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Here is my Vlog for this week. My vlog was about what critical issue that I feel will be most important in my classroom. Here is the link https://flip.com/s/iYvfnL4ACuPZ  I hope you all enjoy watching!

Flip Video: https://flip.com/s/iYvfnL4ACuPZ

Part 1: As we look more closely into our communities, it is important to create positive connections between both the students home, and the place of education. This week, we dove more closely into how establishing healthy parent-teacher relationships can go a long way into building safe environments by watching videos and reading interesting articles. Including the families in school activities and maintaining effective communication are two ways of achieving this. Through the implementation of an inclusive, transparent, and respectful culture, educators and parents can establish an uplifting and positively structured  atmosphere for all students.

In one of the articles from the module, we are taught 20 important tips for developing and possibly nurturing parents-student relationships. (Aguilar, 2011) teaches us interesting and useful tips such as leading conversations with good news and also communicating awareness to your class about the different kinds of families.

One of the videos we had to watch was the video “9 Ways to Communicate with Parents for Teacher”.  Again, this video steadily reinforces more ways that was a teachers can communicate with our parents. As previously mentioned before, promoting the quality of how you communicate with parents of students can help them succeed in the classroom. Not every parent or teacher will benefit from every method, so it’s critical to accept that one thing doesn’t work for everyone and keep trying different approaches until you find one that works best for everyone.

This past month, I was able to attend the board of education meeting on April 17th, 2024. I think it was important for me to be able to go and see members of my community work together to try and make our community a special place to live. The meeting mostly discussed revenue and salary based issues, as well as the passing and motioning of many different agendas. I thought I wouldn’t find the meeting interesting, but I think it is important for all people to go at least once, and see the people that are trying to make the community better for us.

Part 2

Lastly, I truly believe that communicating with families is super important to the classroom. As an elementary school teacher, showing parents your commitment to educating their students is crucial in building strong relationships.

For starters, when starting a new school year, possibly sending a welcome email just describing your plans for the year and putting some of the parents stress at ease. Another important idea for communicating with parents is consistent communication throughout the entirety of the school year. Parents will be able to know how their student is doing in all aspect of schooling at all times.

References

Aguilar, E. (2011, September 23). 20 Tips for Developing Positive Relationships with Parents. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/blog/20-tips-developing-positive-relationships-parents-elena-aguilarLinks to an external site.

https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/student-engagement/tools-tips/communicating-ell-families-10-strategies Links to an external site.

For this weeks blog, I will be discussing the use  of social media and cellular devices in schools. In my personal opinion, I believe that social media and cell phones have no place in the early stages of childhood development. However, as a student gradually matures and becomes more and more responsible, both of these factors may play significant roles in our society today.  It has been proven that social media, as well as the use of cell phones has ruined social interactions. For example, in schools, instead of engaging with each other and participating in class discussions, students may be more reliant on their phones, limiting opportunities for meaningful interpersonal connections and collaboration.

In the module for this week, I watched the documentary “Plugged-In: The Toxicity of Social Media Revealed,” directed by R. Willett, which really dove into the impact that social media plays in all of our lives around the world. One of the important ideas that the documentary highlights is the parallels between social media addiction and substance abuse. By using social media, you are unknowingly creating a false satisfaction in your mind, which ends up seeking constant validation and satisfaction. This can end up messing up the patterns of your brain especially from exposure at a young age.

In the article “Schools Say No to Cell Phones. But Is It a Smart Move?” , it dives into some of the benefits of social media and cell phones being banned from schools. In the article, it says that critics of cell phone bans might emphasize the educational potential of cell phones as tools for research, communication, and learning. They may argue that instead of outright bans, schools should focus on teaching students responsible and productive use of technology. Additionally, some critics may highlight certain situations, as not all students have access to the same resources outside of school. (Klein, 2019)

Overall, while I believe that cell phones and social media can have educational value when used responsibly and in moderation, the potential risks and drawbacks associated with their presence in schools are often not worth it.  Many educators and policymakers strive to create clear policies and guidelines that can positively promote responsible technology use and minimize disruptions to the learning environment.

