse pool of information that we can all learn and draw from. Protecting, respecting and valuing every perspective can only enhance knowledge.
When I set out to make a piece about my own interpretation and reflection on these principals, I thought of a quote by Mr. Rodgers that has had a lasting effect on me:
He said,
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”
It is an outlook on life- to think positively, to be the helper and to look for the people who are helping. This perspective is in our power. We absolutely have the power to do this. It is something that changes and shifts in our heads, in our own minds.
For my drawing I choose the hand and symbols of the eye. This is predominately how I experience and relate to the world, and how I feel I can connect to it.
I choose a blue hand, because as a symbolic hand, a universal hand, I didn't want the hand or the eyes to symbolize any realistic skin or eye tone. I choose blue for the depth, reflective and calm qualities.
We as humans have such an ability to create and help or alternitively to harm. It is entirely within our power to create and help.
This piece is a calm reflection of this personal decision and choice.
Look for the helpers.
Be the helper.
These principals would manifest in my teaching as a foundation to a regular reminder and reflection. Mostly because to practice these principals requires an active constant evaluation and reflection to implement them. Why is that important? We are human. As our minds and world perspectives grow, it will require us to actively rethink our positions. To grow takes active reflection and action. Action can be through connection, discussion and questioning our peers, family and community- holding ourselves and others accountable to this inclusion and accessibility.
One of the primary reasons I choose to be an educator was because art had helped me through a particularly rough childhood. To teach art meant that I could introduce to others a way to connect, excel, explore and relate. With art we can connect to our community, start dialogs and deepen self discovery and healing. To do so requires a code of inclusion and equity. To be an educator is to walk a path of service, and I choose to be a helper.
These are drawing process photos from start to finish. I can see that adding to this piece might
change the meaning, and I may add more things to this in the future. Right now, it is meant to symbolize any person.
