Teach Out Reflection

 Teaching out Through Student Voice

Before even beginning to think about my teach out project this semester, I had seen a video on TikTok where students shared something positive that happened to them that week. I loved the idea and I was hoping to create something similar with my teach out project. Due to the parameters of the project I could not directly replicate the idea in some capacity, but I could use it as my mode of communication. The use of student voice is empowering from many different angles. The first being for the students who are given a voice. For one of the few times in their early life, their voice matters and will be heard by adults. The second being for adults because students are being vulnerable and sharing what truly matters to them given a circumstance. In keeping student voices in mind, I wanted to create a video where students shared their thoughts about Renkley and Bertolini’s “Shifting the Paradigm” that would then be shared for academic discussion amongst faculty. I wanted to follow Renkley and Bertolini’s idea of using an asset based model. Yes, I have a voice and can share what they wrote about, but students have an even larger voice in the matter as it directly relates to their lives in the classroom. 

The project was developed into a two part process. In the first part, the student response video, I initially started by giving the students a summary sheet about what the message in “Shifting the Paradigm” is trying to present to the reader. In the next part, I asked students to analyze the summation by reflecting on what has happened in their own lives, either about when an individual used the students' assets, or a way that our school could better use their assets. The questions were broad so students could explore many facets of why assets are important. Upon reflection, I think students misinterpreted the question and manifested a reflection that would be more deeply rooted in Khan’s “The Broken Model”. When students conducted their analysis through reflection, I first had the students jot down their thoughts and ideas on a paper before recording themselves. Many were reluctant to video themselves, but I had roughly eight students who ended up volunteering either their own response or another student's response. Once the students recorded their thoughts, I took the footage and uploaded it into Capcut to make a short video of their messages. I wish that my editing skills were better so that the volume could have been more regulated and it would be easier to hear the student’s voices. Once the video was composed I had what I wanted to share with the faculty members at my school. At our most recent faculty meeting I shared the following elements with staff members; summary and reflection questions and student video. With the insight that the students provided, we summarized a few of their main points. I then pushed the idea further and asked my faculty members to think deeper about what the students presented. We worked in small groups and completed a thinking hats brainstorming activity. Normally there are six thinking hats, but I shortened it to only four hats. The brainstorming tasks for each hat are as follows; solution, constraints, impact and actionable. Within each hat the faculty members identified potential solutions to what students presented and what are some constraints that are stopping the solution to effectively work. Then each group had to think of the impact for making the change or continuing what was currently happening and what were some actionable steps that they could make tomorrow to begin creating the solution. Groups worked for roughly ten minutes brainstorming and jotting down their thoughts. At the conclusion I asked one group to share out their thoughts for others to hear their insight. Our conversation ended there but I left them with the message of what can we do better or continue to do well to ensure all of our students are having the best experience possible. I was hoping that the activity and perspective was interesting and actually meant something to our faculty. There were two teachers who came in to tell me that a did a really nice job and that they appreciated experiencing something different from the norm of our faculty meetings. 

Although some things were positive there were also some negatives following the meeting. Some of my team teachers (teachers that I share students with) had sent a video in our group chat of students playing duck duck goose. They then followed it up by saying “who looked the least athletic”. To which another teacher replied “I think we need to turn it into an asset”. I am thinking this was meant to be a joking/snarky reply based upon the level of interest the two teachers showed at the meeting. It is unfortunate that some teacher took the perspective and ideas as a joking matter rather than something genuine that could positively impact the lives of students. I did not entertain the idea which was actually probably worse than saying something because I let it slide. 