References

Klein, A. (2019, September 6). Schools say no to cell phones. But is it a smart move?

Willett, R. (Director). (2019). Plugged-In: The Toxicity of Social Media Revealed.

For this week’s blog post, I will be discussing Stanfords lesson of prescription drugs and opioids, as well as the use of fentanyl. Opioids have been around for a very long time, as early as 3400 BC. Many cultures would use the plant as a pain reliever. Opioids are a class of drugs that includes prohibited substances like heroin as well as prescription medications that are legal and prescribed, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine. They lessen the experience of pain by attaching to opioid receptors in the brain, spinal cord, and other parts of the body. Although they are frequently prescribed to treat both acute and chronic pain, opioids come with a risk of addiction, dependence, and overdose. Opioids can have benefits such as pain relief, and sedation which can lead to euphoric sensations in your body.

Another common theme among opioid use is overdosing. Overdosing with any type of opioid an be harmful or even fatal. The phrase “opioid epidemic” refers to the high rise in opioid abuse, addiction, and overdose deaths that has occurred in many countries, especially the United States. The overprescription of opioids for pain relief, the availability of illegal opioids like heroin and fentanyl, and the lack of access to quality treatment for opioid use disorder are some of the factors fueling this epidemic.

To reduce the harm that opioids can bring into our lives, it is important that we become knowledgeable about how to treat and possibly eliminate the threat of addiction. The best way to reduce the risk of an overdose is to stay away from opioids unless they’re  prescribed by a doctor. However, if you are in a situation where you or a loved one is overdosing, it is important to have a narcan which can reduce the likely hood of you dying from opioids.

Overall, this lesson was both informative and a pleasure to learn from. I think that the slides were really well written, and described in detail the use of opioids what they do, and the treatment for possible addiction/overdose. I think the slides definitely could have used more information on fentanyl, as the lesson seemed to be lacking details on the fentanyl problem, which is huge in our country today.

References

https://med.stanford.edu/halpern-felsher-reach-lab/preventions-interventions/Safety-First/safety-first-lesson-9.html

For this weeks lesson, we discussed an introduction into mindfulness, a strategy that is used to learn about the emotions in your body, and also how to mediate your levels of stress. Here is the link to my flip https://flip.com/s/sD6ypcQFcS_u.

Link to Aura: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/aura-meditation-sleep-cbt/id1114223104

Link to Documentary: Room To Breathe 

References

Long, R. (director/ producer). (2012) Room To Breathe [film]. ZAP Zoetrope Aubry Productions.

Schwartz, K. (2019). Nine ways to ensure your mindfulness teaching is trauma informed.

References: 

Manhasset-union-free-school-district-111189

Manhasset Demographics and Statistics – NicheNichehttps://www.niche.com › Places to Live › Manhasset

https://www.zillow.com/home-values/25725/manhasset-ny/

https://www.bestplaces.net/housing/city/new_york/manhasset

Cartoon Earth Shows Empty Pockets And Poverty. Royalty Free …

In our society today, poverty is among one of the biggest problems that places in America face, especially children that are trying to get an education. overty can lead to inadequate nutrition and healthcare, which can affect children’s cognitive development and ability to concentrate in school. Chronic health issues can also result in frequent absences, further disrupting education. It is important to recognize certain themes of poverty in education, as we must do our best to try and make the best of the situation for all students. It is clear that the student may be affected by a poverty stricken lifestyle, because of the lack of resources that are provided for the child. “Students experiencing homelessness have the right to enroll in school, even if they are missing paperwork that is normally required for enrollment, such as a birth certificate, proof of residence, previous school records, or immunization or other medical records. Homeless students have the right to enroll in their local school or stay in their school of origin, whichever is in their best interest. If attending their school of origin, they have the right to receive transportation to and from the school of origin” (Cai, J. (2020, July 27).

