In my school, I do come across and read many texts that are written by authors from different backgrounds and represent different perspectives. My teachers often provide space for my classmates and I to speak openly and comfortably about issues related to culture, identity, and differences. I do feel comfortable to discuss these topics in school because I feel that it’s important to share opinions on such important issues. A vibe or an atmosphere is very important is very important in my opinion as it is a way to express emotions. I believe that the more positive an atmosphere or a vibe is, it will help students perform better in school. At my school, teachers allow us to express our voice through projects and assignments by making them more personal so we can connect with the work more. In general, I do feel engaged at school and my classes feel relevant to my life.
I honestly think that my school is the basic normal high school. Yes, we do have some bad moments but we also have successes in our school, but it’s what you would call a normal school. I consider my school diverse. Cass high School is inviting and welcomes all different types of people. Despite all of our school has accomplished, I feel as though I can not be my whole self at school. Being in high school can be hard. Classes become overwhelming, everyone changes. Some are finding out who they are, and others are making decisions on their future. But in high school, there is drama and cliches. With all the arrangement of groups and cliches, high school can be socially overwhelming, depending on what cliche your associated with. I don’t feel like an outcast most of time which makes it easier for me to be myself without much anxiety. Although there may be a bit of judgement from some people on the way you act and dress, you have to learn to live with that because people judge you your whole life. Also having close friends in classes help as you can feel more relax around them and be more of yourself. As I read through the comments I see how many students feel as if their peers keep them from being themselves at school. They feel as if they will be made fun of or judged if they act or dress a certain way. I do feel like I act differently in school also. Not on purpose. It just happens. Unfortunately a lot of kids in high school go through this exact same thing.
I believe that it depends on the person. I think schools allow us to be ourself a, it just depends on how bold we are.
I am almost always my genuine self, but that’s because I don’t care too much of what others think of me. Some people would rather not open up to others and they act differently.
Unless you are completely normal all the time and have no issues whatsoever, then no. We all go through things that have changed us and made us who we are, and unless we have all gone through the same things no one is truly going to understand anyone. Also, we all do things that we don't want people to see, whether it's some bodily function, or screaming out heads of when we're upset, at school we have to hold all that in or else we will seem like some type of “weirdo”. In reality nonone is ever going to be completely themselves, unless they are fully comfortable with where they are, and school is not one of those places.
@Mya Ferguson
I have to write to somebody for a assignment and I think that you're correct. I think that are society nowadays is fake. If you don't act this way you're different but when you do then you're labeled "wannabe" Indeed, i also agree with you about each of our pasts. Everyone has pasts, some may have a better past than others which leads and forms us to the people we are today. Nobody will understand each other because we all have different pains, different happiness. Schools, for some people it's their only safe place but for others it could be a nightmare where they get judged. Most times you can't be yourself because you're scared on what other people may think.
I tend to think that I'm able to be myself at school. My school is diverse and holds people from all over the world, from China to South Africa to England. The teachers accept your opinion and try to encourage you to keep on being you, though sometimes I think for the teachers that it's hard to handle so many diverse cultures and religions without insulting anyone. Regarding the article, I wouldn't think rapping is the healthiest way of teaching as through this way of learning, you pretty much only use your mouth, not your hands to write or your brain to really think, even though they are lifetime skills that should be valued.
I am usually able to be myself around school. Due to the fact that my school is pretty diverse I don’t feel like an outcast at most of time which makes it easier for me to be myself without much anxiety. Although there may be a bit of judgement from some people on the way you act and dress, you have to learn to live with that because people judge you your whole life. Also having close friends in classes help as you can feel more relax around them and be more of yourself.
I think I'm myself at school when my friends are with me. When I'm in a class where I know nobody, then I tend to chill out or be extra social and try to make new friends. It's also hard to be yourself if teachers are always telling you to stop talking and be quite, it tends to silence me but I understand because I usually interrupt while they are talking. It's also hard to be yourself when their are others who feed off of your mistakes. I can understand those who are introverts because it's difficult trying to be yourself while others are making fun of you.
In my school we have lots of programs and "talks" about racism towards any race. I think that it has had a great impact on my school, even though we are still allowed to listen to music with some racist words, we are aware of our cultural differences and respect them. I was never really effected by racist stereotypes or statements towards me, but I didn't like it either. I think that having a teacher that can bring vibes into the classroom is good this way everybody can feel like themselves when they learn and everybody is in a certain mood.
As someone who is reserved, introverted, and struggles with social anxiety, I am very quiet when I am in a class with people I'm not familiar with, even if I am in a class with friends. Truthfully, I feel as if I need to be less of myself because of the fear of being judged by others. Of course our school is very diverse and welcoming, but I think certain students might struggle with fully expressing themselves. But overall, our school does a good job at including others into events without judging them, learning gender identities, and making programs about almost anything someone is passionate in.
My school is relatively good at making sure every group withing the student body is represented. The issue in all of this is that no matter what someone won't have a voice. Currently I face the issues that come with being a white, female, conservative christian. What problems could I have one may ask? Well ask and you shall receive. As someone who is viewed to be in the majority and 'privileged' my opinions' value takes a nose dive because people assume it is riddled with biases and prejudices against all others. Being white seems to mean I don't know what it is like to not always get what I want which, coming from a conservative christian middle class family living with two siblings, is DEFINITELY a misinterpretation of my experiences, and being conservative christian means I am a judging bigot which again is by no means accurate. So while my teachers strive to allow students of minorities such as the LGBT community to have a strong voice within our classes, allowing this to happen leaves many others void of any expression of thought within conversations for fear of being slaughtered because we disagree with whatever the minority may be preaching. In conclusion, yes my teachers allow the minority a place within the class and yes we have these conversations, but because of the way it is handled the conversation closes off the opinions of the other side which are just as important.
This is a topic I can greatly relate to. I go to a predominantly white high school. As the mixed kid I often feel like supposed to act really white or really ghetto. I am neither of those things. It's hard to fit in with other people stereotyping you all the time. I do feel like I act differently in school. Not on purpose. It just happens. Unfortunately a lot of kids in high school go through this exact same thing.
Part 2
The article shows how teachers are changing the curriculum to bring up new concepts such as racism, discrimination, and inequality, in order to reflect the growing diversity among the student bodies. While this is important to making students feel more included in school, teachers need to change more than just their curriculum. A change in attitude and perspective with their students is what they need. Whether or not it is intended the bias and assumptions some teachers express and act upon on a daily basis have major negative effects on students. We have enough to worry about.
As I read through the comments I see how many students feel as if their peers keep them from being themselves at school. They feel as if they will be made fun of or judged if they act or dress a certain way. Personally I have never had a bad experience with my classmates, honestly I don't care enough about my peers’ opinions to change for them.
While I may be quieter at first if I don't know people in my class, the personality shift I have to do for my teachers is incomparable. Throughout my years of school I have had to learn the hard way that not all teachers are fair. I have been given bad grades based off of the political beliefs I wrote about rather than the writing itself, I have been put in a corner for “talking too much”, I have been characterized off of who my sister is. With each of these I formed how I “need” to act at school, I pretend I have the same political views as certain teachers, I act like I’m a silent monk rather than a 16 year old girl, and I can't tell certain teachers I have a sibling. If teenagers don't judge me for who I am why is it that the adults do? Why is it that I’m not allowed to have a bad day without getting a call home, or have an internet malfunction without being told I’m making excuses? I do understand that there needs to be control, but we are just kids, we have to learn from our mistakes and we need teachers to create an environment we feel safe to be ourselves in so we can focus on our education rather than our personalities.
@Charlotte Todd
Being yourself at school can come with risks, such as not being taken seriously or being judged by people that might find you weird in some way. Honestly, I can't be myself at school in fear of these very things that I've listed. I know what it's like to be ridiculed because you look different or act different, and that's why people who don't follow the latest trend are more likely to be judged or looked down upon because they act different. I completely agree, with your statement that teachers can be unfair, and it is their duty to create a safe learning environment, and by safe I mean a place where kids or teenagers can be their whole selves and not be judged by the views of their peers. But I dont think this will happen as there is always judgement in someone's eyes that cannot be eradicated. I choose to not bend my choice of clothing or preference of interests, as I see it as a waste of time to bend yourself out of shape just so someone will acknowledge you.
My school is the basic normal high school. We have some quirks and successes in our school, but it’s what you would call a normal school. I consider my school diverse despite the majority of our school being white. Bryant is inviting and welcomes all different types of people. Despite all of our school has accomplished, as an insecure introvert, I feel as though I can not be my whole self at school. Being in high school can be hard. Classes become overwhelming, everyone changes and are finding out who they are, and people are making decisions on their future. But also in high school, there can be drama and cliches. With all the arrangement of groups and cliches, high school can be socially overwhelming. As an introvert, it is hard to reveal my true self to just anyone. I most likely will show my whole self when with people I trust and love and when in an environment that suits me. My whole life, I have stuck with somewhat the same friend group I started with in early elementary. I found friends, some drifted, but the ones who appreciated my true self stayed with me all the way to high school. I have tried to make new friends, but usually I progressively reveal myself to those around me once they have become trustworthy. I believe that revealing your true self is not dependent on the school but on the people. Although many schools focus their effort on making a school welcoming and inviting, a school can not force people to be who they are; this is dependent on the individual.
Honestly, this is a very compelling question. I'd like to answer both yes and no. I believe many people at school can look at me and the things I do daily and say, "He seems like he's like that on a daily basis." That is the best feeling in the world honestly but I've dealt with depression several times and I just feel like if I were to have expressed such no one would care. I know that sounds bad because you could immediately say, "Lamond wants attention." But that's not the case I'm a firm believer that there's someone at home that's going to be there for you and same goes for school. But I feel like people hide their true feelings of me whether good or bad and that makes me cover up things about myself that I think people should know. I like everyone else in the world have gone through many hardships in life and I think that if your able to express those hardships to people without feeling your going to be judge or ridiculed then your set for life. I try to have a positive look on just about everything and there are times were I want to be negative because a situation sucks or I want to voice my opinion on something whether it's standing up for people or discussing how I feel. But I think people take my intentions the wrong way which is strange because there aren't a lot of people that know me on a personal level although they might think they do.
As someone with pretty bad social anxiety, I am very quiet and reserved when I am in a class with people I'm not familiar with, even if I am in a class with people I am friends with I feel as if I need to be less of my self for fear of being judged by the others in the classroom. So no, I don't think anyone can truly be themselves at school because we are always pressured to do good on the test, look a certain type of way, and fit into social norms.
I also think social media influences the way we act and how we feel about ourselves, scrolling through social media we see all of these people with these seemingly "perfect" lives and want to achieve the same or at least make it seem
I was always told that "school is a place to learn, not make friends" which I don't think is not true at all. School should be a place where can make friends with people you connect with and you express yourself whether it be through the way you dress, your hobbies, sports, etc.
Personally find it hard to be yourself in class because you lack the personal connection you have with your close friends which is hard to achieve in a class of 20+ students all of whom you think are judging your every move.