That moment was not the only negative unfortunately. Prior to presenting the student video to our faculty, my principal walked in around lunchtime and leads her conversation off with we need to change the video. I looked at her confused because I was unsure as to what the problem was. She then proceeded to say that what two students had said did not follow the agenda of the message we were trying to deliver. I almost went bug eyed. In my head I am thinking, “Doesn’t fit the agenda, I did not know there was an agenda. The whole purpose of the project is to create a space for students to share their genuine opinion”. She then continued by saying that the topics that the students were talking about have been dealt with and that they shouldn’t be discussed further. To which I wanted to reply, “Well if the students are still sharing it out, then it hasn’t been dealt with correctly because they still see an issue with their experience at the school”. The principal then closed her statement that we should still talk about their perspectives just the two of us because they are important. Hmmm? She seemed to contradict herself because just earlier she said it was not ‘part of the agenda’ meaning it didn’t hold value. In the end, I was passive and changed the video because as a first year teacher, I was unsure of what would happen if I said no. Wouldn’t you know it, her and I have yet to sit down about the two voices that were silenced. I intend upon following up with her as soon as possible because my students voices do matter and their opinions hold value in the discussion of improving our schools.

We all think differently

The header for the article reads “What is Neurodiversity?” and I pondered the question knowing I had heard the word before but could not recall where. Upon further reading of the Child Mind Institute article, I recalled that I had seen and used the word in an undergraduate special education class. The article argues that the word neurodiversity takes many shapes depending upon how the person or people using the word define the term. In a general sense the word is defined to describe an individual's differences in how their brain works. The term is mainly used to describe individuals with ADHD, autism, and learning disabilities, but may take any form as it relates to one’s thoughts. Although the word exists, I rarely hear it in practice. On documentation for students we will still use the word autism or ADHD. Why haven’t schools shifted to using the words neurodiverse and in parentheses defining what the individual's specific neurodiversity is? What is the pushback? When will the shift occur, will it ever? 

One of the main quotes that stuck out to me was as follows, “Instead of thinking of people with autism or ADHD as needing to be ‘fixed,’ we put a spotlight on things that they’re good at and help with things that they’re working on” (Miller, 2026). When reading this quote, it immediately took me back to “Shifting the Paradigm”. We are furthering the idea of identifying students strengths to also their abilities. A student being neurodiverse should not serve as a deficit but rather an asset to their learning in new ways. I think many times teachers want to “fix” the neurodivergent students to conform to the “normalities of school”. I use quotes with that term because who defines the normalities, those in power. Asking a student who is neurodivergent with ADHD to sit for an hour is not using their strengths. A child with ADHD may need to get up and move around, this could include passing out materials, doing a portion of a lesson with a teacher, having the students model an expectation. There are so many opportunities to use the students' neurodiversity as a strength rather than a downfall to their learning. The previous statement is extremely overgeneralized and may not be true for all students with ADHD, so instead we should learn how a student’s diagnosis of ADHD impacts their learning. 

The article touches upon the idea of the environment. The article reads, “That’s why another focus of the movement is to encourage changes in environments … — to make them more welcoming and open to those who think, process and learn differently” (Miller, 2026). When you walk into a school many times the environment is not ideal for a neurodiverse student. Most rooms have bright lights, hard desks, and strict time frames. This makes learning hard for many individuals. I think there are many ways to combat this and I see some of them implemented and others that fall to the waistside. Flexible seating is a great option for many neurodiverse students. I know that I could not sit at a ceramic desk all day. Adjustable lighting so a teacher can adjust how bright the lights are in the room. It does not need to look like Lasalette (RI natives you get me) when you walk in. Lastly, flexible due dates within reason. I think that due dates and being timely is an important life skill, but how can we make it more approachable for neurodiverse learners? I don’t necessarily have an answer, but it is a good question to ask and brainstorm about.  

An interesting perspective from the article was the stance on using the word neurodiversity to describe one’s own individual thinking approach regardless if you have a diagnosis. I think with this stance, all individuals would be neurodiverse to some degree which is rather fascinating. I think that idea highlights the importance of the word. Being neurodiverse should not represent a stigma but rather it should be something that one is proud of. Immediately when you hear the word ADHD or autism you gain a perception of an individual even if you do not know the person. When we use the word neurodiverse, you lose the stereotype of what an individual with neurodiversity looks, talks, and acts like. Since neurodiversity is so broad it breaks the cycle of stigmatizing a word. I hope to see the word implemented more regularly throughout the school environment in both documentation and in conversation. 

