Language acquisition is a huge struggle in American education.  After listening to Ms. Camacho, an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher for many years, speak of her experiences as a teacher and an ESL student as a young age, I have become more aware and alert of the challenges set for teachers and students dealing with a language barrier.  Ms. Camacho spent the first early years of her life in Mexico selling donuts on the street and living in a shack.  She migrated to the United States at the fourth grade, and watched her mother labor vigorously for the welfare of her family.  At times she, like many of her students, was forced to work and miss the crucial times in school.  Through all of her experiences, however, she grew into an amazing, smart, and influential educator.  The following is a list of the aspects of Ms. Camacho’s presentation that impacted me the most:

• Whether a teacher can speak an English Language Learners native language, they can still make a lasting impact on a child’s life by simply caring and trying.
• There are many cultural issues that affect a student’s attendance, such as traveling, work, and family issues.
• Everything a teacher wants their student to do, they should do first.

Graphic:  personal collection

There are five-hundred Indian tribes spread throughout various states and counties in the United States, and twenty one of those tribes reside in Arizona alone.  Consequently, it is extremely important for teachers to understand and appreciate Native American customs and beliefs.  Pat McIntyre, Native American teacher and activist, helped me understand more fully the Native American culture.  Being a Native American herself and graduating from the Indian teacher education program at San Diego State University, she told of some of the Native American traditions that most teachers do not understand.  One of these is that many times grandparents and aunts primarily raise children, rather than parents.  Many Native American’s resist authority as well, which is a result from negative government control.  Native Americans have the highest drop out, teen pregnancy, suicide, alcoholism, academic success, and job opportunity rates.  Therefore, teachers need to be aware of the Native American culture to better understand their students, relate to them, and help them succeed in any society.  The following are the various aspects of McIntyre’s presentation that influenced my teaching views most:

• Teachers need to be aware of the US history of Native Americans so that they can better understand why Native American students behave in some ways and have certain attitudes.
• There are conferences and seminars that teachers can attend to learn more about their Native American students.  I plan on attending events such as these so that I will be able to understand and incorporate Native American customs in my classroom.
• It is important for teachers to be flexible to Native American traditions, and be understanding of certain customs.  If they have questions, they should ask and learn.
• Since Arizona has twenty-one Native American tribes in state, it is extremely important for teachers here to know of and respect Native American beliefs and traditions.

Biracial families are rapidly growing across the United States.  Kami Hoskins grew up within a biracial family, and through a presentation of her life, she offered the student’s perspective to being mixed race in today’s society.  Hoskins was very successful in school, but only because of her stalwart parents and her inner drive for success.  Even though she now has two bachelor’s degrees and is attending graduate school, the teachers she had were little help to her academic achievement because they did not push her.  She passed the accelerated placement test in elementary school with a 99%, but was never allowed to join the program because she was different from the other students.  She often felt invisible within her classes.  Hoskins offered some interesting suggestions for teachers to remember when dealing with mixed race students.  Listed below is the advice she gave that impacted me and my feelings towards her counsel:

• As a future teacher, I will be involved with the parents of my students so that I can better know their circumstances at home.  Therefore, if I have a biracial student, I will know the struggles that they face and be able to assist them with the challenges that life presents.  If I show my students that I care for them, they will be more successful.
• It is important for me to create a culture of inclusion in my classroom so that students will be open to theirs and others differences.
• If a child is misbehaving in class, I will not assume that they are trouble; they could just be very bored.  Not all students have the drive to push themselves, so teachers have to give them a nudge towards success. 
• Recognizing talents can be very difficult, so teachers need to search them out.  It is very important for teachers to avoid being judgmental and stereotyping.

Graphic:  personal collection

It was not until Dr. Janelle White-Taylor was in the fourth grade that she felt the horrors of racism and discrimination.  A new student in her class would not be her friend because she was different than Dr. White-Taylor, and she even called her the “N” word.  This and others are experiences that Dr. White-Taylor shared about her life experiences and the hardships she has endured because she is African American.  She has had terrible experiences with unfair treatment in stores, schools, and everyday life.  She gave many insightful tips for teachers for teachers who want to make their African American students feel welcomed, accepted, and loved.  The following is a list of these different points:

• It is important for me to socialize my students, so that they feel as one unified group and accept the diversity of the classroom.
• When I am a teacher, I cannot ignore racial remarks and issues within the classroom.  They need to be addressed so that the children will know that racism is not acceptable.
• Even though I am not African American, I can still have an impact on my students.
• Teachers have to look inside their students and their situations in order to know how to respond and act during racial situations.

Graphic:  personal collection

The words “will work for food” on a cardboard sign held by a dirty man with a shopping cart: this is usually what comes to mind when the word homeless is said. Dianne Fernicho from Thomas J. Pappas School for the Homeless, however, sees homelessness in a very different way.  Being an administrator for Pappas, the first homeless school in America, Fernicho works with homeless children on a daily basis.  I had the eye-opening opportunity to listen to her speak about the homeless children that she works with and the way the Pappas runs.  Pappas has classes for grades kindergarten through twelfth and runs like a traditional public school.  There are some major differences between Pappas and other schools, however, such as Pappas buses do not have a set route; they travel wherever needed to pick up the children and bring them to school.  When a child does not show up for class, the family is contacted and a school goes and gets the student.  Because the children who attend Pappas are homeless, the attendance rates fluctuate.  About one fifth of the students have excellent attendance, but there are many who rarely come or only come for a few weeks before moving again.  The children at Pappas are given many of life’s necessities right at school, such as new clothes every month, two meals a day, basic hygiene kits, a shower and bed if needed, and food boxes for their family.  Pappas teachers are very dedicated, as well, for they meet every morning to discuss problems, situations, and concerns within their classrooms.  There are some students who went to Pappas that are now in college, and they say that Pappas made the difference.  Numerous aspects of this amazing school impacted me.  The following is a list of the characteristics that influenced me the most:

• The commitment and communication of these teachers is astounding, and it is important for all teachers of all schools to carry these same characteristics.
• Patience is a key when working with children of a homeless background.  Teachers have to be very laid back and flexible with their students.
• Pappas has saved many children’s futures.  Teachers can make a huge impact in their students lives, especially when they came from rough backgrounds!
• Homelessness is something that teachers of all schools need to be aware of among their students so that they can be more understanding of their students’ struggles.

Graphic:  personal collection