According to most teachers, "School is a place for learning and not for politics." As a student with a voice she wants to hear this is so upsetting. So many teachers do their best to avoid talking about "political" things with their classes. Not to be harsh but that is the stupidest thing a teacher could do. While school is indeed a learning environment it is not just for academic education. When you discourage students from sharing their opinions on important topics, you discourage them from using their voice.
The world is a forever changing place. Everyday new concepts and events continue to develop. Whether these things are good or bad in nature, they must be discussed. Teachers tell their students to avoid sharing political opinions because they are aware it will spark a debate. Isn't that what life is full of? Debating against those in power for human rights you believe people deserve?
People all around the world are constantly fighting against discrimination. How do you think our generation will fight if our voices are pushed down and talked over. Teachers are supposed to help us not only understand academic studies but they also teach us how to be responsible and independent. Confidence in your opinion and who you are is a part of being an adult. Why should teachers have the right to silence our voices that we want to be heard? Students are so grateful to teachers that allow us to be who we are. We appreciate them more than words can convey. Thank you.
[Part 2]
Think about it. It’s the day math tests are passed back, and everyone immediately thinks that the “class Asian” got a 100 on the test because he’s Asian, so he should obviously be good at math. Suddenly, after he gets an 80, everyone gasps in astonishment and whispers to each other about the score. How does that make us feel? Having experienced this first hand, it’s not a pleasant experience. But fortunately, because my teacher brought this lesson to life, I could finally explain my side of the story. I didn’t have to be afraid that people would make fun of me or think I was sensitive.
Gene Luen Yang’s “American Born Chinese” made me think back to this lesson and how much it has affected me. I can recall all of the vivid details of those moments, those final minutes of a random day of the school year. That time when my perspective finally aligned with the lesson being taught.
Thankfully, since that day in English I class, there have been many more days where I’ve felt like those Hip-Hop learners. Days when I’ve felt like the lesson is perfect for me, and I can completely be myself and share all of my thoughts. I just hope those moments happen more in the future.
[Part 1]
Before this year, I didn’t really see my identity in anything I read. Sure, I read some books on my own that reflected my beliefs, but when it came to school, everything was just someone else’s story that I would never experience. That was until about halfway through Freshman year when my English teacher let us choose to listen to slam poetry before we left for our next class. Those seconds were when I really felt like the lesson related to me. The poetry was, coincidentally, by an Asian talking about how our race is misunderstood all of the time. How Asian Americans aren’t always that lucky, how Asian Americans have had to fight for a lot in their lives.
Funnily enough, right after hearing that poem, the class had a quick talk about the poem. And one of the first things I heard was, “Why is it bad that people think you are good at math and science? Isn’t that a good thing?” And at face value, it is. People look up to you or ask you questions about math problems. People always know you’ll be successful. People think you have it all. People think you go home and study math and science all night long. But people thinking these things don't make them necessarily true. Not all Asians are good at math and science. And many that are were forced by their peers to become mathematicians and scientists.
Yes, I feel engaged in the classroom and am learning in school, because as a student I thrive in an environment where lecturing and quizzing is the core system to learning. In my case the present school system works for the way I learn, a minority opinion for students as the majority of what I hear is “the present school system doesn't work for today's students,” “school systems need to change,” and “we must integrate new learning methods.” As a student that benefits from the way that schools are organized I am succeeding but understand that not everyone is like me and there are problems in the system. For example, in the New York Times article “Bringing a New Vibe to the Classroom,” “Louis Tavares, 17, a senior at Brooklyn Prep” is used as an example of a student who learns differently and “said hip-hop motivated him to learn.” In an environment where hip-hop (music) is integrated as a method of learning, I would be at a disadvantage as I would feel self conscience & awkward as music is not my forte; however, students like Louis Tavares, who have struggled with the current system of lectures and quizzes, may finally be able to learn easier and enjoy it. Each student is different, and, because of that, no specific learning method will work for everyone. I agree that schools should integrate different ways of learning, but the older styles should still stick around to ensure that those succeeding presently aren't swept under the rug in the pursuit to help struggling students.
In school I feel that it is very easy to be yourself. You really have to realize one thing: no one here is going to know you after 4 years. Most people are either gonna forget you exist or remember faint details of the person you used to be. The only thing that matters is the grades you receive, and sometimes your behavior towards teachers. Otherwise in high school you can be whoever and whatever you want to be. You don’t have to feel no shame as long as you realize that the opinions around you are as temporary as high school. But yes you can’t be the person you are at home anywhere else. That is same for a mall as it is for school. That ultra civilized behavior is meant for any place your not alone. The moment you aren't alone you have to be a different person, because being yourself would be weird and personal. To personal for anybody that isn’t family.
At my School, Bryant High School, I feel like there is not any positive or negative actions by teachers towards particular races or groups. Mostly all people are accepted for who they are. When in class, we just cover the material necessary. Diversity isn’t represented or over shadowed. It’s not really a big issue at my school. Obviously being a Christian, white man there is no lack of representation for me or people like me. Because of this situation, I don’t pay much attention but never have I been caught off guard by a positive or negative outburst towards any group. In the big picture, everyone knows that minorities are overshadowed but the world has made great leaps towards solving that problem and the next step is not being awkward in everyday, such as school. I think that on the larger scale, it is kore appropriate to just let diversities exist but not address them positively or negatively. If we create this situation to be the new societal norm, then people will be more accepting to diversification.
I feel like there aren't really times where we sit back and realize how we are different. In life we are more drawn to things that make us more similar. Like the article said we are assimilated to be like everyone else making us less unique. From the beginning we try and establish relationships based on things we have in common such as our favorite TV shows. When someone has a different taste in something then we do, we are normally not attracted to them. In society we are prone to go with what is popular and accepted for the simple fact that it makes us “normal”. So I believe that we are never our true selves because life is all about blending in rather than standing out.
From the get go, I feel as though I have been coerced to learn and preach the white narrative. As a South Asian American attending a predominantly white school, I understand why it is important to learn about Eurocentric ideals as it pertains to a sizable amount of the student body. In doing so, however, my school is discreetly implying that we value the history of white people more so than any other race. At some point, we have to ask ourselves how many times we can truly learn about the Civil War before it becomes an act of repetition more so than education.
For this reason, I believe that I am limited in being my whole self at school. Not necessarily because I do not want to express myself, but rather due to the reality that I don’t have many outlets to do so. With a majority of my teachers being white as well, it is often times difficult for them to relate to the experiences I’ve had. In turn, this is reflected in the material that we cover and converse about to such an extent that even the times we do cover topics of slavery or immigration it is through a white lens, and, in some ways, watered down in attempts to cater to the needs of the teacher.
In essence, rarely seeing my own identity represented at school has led me to be hesitant when speaking about topics related to culture and identity because even though my voice might be heard, it might not be respected.
2
I am usually able to be myself around school. Due to the fact that my school is pretty diverse I don’t feel like an outcast at most of time which makes it easier for me to be myself without much anxiety. Although there may be a bit of judgement from some people on the way you act and dress, you have to learn to live with that because people judge you your whole life.
Diversity is a huge aspect of the school I attend. Supplemental educational resources ensure that we get a grasp, as a student population, on current controversial topics and topics that might be considered dangerous waters in certain locales. The resources we study encompass authors from a variety of backgrounds, and from a mess of time periods. The most important aspect, though, is that we see ourselves, as students, reflected and incorporated. Every classroom is an environment where any topic can be discussed. Practically nothing is off limits, due to the overarching maturity of the students on campus. This constitutes part of the "vibe" present universally. To me, that word regards a certain feeling of comfort within a classroom, greatly created on behalf of the instructor. Creating that sense of comfort is essential, an heightens the learning experience tenfold. Busy work is not a thing at my school site, and projects are intentionally created as vague to facilitate an environment of growth, self expression, and exploration. Core curricular subjects have their mandated standards, but the incorporation of these projects and of modern relevance establishes context within classes, each unique, and allows for me to feel I am learning relevant information. The inclusion of CTE courses and other technology heavy courses prepares me for a life in the modern world, where digital technology dominates. In general, I feel I am becoming prepared for life in an ever changing world.
I believe that I am able to be myself around school. Since my school is very diverse I don’t seem like an outcast at any point in time which makes it easier for me to be myself and show who I really am with any fear. Although there may be slight judgement from some people by the way you act or dress, you have to learn to ignore it and be who who wish to be!
I like american schools,because I feel like they let students be more like themselves. I'm from a different country with different culture and different schools. So in my school you can't have a bright makeup on ( even a red lipstick or long eyelashes) you can't have long nails or even just a bright color on them, they could kick you out of school if you will color your hair and of course we have an uniform so we cant wear what we want to wear. All of these factors make most of my friends really sad because we can’t express ourselves through our looks. I mean, you can try to do some of those things but you will have a risk that some teachers will have an argument because of how you look. Here, you can wear whatever you want(except for a few things from a school dress code but it still doesn't really change anything) and I think this is one of the things I love the most about America. What about being yourself? I can say that I have problems with that most of the time but i don't think that it could be because of the school. It's just mostly because of myself. I have some close friends in this school and yes, i can say that i'm really comfortable with them.
I’m able to be myself around school when i’m around my friends or people that i know well. Not that i feel like i’m being judged when i’m around people that i don’t know, but i’m a shy person. Also, i’m a bit antisocial, i talk the same people everyday. I’m not comfortable acting myself when i’m around different people.
I am able to be myself at school. My school is a very understading school and is very suportive of who you are. I am a freshman in highschool and i think that highschool has actually helped me get out of my shell. As a middle schooler i was that quiet shy person and only had a few friends. I think going to a new school is a good oportunity to change who you were in the past and become a better you.
My school does an alright job trying to make students feel comfortable with being themselves, the problem is with our peers. Many students are scared to be themselves because of what others may think of them. If people were less judgemental, people would feel more comfortable being themselves.
Definitely not. At school I'm really quiet and shy. i can't even bring myself to speak. At home and around friends I'm pretty loud and enthusiastic. At school I feel like no one really knows me.
I think that my school has done a good job with making sure that everyone feels included and welcome no matter their background. Despite all of this, I still feel as if I do not bring my entire self to school each day. I don’t have a whole lot of confidence when it comes do doing whole class stuff, and it causes me to be more shy and want to hide myself even more. Although, when it comes to diversity and being exposed to multiple different backgrounds. My school has a lot of diversity which is not the main problem. I think that when I comes to seeing diversity in the curriculum at school that is where it lacks diversity. In my English class, we looked at how most of the text we read in English in our high school years, consists of White male authors. In school we do not read a lot of text from authors of color or women, which is one way to increase the diversity in school atmospheres. By reading an analyzing texts from many different races, ethnicities, and women it could help make those who feel left out, feel more included.
School doesn’t just teach me how to find the sine of an angle, it teaches me how to be confident in myself. The amount of stress school creates is unreal but once you push through and meet your goals, you realize how much you can do. Hard classes with challenging assignments seem hard and they are, but the feeling I get from getting an A is priceless. School teaches students how to fail and work harder to correct failure. School teaches students how to stress and use that stress to achieve success.
