What Did A College Experience Provided Me?

My college experience has provided me with the skills and tools that will allow me to make choices about my future. I have learned skills like planning, organizing, finance, policy and history. Being in college has allowed me to see demonstrations and examples of how skills work and how to implement strategies effectively. College is the place where you can experience learning and think about how to become effective in your job.

College was always something that I needed to achieve for myself. My parents received high school educations and college was not an option for them. They were limited in choices of jobs. They earned decent wages but as the economy changed, so did the there jobs. There were times that they found themselves without a job. My father never wanted to go to college, but my mother did, however she never had an opportunity to do so.

When I was trying to decide on what school I would attend, I received more support from my mother, then my father. I knew I had to go to school if I wanted to have a different experience in jobs then my parents.

Going to college allows me to help share and build on the knowledge with others who are also trying to achieve. As I learn to apply the knowledge, I have gained from my education in everyday life; I will be able to share with my students. I feel the gift of education will empower other to do there best to achieve goals and I am happy for the opportunity to become an education.

How Does Class Shapes A Child Educational Experiences?

I believe socioeconomic status plays a large part on the educational experience. As I think about the question, I think about the different communities in NJ. You can travel to schools in Bergen County and compare them to schools in Hudson County. The educational system in both areas can be vastly different. There are different types of funding provided to the schools. Bergen County I believe receives less funding from the federal government but more funding from the propriety owners, whereas Hudson County receives more funding from the government and less funding form propriety owners. The type of funding will affect the types of programs, equipment, supplies and staffs needed. Some schools Hudson County may not have simple supplies like paper; pencils or books where as school in Bergen County have a surplus of supplies.In addition, the wealthier communities will receive more parent support in fund raise and provide their children with tutoring in area of weakness. In communities with less wealth and without federal funding, student may not get additional support. As you take a look at the communities there is vast differences in the race of people in the communities. The race and education of the community will have a huge advantage on the wealth of the community, therefore largely effecting the quality of the education in these communities.

Making Sense of Urban Communities

As I reviewed the information from the report and compared it to the book I can make some clear correlation and comparison to daily living items like housing, childcare, transportation and food. In the area of housing, Both Katie and Harold live in public housing and receiving public assistant. The buildings are not well keep and run down. Harold apartment has a problem with roaches and it is too small for his large family. If both of these families were living in Essex County they might be face with similar problems. The largest expense on the NJRCL report is housing. These families live below the FPL and would not be able to afford better housing. They would be living in a similar housing situation in Essex County. According to the NJRCL report there is no tax credit for child care. Katie mother tried to relocate to another state and wanted to live Katie behind with a family member however, there was no one to really care for her. Ms Brindle would have the same situation living in NJ. She would not have the funding to pay for childcare since she is on public assistance. On days when she had to go and pick up her food stamps she was face with the choice of taking her youngest child with her on the bus or asking a family member to watch him. Ms Brindle was looking for work, but if she were called for the interview, she would be stuck with the decision of deciding whom she would have to leave her son with.The NJRCL report sites transportation as and expense, however the report is only considering families with cars. In the Book, both families used public transportation to travel around. In New Jersey, owning a car is very expensive. Auto insurance is the highest in the nation and the cost of fueling the car is also very expensive. Family living below the FPL would never be able to own a car. Other basic needs would have to suffer like buying food. I believe the families in the book would have had same or similar experience living in Essex County. It makes me wonder where to you begin to try to make a change. Would education, retraining help? When I looked at the LSNJ report and compared it to the book unequal childhood, there are many similarities and differences. Both pieces of information site common information like family structure, education background, employment, housing, and food expenses. The reading compared the information by gender race and ethnicity groups.In the area of geographic location, as an example, New Jersey is a state with some of the highest cost of living expenses. Basic needs expenses like food and shelter and utilities are at an all time high. Housing is unaffordable and over price and with out a good paying job many families are now prioritizing. I find it hard to believe that incomes in the state of NJ is the highest yet families still are unable to meet there finances. The report is based on information that is reported, but what about information that is not reported. When a family is lacking resources, especially those families with children, other areas are like healthcare will also suffer. One of the ways to make a change in the socioeconomic status is to seek education. Even the cost of education has gone up. Financial aide is very hard to get. Proving that the aid is needed create more of a problem. Families are not saving money because they don’t have any to save. The link to success was education now that has change. More highly educated and skilled people are unemployed and with the financial state of the economy, that is not going to change any time soon. I see the communities of today; very similar to what I saw when I was growing up. I was faced with the reality that I needed to do well in school and work hard and that would guarantee success. I was able to change my social economic status from a working middle class to middle class because of education. As a budding urban educators working in this environment, I feel today education still what is needed for urban student to dream big and be successful but the dream are fading away. I feel that government has removed many of the program that once were available, making people are now responsible for their own success. As an educator, I want to empower children to change their outcomes in society. I will be there to guide student through the education process.Communities are what they are. I believe families’ needs to want to change their environment. Families are working harder and still unable to rise to a level of success. I feel that education systems are always changing but you are giving students tools that can be applied though out life. I see people’s differences as unique and special and it is something to embrace. Students will come to school with different cultures, languages, races, and gender. Teachers will need to be flexible with student as they get to know the students and help develop the best in a student. Not being so quick to judge a student base on what they are lacking or don’t have will be important. Some student may not have resource to do their schoolwork at home and all factors should always be considered before making a judgement call.
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Who is wearing what.......