 

ICE OUT

 

The Rethinking Classrooms magazine titled “ICE out of Schools” carries a very relevant emphasis on the damage that immigration policy is putting on communities across the country. The initial prescript notes that the existence of ICE has been around for nearly a decade removing immigrants in rather inhuman ways. As presented by the authors, they say “For too long both Democrats and Republicans have treated immigration as a security issue rather than a human one, steadily expanding the power of ICE and Border Patrol” (Rethinking Schools, pg.6). Immigrants are not pawns in a political chess game, they are human beings who have lives inside our country. With that, it is important that members of the community know their rights. There is a large onus across the article about educating members of the school community and beyond. When ICE comes knocking on the doors of immigrants it is imperative that they know what their rights are and how they can defend themselves from unlawful arrest/capturing. 

Something that the article makes relevant is how school teachers come together to support their community in so many different ways. I think this is why we all love our profession and being able to support students and their families. The unfortunate truth is that the reason behind why teachers came together in support is through fear. When looking at the Los Angeles teachers who formed the Harbor Area Peace Patrol, it wasn’t until fear was knocking at the doorstep (their child’s daycare) when they knew they needed to take action. Through their outreach for help, they created more than just a patrol, they created a support system for so many individuals who would instead live scared and isolated not knowing what would come next for them. The systems of support allowed for families to receive groceries from the $16,000 raised helping them during rather unsettling times. Analyzing this model is remarkable and it makes me wonder how we can support families to a greater extent. A perfect example is when the teacher Ross Irons created the cooking class. She knew that individuals needed a safe space to talk freely about what was happening in regards to ICE, but she shaped it in a more inviting way. Yes, there was an opportunity to converse but it also brought members of the community together to share a fun event in a time of fear. This is powerful and we as educators should take note. 

One powerful quote that has stuck with me is the following, “It brought to mind an old expression: La maestra luchando también está enseñando — the teacher who is fighting is also teaching (Rethinking Schools, pg.12). This is a very deep statement and I want to try and unpack it from my perspective. The use of the word fight does not mean physically with fists, but rather through actions and words. The use of fight should not come across negatively, the use of fight in the context of the quote and situation is defending what you believe in. Defending may look different for everyone but I think defending means that as Dr. Bogad says “dying on that hill”. Regardless of what anyone says against whatever the belief may be, you won’t step down. This shows many things, the first being resilience which is powerful to the eyes of anyone watching. Resilience in the sense that you won’t back down and you will do anything in your power to push on and make an impact. Second, it creates an example for students to follow and a positive one at that. When we show how strong our voices can be, it enables students to feel like theirs can also be heard. This is what sparks change and the creation of genuine communities where people are there to support one another. The last segment that reads “... is also teaching”, means teaching through action. This may come in many different forms. In the article teaching was literally teaching people about their rights, but it was also peacefully protesting, raising money and creating systems of support. What the members of the LA patrol were teaching, was what it means to support in times of need. Teaching doesn’t always have to be curricular, it can be about humane topics or what it means to be a member of an equitable society. I think this is something that is lacking in the state of our world right now, teaching people how to be humane and just through action. One small ‘teaching’ moment can have a ripple effect that ends up creating a wave.

More than just numbers

 The problem with story problems

For this week's blog post I picked the following article out of one of Rethinking Classrooms Magazine series titled “The Problem with Story Problems”. I have linked the entire article above if anyone would like to read. Immediately when I saw the title I was dragged in. As a math educator countless times I have asked where I can make an impact in students' lives as it relates to social injustices in the field of mathematics. I understood my role as a member of a school community but I always struggled with my role in math. This article helped me to find where I could integrate conversations about social injustices in my classroom. The answer is word problems. One of the beginning quotes in the article reads “...too often the assumptions inherent in story problems perpetuate consumerism, reinforce racist and sexist stereotypes, and maintain classism and unsustainable approaches to the Earth” (Bright, pg. 15). This led me to start thinking in what ways? What types of problems are these scenarios created? How can students become aware of the injustices being asked of them to solve? 