@Nellie Sagutiene
I kind of agree and disagree on your answer. Yes,school stresses students out. I know when school stresses me out I sort of break down. I get so stressed out that school no longer is a priority. I feel like school burns out a lot of kids.
@Nellie Sagutiene
I personally don't feel like stress teaches me, I feel like it ruins me. The more stressed I am, the less I can focus. The less I focus the worse my grades get. Stress causes me to have a downfall on my success.
I have the privilege of going to a school that helps students to not only be themselves but also find themselves. But I am also not blind to the fact that some students still struggle to be themselves. School should be a place where students are able to thrive but yet still some students seem lost. Lost in their grades, an upcoming presentation, ect. Some students dread group projects because they lack the confidence to work with other people. It is up to the student body to help those who struggle to discover themselves.
1
I feel as though I can be myself around my peers but not all of my teachers. My pronouns are they/them which I have expressed to many of my teachers. One of them specifically says "its not how I was raised" when anybody tries to correct her if she calls me she. I feel like expressing your identity is really important because it helps you become truer to yourself. If teachers are denying you this you aren't feeling fully yourself. I don't see the problem with teachers respecting your pronouns so I do not understand why they choose not to.
I feel as if school can be one of two things: a place to be yourself or a place to hide yourself. Every student has a different experience but all can be generalized into these two categories, and the way to make a student be able to be themselves depends on the environment created by the teachers. A teacher is the most important part of any classroom. Think about it. What makes a class a good environment, a teacher that only gives lectures and does not encourage student creativity creates an environment where students tend to hide themselves. But the teachers that harvest student creativity and create an environment where students are doing the required work but also finding themselves. School helps students discover who they are and what their true identity is. And the teachers that help students find themselves are what make school great.
1
You can absolutely be yourself at school— if you're normal.
If you're pleasing to talk to, smart, or attractive, then you might get on by with being yourself. Since no one is the same, one normal thing to someone can be a shock to another; however, you still need to fit in and have an overal similar texture to the background you stand with. Teachers always try to be inclusive but the students at school aren't obligated to serve everyone. I can be myself at the cost of being comfortable with my peers. When I act like my whole self, it's weird. If we eat something from home that doesn't look or smell right, it's automatically dog. I love my culture a lot, which makes me too asian for whites, and a little too white for asians that weren't born here. I don't think my peers aren't interested in me because of my identity but because instead because there's something wrong with me. I like talking to the teacher, and I don't like talking to my peers. Though I feel excluded; I just might be excluding others too ("though I doubt they'd notice or care for my attention" is what I would tell myself). Recently, I've been told that I may have a low self esteem due to a negative confirmation bias — one that "confirms" that I am not very good and denies the evidences that I'm alright— against myself. From this I know I may be viewing the world from flawed eyes, and I might be selling all of my wonderful classmates short, but the answer to whether I feel accepted among them is still "No".
**You might get on by being yourself if you have a little bit of something to offer to your crowd, but that doesn't mean everyone who is attractive, smart, or witty will be able to be theirselves. It does enable them to get past some judgement if they act a certain way that would be considered weird by someone without those traits; for example, the weirdness of shouting random things in class becomes amusing instead. Having these traits might push someone to only display these traits and not their full selves, so I conclude that being one's self is only possible if you do not fear judgement.
I think that we all put up a different version of ourselves when we get to school because we care too much about what other people think. I’m calling myself out on this too because I’m definitely a different person in school. I tend to become a really quiet person and I’d rather stay that way to avoid unwanted attention from other students. My ethnicity also ties into how I act in school. Being a minority has made me realize growing up that there are people in school who purposefully put others down because of their ethnicity, and to avoid that I just keep to myself. From experience,-one of my teachers does this already-I think that what would help others who are in the same position as me would be for teachers to create a space where we can talk about issues and things that concern us. It allows me to be more myself.
There are a lot of ways in which most every school has extremely Eurocentric views and ideals. May it be through the classes that we take, the teachers that we have, or personal expression, it’s definitely apparent. Many teachers that I have had strive to create an environment in which diversity is not only appreciated, but celebrated. Despite those efforts, I don’t think it’s possible to take away pressures socially and personally consider earning Eurocentric ideals, that while unsaid, remain among peers. I straighten my curly hair practically every day. It is easier for me to go to school with straight hair knowing that I bring no extra attention to myself, than it would ever be to wear my curly hair. Which is a way we are coerced into thinking we cannot be our true selves at school.
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@Nuha S. This is an interesting viewpoint, and some very expressive storytelling. It was interesting to hear about what you’ve gone through with self expression.
When I was in seventh grade, my social studies teacher encouraged her pupils to give her suggestions for discussion topics. We went around the room and everyone gave a suggestion. Suggestions included how to decorate the classroom, bills in Congress, and suddenly, it was proposed that we talk about the Black Lives Matter movement. This seemed an innocent suggestion, a good idea for a discussion and celebration of differences. However, my teacher seemed shocked. She ended the suggestions and we were ushered into a history lesson. I wondered why she shied away from that topic. Why was she scared to highlight race and differences between people? What was wrong with that?
Sadly, many teachers do the same thing. They ignore many socially charged issues, choosing instead to focus on things that are easier to talk about, things further from themselves. This cannot go on. The only way to resolve social issues is to talk about them with the next generation, children. This must be done in schools by letting everyone express themselves. Bring up divisive topics. Let them hear the argument of the opposition and allow them to express their cultural differences and opinions, like the students of Ms. Germán in the article. Teach in a way that all students can easily learn from, like Mr. Emdin. Create an environment where you can let everyone’s differences shine through. It is only through encouraging diversity, and talking about the difficult things, that we can all come together.
I don't think students can be themselves in school. Not only the teachers and rules, but the students have a huge impact on the way everyone acts. People might be afraid of acting the way they truly are because of possibly being bullied or harassed because of it. And if this isn't enough of a reason, teachers and staff stack on to this by enforcing dress codes and not letting us act a certain way even out of class. I do think they try to make people from different backgrounds welcome but I just don't think they enforce this very well at all.
To be entirely honest, I feel as if part of school is simply not being yourself, because after all, showing one’s true self is often seen as inappropriate in our society and education. Whether this is due to the belief that opening up to basically complete strangers is inappropriate and / or unwanted or simply because people feel that they themselves are inappropriate is inconsequential for this discussion however. For me, I feel I can express myself to an adequate percent. I can talk with my friends the way I want, I can do things how I want, and I can do what I want, albeit with EXTREMELY TIGHT RESTRICTIONS. I’m not joking, I’m serious, school is certainly not a place at this time to be fully open, and in fact it is most certainly very difficult if not impossible to do so, but for me, just like with so many other things in life, I am content, enough.
Addressing cultural differences in education is very important. For years, students of all races have heard a white educator lecture on text from white authors. This is a problem when considering the increasingly diverse and accepting country we are/should be becoming. However, I think it is a particularly perplexing issue to help solve. For example, I think using hip hop and rap in education would be helpful to some “urban” students, and feel condescending to others. As a Mexican American in a mostly white school, I’d feel a little weird if we taught U.S. history via mariachi band shows. I think my teachers do a good job at explaining different cultures throughout history and literature, despite the fact that most of them are white. Out of all of my teachers, one of them is currently not of caucasian descent. And most of the books we read have come from white authors. It’s something that can be addressed by having more culturally and racially diverse educators in America.
I don’t think you can be yourself at school because you are constantly being put under pressure to perform, do good on tests, and get your homework done all done with absolute perfection. One of the other reasons that makes it hard to be yourself at school is that you usually don’t have that personal connection and relationship with some of your fellow classmates that would make it easier to act like yourself. I believe what Christopher Emdin is doing is good, and that it is bringing this vibe and feel to the classroom that most students are used to outside of school. I hope that Christophers idea is spread amongst the educator community so it would make our lives as students less stressful.
@Daniel Guy I agree with you. On top of the pressure to do well in school, a lot of the time students have other things going on outside of school that add stress and fatigue. It is sometimes really hard to be yourself when you are tired and lacking motivation. Also, I think that you are correct in saying that often times, you cannot be yourself when you are forced to work with someone who is nothing like you and does not share any sort of interests with you. However, a lot of times, being paired up with someone randomly is how you get to know that person better. Christopher Emdin’s idea is a really good one because it is relating science to hip hop, which is something these kids are very familiar with and it makes them more comfortable.
I dont believe so at all cause went your limited to your grades and standeriezed testing and at times you may not excel at a certain group they still want you to be the best you can be at that class i think we should have it as what you like what you take and make sure you learn from it
I do not think anyone can be their true selves at school. Students are constantly being taught and being introduced to new things in the classroom. We are constantly being stressed out and there are several new people to meet, those are two big reason why we cant be our true selves. I think to be our true selves the environment needs to be familiar and stress free.
I think that I can bring basically all of myself to school. Some people may think that they can't be completely themselves because of what people may think about them. Personally I think this is a flawed misconception, no one really cares that much and most likely won't think anything of it. If someone does say something you do or wear is weird then so what, you shouldn't care what anyone else thinks, if you like it then do it. I don't do a traditional sport, I participate in weightlifting and some people make comments about it but I honestly dont care at all. I also like country music and I wouldn't say that's a very popular music genre with people my age. Once again I don't really care what other people say so this doesn't bother me. My point is that I do understand how someone might feel like an “outcast” but if you like what you're doing then keep doing it, you shouldn't care what other people think.
I think no one can be their full self in a single instance, such as when they are at school. Who a person is at school is only a part of their whole self—the same way who a person is at home is only one part of who they are. The different ways a person acts based on their environment and surrounding people all combines to make up who a person truly is. I do not think a person’s self or personality can be defined by how they act in one environment, school especially. Often students act differently in class than when they are home or with their friends—myself included. Most of the time, this is due to the pressure to be perceived a certain way by our peers. I am much more quiet and shy in the classroom compared to when I am with my friends. While I would not say my school self is who I truly am, I believe it is a part of me and one side of my personality.
@Isabelle Ang Being with someone that you are familiar with and can open up to allows you to be yourself. School is an unfamiliar, new environment which can cause you to be quiet or shy.
I do struggle with being myself at times it’s not always easy to be yourself completely when there are always new people that you meet and even the people you do know you worried that they may judge you. I feel as if there are some teachers who into create an openly diverse classroom with free discussions yet there are also some lacking. I also feel like at school we are taught to not be ourselves and to fit the mood our teachers and administrators want us to fit with a few exceptions. Every teacher in class has different agendas and they tell us the way they want their students to succeed in their class. I feel like for a class to be enjoyable for a person it has an interest in, it has to be engaging and it shouldn’t feel like busy work or something you’re required to do.
@Ema Thorakkal
I also have a hard time being around someone I have never had a friendship with or have any relationship with at all because you never know how that person will think of you if you do act like yourself or how they will react if you do something that would insult them. I hope that someday school isn't as stressful as it is now and that teachers like Christopher Emdin can make that happen.
