Identity

Through out my time as an educator and school administrator, I have often thought about the concept of identity. I think about how this act of self-actualization plays a role in the educational experience of my urban students.

It is often stated that minority students struggle through out school, especially secondary school, because they see no relevance in curriculum and education. They have no connection on why education is important and how they should be using the school experience to open other doors. Is this their fault or ours? I believe it to be our fault and responsibility.

This framework causes me to think about identity and its role in school. When students know who they are, they can begin to fulfill their potential and become viable and productive scholars, but yet schools don't spend anytime on this. Why don’t schools change some of their focus?

Why don't we teach students about their cultural backgrounds to help build their identity and role in the world? Why don't we create academic avenues where students can engage in self-identifying activities? I left high school unsure about what I wanted to become or who I was because my experiences where limited and non-relevant. This lack of practice still continues today.

I highly recommend that educators and school leaders start to change their focus on creating instructional programs that help students see themselves better through work, and through educational experiences. I think it is a huge reason why students struggle with being successful in school. Students see no to little relevance in school and curriculum. They also see little of their identity developing at school.

Let's take the time to focus more on the student and less on the mandated content. I think when you do this you will see the benefits beyond measure.

¡Viviendo el Sueño! (Living the Dream!)
Mr. Anibal Soler, Jr.
http://www.anibalsoler.com
http://anibalsoler.blogspot.com

I have a Dream!

Today is a day that many individuals have off from work and school. Today is a day that has been declared a national holiday by our government.  Today is a day when many individuals especially African-American and Latino students still have no real context to what had occurred just 40 years ago.  The results of Dr. King's work is very evident in the lives of all minorities today. As a Latino I know that I have benefited from his work.

Dr. King had a vision and belief that our world would be much better as soon as we started to treat everyone equal and see individuals for their character and not for their color of skin.  How correct he was indeed! 

Sadly, although a lot has changed a lot has remained the same.  We still have huge racial inequities that exist in our culture. Inequities, that those who are not of color would never experience and may even argue do not exist because they have no true experience with them in their lives.  

In my eyes, the greatest of these inequities exist in the public school system, where schools are still divided by racial lines.  Where schools that are located in inner-cities do not have the same resources as their suburban counterparts. Where the student population is reflective to that of the era of segregation.

My point is that while Dr. Martin Luther King had a dream the work is still not finished. We must all step forward and pay it forward to the next generation. We must educate our youth today and tell them of the great leaders in the past who have paved the way for their future. A future filled with opportunity and choices that may have not been here if it wasn't for the great work of Dr. King. 

Today's students must have a grasp of their cultural roots in order to aspire for great things. Urban schools must focus their energy on reaching the hundreds and thousands of African-American and Latino students that we lose every year.  We all must do our part in the struggle and help show cultural relevance in curriculum and its connection to life.

Gone but not forgotten! 

Dr. Martin Luther King 

1/15/1929-4/4/1968

¡Viviendo el Sueño! (Living the Dream!)
Mr. Anibal Soler, Jr.
http://www.anibalsoler.com
http://anibalsoler.blogspot.com