Nick Allan

Shelly Morrell
EDUC 275 Final Paper
12/15/14
New and Improved
In my first paper responding to the four umbrella questions of education, many of my
thoughts and ideas have been supported by this class. Of course, after an extensive amount of
reading, discussing, interviews, and observations, my overall knowledge of education has
increased greatly. Throughout EDUC 275, I have enjoyed the many interesting in class
discussions between both the class mates and Shelly Morrell. Although we joke that we were
sometimes able to solve all the problems of education, some of the ideas brought up in class were
truly eye opening This paper will examine both my old view and the new knowledge I have
gained in the spectrum of, what the purpose of education is, my role as a future teacher, how
schooling continues the existing order, and how schools can transform the existing order.
When it comes to the purpose of education, I still firmly believe in my original statement,
Schooling in the United States, was, is, and should be used to prepare future generations for the
challenges they will face in their adult lives (Allan 2014). Like in my first paper, I believe that it
is important to not only help students in their academic lives but in their social existence as well.
Robin DiAngelo and Ozlem Sensoy make an extremely valid point stating, Teachers understand
through engaged learning, students will develop self-esteem and self-control (DiAngle, Sensoy,
1994). This is in line with my exact thoughts. While teaching, an educator cannot only introduce
students to a new concept, but also give them a chance to express themselves and grow. This
growth can be accomplished through giving students a chance to have more involvement in

actives. Edward Stevens, Jr. and his colleagues describe how this type of growth can be hindered;
for example, in low income classrooms, students are given simple, to the point, task involving
rote behavior and very little decision making or choice (Stevens 2000). This statement is truly
saddening, but that is my role as a future teacher to ty and eradicate this type of behavior from
the classroom.
The second umbrella question asks what my role as a future teacher has in fulfilling the
purpose stated above. My purpose as a future teacher is to exemplify these teachings as best I
can. I want to make sure to give my students the best chance at success as I possibly can. An
important requirement for this is to understand how some students might fall through the cracks
For example, when it comes to boys and girls, male students are called more frequently than on
females, they also are allowed to call out more often (Sadker, Sadker, Fox, Salata, 1994). It is
up to me and my fellow future teachers to breakdown this method of teaching. Some teachers
have already started this process. For example, the teacher I observed and shadowed this
semester Chrissy Benton, of Preston Middle School, seemed to give both boys and girls equal
opportunity to voice their opinions. Benton would even sometimes ask for more girls to give
their input if only a string of boys were answering questions. I believe one of the most important
concepts I learned from EDUC 275 is that it is not all about bringing new concepts to the
education world, but instead it is about ending negative practices.
Many of these adverse practices like the one above, have acculated in what is known as
the existing order. In class, I have learned several different definitions of the existing order. For
me, existing order is the enduring detrimental practices school systems partake in, while having
no regard to changing their ways. There are many examples of these negative acts that continue
to take place in the existing order, going unchanged. One example again involves the difference

between the treatment of boys and girls. In this case, findings show that, 80 percent of high
school dropouts and attention deficit disorder diagnoses are males (Chapman 2005). There is no
way that simply because they are male, this demographic should be receiving these kind of
numbers. Another example of this existing order, is found in the limited number of minority
teachers. It has been found that non white teachers only make up 10% of the teaching pool, and
that number is declining(Nieto, Bode 2012). This is truly a depressing figure. It is helpful for
students to be able to connect with their teachers, and this can be a challenge if all their teachers
are a different race. Teachers can be a symbol for students to strive for, yet when they dont see
someone of a similar race, it can be hard to understand why their race is so limited.
A third example of the existing order involves teachers reluctance to change with the
changing times. The twenty-first century has been filled with innovations and something new is
being created, seemingly every day. Many of these new technologies can find a place in todays
classrooms but some teachers are reluctant to use them. Huerta describes in, Minority Parents
Dont Care About Their Kids, that low efficiency teachers have been found to be less likely
to use technology to support instruction, and they are reluctant to implement new instructional
strategies with students who are turned off by paper-and-pencil class work (Huerta 2004).
Again, like stated before, this is a technological age. Teachers who ignore this fact, or refused to
use new ideas are losing their students focus. Although so teachers might argue this was the way
they were taught and it worked for them, times have changed. It is understandable from the
student perspective to not really care about paper-and-pencil assignments. Children in todays
world are being bombarded by an outrageous amount of media. It is not up to a teacher to
compete against this media monster, but to figure out ways which one can incorporate some of
this technology into the classroom so students can become more engaged. This is just another