In elementary and middle school I felt like I was completely involved in what I was studying the teachers made it fun and hands on and would help you no matter how there day was going but by the time I got into high school it felt like my teachers were disconnected from the class. They showed slides with notes and would talk and talk about what was essentially nonsense. I learned nothing in my ninth grade year except one class. This was the class that I wanted to base my career off of and it was engineering. I feel like schools should allow more of a path towards the career they wanted to take and have set classes for the kids who didn't know what they wanted to do yet.
Common core is good but I feel like it restricts me to much to be like everyone else. Colleges want you to be stronger in certain subjects than others when it comes to the career you want to partake in. I feel like schools should do a better job in guiding a student down the path he or she wants to go. Not lead them down the path traveled by everyone before and with them.
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@Ashton Gray I completely relate to this. Elementary school was fun because they understood that we were just kids but as we go along, studying something that we’re not passionate about gets really lackluster. I agree that high school should allow us to gear our education towards something that we might pursue as a career, and maybe school wouldn’t seem so dull to us nowadays. I do think that some of the teachers are actually trying their hardest to make school not as painful, but I get that when a subject you’re not interested in gets mixed with a bad teacher it makes it a thousand times worse.
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I believe it fully depends on the person and their background that decides whether or not they are able to be their whole self at school. It may be more difficult for people with problems at home to fully be engaged and focused. While others that have many friends and a good life can express themselves more during school. I feel very lucky to have such a great family and background. It is much easier for me to be fully engaged and express myself because I do not have many worries outside of school. I also think it is important to be your whole self at school so you can get the most out of it as possible.
It is well known that we shed our first amendment rights at the schoolhouse gate, yet it doesnt completely take away our individuality. While there are limitations as to what we may say or do, we still have the ability to express who we are. I haven't always felt this way though, especially in elementary school. Rules were much more strict there and there was so much work and discipline I never had the time to be an individual. It did prepare me well, and supplied me with a solid education and I'm grateful, but it was the hardest time of my life. In middle school it was better, though the newfund sense of freedom did cause other problems with drama. It seemed to be more of a maturity problem though, rather than an issue with "being your whole self." Now in high school it seems very free, while still being constructive and mature. One's whole self is easier embraced and expressed, and the slight limitations we have according to school policies seem reasonable, and not too confining. I've also been able to go though schooling without the hastle of uniforms, which are very restrictive and controling. Part of what makes a person themself is the way they dress and present themselves. Without that freedom, a great deal of students distinctiveness and character is stripped away. I am currently satisfied with the self transparency at my school, and I believe other schools should adopt the same policies.
When it comes to school I have never been able to be my whole self. I feel as if I am always stressing about a class or overworking myself. I'm always tired especially when I start off my day. It's hard for me to relax and take a moment to be myself while I have a class that's going on because I don't wanna risk missing anything. This takes me away from having a good conversation with the people around me or making new friends. When I'm out of school I feel like a weight is lifted off my shoulders and I can finally do things I want to do. When I'm hanging out with my friends on the weekend I can tell that they are more open and they feel the same way as I do. I do think my school treats students differently based on sex or race. I've seen a lot of teachers be more easy going with the girls instead of guys but girls dress code is more of an issue. I have also heard racist comments being made by teachers and students. When it comes to students and teachers hear it, they sometimes won't say anything either. I don't think anyone is able to be there whole self with all this pressure around them.
I believe that at my school they do their best to make all students feel like they are accepted and that they try and provide opportunities to all students, no matter their gender or race. Teachers always seem happy and welcoming when you walk into their classroom and some of my current teachers are so excited to teach the lesson for the day because of how passionate they are about their subject. So when I walk into that classroom I know that when I make a connection with a teacher and I can be myself and I can ask questions when confused and I can really get into and become interested to explore my area of curiosity with that subject.
It’s not always about the teachers and the school making you feel welcomed and included in the environment though. I believe that we all act a different way depending on who we are around due to the different relationships that we have with people. Some people can be rude, cruel, and judgemental towards others, and those actions make them want to suppress the version of themselves that other people don’t like. You have to consider the fact that it is the peers at school who will not allow you to be your whole self just because they don’t like that side of you. That is a toxic environment and the only way that you can be your whole self is by removing yourself from the people that put you down and, finding others who only want to see you thrive.
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Throughout my 11 years of school I have felt my whole self. This may not be the case for others, it may just be because I am a straight white female. While I could have been exposed to uncomfort I only surround myself with people who would make me feel the opposite. I remember in 5th grade my teacher wasn't my favorite. I didn't let this ruin my last year of elementary school, instead I spent the time trying to get to know her to make our relationship better. I then found out she was going through a lot at home. I realized while I was uncomfortable around her at first, getting to know her helped expand my comfort zone.
Later in 7th grade my gym coach would tell me I wasn't going to win knockout simply because I couldn't be as good as the boys. This however didn't cause me to be uncomfortable going to his class. My goal was to just prove him wrong, which made me want to go to class and get better. This is how most people should approach these types of situations. Taking it as motivation to do better and go beyond what others expected. This may not be the case for some, for example the article mentions being uncomfortable because of your race. This uncomfort is a different level, you can sometimes still prove the stereotype wrong by working hard and being better than the white kids who are thought to be smarter.
I feel as though no one can really fully be their true selves while at school. School is a more professional environment when you are supposed to put on your thinking cap and forget about your home life. Home is where a lot of peoples culture and diversity come into play. As some peoples races religions and backgrounds are not displayed in curriculum I think it would be arrogant to say that when we go to school we can be our true selves and be accepted by all of our peers.
@Amara B
While I agree with you on putting on your thinking cap I don't believe you should act professional and forget about you home life. If everyone did this imagine how boring school would be without that one person who is himself and makes everyone else laugh and have fun while being in such a restricted and monitored environment. Plus when you act yourself around your teachers you build a better relationship with them and they have a easier time teaching and helping you when they realize what keeps your attention and how you learn. If you were always professional and didn't let the teacher really get to know you then they will struggle harder when trying to explain things to you.
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The socioeconomic challenges students face are reflected through the way teachers relay the content. And also how administrators expect their teachers to relay the content. We’re taught the way we think and think the way we’re taught. Arrogance is found in this system. Students, specifically students from schools like Glenbard West, are so narrow minded in their ways of thinking they think there are no other ways to think. School gives a young adult an opportunity to develop into a multidimensional person. This happens through both challenges in the classroom as well as challenges outside the classroom. Regardless if those challenges come from inside or outside the classroom it gives students an opportunity to grow. The best schools give every single chance for students to be themselves. The only problems that arise within good schools is user error. Free thinking is caused by challenging current acceptable beliefs. There are a pocket of parents who do not want their sets of beliefs challenged and will attack the school if this is to happen. These people are causing society to regress.
@Jamaal The only way to fix the user error is to confront it. If parents' beliefs are being challenged or they think what's going on in a school system is wrong then that's their problem. I believe that the parents need to address their concerns in a professional way because the school tries to do their best to help each student succeed so, it’s not always about what the parents want but what the students need. Now students can always find ways to grow in and out of the classroom, but are they growing in the right direction? No not always. Some of them get stuck in a loop of continuous bad decisions. Now some students may want to escape it but, what about the ones that just want to blindly follow the loop?
@Jamaal As a student from Glenbard West I agree that many people seem narrow minded. Your point on students think the way they are taught is demonstrated by students from this school. Although, there are, many different curriculums the school provides to aim children to face challenges inside and outside the classroom in hopes to grow. But, most of the time students can never be themselves. Along with every student being heavily judged by peers, students who are from diverse backgrounds are not provided space in class for them to speak about issues related to their culture, identity, and differences in hopes to grow, embrace themselves, and teach others. There is no challenging of beliefs as the town if full of parents who do not want to be challenged and kids who think they are entitled and better than everyone else.
I am a straight white male so it is near to impossible to feel unrepresented with a modern curriculum. Of course, this does not in any way mean that I feel as though the curriculum should be more tilted to me. Throughout classes such as AP World, European, and US history, I learned about people who changed the world and they came from all over, but one thing I noticed in my World History class is just how Euro-centric a view of the world it gives. From the dawn of civilization to about the Middle Ages, we covered the whole world, learning about Sumer and China and India as well as the Incans and the Mayans and the Roman Empire. As we came into the European Renaissance period, we learned almost nothing besides European and American history. This was supposed to be a WORLD history class, but we skipped over Africa, Asia, South America, and Oceania for 500 years of modern history. My class, although predominantly white, had people of many ethnicities and backgrounds that were basically ignored by the curriculum.
My English classes have been (slightly) better about representation; we read passages from many different people throughout the course of my AP English Lang and Comp class. I remember reading Benjamin Banneker- an African American man who, in the early 19th century made many scientific discoveries- and many other people with diverse backgrounds. I think History classes need to take a lesson from English curriculums and try to focus on more a world view.
At school I do somewhat feel like myself. Although I appreciate the freedom that we have except for dress code and language use but, I am quite thankful. Some people don’t feel like themselves at school and that’s okay and I wanna change how we act in class. Like I’m usually kinda quite in class because I feel like I answer a question wrong or something like that.
I’m usually more comfortable with people who I usually know well enough and when I’m just meeting someone for the first time I’m pretty shy up till a couple of days of getting to talking with you.
I don’t feel like that teachers are giving us space and having a discussion about different backgrounds so far in my high school years. Like we all act different in school then outside of school cause of the rules that they apply their.
As students age, we are more compelled to be ourselves. For children however, I feel it is difficult to truly be yourself at school. With a very diverse cultural background, I would always be the kid coming to school with oddly smelling lunches and clothes. Growing up in a class full of students so different from me made me feel as though I was the outcast even just because of the color of my skin and my dark black hair. I'd always try so hard to fit in because that was what was considered pretty, what kid wants to feel left out? Now, I schools take initiative in accepting different cultures. I think that they should, however, implement these things for younger students so that kids like me don't feel so different.
While I’m at school I feel very restricted through my curriculum. I am not exposed to a lot of different cultures in my English and history classes, when school is supposed to teach you about all different things. In English, everything we read is written predominately by white male authors. This may be due to my honors/AP English track, regardless it is unacceptable. There are so many different writing styles, and genres that I could be exposed to through reading books from authors of a different ethnicity or culture. The class that has exposed me to the most is my choir class. We sing different types of religious pieces, different languages, and cultures. Before every piece we discuss what the piece means and how it can relate to us but also where it originated. That is what is important. Us finding the similarities between us and other people. This will allow for a more connected world in general, and allow us to be our full self at school.
@Molly Howard Though some teachers may be like yours in that they do not expose their students to many cultures, not all are like this. For example, in my English class, we are discussing racism and people's internal biases. These are the types of topics which must be covered to help overcome biases, break down racial barriers, and create progress in the world. Finding similarities between people as you said is important, but finding differences is even more important. Color-blindness is not the answer to division. We must highlight differences between people and celebrate them for who they are.