So often word problems ask the question of buying or consuming items. The basic one we ask students in grade one goes along the lines of, “You have $20 to spend at the store which of the following things can you buy given these prices”. There would be a list of items and students would pick based on the money that they had. It seems harmless and something a student would think to do with birthday money or allowance money. Yet, it empowers the idea of consumerism and economic status. From a young age students are being pressed into the idea of always spending money to buy new and improved things. Save save save to spend spend spend. We are indirectly encouraging kids that they need to spend the money that they have. One of society's structures, that the more things you own the better off you are, the higher you rise on the totem pole. Not only does the problem encourage consumerism, but it also glosses over economic status. Student’s families may not have $20 to give their child to buy items at the store for leisure. The families of the students may need all of their earnings to pay the bills because they are just making ends meet. This would make the problem completely irrelevant for some students and not approachable in solving. Yet, those of us in power would think nothing of the word problem. 

The example and scenario I have provided above is just one example that you see countless times in math textbooks. Consumerist driven questions where students are being asked to consider spending money on particular items. Many times the items are not needed items, but they are wants or leisure activities. Another example that came from the article reads, “An orange grower in California hires migrant workers to pick oranges during the season. He has 12 employees, and each can pick 400 oranges per hour. He has discovered that if he adds more workers, the production per worker decreases due to lack of supervision. When x new workers (above the 12) are hired, each worker picks 400 – 2x2 oranges per hour” (Bright, pg. 16). The second I read this problem my mouth gaped. I am unaware of the year in which this story problem came from and how relevant it is to textbooks currently. This problem explores how to undermine already oppressed workers by paying them low wages for their hard working efforts. It leads the reader to begin thinking that the owner's objective is to maximize profit at the expense of dehumanizing migrant workers. There is an additional snippet from the problem that poses the idea that migrant workers are untrustworthy. It is creating stereotypes that the reader will begin to own as truth when in reality it is completely inaccurate and faulty information. It goes back to Johnson’s privilege and power. The story problem is naming a stereotype that exists and is enabling students to perpetuate the idea back into society in other potentially more harmful ways.

I was nosy to see if the curriculum I use in my school had word problems that enabled social injustices. It did not take me long to find one example. I am sure that there are countless more and more than I would ever hope to find. The one I found reads, “Meredith is given a $50 monthly allowance to buy lunch at school. Any remaining money can be spent on entertainment. Meredith would like to have at least $12 left at the end of the month to go to the movies with her friends”. The problem continues on with how much a lunch costs and poses the idea of how few lunches can she buy in order to have enough money left over. This implies that students would know what it feels like to have an allowance of $50. I am not sure about anyone else but I sure know that I didn’t get a $50 monthly allowance, regardless of if it was for lunch. The problem is also encouraging the idea of malnourishing your body in order to go see a movie. Something isn’t right about that. We know that eating disorders is one of the leading causes of death in adolescents and this word problem is encouraging just that. All at the expense of being able to spend money on leisure activities enabling consumerism. 

Having seen this problem and the misleading damage it may cause to adolescents makes me think about what next. What can I do to change this? Well I could just not use that problem, whip my hands clean and move on. Until I come to another problem and another and so on until now it becomes irrelevant to even use the curriculum. The article poses a better solution. We ask students to think critically and create a space for students to say “Wait, that’s not right” or “This problem reinforces (insert social injustice)”. In order for students to be able to name these ideas, it requires the educator to model first. There should be a lesson that talks about what our math word problems really convey to us. What is our role as the mathematicians to change these problems so that they are more equitable for us to use in the classroom. I think this is where we can give students a voice and allow them to speak on the wrong doings of those in power. They can name that what exists in their math word problem is not okay. As a result, we (educators) can instead empower our students to rewrite the problems to fit a more just world that we want to exist in. There is one final quote that I want to end with from the article that reads, “As mathematics educators, we’ve been encouraged to ignore many things. We’ve been taught that we are exempt from responsibility—that math is value-free” (Bright, pg. 19). Math is clearly not value free and instead the wrongful, persuading ideas of those in power can be shaped to better educate students mathematically and as better human beings. 

