Learning from Diversity and Social Identities
Description and Overview
This summer has allowed me to put theory into practice and gain experience in the societies that I read about in my classes. I am fascinated by the fields of sociology and anthropology because the social interactions between individuals and how that interaction influences the rest of society is something that intrigues me. Working with interest lawyer Mr. Gregg Volz this summer and helping him improve and implement Youth Courts, a restorative justice method that is practiced to disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline and as an educational and socialization tool, into under-resourced schools.
Skills Gained and Lessons Learned
The audience that is being targeted are those students whose school districts steal their education, more specifically Chester and the greater area of Philadelphia; more specifically Black students. Working with students with different identities than myself has taught me the skills and the power of listening, observing, and asking questions. In the beginning of summer, when I was traveling to these schools and absorbing the climate and culture of the school and the Youth Court, I was a guest, and recognizing myself as so and acting as a guest allowed me to observe the students in their true environment and habitat.
Impact and Importance
I learned that in order to teach effectively and efficiently--in order to truly reach these students--one needs to understand them, and this element of understanding can solely be achieved by listening, observing, and asking these children questions about them and their life.
This summer has allowed me to put theory into practice and gain experience in the societies that I read about in my classes. I am fascinated by the fields of sociology and anthropology because the social interactions between individuals and how that interaction influences the rest of society is something that intrigues me. Working with interest lawyer Mr. Gregg Volz this summer and helping him improve and implement Youth Courts, a restorative justice method that is practiced to disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline and as an educational and socialization tool, into under-resourced schools.
Skills Gained and Lessons Learned
The audience that is being targeted are those students whose school districts steal their education, more specifically Chester and the greater area of Philadelphia; more specifically Black students. Working with students with different identities than myself has taught me the skills and the power of listening, observing, and asking questions. In the beginning of summer, when I was traveling to these schools and absorbing the climate and culture of the school and the Youth Court, I was a guest, and recognizing myself as so and acting as a guest allowed me to observe the students in their true environment and habitat.
Impact and Importance
I learned that in order to teach effectively and efficiently--in order to truly reach these students--one needs to understand them, and this element of understanding can solely be achieved by listening, observing, and asking these children questions about them and their life.