It is only if people are celebrated for who they are that they can feel truly expressed during school. Just as you said, more diversity should be implemented into courses such as history. People should talk about not just racial differences, but also socioeconomic and cultural differences. Only if kids learn about how others live can they begin to build bridges with that person or group of people.
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At my school. They really don’t include Asian culture into anything at all and it’s really unfair that they don’t do it because no one then does know what it’s like in the Asian culture.
At school, I know that I am not my complete self. I am a very different person when I’m around people I am comfortable with and love than when I’m at school. During my classes, I am quiet and really just focusing on the task at hand. I don’t socialize as much unless it’s a friend I know or if someone tries to talk to me then I’m open to it. When I’m around people I’m comfortable with, I am truly myself. For example, when I’m around my family, I am completely me: loud, funny, outgoing, and sassy at times. I don’t feel like I can be truly myself at school because it’s a place where I’m focused and ready to learn. Also, sometimes I don’t feel like I can really fit in due to my ethnicity. I feel like I can only connect to those who are similar to me. I don’t believe my culture, as well as others cultures, is not really represented in my school as much. I think that due to this lack of representation and really understanding and being aware of others, many may feel like they cannot be their true selves at school.
@Karen P. At school I too am not completely myself I hide things about myself and during certain classes like international relations I was very quiet and reserved because I felt judged by the people around me so I hid things about myself like the things I liked and didn’t participate in any discussions. I too am myself around my family outspoken about the things I like sweet , funny and caring and profanity is used. I also feel pressured to act competitively or always get a certain grade so I believe you can never act as your full self at school.
@Karen P. I couldn't agree with this more, I think I do try to be myself at school and not care what other people think however I don't necessarily think its school that makes people not be themselves I think it's the people at school. Some people (myself included) just aren't comfortable around people that they don't know. You can definitely try to get to know people but you still can't get to know everyone and your still going to feel uncomfortable.
Most people I know are completely different outside of school, including myself. At school I feel that you are pressured to act a certain way. Obviously most of us are immature kids outside of school, but in school everyone is just calm and not really fun at all. I feel this is because of the rules put in place at school. Things like dress code, and other rules like “no use of profanity” definitely limit people and hold them back from being themselves at school. I myself at school am very quite and obeying, outside of school I’m complete different because I don’t restrictions placed on me, besides the law. It ultimately depends on your classes as well, as in some classes you might act different from others. I myself find it the easiest to be myself when I’m in a classroom with multiple close friends and an outgoing teacher. Many students can probably relate with me on that. I believe it can become possible to be yourself at school if the school rules were changed and more freedom was given to the students. But I don’t think it will ever be possible to make school a place where you can 100% be yourself, as that’s the case with most places where your not completely comfortable.
@Akash Patel I totally agree with you. Most people feel heavily restricted when they’re at school all day, whether it be ability to express themselves or feeling like they can’t socialize freely. Outside of school, people are able to choose who they interact with and spend time with people who they feel comfortable around. During class, we are forced to work with people who may not respect our beliefs or opinions, disabling us from feeling free to speak our minds.
A healthy school environment for students is essential, so they feel comfortable expressing themselves. We all need to work toward a more compassionate and relaxed school setting. Teachers should work on taking pressure off their students to be someone they're not. People who are talkative outside of school should be allowed to be themselves, and more reserved quiet people should never be forced to talk.
I agree with you Akash, that its easy to be yourself at school around close friends and a relaxed teacher. I just wish I felt that comfortable in all of my classes. Hopefully all of our teachers and classmates can work towards a more welcoming and accepting environment for everyone.
Personally, I think there’s always a difference between how people act at school vs how people act outside of school. There’s many things people worry about such as social status, rules, and how others perceive you to say some of the most notable reasons. From my own experiences I can say I act different in my classes; if it’s a class I enjoy I’ll try to be vocal and my positive energy towards the class shows in my words and actions, if it’s a class I either don’t particularly like or would not want to socialize with the people in the class for one reason or another, I stay mainly silent and just try to pass the class to my best ability. I feel like for a class to be enjoyable for a person it has to interest them, it has to be engaging, and it shouldn’t feel like busy work or something you’re required to do. But I don’t feel like teachers should be forceful in their engagements because that only detaches a student from a class further and demotivates the student. With all of this considered I believe there is something for everyone to find interest in academically.
@Demetrius Gibson
I like how you said that not only do we act differently outside school than in school, but we act differently depending on the class. Since students outside of class will most likely spend their time with friends, family, or by themselves, there’s no need to put up a facade. Outside of school, we don’t need to try to act like we understand the material. We don’t need to prove ourselves to the teachers and our peers that think we know what’s going on. Even between classes like you said, there’s different aspects that determine how we act. I know a lot more about Pre-Calc than I do about APES. I can happily explain a concept about math, but struggle to find the words when talking about an environmental process. Not only is the material different, but the people are too. I could have my best friend in one class, but not know anyone in another. It’s all about the level of comfortability you feel in each class that dictates how much you want to put yourself out there.
Your statement about not really enjoying a class because teachers force work upon you is understandable. A teacher who pushes their ideologies and forces enthusiasm on students is ineffective. I love having a natural rhythm in the classroom, not one that is only there because the teacher puts it there.
The way I act and express myself differed from class to class. Over my years in school I’ve realized that there are some classes that I genuinely enjoy being in as all the classmates and the teacher get along and can have fun together. In these classes students aren’t afraid to ask questions and have fun working on projects and talking with other classmates. The teacher also plays a hug role in the fun of these classes as these teachers engage with the students and make jokes as well. When I’m in these classes I feel most like myself as their is a confortable and inviting environment where I can have fun while still working hard and asking serious questions. My AP art, Ap Lang, Spanish and Human Geo class are the classes I associate the most with being my truest self during. I believe this is due to the amount of time and communication I had with students and the teachers a daily basis. I feel that teachers and the class environment truly impact the amount I express myself.
At school I’m myself
It will make me productive
So I stick with it
My school has a lot of freedoms. Thankfully, my school doesn’t make us wear uniforms or stuff like that. I do believe, however, there are numerous occasions in which I do have to change yourself because of school. There are many instances when pretty much everyone has to act differently around others to try to fit in. There are obvious limitations though, like you can’t just run around the school doing whatever you want. I try to stay completely honest with myself and others and try to stay the same, whether its on school grounds or hanging out with friends. However, at school there is always a fear of getting ridiculed or criticized for you doing something. So many kids will change themselves so others don’t think that they are “weird” when the point is to be different from everybody else.
I feel like at school we are taught to not be ourselves and to fit the mood our teachers and administrators want us to fit (with a few exceptions). We are told how to write, what to write about, that there is only one way to solve a problem, you must do it this way if you want to pass. To me, this is such a toxic environment because not everyone learns the same and that is something teachers seem to completely ignore. There are also social expectations that people must mold to. School heavily push extra circulars onto students and make those who maybe don’t have the time because of a job or other conflict feel very poorly of themselves. Another component to this would have to be the pressure and disappointment of the school if you aren’t taking AP classes. Meeting with counselors to schedule classes starts becoming degrading, because you don’t think the AP curriculum is the correct mold for you, then are quickly shamed for not taking one.
I really struggle with constantly needing everyone to like me. It’s a real problem that makes me feel like I can’t be myself at school. I am a completely different person at home with my family than I am with people at school. There really is no need for me to put up a facade of being cool or something ridiculous like that because at school I don’t really worry about other people. I sit in class and quietly do my work then I walk straight to my other classes. I see my friends at lunch and that’s when I can finally start acting a little more like myself. I see some people who I assume are being genuine all the time and I wish I could do that.
Usually people pretend to be happy at school but I find myself suppressing my joy to fit in. If a teacher tells a joke I’ll want to laugh but I won’t because I’m afraid people will judge me. For laughing! It sounds stupid but I think a lot of people feel this way.
I find it very hard to be yourself 24/7 at school, if you can be yourself all the time then that’s good. Not many people can do that. I am a very shy person in class when I don’t have friends in that class. Now it is very different whenever I’m with friends. I’m the type of person to always think people are judging me for what I wear or what I look like. I shouldn’t have to think like that. I should feel like I can be myself around anyone at any time. No one should have to think everyday that they can’t be themselves around certain people.
Although my school is very supportive and comforting especially with students with a diverse background, I do not feel that my school’s curriculum is really that representative of my ethnicity and my fellow classmate’s ethnicities. This not only makes me feel less comfortable in class, but it also leaves out a huge chunk of the world for my classmates, especially those who are not updated frequently on global news, and that is a problem. Schools in America need to bring in other cultures in classes, because if they don’t then more global conflicts will arise due to lack of education and misperceptions, and in our time the world is very connected globally and its the job of our school to make sure we are well educated beyond just the American textbook and ready to tackle local affairs and global affairs.
At school, most kids hide their real selves due to fear of not being liked by there teachers and classmates. What matters more can depend on the student. Most kids care more about what the kids think of them cracking jokes during class or back talking to the teacher. I care more about what the teachers think of me. Not in the way I want to be the teacher's favorite, but I don't want a teacher to be annoyed with me or hate me for my true self. But I also don't want to hate the class from not being able to be myself.
The article talks about teachers incorporating African American culture into there classes. My favorite example was teachers making hip hop music for their students to learn. I feel this is a fantastic way for kids to remember information because if they can remember all the words to there favorite song, they should be able to recognize a thing they put into a song/rap. When I was younger around 11, I made little songs to retain information for my social studies class, and I still have videos of me singing my short songs I would make.
1
Personally, I feel like I can be myself at school. What’s the point in putting up a facade about who you really are? Because you're worried you’ll be judged? Because you’re afraid people won’t like you for your true self? Why let other people's opinions matter to you? Everyone deserves to be themselves, not have to hold themselves to other peoples standards to appear ‘cool’ or ‘popular’ or ‘normal’. There is no such thing as being ‘normal’ when it comes to your personality or being yourself, because if we’re being honest the things that make us different from each other is what makes us special. I believe it is very important for you to explore your own personality, embrace who you are, and get to know yourself. But, it is extremely hard to embrace yourself and be proud of yourself when you are in constant fear of what other people think.
If you are always worried about being judged, or worried about what other people think, you should surround yourself with other people who like you for you. Be yourself no matter what other people have to say.
1
I feel like I have a different personality in all of my classes. It depends on what class it is, what time of the day it is, and genuinely how I am feeling that day. I have a completely different personality from first period versus fifth period. It also depends on who is in my classes. I can’t make a fool of myself in front of people I am not friends with, but put me in English class and I’m a whole new person. In the wise words of my teacher, I often need to “stop talking right now” so I think it really just depends on what time of day it is and who I’m with.
In my opinion, I do not think you are able to be your whole self at school. In school, you have to change your personality for your teacher’s expectations and also be more mature. Obviously, you can’t be the same around your friends on the weekends as you can around your teachers or else you’ll probably get in trouble. Also, depending on what class you’re in, you can be more yourself. If you’re in a class with friends or with a more chill teacher, you can show more personality because you are more comfortable. In other classes, where your teacher is strict and you don’t have many friends, you’re less comfortable and therefore more reserved. The more personality a student can show in class, the better the class is.
