How do we talk about issues that matter?
How do we talk about issues that matter?
Voicing our own opinions on topics that may seem controversial can be unsettling especially when conflict is expected. However, that uneasiness allows for questions to arise and create conversation. We may be scared that others will question our own thinking process but this broadens our knowledge to different perspectives. In order to talk about issues that matter, we must listen and think about our questions and thoughts before stating or asking. We must take into consideration the feelings of others while confidently stating our own thoughts. If we begin to diminish our own ideas, we deplete the significance of our own values. Discussing issues of importance allows for the us to grow as people.
In the reading "How I Faced My Identity When Teaching The Construction Era" by educator Brigid Rowlings, she states "Take the time to do the foundational work of creating and increasing comfort and safety." She makes this statement after discussion of African American experiences after the civil war. This comment and its correlation is very significant as it creates discomfort in her classroom. However, by emphasizing the importance of ensuring safety and comfort for students shows what it means to facilitate these type of discussions. As an educator, not only are students an upmost priority but what we impact them too. The lessons we teach are lessons that students may remember for the rest of their lives and may choose to teach in their own ways. That is why taking consideration to others is important so that we don't shut down others' ideas and allow for conversations to flow and be heard.
Hi Heidi, I completely agree with you about thinking and listening to others before speaking to others. It is so important to listen because without it you are just saying random things that could not correlate with the conversation, or something that could be insensitive to the person you are talking to. Taking students' feelings into consideration especially when teaching subjects like history, is important and I love the quote you used to express this. I agree that these are lessons that will stick with the students for a long time, and if you are insensitive when teaching a topic such as slavery and the Civil War, you could potentially harm the student. Communicating is one of the biggest parts of teaching and without being open and caring toward students, they won’t trust us enough to come to talk about things that are bothering them. I feel like it is so important to understand where students come from and what their lives are like in order to better communicate with them.
ReplyDeleteI agree that communicating is one of the biggest parts of teaching and we must understand where others come from. Without communication, I feel like thoughts begin to collect and may cause conflict within oneself or be projected negatively. Thanks for sharing!
DeleteHi Heidi! I really enjoyed reading your take on how we as teachers should address important issues in our classroom. I have already learned first hand how important it is to really listen to students issues. With younger elementary age students, I have found that they come to tell you every little inconvenience, and it can be easy to slip into a half listening state. However, this can lead to you missing important things that you may want to quickly address. It is also very important that to address difficult topics carefully, and make sure you have created a safe and comfortable environment for the students, where questions are welcome. Learning about what may be an uncomfortable subject can easily become a negative experience for some students if they feel alienated or uneasy in their environment, which can have lasting effects.
ReplyDeleteHi Lilli! That is very interesting that elementary age students express so much to you. I also agree that questions are important when talking to anyone, not just students. Negative experiences are also so easy to bestow on someone unknowingly and may impact someone for an extended amount of time.
DeleteHello Heidi! I always enjoy reading your posts whether it be the blog or reading posts you always have such thoughtful things to say. I also wholeheartedly agree with your point. I love to see the progression we have made as a society. Being more open to discussing topics that might be uncomfortable like racism and mental health. Although these might be difficult topics to address it is our reality and to ignore them or not address them just wouldn’t be right. But while normalizing speaking on these topics, we also must understand how to discuss it with others. A very popular term as of late is “cancel culture”. Although in my opinion there is only one right way to view or feel about certain things, the reality is that not everyone will always agree with me. And it has become common on social media to immediately cancel someone rather than provide them with the same respect of simply listening. There will always be different opinions. But if I were to shut down each opinion I don’t agree with we take a step back on our progress and remove the safety and comfort of having civil conversations and debates.
ReplyDeleteHi Bella! Thank for the compliment, I truly appreciate it. I agree with your topic of cancel culture. Others have so many different perspectives and even if we do not agree with all of them it is important to understand why they think the way they do.
DeleteHi Heidi! I like how you started off your post taking what may seem negative and bringing a positive to the light. Although these conversations can be controversial and unsettling as you said, I love how you followed that with mentioning that the “uneasiness allows for questions to arise and create conversation.” I think that was a great introduction to the post. I also like how you mention the importance of thinking about the questions and statements you plan to share on these topics before doing so. This is a effective may to make sure you are staying on track and not going to say something you wouldn't want to say if you had taken a second to slow down and think about it. This statement followed by you mentioning the importance of not diminishing your own ideas was great! I also feel that always staying true to your own beliefs is super important, especially in this society where I feel like things like social media are always trying to sway you a certain direction.
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