If I received a call to make suggestions regarding what
needs to be done in education, I would say the following. I would first say that schools need to move
away from testing. Children should be
gaining a holistic experience from their schooling, not being drilled on
memorization of information and their ability to bubble in correct answers on
tests. I would also say that there needs
to be a better way for teachers to be evaluated. Testing is not a fair measurement of a
teachers’ effectiveness as a teacher. I
would also suggest that when making decisions regarding educational reform, a
“big business” approach is not the best mentality to have. Schools are not businesses. Children should not be viewed as
“clients.” We need to keep the
children’s best interests at heart.
Rather than focus on testing, we need to focus on helping to shape and
mold them into well-rounded individuals.
Teachers should facilitate enthusiastic learning, in which children
construct their own knowledge.
Reading Ravitch’s work has been very educational for
me. After reading this book, I feel that
I have an informed understanding of the educational reforms that have been
implemented in our country. I applaud
Ravitch for her honesty. She admits that
her views and support for certain reforms have changed completely over
time. I enjoyed that ways in which she
educated the reader through her own experiences, revealing facts and
information about the reforms and how they either failed or succeeded.
Although I do feel that there needs to be major changes in
the American education system, I also know that I am eager to be a part of the
system. Would I love to implement change? Yes! Would I love to have a school run the exact
way that I want it to be run? Yes! But I know this is not realistic. At this point, I want my own classroom in
which I have the opportunity to deeply touch 20-30 students each year. Regardless of my devotion to testing that I
may not agree with, I am willing to work in the system and adhere to the rules.
The American education system is the way
that it is, I can only work my hardest to make the most out of it.
American Association of Health Education: Within this
website, there is a link that leads to a health journal publication which
specifically describes health education for classrooms K-12. There are a number of team-building,
educational lessons and activities that are engaging and fun for the classroom.
American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation
and Dance: (AAHPRD): AAHPRD is an
association that works to promote a healthy lifestyle through getting
individuals interested in physical activity, recreational sports and
dance. While researching this alliance,
I came across a number of conferences that I plan on attending in the future. This seems like an extremely positive
alliance that I plan to become more involved with as my research continues.
In the future….
I would like to see in the Bay Area:
1.
Girls on the Run
2.
Team LOLA headquarters
3.
Berkeley Community Gardening Collaborative
4.
Jessica Burns – SF Children’s Fitness Examiner
5.
Nutrition Project – The Bay Area Partnership
I would like to read:
1. “Child Health Nutrition and Physical Activity.” Editors: Lilian Chueng & Julius Richmond
2. “The Monster Health Book: A Guide to
Eating Healthy, Being Active & Feeling Great for Monsters & Kids!” Edward Miller.
3.
“Active Play! Fun Physical Activities
for Young Children.” Diane Craft
4. “Eat Healthy, Feel Great.” William Sears.
5. “Moving and Learning Across the
Curriculum.” Rae Pica.
I would like to investigate:
1.
Choosy Kids
2.
Eat Smart, Move More
3.
Parenting for Health
4.
Child and Youth Help
5.
Human Development Through Play
I would like to attend:
1.
Brain Gym conference
2.
Dr. Julian Reed speak
3.
“Let’s Move!” campaign event
4.
AAHPERD 2012 Southwest District Convention
5.
SPARK conference
I would like to see in the World:
1.
Head Start Body Start
2.
Let’s Move in the School
3.
Chefs Move to Schools
4.
Smart Start 2012
5.
PE Central