@Courtney Leach What you wrote Courtney is very well said. I do not feel like I can be my full self at school because I feel like it all depends on the setting. If you are in a more comfortable setting at school, like a favorite class or favorite teacher, than I feel more comfortable about being my true self. Also I feel like I cant be myself in school because of peers or teachers judging me or modeling me as someone I am not.
I’m trapped in a cage
My spirit begs to be free
Why can’t I be me?
@Danny Vesevick this is awesome. Should be published
I feel like I leave a little bit of myself at home when I come to school. At home I’m always moving around, listening to music, and finding something new to do every 10 minuets. But when I come to school, I make a conscious effort to be focused and calm. But it makes me look forward too, even more, the person I am on my own time.
1
I feel like I am able to be my whole self at school despite my circumstance. Throughout my life, I have always been the only black person in private school. Filled to the brim with white people, I was forced to conform to whatever everyone else was doing. I never really had a sense of identity. It was a balancing act between my family life and my school. I was different and I knew it but I didn't know what that meant for my life.
Realizing who I am didn’t happen until high school. Now I finally feel like I can be myself. I've met so many new people and friends that accept me for who I am. Flaws and all. Maybe I would be even more whole if the school I went to had more people that looked like me. However, I don’t need to be around certain types of people to be myself. I’m always me no matter what. It truly is a blessing.
I like the idea the article proposes of integrating culture with education. When dealing with tough subjects we can all grow as a community. Ms. German is creating a group of kids that don’t just overlook racism, they fight against it. We need to create a better world where everyone can prosper and be themselves.
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@Akye Nixon-McCray
Its hard being your true self, especially when you look around and see that nobody else is like you. Being categorized "different" from everyone else is seen to be a negative and we hide from it, but this is nothing to hide from. Embrace being yourself.
Mrs. German is teaching something pretty similar to discussions in my english class. She doesn't want her students to overlook and ignore the color of their skin or background, she wants them to emerge themselves in conversation of how all those things are important. My english class has constant discussion of being color blind or being color brave. If we are colorblind were hiding from the problem, but being color brave gives those a chance to embrace those differences, just like Mrs. German wanted.
@Akye Nixon-McCray It's hard being your true self, especially when you look around and see that nobody else is like you. Being categorized "different" from everyone else is seen to be a negative and we hide from it, but this is nothing to hide from. Embrace being yourself.
Mrs. German is teaching something pretty similar to discussions in my english class. She doesn't want her students to overlook and ignore the color of their skin or background, she wants them to emerge themselves in conversation of how all those things are important. My english class has constant discussion of being color blind or being color brave. If we are colorblind were hiding from the problem, but being color brave gives those a chance to embrace those differences, just like Mrs. German wanted.
I don’t think I’m able to be my true self at school most of the time, out of fear that I’ll be too annoying or weird. I’ve had to hide the symptoms of my adhd since 3rd grade just to keep everyone from hating me, because the accommodations provided to me by the school just ostracized me further. Even now when I hear people make fun of adhd or autism, or if I have a teacher that doesn’t understand, I don’t speak up or try to change their minds because I know it’ll only make them treat me worse. School has been a huge struggle for me my entire life because It only caters to a specific kind of person, and my brain doesn’t work the same way as theirs.
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I don't know about anyone else but I'm always 100% genuine all the time. I feel that if you aren’t acting like yourself you are cutting yourself short of a fun life. Even when I’m in class I still crack jokes and try to make the teacher laugh. I figure that if the teachers are able to laugh I can brighten their day that is very stressful just a little bit that I could help them become distracted from that for just a few seconds.
I find it very hard to be yourself at school. If you're able to go to school and be yourself EVERY class period, I applaud you for that. Not many people can do that. I have always been very shy when I'm in a class with no friends. It's very different if I have friends in my class. I'm the type of person to wonder what people think of me at all times and it should be that way, I should be able to be myself around people.
There's people that change whether it's bad or good, some kids try to act out to be noticed.
I think we should all try to be ourselves instead of worrying what people think.
@Naomi Boring I am also very shy and find it hard to show my real personality at school. I have a really outgoing personality but during the day I’m very introverted and to myself. I only wish I could be myself. I am also the type of person that is always conscious about what others think but I shouldn’t be!
@Naomi Boring
I get pretty shy if I don't have a friend in my classes. To me, it makes the class go by a lot slower. People at school who are totally themselves I look up to because I am always wondering if others are thinking about me. I Like what you said about how we should all try to be ourselves instead of worrying.
I feel that I can be myself at school, though I understand why some people think they can’t. I hang out with my freinds and go to classes that I think are slightly irrelevant but I understand that down the road they will be useful. We do have many different cultures and kinds of people at my school but I only really see them in the hallways as most of my classes are majority white. I believe that I have resources to go to if I needed help like a councilor or trusted adult.
I do usually feel engaged in what I am learning, unless the class is extremely boring or I am too tired to focus, but most of what I am learning doesn’t feel very relevant to life. For example, math class feels extremely useless and it is difficult for no reason because I know that I will not follow a career path that involves intense math. I have never liked it, but more importantly I feel like there is no point to learning it, so I don’t feel very engaged. On the other hand, Physics and English are useful. Physics fundamentals apply to us every second, so it is good to know the reasoning behind what is going on. Writing is an extremely important skill that is needed throughout life, so I feel more engaged in it.
I feel like it depends on the person when it comes to whether or not you be yourself at school. Everyone is different, some are more outgoing than others, and some just feel more comfortable in the schools environment. I think it also depends on the classroom and teacher, and what kind of way they teach. If it’s quiet or strictly lecturing, kids are more often to be silent. However, if the teacher is putting out an engaging lesson where everyone can participate, it definitely does change the mood.
I look like just about every other teenage girl in my school with my fair skin and blond hair. It's because of this that I don't feel like I've ever stood out in my classrooms or my school hallways. I'm hardly ever conscious about my race. With that said, I can't imagine how my peers with different skin colors feel. My school is primarily made up of white students, and out of my five classes I only have an African American peer in two of them. Until Black History Month, I don't learn about any culture other than white culture. Even when we reach the month of February, we really only focus on African and African American culture. I've never really learned about the culture and triumphs of those who come from Native American, Hispanic, or Indian backgrounds. Without learning about their own backgrounds and cultures, I can imagine that students of these ethnicities can have trouble feeling like their school has a place for them.
In the article, Lecia Brooks says that in the classroom she thinks that teachers need to forget the idea of race being too heavy for children and teenagers to talk about. I think that this is a great way to put it. Schools don't need to ignore racial topics in fear of them being too hard to think about. They should instead be proud to talk about them in celebration of different backgrounds and cultures.
@Hayden Carroll I agree with your comment and I never thought about it that way. I look at myself, a white teenage girl, and think about all my insecurities. But how do those who don't look like the "average" teenage white girl? I can't imagine how they feel. They shouldn't have insecurities, no one should. But, in this day and age, I understand why everyone does, We're constantly pitted against each other. Who's the prettiest or smartest? When it shouldn't be like that at all.
I believe that I can be my true self at school, but only in certain environments. In my high school experience, I have discovered numerous places where I feel completely accepted for who I am. However, I have also discovered many condemning places that make me feel the need to conceal myself. For example, I am in my school's band. I have had that community through my entire high school experience, and I like to consider it my getaway because at this point, they resemble a family to me. Another example would be art classes. Having the ability to express myself with no judgment allows me to feel welcomed and loved, which allows me to be my true self. Other classes, on the contrary, make me extremely shy and introverted. I am not sure if its the students, teacher, or subject, but there are definitely moments where I feel the urge to change how I am presenting myself.
I am not able to be my full self at school because there are too many people that I do not feel completely comfortable around. It could be because I do not know that person all that well or I just don’t have much in common, causing me to feel that that person is going to judge me for being my true self since they will most likely not understand me. I feel like our school system does a great job in including everyone, each of the others that I have had have included everyone in their class, they never leave a person out of the discussion voluntary. As for the ethnic part, I do not believe teachers bring the topic up very much class because of the fact that it could very easily offend someone or make someone extremely uncomfortable, which just makes it safer for teachers to try and stay away from those areas.
@Brayan Gonzalez I feel the same way. The schools in my area are very populated which leads to every one of our high schools having a lot of people. I don't feel comfortable around everyone therefore I don't be my full self but i am not a fake version of myself.
In my personal opinion, I feel as if there are some teachers who aim to create an openly diverse classroom with free discussions, yet there are also some lacking. In some situations I feel as if it is harder to share out during class because of a fear of classroom judgment, which is a negative thing because classes should be an open learning, listening and teaching space. There are certain classes at my school in which teachers target the curriculum towards a safe, expressive environment, such as Human Relations. In this class students learn about human interaction and complete presentations and assignments unique to them, giving them an opportunity to be vulnerable in a classroom.
Personally I go to a very diverse school, many different races, religions, ideas, etc. We also are taught multiple perspectives, and from authors who represent other ideas and backgrounds. I do see my identity represented in some of the things we learn, but I believe that most people do not feel comfortable enough to speak on topics related to culture, religion, etc, and most people are also not comfortable enough to be their whole self. Most people are afraid to stand out, they are scared to be judged by their peers, this is what leads to all the conformity that can be seen in school
Up until this year I would’ve said no, I couldn’t be my whole self at school. Attending a predominantly white high school as a person of color made it hard for me to identify my true self, I never had the opportunity to explore the other half of my identity. Through the past two years however I’ve began to acknowledge and explore my African American roots further that what we learn in the classroom and it’s made me proud to show that side of me. Now I even go a step further and started advocated for the people of color at my school so they all can feel like they can be their true selves, and be proud of that.
For all of middle school, I went to a 99% white private school in Georgia.
All the students wore uniforms. We all took the same classes. There were restrictions on accessories and shoes. Needless to say, I still stood out. Being the son of a first generation African immigrant and a black woman from rural mississippi, I’ve always struggled to associate with my identity.
Whenever I would say something about police brutality or racism, I’d get hit with the infamous “13:50” statistic. Whenever I’d bring in a book by a black person, the other kids would roll their eyes and laugh.
Needless to say, I was expected to be someone at that school. I was supposed to be quiet. I was supposed to be complacent. I was supposed to be well-behaved. I was supposed to come to school, get good grades, and leave without acknowledging my differences.
I did, eventually, leave that school(thank goodness), and I realize now how much freedom I have to be me. I can be black at my school! That sounds like a really simple thing, I know, but I can listen to rap and wear Jordans and read Toni Morriston. I can listen to Lauryn Hill and wear a dashiki and talk about the Mis-Education of the Negro.
For the first time in my life, I feel like I am a black man acutely aware of my blackness. I think there’s something beautiful there.