I was reading an article (US News and World Report Aug 4/11 2008 pp.69) about the medical effects that tattooing has on the body. Part of the article talked about the removal of the tattoo and the other part of the article talked about tattoo causing skin cancer as a result of the dyes used. Other illnesses associated with tattoos are Hepatitis C and the transmitting of HIV in addition; there are concerns with having tattoos and having an epidural performed during pregnancy.

There is stigmatism associated with having tattoos. In certain professional job, exposed tattoos are considered an unacceptable form of body expression. As I started working in middle and high school, I noticed that this fade has appeared more visible in places on exposed areas of teacher’s arms, legs, and shoulders, necks, and ankles. Young students are talking about their teacher’s clothing, underwear’s (thong) and their tattoos.

I don’t think that the teachers realize that their students are studying more then the lesson for the day. Teachers are seen as role models. As a role model, the examples of learning are learned in many ways. Schools are seen as places of business were learning is taking place. An employer will never state the reason why they did not hire you especially if it has to do with an impression being made at an interview. As an example, Sean Combs (puffy) is a very successful businessman and he clearly understands what is the appropriate norm for a business environment. However, in a different setting, he might dress and speak differently amongst his friends/peers.

Tattoos are a form of body expression that will never be accepted in all work environments. The stigma is changing but the facts are that tattoos can be un- healthy and their could be long term side effects if a person decides to have them removed.

How does class shape a childs educational experience?

How does class shape a child educational experiences? I believe socioeconomic status plays a large part on the educational experience. As I think about the question, I think about the different communities in NJ. You can travel to schools in Bergen County and compare them to schools in Hudson County. The educational system in both areas can be vastly different. There are different types of funding provided to the schools. Bergen County I believe receives less funding from the federal government but more funding from the propriety owners, whereas Hudson County receives more funding from the government and less funding form propriety owners. The type of funding will affect the types of programs, equipment, supplies and staffs needed. Some schools in Hudson County may not have simple supplies like paper; pencils or books where as school in Bergen County have a surplus of supplies.In addition, the wealthier communities will receive more parent support in fund raise and provide their children with tutoring in area of weakness. In communities with less wealth and without federal funding, student may not get additional support. As you take a look at the communities there is vast differences in the race of people in the communities. The race and education of the community will have a huge advantage on the wealth of the community, therefore largely effecting the quality of the education in these communities.