Teach Out Project Proposal

 CHOOSE A TEXT:

Review your whole blog to remind yourself about what we have read so far in class. What texts have stayed with you so far? What articles inspire you?  What topic matters most to you in terms of your own work? Are there any of these texts that you would like to share with others in your life? 

For my teach out project I have decided to use “Shifting the Paradigm from Deficit Oriented

Schools to Asset Based Models: Why Leaders Need to Promote an Asset Orientation in our Schools” by Renkly and Bertolini. As a middle school educator I felt that the article targeted a subset of students who truly need impactful teachers to highlight their strengths. Many times we forget that the students bring so much to the table. With an emphasis to cover curriculum, the strengths of students get pushed under the rug. The goal of an educator is to target the strengths of all students to ensure their learning is supportive of their abilities and this tends to fall to the waste side. Our school has put a recent emphasis on student behavior and how we can correct it. Rather than correcting by reprimanding, shifting our approach to students' assets may prove more effective. We play a pivotal role in student’s lives and it's time that we play a positive role rather than a negative role.  

WHO DO YOU WANT TO SHARE WITH?

Are there people in your life with whom you would really like to talk about these texts? Colleagues? Students? Family members? Friends? Children?

My initial sharing of the article will be with my current 8th grade students. When looking at assets, a student's voice is the perfect starting point. The adults always think they have the right answers, but many times it’s the students who create real change. I think students deserve to be aware of the asset model and why it is influential in their success as a learner. By sharing the article with students, it will allow them to be reflective of ways in which their assets have been highlighted and the impact that played in their success. On the contrary, students who did not have a positive experience in the past may reflect differently and be able to share the detriments it has caused their growth in learning. From this, I am hoping to share with faculty how students respond. Rather than me speaking on my beliefs, I think it is more meaningful coming from the students they educate everyday. I am hoping that it will cause a shift in instructional approaches that faculty take and create a better learning environment for all students. 

WHAT FORMAT MIGHT WORK FOR YOU?

Individual interview? Small group discussion? Art activity? Professional development workshop? Poster for your office? Pamphlet to share? Lesson plan? Etc?

At the conclusion of a summary about the article, students will be asked to respond to the following prompt; “Think about a time when a teacher, coach, or another adult in your life noticed something you were good at rather than focusing on a mistake you made. How did that make you feel, and how did it affect the way you showed up in that class or activity? If your teachers decide to focus more on your strengths and talents instead of your struggles and test scores, how might it impact your learning? What is one specific change you would want your teachers or school community to make that would help you feel more seen, supported, and motivated to learn? Or, what is something that a teacher, coach, or another adult has done to support your strengths that every teacher should incorporate in their classroom?” Once students have formulated a response, they will then be asked to share the ideas in front of a camera. Their responses will be used to create a video that will be shared with the members of our faculty. The video will serve as a driving force in creating ideas of simple ways we can change one thing that we do to highlight student strengths on a regular basis. 

Empty Promises: What are we really doing?

 Looking at the scope of sex and gender in school environments as it relates to policy was extremely eye opening to me this week. After reading through both RIDE and Providence School Districts Policy I found myself still asking a lot of questions. Both policies, similar in their descriptions, lay down the framework of the expectations of how schools should support student’s gender identity or transgender student’s (I don’t like my wording of this, students should be before transgender, but I did not know how to properly word), but this is where the questions begin. What is actually happening beyond the policy? What are administrators, faculty and other students doing to support ALL students? The policy at face value is great, but what is actually happening to allow students to feel safe? 

