One of my favorite videos this week is the TED talk given on the Danger of a Single Story. In your blog post, I want you to begin examining your own story and how your story might have been understood/misunderstood/stereotyped and then apply this knowledge your future teaching practice. As a teacher, how can you ensure that you don’t stereotype your students or limit them to just a single story?
For instance, when most people look at me they see a relatively successful, white, college-educated, middle-class female. But what most people don’t know is that in my early years, I grew up with a single mom living in poverty who had barely graduated high school. My dad was not around early-on and my mom needed food stamps just to get by. I was also a behavior problem in elementary school and spent LOTS of time in the Principal’s office. My 3rd grade teacher changed all of that for me. This teacher refused to see my single story – my single parent family, my poverty, my lack of a father figure and instead she saw ME! I came alive that year! I tell you this story to inspire you to see your students as more than just their “single” story (i.e. ESL, special needs, living in poverty, single-parent background, etc.) and instead see them for so much more!!! Only then can all students live up to their true potential. I posted a picture of me with Mrs. Themar – my 3rd grade teacher in our class google site introductions pages. She made that much of a difference that we still keep in touch!
Here is your prompt:
After viewing the TED Talk video, The Danger of a Single Story, reflect upon and respond to the following questions in your first blog post.
- In what ways have you stereotyped others, or known others through a single story, in your life?
- What is your story? What ways do you feel like you have been stereotyped or known through a single story?
- How can teachers affirm students’ individual identities and cultural backgrounds in the classroom?
Using the blogging guidelines in the previous page, construct a response using your experiences and examples. You may attach a word document, Google doc, or use an existing webpage/blogsite if you have one (NOT a requirement for this assignment).
