Empowerment

[sophaking]

I was reading "What Is Feminist Pedagogy?" by Carolyn M. Shrewsbury before I interrupted myself just now to journal. I have to write about something that's been on my mind recently, something that involves the past, present, and future of myself and our society

Comments

[hoboscratch]

I don't think the fear of perpetuating a stereotype should matter if it's something you genuinely want to do, especially if your goal is to empower your students to bring about social change.

Growing up, I wish I had teachers who did what they do for social change, not for a steady paycheck in exchange for higher percentage scores on a statewide standardized exam. I only had one, in fourth grade, that ever seemingly broke out of the mold to teach us about the human impact on environment and what we could do, on an individual level, to lessen it. That was about it. It's pretty sad.

If I ever taught fourth grade, I'd introduce my students to Chomsky and have them learn how to tend a garden. Of course, I'd be out of a job within a week when little Billy's parents complain to the administration about how he called them sheep for watching 2.5 hours of television a night, but whatever.

[per_sis_tence]

There are teachers (as in, one of the default career options for women), and then there are Teachers who not only teach, but inspire a thirst for knowledge and to create change.

Some would say that my choice to attend law school is only feeding the stereotype that Jewish people in the USA are all rich lawyers and doctors and accountants, but I know that my reasons for pursuing this profession are unique to me. I want to empower people as you do, but through different means.

[sophaking]

Thanks for the law school comparison. It's interesting to think about your situation that way, and it's great to hear that you are in it to empower people!

[glowing_fish]

There is more types of power than just knowing how to build bridges and move pieces of metal or money around.

That is what I say.