Yvonne Boeskool

Professor Buursma

EDUC 202

May 17, 2016

Final Self Reflection

Throughout this class, Ive opened up my view of the learner to their home and

neighborhood life. I think when we are making judgments about a student, we often only see

them in the context of the school and classroom but forget what an impact their home life can

have on their academic development. Calvins Statement of Commitment to Professionalism

states Candidates celebrate diversity among their students as part of Gods plan for creation.

This shows that all learners have a role in the classroom shaped by who they are outside of the

classroom. It also states Candidates are committed to transforming educational practices and

structures that inhibit equity and justice (Commitment to equity, justice, and the belief that all

students can learn). This encourages teachers to use teaching strategies that include,

celebrate, and build on the home life of all students. As teachers, we should strive to do this.

According to Affirming Diversity, Chapter 8 success depends fully on family, teachers,

schools, and caring. Family is a huge part of being successful in school and often we dont think

of it that way. We often forget that our family pushes us to be successful or not. At my

classroom placement, I tried various ways of helping my student with a math problem but he

just got frustrated. I said something like, I know you can do this, buddy! and he replied with,

my mom told me I cant do math. I asked, your mom said that? He said yeah, and I said

something like, well, you cant let what people think you can or cant do change what you
actually can or cant do. He brushed that off and moved on to an easier problem. The part

about his mom telling him he couldnt do math made me sad. I didnt really know what to say

after that, but I tried my best. Its crazy to think about how one thing (or multiple things) that

his mother might have said to him has completely changed his attitude not only at home, but

also at school.

Having a strong support system at home is crucial to confidence at school. Page 312

talks about Barbara Combers findings that family influence does not disappear once the child is

at school. Instead, kids bring their advantages and disadvantages implemented by home life to

school with them. It also states that encouraging communication within the family is another

way parents support the academic success o their children. The importance of talking with

their parents about issues central to their lives was mentioned by a number of young people

(Nieto, page 312). Kids need to know they have that support and love behind them. They need

to have an affirming environment and also motivation to succeed from those who know them

best. If the people closest to them dont believe in them, they begin to not believe in

themselves.

We also read about community as shaping our students. As public trusts, our schools

work best when the community is engaged, valued, and involved in meaningful decision

making (Nieto, page 33). Every school needs the surrounding neighborhood to pitch in to

make the school a safe and strong source of education for the neighborhood kids. The

neighborhood shapes the way the students live and therefore shapes the way they learn.

Throughout EDUC 202 and my classroom placement, Ive seen these things in action.

Ive seen the impact the neighborhood has on a school and Ive seen the impact home life has
on a learner. I hope that we, as future educators can take into consideration the influence that

neighborhood and home have on both the school as a whole and each individual learner.
 References

Commitment to equity, justice, and the belief that all students can learn. Calvin College. Class

handout, May 5, 2016.

Nieto, S., & Bode, P. (2012). Affirming Diversity. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.