TEL 400 Johnston

Journal Reflections

Lesson 2 Topic: Consider the video you saw about gang violence. At one point,
Nelsa suggests the opposite of violence isn't non-violence. Rather, it's
empowerment. What do you think she means by this? Do you agree? Why or why
not? When have you been empowered? How can you empower others?

Reflect on the readings and videos from the week. What assumptions came through?
What challenged your assumptions and pushed your thinking? What aspects of your
community assessment surprised you?

Date: 21 January 2018

The idea that the opposite of violence is not non-violence, but rather empowerment is
so interesting! By this concept, I think Nelsa means that to eliminate violence, would be
to give everyone freedom, the authority to make their own decisions, without negative
outcomes. If there was no violence, that would be that everyone is fulfilled with what
they have and their ability to do as they please. While I think this makes sense, because
hatred typically comes from jealously, it is not realistic. It would be awesome if we could
empower everyone to what they want to, it would not be practically possible. I enjoy
being empowered at work because I feel like I am great at my job, I have enough
experience to make sound decisions, and be able to assess situations effectively.
However, there are people that I think should not be empowered in this position. There
would be a mess in the order and flow of it all. I can empower others by believing in
them more and allowing them to make their own mistakes.

During this week’s readings and videos, the assumptions that I made were that the
poverty level was a lot lower and that the high school graduation rate would be nearly
100 percent. I liked the videos and how I could relate these lessons to education. This
week had many parts that will help my teaching career. During the community
assessment I was surprised by all of the programs that each community offers! It was
so nice to see that the communities can come together and make such a difference.

Lesson 3 Topic: Reflect on the definition of global citizenship and the policies
you identified that impact the community you are researching. What moves you?
How can one person impact the lives of many? What do the people you
researched this week have in common? What assumptions did the activists make
about the people they were helping?

Date: 26 January 2018

Global citizenship is our responsibility in upkeeping the world, the community, and
ensuring a quality of life for all of humanity. Policies are put into place to help us make
cognizant decisions in helping everyone, for the greater good. While researching
Temecula, CA, I noticed that the education and poverty policies have impacted it.
Education seems to be a policy that affects the entire nation. The concept of a
TEL 400 Johnston

curriculum limits the growth, uniqueness, and specified educating to meet the needs of
each student. Curriculums force the education to fit into a box and branching out
approaches becomes obsolete. While the policy is to help push the educator to teach
more valuable information, it actually does the opposite, but not allow for creativity or
time for hidden curricula, like multicultural lessons. Based on my community scan,
poverty does not play a negative role in my community. Looking at others researched
communities, just a county or two over, has shined light on how it can negatively impact
it. The quality of education is affected by the books, material, and equipment that the
school can afford in that community. There should not be a major difference in
education from schools only 30 miles apart. I am moved by the impact of poverty on a
community has on education. This is unacceptable and could easily be fixed. There
should be equal opportunity across the board. One person can impact the life of many
by standing up, going through the proper channels and ensuring the policy for equal
education opportunities is in play.

Lesson 4 Topic: Consider the video about life purpose. Answer the presenter’s
five questions. Who are you? What do you love to do? What is the one thing that
right now you feel supremely qualified to teach other people? Who do you do it
for? What do those people want or need? How do those people change or
transform as a result of what you give them?

Date: 4 February 2018

Considering the video about life purposes, I am Chelsea. I love to teach. I get a sense
of importance, pride, and enjoyment when I can educate someone on something. I love
guiding and providing examples that allow others to think outside the box and
understand the purpose of what they are learning. I feel like I would be qualified to teach
others how to teach and relate to the learners. I can see myself teaching children. I
imagine breaking down the basics to them and not only teaching them how to but
educating them on the reasons and helping them pain the bigger picture of the
information they are learning. The people need a positive, uplifting education. These
people transform by gaining an education that becomes the foundation for their future
and career. They transform by gaining an understanding of themselves, the world
around them, and the school curriculum.

This video is so powerful! I learned that they key to feeling successful and happy with
my life is by outward thinking. Focusing on ensuring the happiness of others, rather than
myself will give me a sense of accomplishment and purpose. I knew I wanted to be a
teacher, but I didn’t realize that it is mostly for the effect I have on my students. I want
my learners to feel inspired and built up by me. My measurement for success if how well
I can make a positive influence on my learners. This video was excellent to watch and
put things into perspective on what my purpose is! This video made me realize why I
disliked working at a bank so much. I didn’t have the passion to make my members
happy. I was great at my job, but there was nothing that I felt I could do that would
transform them. I didn’t have an outward approach; therefore, I was not happy.
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Lesson 5 Topic: Find a social entrepreneur that impresses you. What is it about their
work that speaks to you? What would you strive to emulate about their work? If you
could offer a suggestion for growth, what would it be?
Date: 9 February 2018
The social entrepreneur I found that impresses me is Colleen Copple. Copple was
raised in a gang-threatened neighborhood in Salt Lake City, and because of that, she is
striving to thread the needle between people that fear the police and the cops that
protect them. She has created various crime reducing communities to help bring the
community back together. I really like the fact that she took a bad experience and made
it to her advantage She used her knowledge and the inside understanding to speak and
help people. Many issues have been arising with the fear and hatred towards the police,
and often times I feel as though people act in crime to be in spite of the police. Having
someone relatable speak out to the mass will help those see her perspective and
ultimately alter theirs. I would strive to be able to relate and show that I respect
everyone in order to emulate her work. She does a great job connecting to the audience
and inspiring them to change for the better. If I could offer a suggestion for growth, it
would be getting more involved to be able to hit multiple stand points and having each
person relate specifically to a problem. This will allow it to be more well-rounded and
relatable to a bigger audience.