example of how the existing order can have such a detrimental impact on students, and how
schools must figure out ways to combat these practices.
When it comes to the question of how schools can change the existing order, I have
learned many strategies through EDUC 275. In the case of the mistreatment of boys and girls,
whether that be calling out on group or another or punishing one more severely, this can be
stopped through understanding. Both in the Lisa Bloom reading, How to Talk to Little Girls, and
the Joe Ehrman video, Be a Man, I have about many of the struggles both men and women share.
Students need to be taught growing up that both males and females have their struggles. I think
school need to do away with the boys vs girls belief. Although it might be easy to split the
class that way, it creates a negative view of a competition between the sexes. As both the videos
and reading of this class has taught me, men and women should be working together to help each
other overcome their struggles. This is an area where teachers can make an impact. By simply
changing the belief that boys and girls are collaborators not competitors, teachers can help future
generations come together to help one another.
Another main point discussed in class was the importance culture has within a classroom.
Some teachers believe that class should only teach the curriculum and go no further. This again
can be negative in a students learning. In EDUC 275 I have learned how culture is the way in
which students learn and this needs to be available for them in the classroom to be more
successful. When I say in the classroom, I mean in the physical classroom. Culture can not be
taught in a simple week long lesson plan, it must be incorporated throughout the year in many
different forms as much as possible. In the end showing so many different cultures will continue
to help unify society.

Overall, I would have to say I learned a great deal of EDUC 275. I really enjoyed the
conversation and thought there was great, to the point, leadership of the classroom. My classmate
and I, for the most part, stayed focused and discussed ideas which will affect the way I teach in
my career. I would not say my ideas of the umbrella questions have change but have become
more educated. I now can not only voice my opinions against the existing order, but can give
evidence to support the change that needs to happen.

Work Cited
Allan, N(2014) Umbrella Questions, Colorado State University, Fort Collins
Chapman, A (2005). Gender Bias in Education,
https://ramct.colostate.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_group=courses&url=%2Fwebapps
%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Fcontent%2Ffile%3Fcmd%3Dview%26content_id
%3D_1992216_1%26course_id%3D_27375_1%26framesetWrapped%3Dtrue
DiAngleo, R; Sensoy , O (1994). Classism.
https://ramct.colostate.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=
%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id
%3D_27375_1%26url%3D
Huerta (2004). https://ramct.colostate.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_group=courses&url=
%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Fcontent%2Ffile%3Fcmd%3Dview%26content_id
%3D_1992225_1%26course_id%3D_27375_1%26framesetWrapped%3Dtrue
Nieto, S. Bode, P (2012). https://ramct.colostate.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?
tab_group=courses&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Fcontent%2Ffile%3Fcmd
%3Dview%26content_id%3D_1992208_1%26course_id%3D_27375_1%26framesetWrapped
%3Dtrue
Sadker, Sadker, Fox, Salata (1994). https://ramct.colostate.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?
tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype
%3DCourse%26id%3D_27375_1%26url%3D
Stevens, E (2000). Social Class Hidden Agenda,
https://ramct.colostate.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=
%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id
%3D_27375_1%26url%3D

Original
What was, is, and should be the purpose of schooling in the United States
Schooling in the United States, was, is and should be, used to prepare future
generations for the challenges they will face in their adult lives. I believe schooling
in the United States is not just focus on grammar, math, and sciences, but on a
broader spectrum of life. Although in the early years of school, many teachers did
just focus on making their students being proficient in reading and writing, today,
schools can provide teachings on social skills and problem solving. Many schools
give students the opportunity to interact outside of the classroom. This is an
important attribute for students to gain knowledge for their lives after school. Many
graduates will go into fields were they are not simply asked a question from a
person who already knows the answer. Instead, former students need to have the
skills, such as teamwork, to problem solve the questions of the future. Overall, I
think that classrooms will continue to follow this path and, by increasing dialogical
pedagogy within schools, will successfully prepare student even further.
What is your role as a future teacher in fulfilling that purpose?
My role as a future teacher is to be open with my students. Of course, I will still
maintain the boundary of the teacher student relationship but also will be willing to
speak with students about subjects outside of the classroom. I have learned from
being a high school coach that there is something special with connecting with a
student on different levels. Like we discussed in class, simply starting off by asking
students how their day was can be huge. Being inviting will set up the environment
where students can feel comfortable to express their thoughts and ideas to one
another and learn from their peers. As stated earlier, this action will give them tools
necessary to have a better chance of success in their later lives. A warning, the key
to being open is, you can be a students friend, but not their buddy. A teacher must
keep the boundary and understand that we are there first, and foremost, to pass on
knowledge.
How does schooling continue the existing order
Schooling continues the existing order by having people who have been through the
curriculum become the teachers. It can be a challenge to teach a different way than
the way we were taught. Humans teach through replication. As students, we learn
what teachers do to help us and how they fail. We try to repeat what works and
minimize what doesnt. Although this basic system can be effective, it will continue
to maintain the existing order.
How can schooling transform the existing order

Schools can transform the existing order through the effort and willingness for
teachers and facility to transform themselves. As I said, for better or worse, some
teachers teach how they were taught in school. In order to transform the existing
order, teachers must be willing to adapt their methods and tryout new ideas. This
can be a scary thought. As teachers you dont want to hinder a group of students
learning because youre trying out a new ideas, but for change to occur, there must
be risks. In the end, the biggest thing to keep in mind is to have an open mind and
to understand the world is constantly changing and our methods need to match it.