Ms. Moreau's Literacy Blog

          The film "Class Dismissed" and research "The Academic and Social Value of Ethnic Studies" highlights the critical importance of incorporating ethnic studies into education to enhance the students engagement and success. The video talks about the relatively recent shift toward formal schooling. This idea was originally from the industrialization era to produce disciplined, productive workers. Traditional schooling is criticized for taking away a child's imagination and creatively into a "one thing fits all" situation. I think in todays world we know of all the different types of learners a student can be and how a student can be Gifted in math, but not reading. I think this school system we have in place can prevent a child from reaching their full potential because it does not cater to how every brain works and instead sticks everyone in school from the ages of 5-18 to complete a factory like learning style. I just feel like the school system...

     The Four I's of Oppression are ideological, internalized, interpersonal, and institutional. They provide a framework for understanding how oppression can happen at different levels of society and also how it impacts individuals' lives.      Ideological oppression comes from ingrained societal beliefs and values that often blank out "common sense." These ideas create strict boundaries such as the idea that a boy and girl should have certain behaviors and appearances. To go on it is the societal belief that pink is for girls and blue is for boys- when in reality colors do not define a gender. In the reading the author talks about how their childhood friend liked to wear boy clothes because it gave her comfort, but she was teased for it. That reminds me of the singer Billie Eilish and how for many years, and even still now, she wore baggier clothing instead of fitted clothing or dresses and the media thought she looked "too masculine." While I did no...

     Other People's Children by Lisa Delpit explore the themes of power, privilege, and authority in educational settings such as classrooms. Delpit highlights how power imbalances affect both parties. It is often unacknowledged by those who are in control (teachers and principals) and is deeply felt by those who lack that power (students). This becomes a red flag for educators to recognize and address these kinds of issues in their classrooms.      Delpit reflects on personal experiences in the text, such as when a Black graduate student felt ignored at a university that was predominantly white. Another example was a Black female teacher feeling like she was not being heard while teaching at a multicultural school. Even though their feelings of frustration were acknowledged, Delpit mentions to not make generalizations about race and how not all white individuals dismiss the voices of people of color. This further explains why it is important to create an ...

       The ideas in Alan Johnson's Privilege, Power, and Difference and the concept of S.C.W.A.A.M.P. (Straightness, Christianity, Whiteness, Able-bodiedness, Americanness, Maleness, and Property-ownership) both focus on recognizing which groups hold some sort of privilege in our society. Johnson emphasizes the importance of privileged individuals acknowledging their advantage, not to feel guilt or defensiveness, but to use their position to help those who are less privileged. Being defensive can prevent  progress because people in privileged groups do not think they have a role in promoting inequality. Due to the lack of action it prevents anything from actually being fixed. This gap can also create  fear, discrimination, and violence, and Johnson argues that we must acknowledge our privilege to fix this.      S.C.W.A.A.M.P outlines the dominant, idealized groups in society and helps identify the systemic advantages these groups have. Johns...

    My name is Leah Moreau and I am 19 years old; I turn 20 on September 25th! I just transferred to RIC from URI for severe and profound elementary special education. I got into special education when I did an independent study from 6th-12th grade in middle and high school and fell in love with teaching. I live at home with my parents and older sister and now I commute to RIC.     Over my summer break I went on lots of trips such as Lake Winnipesaukee, Martha's Vineyard, Outer Banks, and I went on my first cruise during my last week of summer. When I am not in class I like to read on my kindle or when it is nice out I am usually in my pool or at the beach. I also spend at least one day a week with my niece Luella who has become such a joy in my life and I love to watch her grow up.     I work at Papa Ginos five days a week during the school year and in the summer I continue to work there for one day while I work at an outdoor resta...