All of us, from time to time, have been guilty of making generalizations about a group of people based on our own experiences. While at a multicultural education conference in Maryland, I attended a great session that helped me understand that our brains are wired to quickly draw conclusions based on the perceptions we make from our own experiences. It is part of how we survive...quickly survey situations and decide if someone or something is a danger to us.
In our current world, we no longer have to worry so much about immediate threats to our safety. Yet, when working with people, we have to understand that everyone has a 'lens' that they view the world through and that we make quick judgements based on those perceptions... We also have that lens.We need to be aware of our own cultural lens and try to be aware and open to the idea that others have a different lens based on their experiences. We need to be open and share our own experiences and views so others understand us...but also realize that other people are using a different lens. While it was inappropriate to make generalizations about teachers based on age, let's move on. It wasn't personal.We all become one of those 'older' people soon enough and with time grow to understand that what is important is what is inside. I am one of those 'older' people and I would rather we move on to a productive discussion. ________________________________________ From: mosaic-bounces+jennifer.palmer=hcps....@literacyworkshop.org [mosaic-bounces+jennifer.palmer=hcps....@literacyworkshop.org] on behalf of jeanette hayden [jmhay...@gci.net] Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2011 11:49 PM To: Mosaic: A Reading Comprehension Strategies Email Group Subject: Re: [MOSAIC] title 1 reading - help Well you did offend many who, regardless of age, read the research, have strong convictions regarding reading instruction and have been fighting the battle many years. I won't even list my credentials, but I am over 60 and still kicking! On Oct 11, 2011, at 4:33 PM, Felicia Barra wrote: _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list Mosaic@literacyworkshop.org To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive
