Author: Odeica (Page 11 of 13)

School was not for me until I was finally heard.  

Dating back to my earliest memory of education, I have always felt that school was never for me. I have always felt a disconnect between me and school. Don’t get me wrong I liked learning, it was the teachers, rules, and hierarchy I disliked. Much like Oliveraz most of my teachers taught via the banking method. We, the students were just expected to take in as much information as we could and never question authority. Most days, a debate or misunderstanding would erupt between me and my teachers. Which started because I would calmly voice my opinions, as I would put it, that were viewed as disrespect. Shutting up and being a human educational sponge was something I could never do. Learning was very different but it was something I had to do, especially since education was an exaggeratedly important part of my household. 

However, this drastically changed while in an American high school. Life in the Caribbean was an extremely different experience than the life I have now in the U.S in every aspect ranging from school to home. Within a few days, I was ready for my first day of High School in the U.S. There are no words to express the lack of hope, enthusiasm, and motivation I felt about having to go to school again. As I thought it was going to be a repetition of what I have always experienced. On my first day of high school, I remember being pretty nervous and just saddened at the fact that I would finish high school without being allowed the chance to truly express myself. With all that I was facing in school, the weather made it worse. Having to leave the comfort of one’s warm and cozy house to battle the freezing cold weather outside was something I was not prepared for. One would think that when leaving the comfort of their home to travel in the cold to get to school. The polite thing the school could do is make sure the heaters are working but no. The classrooms were as cold as outside and still some students were asking the teacher to open the windows. The weather and school took a while to get used to. My English class was the only class that truly excited me. On a regular Friday afternoon, I vividly remember being very excited for my 7th period English class( not because it was my last class of the day or week.) I was genuinely excited to be in the class since we were assigned an essay where we had to write about our views on a specific historical event of our choice that we connected with. The most efficient way I  express myself is through writing, so having to write about something that I am passionate about somewhat restored my faith in school. To top it off, my English teacher, Ms. Juarez was very nice, understanding, and motivating. She treated every student as if they were her child. She changed my perspective on school and how one should learn. The classwork she assigned and the conversations we had challenged me to think outside my norms which broadened my perspective as a whole. 

It is not a secret the American school system differs from those in other countries. While in a Caribbean high school education and learning were solely based on retaining as much information as you possibly could. The Caribbean educational environment is a place the teachers taught and the students learned no in between. The chance to voice one’s opinion or question the abuse of authority was never allowed. However, American high school eluded a safe space where everyone was a student no matter the title they held. Teachers often asked the students their opinion on occurring or past events that may have affected them in some way. Teachers were aware of the fact that they do not know everything there is in the world. To them, this is an advantage, coming into the classroom they know students have different experiences and knowledge. Creating a place where every student felt heard was more important than retaining information since everyone has their unique style of learning. 

• Though I found Olivarez” entire essay quite relatable. What I found most interesting was when he stated, “where teachers taught via the banking model of education: We were empty bank accounts, and it was our teachers’ responsibility to deposit facts.” This sums up what it felt like going to school for me. To me, High School was never where students could have truly and fully expressed themselves since most people were afraid to challenge their teachers and mostly because they were terrified of being judged. He then when on to state “when we sit in workshop together, we are all students. We are all trying to learn and grow.” Which is an ideal learning environment that is beneficial for everyone. 

• “After I started writing, I stopped being interested in models of education that didn’t consider me an active participant. In class, I got in trouble for the first time. Some teachers complained that I talked too much. Other teachers reveled in my growth. It made school harder.” I am inspired by the fact he did not just let his circumstance consume him. He was very brave for challenging his teachers and standing up for what he believed in. 

• “One story says the U.S. soldiers were heroes. One story says the United States was a winner and México was a loser. One story says Manifest Destiny. One story says México suffered terrorist aggression from an imperial state. One story says México didn’t lose—it was robbed.” I like how he expressed different perspectives to the same story while highlighting that the differences were caused by contrasting world views. 

• “I didn’t want to write poems that moralized the issues of young people. I wanted to write poems that confronted the questions I felt as a teen. I wanted to write poems in a way that might give a young person in similar circumstances some comfort. I hoped my poems would be used to write new poems and to launch a million more stories.” The fact that he didn’t lose sight of his purpose was very reassuring even he had grown and learned from his experience. He still remembers the little boy in him and all the questions and concerns he had which drives him to make poems that reach teens in the same position he was in and provide some comfort. 

• “I decided to find out. I would take my poems and ask young people for their feedback and advice.” I liked how he went to his intended audience directly to ask for feedback since they were the people he was trying to relate to.