RE: Autobiographical reflections

"In what ways did your school curriculum meet your learning needs? How so?"

Now that I know more about school systems and curriculum and such, I realize how very lucky I was to receive an education like I did. My teachers were all experienced and educated. They were not rigid, and they did not only teach the information I needed to know to succeed on a standardized test. They did not shy away from creativity, and they encouraged learning and exploration. I was exposed to all of the fine arts, and I was given extra-curricular opportunities to pursue them as well as time during the school day. I only once had to worry about funding, but the community banded together and campaigned for the approval of a referendum in 6 months. I got to participate in fun parties during the holidays, I got to go outside for recess sometimes twice daily, and I received all the extra help I ever needed through the school. I was even placed in an accelerated reading program where I thrived. I learned responsibility and independence, but also skills for working in a group.

I realize now that so many children are denied these opportunities. I completely took my education for granted when I was younger, thinking that though other kids might not have as much money, or as high quality facilities, that they still had the same curriculum base. When, in fact, I was learning things that those kids would never get taught in school. I had so much more freedom than is granted most students, and I am very grateful.

Now as a future educator I can look back on my experience and compare it with what I know about the public school system in communities different from teh one I grew up in. I hope that because I recognize the vast differences in treatment of students and implementation of curriculum that I can speak out against the injustices that stand in our public school system, especially those injustices in the urban public schools. It is up to educators who are conscious of these wrongs to inform the masses so that change can occur.