I am not reading any material in school by authors of diverse backgrounds, and I have learned very little about people other than white people who have had an impact on where I am from. I don’t feel like my school has created a safe environment for students to open up about issues they are facing with culture and their feelings among other things. Which has made me unable to feel comfortable speaking about these topics on my own in school. Vibe and atmosphere play a big part in my ability to be comfortable anywhere. The atmosphere in my school is very judgemental and harsh. We all come from different places in life and that largely affects how we all interact, even though it shouldn’t. It would be a lot easier for students if teachers created a vibe in their classrooms because I think it would help students learn and be more willing to engage in class. If I don’t feel comfortable in a class for any reason I tend to not interact with my classmates or the teacher. If teachers created vibes in their classrooms then students have the opportunity to find a teacher who fits their vibe and helps in all aspects of school.
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@Mackenzie Wernicke I agree with you. I feel like our school hasn't done a good job to create culture. I am scared to speak my mind in class sometimes in fear of saying one word wrong, and then being ridiculed for it for the rest of the year. Instead of trying to have a civil conversation about a topic where people listen to you, I find people shaking their heads when someone talks, or if they don't have the same views as the speaker, they bash them for the opinion they have. It’s not a healthy environment, and I don't know why teachers don't see it. However, I do have a question. You said something about teachers creating a vibe in the classroom. What do you define a vibe as and how do you think teachers could create this “vibe” in their classroom?
@Mackenzie Wernicke I 100% agree that our school is very judgmental and harsh. I'm like you if there isn't a good vibe in the classroom I won't participate in any of the classwork that we do. If the vibe in the classroom isn't a good vibe I wont speak my mind or answer any questions because i'm scared i'll be judge if i say something wrong. No one should feel like they're will be judge for something they say or how they act
I do struggle with being myself at times, it's not always easy to be yourself completely when there are always new people that you meet, and even the people you do know you worry what that they may judge you. In school we only learn a few things that have to do with diverse and different perspectives. I've never been represented in what we learn in school. Most schools, along with most teachers don't like to talk about cultures and identities because the topic can be uncomfortable. I don't really mind talking about those topics unless people are obnoxiously rude with the topic. But I do think teachers should encourage students to embrace one another, not only will that help students understand each other but it will also help students thrive among each other. Students aren't given enough opportunity to show their creativity and voices, in most school activities. Most things I learn in school don't feel very relevant because nearly everything we learn is information that we don't use outside of school. But if we were able and encouraged to show our identities and backgrounds not only would it help us be able to be our whole self but it would help students do better in school academically and socially.
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I feel like some classes are relevant. For example I need to know how to write, read, and how to do math. I also think there should be some classes that help us with everyday life. For example taxes.
@Gabriel Alejandre I agree although we do need math we should figure a way to incorporate things like taxes in to the teaching because it would help prepare us for are future and I would prefer that instead of learning how to find the circumference of a circle.
Middle school was pretty terrible. For all of my time in middle school, I filled a niche. I was already one of a few black kids, but I was forced into an even smaller niche than that. I was the black kid who watched anime. I was the black kid who got good grades. I was the black kid who played piano. I was that and that was me. All I was- to strangers, to my friends, to MYSELF- could be boiled down to a few activities.
Everyday, I would talk to the same people, wear the same clothes, act the same way, say the same stuff. I was obligated to be the same person I was in sixth grade in the eighth grade because that’s what was expected of me. Perpetuality. Middle school was pretty terrible.
High school is… better, I think. I feel no obligation to be someone I’m not. I can watch anime, but enjoy other types of shows. I can play piano, and listen to rap. I can get good grades and still be black. I feel a freedom to be multiple different things. All I am- to strangers, to my friends, to ME- is a lot of stuff.
Everyday, I do go to the same classes, but talk to a wide assortment of friends, bonded to me through our interests, hobbies, or experiences. I wear a lot of the same outfits, but I have the freedom to wear a Dashiki to school with not so much as a point or stare. I don’t have to act like an anime fan. I don’t have to act like a black man. I don’t have to act like a nerd. I don’t have to act like a pianist. Individuality and Self. High school is… better, I think.
1
In school I believe there are times when we can fully be our true selves. Teens at my school, Booker High School, are free to be themselves such as being free with their sexuality and what they wear (As long as it’s in the school dress code). There are times students can’t be there self due to school rules. For example, if they want to laugh and joke around with friends teachers tend to tell students to stop. That is a small situation though but besides that students usually are able to be there full selves.
My school has many different kinds of people, from all different races and ethnically backgrounds . That said, there is a clear racial difference in the amount of white people compared to everyone else. And it’s something that a lot of the students talk about, often, at least the ones that actually care. Teachers not so much, they stick to the curriculum. English teachers seem to be the only ones who really talk about it, since they delve so much into the social order and current events. And really English is the only class where that would feel appropriate aside from history. I mean math is just running equations and calculations, there's not really a way to fit in culture studies there.
Personally, I don't feel like my racial identity being acknowledged will make a difference. I know others place importance on the amount of diversity in a classroom, I see it from my friends all the time. But I've never felt as if my racial identity was really important to my general identity.
I finds that many of my teachers gives us many ways to express ourselves. It's a little harder to do such things in math or science but in Art, History and English teacher gives us free range of most of our projects.
That said, there are other factor aside form race that prevent us from being our true selves. It might not even be because of school but because we are afraid. There are some classes and teachers you can truly express yourselves in, and others where you just sit down, shut up, and work.
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No, I don't think my classes are similar or relevant to my life.
Hurry up
You've been standing there for 20 minutes
The dark shelves in my closet stare back at me
Its ok I tell myself
no one looks at your outfit as much as you do
your splitting hairs
LEAVING IN 10 HURRY UP
My hands reach out to sift through the hangers of clothing
you worry about how you look too much
no one cares about how your hair looks
HURRY UP WERE GONNA BE LATE
now its panic time
my heart thuds in my chest as I helplessly try to find some type of outfit
NOW WATSON
I grab the closest thing to me
a sweatshirt and leggings... again
I quickly change and be sure to avoid the mirror on the way out
huffing down the steps toast in hand making it into the car in record time
maybe ill try to look "nice" tomorrow
5
i personally feel like school is a waste of time and life , teachers think that them sitting with us for 55 minutes is going to help us be someone . maybe it will but its the persons decision not everyone wants to be an architect , or a math teacher , or a doctor . some of us have different goals we want to achieve like , being a parents , babysitting or something else . i personally want to be a barber i doubt that the Declaration of Independence will help me be a barber.
1
Personally i dont like to open up to poeple because i'm afraid i might get judged , however evryone is different and in some cases thing built up in you can be stressful which potentially can cause lack in school work.
@Amy Castellanos As long as you find people who seem like they aren't judgmental, or just have real friends that you know wont judge you, it is perfectly fine to open up to people, and more likely than not most people won't judge you.
1
I do feel interested by what the teachers are teaching me in class because the thing's that the teacher are teaching me can help me in the high school and all so in college so people can be prepared.
Of Course. This School Allows us to be ourselves whether it being Gender, Sexuality, Race, or Religion. We still have to follow school rules, of course.
no because what is 2x+- 4 is gonna teach me life?
Yes the school provides classes for the students to talk on their feelings but i don't like attending them because stuff gets out quickly so basically there's no confidentiality.
If someone is able to be themselves at school, I am truly impressed with them. I find it so hard to do that; to be myself. I always find myself asking the same question: "What will everyone else think?". When honestly who cares what others think.
I think I'm able to be myself in certain classes. When I am around my friends I can be myself, but when i'm in a class with no friends, I am a way more quiet, shy version of myself. And I know so many others like that. I've met so many people at school before, but when I hang out with them or see them outside of school, they're a completely different person.
School puts up barriers between people. That's why no one really knows anyone.
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@Sydney Short I appreciate your honesty on the topic about how it's so hard to be ourselves in school because it's almost as if there's a barrier that makes us shy and feel held back from being who we want to be. Also I feel the same way you described yourself on how you feel conscious about just being you because of how others may judge you. Everything you said truly shows why people don't really know each other, and why it's hard for people to be themselves.
1
I like to be myself to an extent at school because it depends on what mood I’m in. Of course most of the times I’m very tired or just focused in on class. But, I don’t think most people are themselves at school because it’s hard to be in high school without being judged. I don’t really care what people have to say about others or myself because at the end of the day, if I like who I am then why should it matter what other people think or say about me. At Glenbard West there’s a lot of gossip just because that’s how our school is. I do believe in some high school environments students feel comfortable enough to be their true self but when I’m in school, it really depends on who I’m with or what class I’m in.
I am not myself at school, I am a pretender. The teachers have an impact, but not as big as the students. I believe that students- impact each other more than the teachers because I think students only care about what other students think.
They don’t really care if their teacher hates them, for as long as they have friends they don’t care. This is just through my own personal experience, I see kids everyday making a fool out of themselves just to make others laugh. Now this is where teachers come in they stop them, and move them, and even sometimes send them to the office. But, what teachers do won’t really affect them if they are still liked by other kids.
People change in school for better or worse, people change to get noticed, to make friends, and to even get by. There has got to be more for us to do, to stop this. We can’t just keep living our lives quietly and watch this go on. We need to get out- of our comfort zones, raise our hands, and be who we are.
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@Adam Larson, I'm scared to be fully myself at school because of other students more than anything else. Teachers and the school itself rarely (but sometimes) have anything to do with it. Sometimes, especially with friends, I have no problem putting everything out there. I would say I'm kinda an open book. But there are so many times this isn't true of me, and probably isn't true of others, either. I'm scared people will make fun of me or abandon me for my convictions; I'm scared people will think I'm weird; I'm scared people will diminish my values; I'm scared people who preach tolerance will be intolerant of me for disagreeing with them on many topics; I'm scared people will see my flaws and mistakes and be disgusted. I really hope this can change at school and everywhere else. I really hope we can be a people who are different and be able to civilly and thoughtfully differ/disagree. School, especially, should be a place where our differences are examined and discussed; change will have to happen among students and among individuals for this to happen.
1
@Adam Larson
I somewhat agree with you that your peers can have a bigger impact on how you act at school than your teachers. It's natural to want to fit in, and at school, there are hundreds of kids with so many different types of backgrounds; it can be hard to figure out who you are and where you fit in. It can be easy to get lost in the crowd.
You say that teachers do not have as much as an impact as fellow classmates, but I have to say that I respectfully disagree. From my own experience, and talking to friends, so many kids are impacted by their teachers. Teachers are people who kids have learned to look up to since they are 5 years old. For many kids, they're one of the main adult figures in their lives. The way a teacher shapes a classroom can impact things such as how you think, what you believe, or even how you behave.
You say that a teachers actions has no affect on a student, and all that affects a student is their peers opinions. With all due respect, I believe that as much as we want to be liked by our classmates, we want to be liked by our teachers even more. Teachers are people who are respected and educate you throughout your childhood and young adult life.