This feels like another educational trend where we slap a big policy on something, wipe our hands clean, and say we did it. It’s like putting duct tape on the old leaky pipe, yeah it fixes it for the moment, but the leak is still going to happen, and the functionality hasn’t changed. Yet, we would claim we fixed it. Will students' behaviors change? Will students be more educated and better equipped to support their peers? 

I decided to investigate what my school is doing as it relates to policy for students as it relates to gender and sexuality. After a google search and a little investigation, I learned that my school's policy mirrors that of the department of education. There is no write up of specific guidelines as it pertains to the composition of our school district. As I read through the short policy, I came to the end where it says that the policy will be reviewed and updated every two years from the previous adoption or amendment date. The most recent adoption date as noted in the policy is 2018. That means the policy has not been amended to any length beyond its adoption. Is it just me or is there a problem with that? 

This trickles back to my earlier point that, well we checked the box back in 2018 so we are good. A lot has changed in 8 years as it relates to gender and sexual identity, and two large scale political battles relate to transgender athletes and guidelines as well as bans on youth and adult gender medicine. As more policies and guidelines are being put in place at a larger scale, locally things stay the same. So what change is actually happening?

That question relates to the article “Queering our Schools”. Following the events that happened to Sasha the student from Oakland, their parents didn’t want law and order, they stressed educating. Being reactive rather than proactive won’t necessarily stop future scenarios like what happened to Sasha. How can everyone work together to educate youth so that their behaviors actually change? When looking at behaviors we know that there is some external route cause whether that be trauma or learned behavior. In what ways can we shape that behavior through discourse regarding the subject. I watched the video named in the article It's Elementary although dated, I found it very interesting. In the video teachers are asking young elementary students what does it mean to be gay or lesbian. The plethora of knowledge students shared was fascinating. It is worth the 4 minute watch.

A quote from the article reads, “Talking about “bullies” makes it seem like an individual problem and glosses over homophobia, sexism, racism, Islamophobia—all the critical issues that underlie conflicts among children and adults” (Rethinking Schools, pg.23). The point that the authors are making is that it is not just one behavior but it is a societal issue that continues to perpetuate itself from generation to generation. This relates back to Johnson’s article of Privilege, Power and Differences, where groups who are unprivileged and don’t hold power as created by those in power continue to be oppressed. Until we dig out the root, the weed is still going to grow back. Creating a policy is just picking the flower off. The root still exists and the flower will grow back and plague the rest of the garden. 

I feel like I have asked a lot of questions and named that policy is not enough, but I do not know how to defeat the challenge. I myself am not educated enough to know what the solution is. I do know that educating students is important and having real conversations. Glossing over the topic is not going to fix the problem. For me where the question really comes in is where do I fit gender and sexuality into Math? How does it connect to the curriculum? Could I create a project based learning activity around gender and sexual identity? What does that look like? I have a role in the system, but knowing what exactly it is I have not answered.     

   

What it looks like creating a policy with no actionable steps to make students lives better

My way is right, your way is wrong...

 Argument Statement: Delpit argues that there exists what she defines as a ‘culture of power’. When she gives meaning to the phrase she defines it as the codes of languaging established by white, middle and upper class people. A language that is coined as proper and the correct way to speak and express oneself. Delpit says that although this language must be taught as it has been institutionalized, educators must not forget about the home language and cultures that students bring to the classroom. 

When I first read through Delpit’s article, I struggled to grasp her purpose. It was not till later in the article that I began to grasp what her message was. It began to be clear that she was not arguing against the ‘culture of power’ but instead that since it exists, everyone must be explicitly taught what it is. She makes it clear that although she may not support the way in which it is used to marginalize individuals, she does recognize that it has been institutionalized and to not explicitly teach it to students would be a disservice for their future. 

