Stakeholders in students' education should hold high expectations
for teachers to make every effort to connect with students. For
teachers to effectively teach all students, they must get to know
them—where they come from, what they like and dislike, and how they
will best engage with content.
Module Objective: In this module, you will
explore the perspectives of distinct pairs of students. By examining
each, you will learn how to better understand your own students—their
distinctive needs, aspirations, and challenges. Each case corresponds
with one of the student perspectives from Stephen Peters' "Do
You Know Enough About Me To Teach Me?"
Keisha & Marta
Like many students, Keisha and Marta have trouble adjusting to school
life. Read about Marta's experiences in the case "Invisible" and
the interview Stephen Peters has with Keisha (pp. 11-14). Then,
use the discussion and journal to further examine ways to reach
these students.
Case Study
Log out when
you are finished viewing the case to avoid conflicting
browser sessions. If you have trouble viewing the
case, please see the CaseNEX
login instructions.
- Go to www.casenex.com
- Enter this login into the green circle:
USERNAME: peters08
PASSWORD: demo
- To access the CaseNEX Case, scroll through the list of cases that appear once you login.
- To access the CaseNEX Virtual Library, click on class materials, The Virtual Library, Readings (search), and enter the title in the Search Title field.
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| Invisible |
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When Marta's mother can't take care of her any more,
she's forced to move in with her grandmother and start
over at a new school.
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the full case... |
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Discussion: What are the common issues that Keisha
and Marta face? Consider the perspective of Marta and describe
what you truly need from a teacher. Then, identify one or two students
you teach who are similar to Marta and Keisha. What actions have
you taken to truly understand address these students' needs?
Journal: In "Beyond School Promotion & Retention: Five Strategies that Work," the
authors argue that creating opportunities for meaningful and authentic learning
are key to academic success. Identify ways in which Keisha's favorite teacher
provides such opportunities. What actions could Marta's teacher take
to do the same, and what consequences might these have on Marta's learning
and attitude?
Marvin and Andy
Using the "Wake Up Call" case and the interview with Marvin (pp.
15-19), you will explore the similarities and differences between
Marvin and Andy, two students coping with extraordinary issues who
have the opportunity to excel given extra support.
Case Study
Log out when
you are finished viewing the case to avoid conflicting
browser sessions. If you have trouble viewing the
case, please see the CaseNEX
login instructions.
- Go to www.casenex.com
- Enter this login into the green circle:
USERNAME: peters08
PASSWORD: demo
- To access the CaseNEX Case, scroll through the list of cases that appear once you login.
- To access the CaseNEX Virtual Library, click on class materials, The Virtual Library, Readings (search), and enter the title in the Search Title field.
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| Wake Up Call |
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After a rocky beginning to his high school career,
Andy finds himself standing at a fork in the road.
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the full case... |
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Discussion: What similar issues do Marvin and Andy
face? Describe the actions Marvin's and Andy's teachers and
coaches take to understand and address these students' needs? What
seem to be the consequences of the actions of Andy's English
teacher and Marvin's coach?
Journal: In "Educating America's Youth:
What Makes a Difference," the authors
state that "encourag[ing] teens to participate in extracurricular
activities is related to positive adjustment, better academic
performance, and successful completion of school." Describe
how you might convince your students to take part in more extracurricular
activities. What consequences have you seen first-hand of
at-risk students involved in such activities?
Vanessa and Caroline
Although Vanessa is a very "popular" girl who has an "outgoing
personality"(pp. 21-25), she gets into trouble as well. Like Vanessa,
Caroline excels in certain areas, particularly school and ice-skating.
As they continue to excel, however, the pressures these two students
face, could potentially result in overload.
Case Study
Log out when
you are finished viewing the case to avoid conflicting
browser sessions. If you have trouble viewing the
case, please see the CaseNEX
login instructions.
- Go to www.casenex.com
- Enter this login into the green circle:
USERNAME: peters08
PASSWORD: demo
- To access the CaseNEX Case, scroll through the list of cases that appear once you login.
- To access the CaseNEX Virtual Library, click on class materials, The Virtual Library, Readings (search), and enter the title in the Search Title field.
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| Picture Perfect |
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Caroline makes it all look so easy. She skates competitively,
earns straight A's, and is popular, too.
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the full case... |
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Discussion: Compare and contrast the issues Vanessa
and Caroline face. What actions might Mrs. Livingston, the guidance
counselor, and Caroline's parents or teachers take to lessen these
two students' stress? Use the knowledge from the section
on "Implications for Programs and Policies" from "Educating America's
Youth: What Makes a Difference" to help shape your response.
Journal: Describe students you have like Vanessa and Caroline.
What issues do they face? Assume the perspective of
Mrs. Livingston and/or Caroline's parents and provide a letter of
advice to your student that addresses the consequences of
the student's actions.
Tyrone and Terrell
Both Tryone and Terrell have high hopes for the future. Tyrone
wants to be in the NBA and Terrell hopes to go to college. Neither
student, however, knows quite how to reach their goals. Examine
the interview with Tyrone (pp. 27-32) and the "Slam Dunk" case to
better your understanding each of student and the issues they face.
Case Study
Log out when
you are finished viewing the case to avoid conflicting
browser sessions. If you have trouble viewing the
case, please see the CaseNEX
login instructions.
- Go to www.casenex.com
- Enter this login into the green circle:
USERNAME: peters08
PASSWORD: demo
- To access the CaseNEX Case, scroll through the list of cases that appear once you login.
- To access the CaseNEX Virtual Library, click on class materials, The Virtual Library, Readings (search), and enter the title in the Search Title field.
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| Slam Dunk |
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Terrell isn't acting like his usual self, and his friend
Shauquan isn't quite sure why.
View
the full case... |
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Discussion: In "The Impact of Family Involvement," the
authors state that "studies of individual families show that what
the family does is more important to student success than family
income or education." What issues do Terrell and Tyrone face
with regard to their families? What consequences might occur
as a result of these problems?
Journal: Describe the involvement of your students' families
or guardians. What issues do you face as an administrator
or teacher in creating greater family involvement? Given the reading
of Tyrone and the case study and readings, what actions might
you take to better involve families or guardians in their students'
education? What might be both the positive and negative consequences of
involving families and guardians?
Culminating Workbook
In her work "Understanding and Working
with Students and Adults from Poverty," Ruby Payne states that
there are "hidden rules of the middle class [that] govern school
and work; students from generational poverty come with a completely
different set of hidden rules." Using knowledge from
Stephen Peters' text, case studies, and virtual library readings,
describe what you see as the "hidden rules" of these schools.
Consider the following questions: What issues do
students face being set in such a conflicting context? What are
the actions that
might result from such situations? What are the likely consequences of
those actions? Using your answers to the above questions,
create an action plan to better understand your students and the
families and communities from which they come.
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