School Organization

In order to serve students best, schools should be organized in a way that each student can feel as if they are a part of the community.
In order to do this, individual teachers need to collaborate with other teachers in the same grade to create a professional learning community amongst themselves. Then, teachers can create a community of learners within their own classroom by keeping thier room a safe place for children. By that, I mean that students will not be afraid to voice their opinions or give an incorrect answer. Giving students choices, cooperative learning experiences, and a good example will increase a sense of security within their classroom community.
Schools are already serving their students well, teachers can reinforce these ideas and help their students to increase the feeling of belonging and learning.

Disability Labeling

Labeling those with disabilites can be beneficial in identification and knowledge. However, it is also very damaging to those who are labeled. Labeling causes us to have a prejudgment in our minds about those individuals. Before we even meet a person who has been labeled as something, we have a preconceived notion of how that person will be. Whether that notion is true or not, we will treat those differently than the rest of us who are "normal". Labeling is a permanent stereotype that will haunt the person throughout most of his or her life.

Privileges

Because I am a white female, part of a dominant religious group, and around many of those in my social class, I have many privileges that I have failed to notice until recently. Some privileges I have realized are the following: I can be in company with those of my race or religion whenever I choose to. I can be sure that my neighbors will be pleasant towards me and all of my family. I can purchase a home in a nice community. I never have to speak for all of my race or religion. I can speak out against the government without the fear of being punished or cast out as an outsider. Finally, my race will not speak against me in cases when I have been pulled over or paid for a purchase with a check.
Because I am not a minority, I do not have access to specific scholarships. However, there are so many grants out there that I do have access to. This point seems almost comical when compared to some of the privileges minority students are excluded from.
I have all these privileges because I am part of the majority society where we live. I don't think anyone decided I can have these and others cannot, it is just how it is. Although it is unfair to others who come to live here, I do not think I would prefer to have it any other way. I don't think these privileges should be withheld from anyone, but I wouldn't like to have them taken away.

The Changing Family Structure

It seems as if when I was in elementary school everyone I knew had the same type of family I had. That is, all my friends had a normal family with both parents at home and siblings with the same last name. My aunt was divorced and raising her family alone, but I didn't know of any other families like that. Now however, I see students who come from all different types of families, not just single parent families.
I find it interesting that these days, it is inappropriate to tell your students to have them tell their parents something. Instead, you need to tell them to tell their guardian or whoever they live with. Students today come from all sorts of families and situations. Not only do we need to be careful when we tell our students to tell their guardian something, we also need to be aware when we read stories, have discussions, or show pictures about anything that has to deal with family life. The only way to incorporate each different family is to talk about them. However, I find it difficult to see myself discussing gay/lesbian parents with any student of mine. I guess the topic could just be avoided unless specifically brought up.