"Troublemakers" Blog Post
The novel Troublemakers, by Carla Shalaby challenges the ways in which educators look at the stereotypically troublesome students in the classroom. By following four different students throughout their academic and personal lives, Shalaby examines what exactly prompts students to be "troublemakers" in the classroom, and how we, as educators, can best help those students.
In the lives of the students that are marked as "troublemakers," their family is often alienated from the school for many reasons. For example, Marcus' mother, who is the mother of the last student highlighted in the novel, intentionally distances herself and her family from the school. Unfortunately, schools often ostracize families because they have marked their students as troublemakers. Schools and teachers push families away, often times by creating events that are targeted toward more affluent families or forming negative relationships with parents. If teachers are unwelcoming to a family based on their student's academic or social performance in the classroom, the families will want to put distance between themselves and the school. Teachers can improve upon this by forming open and constructive lines of communication with the families, regardless of student performance, and increase opportunities for families to get involved in the classroom.
In the conclusion of the novel, Shalaby speaks about one's "educator identity" and how it is unique and individual to every educator. In terms of my personal educator identity, I hope to form meaningful connections with students and families, that is inclusive and open regardless of an individual student's performance. I think that it is important to stay away from placing harmful labels, such as "troublemaker," on students; instead, it is my goal to work to create a learning environment that works to best suit every student regardless of their learning needs, socioeconomic class, race, or any other personal trait that may affect a student's learning.
Overall, Shalaby's novel identifies many inherent faults in the current education system, and provides a deep look into why things need to change. In order for students to succeed in the current education system, it is important that teachers do not promote harmful labels or stereotypes in the classroom. By doing this, and working hard to create a flexible learning environment, it is possible that teachers will create the supports that students will need to succeed in both the classroom and personal life.
In the lives of the students that are marked as "troublemakers," their family is often alienated from the school for many reasons. For example, Marcus' mother, who is the mother of the last student highlighted in the novel, intentionally distances herself and her family from the school. Unfortunately, schools often ostracize families because they have marked their students as troublemakers. Schools and teachers push families away, often times by creating events that are targeted toward more affluent families or forming negative relationships with parents. If teachers are unwelcoming to a family based on their student's academic or social performance in the classroom, the families will want to put distance between themselves and the school. Teachers can improve upon this by forming open and constructive lines of communication with the families, regardless of student performance, and increase opportunities for families to get involved in the classroom.
In the conclusion of the novel, Shalaby speaks about one's "educator identity" and how it is unique and individual to every educator. In terms of my personal educator identity, I hope to form meaningful connections with students and families, that is inclusive and open regardless of an individual student's performance. I think that it is important to stay away from placing harmful labels, such as "troublemaker," on students; instead, it is my goal to work to create a learning environment that works to best suit every student regardless of their learning needs, socioeconomic class, race, or any other personal trait that may affect a student's learning.
Overall, Shalaby's novel identifies many inherent faults in the current education system, and provides a deep look into why things need to change. In order for students to succeed in the current education system, it is important that teachers do not promote harmful labels or stereotypes in the classroom. By doing this, and working hard to create a flexible learning environment, it is possible that teachers will create the supports that students will need to succeed in both the classroom and personal life.
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