For this week’s lesson, I had to identify themes in both the documentary and the readings. I think the two prominent themes are struggle and resilience. Both present themselves within the life of poverty. The film looks at the challenges these young people have in getting a high school education and then follows them after they graduate to concentrate on the critical juncture when the school system dissolves and homeless youth struggle to find the community and support they need to survive and become self-sufficient. Throughout the film, the three students struggle as a result of the influence of the poverty around them. However the teenagers in the movie exhibit incredible resiliency and a strong will to finish high school in spite of enormous obstacles. They exhibit bravery and tenacity in overcoming a variety of challenges, such as trauma, poverty, and institutional barriers. (De Mare, A., & Kelly, K. (Directors). (2014).

In the article, Homeless Students in Public Schools Across America: Down but Not Out Links, struggle is seen throughout many examples in the article. In the article it says, “Geographically, three out of four homeless students live in cities (47%) and suburban areas (32%).  In the 2018-19 school year, approximately 77% of homeless students lived in doubled-up or shared housing (i.e., temporarily sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or other reasons such as domestic violence); 12% lived in shelters, transitional housing, or awaiting foster care; 7% lived in hotels or motels, and 4% unsheltered (ex. living in cars, parks, campgrounds, temporary trailers) Cai, J. (2020, July 27).

Lastly, we were also asked to chose a book and a song based on the topic of the blog. The song that I think goes along with the theme struggle is the song “Rock Bottom” by Eminem. At 29 years old, Eminem talks about his own personal struggles with his life, and his own mental health. The book i felt that showed resiliance is thew book Wonder. This novel discusses a story about a boy, who at first struggles with bullying due to his facial features, rises up and becomes a good friend and a good person by staying resilient and persevering through his struggles. Both of these relates to the students in the documentary and the article because the students in the documentary had to struggle, whether it was personal, or a financial situation, just like how Eminem describes in his song, and also how the book describes Auggie’s life.

More info on books and song

wonder-r-j-palacio.html

References

http://www.nysed.gov/essa/mckinney-vento-homeless-education Links to an external site.

Cai, J. (2020, July 27). Homeless Students in Public Schools Across America: Down but Not OutLinks to an external site.. National School Boards Association. https://www.nsba.org/Perspectives/2021/homeless-students

De Mare, A., Kelly, K., & Taber, K. (Producers), & De Mare, A., & Kelly, K. (Directors). (2014). The homestretch

For this weeks blog, I was given the task to talk about and further discuss the main ideas of mental health, and why it is important. A significant childhood trauma can take many different forms, including abuse, neglect, natural disasters, experiencing or witnessing violence, and up to two thirds of children in the United States may experience one of those following things. Perhaps the biggest public health concern affecting our kids now is trauma. Students who have experienced trauma are particularly likely to struggle with self-control, have negative thoughts,  and who are also hypervigilant. Many may find it difficult to trust adults, and engage in inappropriate social interactions. Many students may lack the skills necessary to communicate their feelings in a healthy way, expressing their distress instead through avoidance, aggression, shutting down, or other unsettling behaviors. In some situations, educators don’t know what’s causing the student’s behavior, these actions can come across as hostile, which can result in miscommunication, ineffective interventions, and lost instructional time. With that being said, I did my slide on the disorder “Psychosis”. One of the most important thing I learned is that psychosis is more of a broader term for many well known disorders such as severe depression. schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and schizoaffective disorder.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1i4ctpdFa7gGzEd-iXUIQDCYlkEdqxW8Pp5Sab5QslXE/edit?usp=sharing

References

Cardoza, K. (2016). For kids, anxiety about school can feel like ‘being chased by a lion’.  NPREd. Links to an external site.

Conditions. (n.d.). National Alliance on Mental Health.  

This is my flip link for this weeks vlog! https://flip.com/s/C1TsGPWuCpHa

Enjoy!

References

https://www.commonsense.org/education/articles/teachers-essential-guide-to-cyberbullying-prevention

https://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/tips-for-teachers

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