2
@Adam Larson I feel that yes, students have a major effect on other students in the way that they all interact with each other but teachers have an even bigger effect on the students. A teacher controls their grade, and for most students they want to get an A in the class. They can get their chances of raising that 89 to a 90 at the end of the year by showing the teacher that they are able to interact and be kind as well as implying themselves in class. Many students will make themselves out to be one person in front of a teacher to impress them which for the most part works. I see more of students feeling like they have to act a certain way with their teachers then around other students. However there are fake people everywhere and sometimes they never grow out of that phase.
I usually cannot be myself because I am busy with my work but during lunch I can be myself all I want
I don't really see myself in the texts we read at school. There'll occasionally be some book about a Middle Eastern girl but they never resonate with me. Teachers usually really accepting when it comes to different backgrounds. Students, however, will often make a remark or judge certain aspects of somebody's culture.
Teachers already create a vibe in the classroom and it's how they decorate their classroom, their teaching style, and their overall demeanor. I just wished they'd pay more attention to the vibe they set.
My language arts teacher makes us keep a journal that we write in every day or so. That's probably where my voice is heard the most but even when we do get projects based around poetry or projects that give a choice to write a poem/song, I still feel like it's disregarded. Teachers seem to encourage visual art more than literary art.
At the school that i go to, we can be ourselves in a way of being appropriate. Like any other school of course. But, there is not a lot of opportunities to show our talents though. Showing our talents is a way of showing people who we are. And yes, my school does make sure everyone feels welcome and appreciated.
School is the place where we define ourselves. In my opinion, there are pretenders and presenters. If your a pretender, you act like somebody who you are not outside of school; it is typically to try and impress your peers. I’ve been a pretender because I feel if I present my true inner self I will be misdeed in a negative way. I admire the people who show their true selves everyday and I one day hope I can be more open at school.
@Ashton, I agree this is a huge problem. There are ways where we can fix this and break through our fears. We have to have strength and courage.
One thing to think about is why care what others think. I mean we care now but why do we, they won't be with us for the rest of our lives. Their thoughts won't matter in the years ahead. We are living in the now, and we got to make the most of it.
For some people they want fit in so they act differently, some feel that they are going to be judged for being there self's because they think it weird to other people.
I think that school really changes who your are. People change you and you allow it to happen because you don't want to be the black sheep you want to fit in.
Many people don't realize that people like to fit in, so they change their appearance, personality and how they act.
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Before reading the article, I had a hard time noticing how my school doesn’t try to address cultural differences in the classroom. After hearing about the different ways other schools have tried to incorporate many different interests and cultures into the classroom, I would say that my school is not making a big enough effort.
People, including teachers, who say they aren’t aware of the cultural divisions within school, would be lying to you. Nearly all of my classes are organized in the same way with the same teaching styles. Although I feel accepted and comfortable in school, I know that isn’t the same for everyone.
I think Mr. Emdin’s initiative is pretty genius. He takes an interest of a large group of people and makes an effort to incorporate this into the classroom. He was able to use hip-hop to teach students science in 10 different New York City public schools. Genius. Not only is he making learning more interesting and appealing to students, he is also “giving students’ voice.”
Although it is near impossible for schools to address all cultures in a school, they should at least be making a greater effort to make it more interesting for more students from different cultures.
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@Reilly Johnson
I agree with you. Mr. Emdin’s program was extremely beneficial to many schools and to many students. Not only did it improve their learning, but it helped them to feel included and understood in their school environment. I think this is the initiative we need to see in all schools to improve the quality of learning and help students to feel included.
I feel truly thankful that I go to a school where I feel comfortable with expressing myself. The vast majority of students at my school are open-minded and curious. While there is always room for improvement in terms of accepting those of all backgrounds, I believe that we have made leaps and bounds in the right direction. For example, a few years ago I started a politically-affiliated club at my school. While it was an initially controversial move, our school administration and student body were able to accept the emergence of a new political club in times of great polarization. That really resonated with me; all students should have the privilege of feeling the same way.
I think it depends on where you go to school and where you live. In my experience, however, I feel that the particular community I live in and the environment of school is very rigid. There's certain stereotypes or "molds" that are like unwritten rules in which people are expected to fit into. My school is moderately diverse, but I feel that a majority of people are not able to completely express themselves, myself included. I find that if you try to 100% be your true self, others can be very discriminatory and judgemental. Especially toward minorities, it's shocking what people have the guts to say about those who may not look, feel, or think like them. I have never felt completely included and comfortable to express who I am in school, despite my efforts to "fit in".
@Ava
I agree, and this is a problem that needs to be addressed so that school can be a safer and more comfortable environment. I think teachers can do that. We need to talk about all the uncomfortable topics, and with that will come understanding and ultimately a sense of comfort. We don't have culture in schools, and so it's not "safe" to us. It's unknown and a foreign idea. If we get to immerse ourselves in another culture for even a day, we would just know better and expand our horizons. Our perspective would change. Mr. Emdin's hip-hop initiative, for example. That's such a harmless and fun way to learn about a different aspect of society that we all may not be familiar with. It brings a sense of appreciation and acceptance, besides, it's always good to know what's going on around us. It keeps us relevant and educated. School doesn't have to be boring. I mean, kids shouldn't be dragging their feet trying to get through the day just to go home and do even more work. It can be more than math and science and English and history. It can be relevant too, and Mr. Edmin has proved that idea, and other schools really should follow suit.
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I think everybody tries to be themselves in school, but it is hard to show everyone everything about yourself. People are can be so judgmental sometimes, and even if they don’t say it to your face they are likely to talk bad about you behind your back. I am guilty of being judgmental and I know so many other people are like that too. This is why I think a lot of people hide their true selves because they don’t want to be criticized for who they are. When I was younger I became really shy because I was scared of what people would say or think about me, so I just wouldn’t talk and then people thought I was weird, so in the end whether you voice your opinion for the whole school to see or just sit in the corner of the class someone is probably thinking bad about you, but I bet there is also someone who is thinking about how amazing you are, and you shouldn’t focus on people’s opinions who don’t even know what’s going on in your life.
@Anna Diab I completely agree with you. Though we really shouldn't be, we are often more concerned with what other people think, rather than what we want. Especially in high school, we encounter countless judge people every hour, including ourselves. The fear of being judged buy our classmates and peers stops us from really being ourselves. I don't think that there is anything wrong with reserving a little bit of your personality when you are around your classmates. The issue comes when students change their attitude and character because of others.
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This is a hard question to answer. At school there are many people of all different backgrounds beliefs and ideas but the question at hand is do we all fit in and feel like we can be our true selfs. For me I feel that when I’m with my friends at school whether it’s during lunch or in a class I can be my true self because my friends know me very well and I feel comfortable when I am around them.
@Olivia Cline I agree that this is a rather difficult question to answer. Even with what the schools do, I think everyone will suppress some aspects of themselves, with conformity and peer pressure being largely responsible for this. Many students fear being judged by their peers, so they will try to act just like everyone else. It doesn’t matter how much the school encourages diversity of thought, as long as the root cause is left unattended, students will continue to not feel like them whole selves.
Like you, I feel comfortable and like myself when I’m around my friends. I don’t feel like I have to be like them, and I don’t fear their judgement. Of course we can’t all be friends, but that level of comfort doesn’t exist with our peers, so we often fear their judgement. Most people couldn’t care less how we act or dress, but the strength of peer pressure will make us think otherwise. Being yourself is so challenging because social conformity is at its strongest in high school, mainly because students feel the most vulnerable. It’s interesting to see how younger kids act and how the schools don’t really do too much, but the students all seem to be themselves.
My school could do a much better job at nurturing the individual, especially with diversity of thought. We go from class to class, just absorbing the information, and never having the opportunity to even express ourselves. If a school could start the conversation, I think students would never let it end.
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Although my school makes feeble attempts to be inclusive I don’t feel that we can truly be ourselves at school. Often our classes focus on “colonist” history and our two main history courses offered focus on Europe and America. The inclusivity (or lack of) in classes often makes it hard to truly feel connected to what is being taught. Being your true self at school means you must be able to learn more about who you are as a person. The student body as a whole respects others but in general the atmosphere of inclusivity is often lacking.
@Ally U i agree!
In terms of expressing my whole self at school, I believe I am somewhat limited to a certain regard. For starters, school sometimes bogs us all down, whether it be for overwhelming workloads, after school activities, or just daily life that fogs up my and other students’ abilities to focus on what they love and thus express themselves to their fullest potential. I relate to this mostly through art. I love art and feel most authentically myself whenever I am drawing, painting, or taking pictures, school always seems to put the arts at the back-burner (which is a bigger issue in itself). Whether you like it or not, the common core curriculum leaves art in the dust, even though it is a legitimate career. In a world where I think most people around me seem to want to go into some sort of STEM career, I can’t help but feel that my career of choice is sometimes put on the back burner. In addition to that, issues involving race, white privilege, minority groups, etc. are often looked over. Going to a school that is not the most diverse, even though I am white, I have noticed that there are instances in which dilemmas and stances relating to these points are often overlooked, understated, and not necessarily pursued to the full investigation they ought to be. If certain individuals, including myself, cannot see our identity represented in history classes, discussed in english discussions, or just brought up naturally without backlash, how is full expression truly achieved?
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@William Hohe I agree with your position that art/music classes and career choices often get left in the dust. STEM is a major focus at our school. You also do a wonderful job at questioning the lack of representation at our school.
@William Hohe I agree with this. Sometimes the school environment can change my mood. Whether it's the work load, or the people around you, school can change you in a second. Multiple days i'll be perfectly fine when I enter a class, but when i leave, I'm leaving with homework to do all night and a bad attitude.
When at school how you act varies based off the classes you are in or the people you are with. Take gym class for example, you could be completely chill in gym and you could be with friends and lay back not worries good
@Luke Kaslewicz not worried about your other classes or failing the class, but then you could go to math and be super stressed out and have a totally different personality because you are trying to finish all the work that’s due. This also goes with groups because in school you are with so many people and you don’t like berthing in the school all the time so you act totally different based off if they are friends are not.
I've seen plenty of books in the library that are written by authors from diverse backgrounds and who also represent different perspectives. I've never read these books before but they're there. I sometimes see my own identity represented in the content that I study in school but it's rare.
In certain classes that teach about culture, identity and differences are when students are able to speak freely about these issues. In different classes, the teachers sometimes would get upset if they find students talking about it. I don't really feel comfortable speaking about these topics in school since there are a considerable amount of people who won't have an issue with twisting what I say into something else.
I don't really feel engaged by what I am studying in school because I just end up teaching myself the rest of the topic that is being taught in class on my own time. I do this since in a few of my classes the students like being disruptive. None of my classes feel relevant to my life as I do my own thing and none of the information that I learned in these classes would help me.
Most times I can be myself at school but then it also depends on the people I am with. I think like this because sometimes your with friends and other times you're with people you don't really like. When being with people I trust and know really well I can lay back and enjoy myself, even at school. When it comes to other people I don't really know that well I usually be a little more careful of how I act before I get to know them. In the end I feel like the answer to this response is a yes. I can act like my whole self even act school when im with people I know well.