Talking Points

Delpit argues that there is a standard that has been institutionalized by those in power (white, middle/upperclass, christian, straight, etc…) that relates to language and behaviors or actions. Her second statement as it relates to the ‘culture of power’ says, “There are codes or rules for participating in power; that is, there is a culture of power”( Delpit, pg. 25). When Delpit uses the word ‘codes’ she is referencing the arbitrary unwritten rules of how to behave in society. These rules or codes became ‘normalized’ into existence by those in power. There is nothing to say that they are correct or superior, but if you do not follow them, then society looks down upon you. 

Delpit pushes this concept further to say that it also exists in education. Some students may not come to school with said codes as they were never inherently taught them based upon their cultural background. So when teachers say, “Why is Jimmy always talking over other students? Why doesn’t Sam sit in her chair properly? Why don’t these students know how to follow rules?” The real statement or question should be, “How can I teach students the codes that society has normalized, but also keep students' home codes?” This is where the culture of power bleeds into schools. In order to be successful in a career and life it is imperative that students know the codes of power. Delpit says, “ …If schooling prepares people for jobs, and the kind of job a person has determines her or his economic status, and therefore, power, then schooling is intimately related to that power” (Delpit, pg. 25). This is where the backlash stems from. Regardless of race, parents want to see their students successful and those who do not own the ‘culture of power’ understand that their child must be taught it explicitly. As Delpit notes, many white liberal teachers think they have it all figured out. Wrong! Part 5 of the ‘culture of power’ explains, “Those with power are frequently least aware – or least willing to acknowledge - its existence.  Those with less power are often most aware of its existence”. The white liberal teacher has the power which makes it even harder for them to understand its interworks or are unwilling to do so. Consequently, they think that being loose and indirect with their instruction and standards is helping students. If a student owns the ‘culture of power’ then maybe it is, but if a student does not, then the educator is actually making the situation more challenging for the student.

As noted early in the passage this is where voices are silenced. White liberal teachers “listen” (in one ear, and out the other) to what parents, colleagues and other people outside of the culture of power. Their response is to throw research and data in the face of the speaker as a way to defend their choice in instruction. Rather than recognizing that what the person is saying is not a fallacy, but is truth, the educator will continue to disservice students lacking the codes of society. This will cause a trickle down effect into their future outcomes in life as it relates to careers, social status and relationships. In the eyes of Delpit we must teach all children the codes to own the ‘culture of power’, but at the same time we need to shake up the standards that exist. She proposes the following idea, “... if we are to truly affect societal change, we cannot do so from the bottom up, but we must push and agitate from the top down” (Delpit pg. 40). She argues that just teaching the ‘culture of power’ is not enough. There also needs to be a large push to break down barriers from a large scale. Her phrase the top down references large institutions that need to change their view on what it means to be educated or what a professional looks like. She presses that matter by saying those who aren’t raised into the ‘culture of power’ are the people to do that. By appropriately teaching each individual while maintaining their culture will allow them to work their way up the ranks and tap the glass like Dr. Bogad says. Maybe eventually the glass will crack and the ‘culture of power’ won’t hold its power as it once did.

Connection: I work in a prominently white, middle class school and I fear that I do not always see the ‘culture of power’ that I hold over students. A male black student one day said to me “Yo what up cuss”. I was quick to respond by saying you don’t call your teacher cuss. At the moment I was disregarding the students' codes in his culture and correcting them. What Delpit would say is that I should have said something along the lines of, “You may call people you know cuss, but the appropriate thing to say is what’s up Mr. Dowhan”. I should have then followed that up with, “In school please call teachers by their last name, but when you are with friends or family it is okay to use cuss if it is appropriate in that setting”. With a reflected response, I would be honoring the students culture codes while also explicitly telling the student what is the ‘societally’ appropriate code.

Delpit's argument is similar to that shared in the Ted talk titled, "The Danger of a Single Story". It is a powerful speech and closely aligns with the idea that 'culture of power' is not the only story even if its the prominent one.