You can make a difference

The other day in class (I am teaching an education course at a local university this summer), a student tells me that she has started volunteering at the local homeless shelter because of my class.

Let me explain a bit, one of the assignments I sign is called "New Event". Students have to try something out of their comfort zone, something totally new--outside of their daily life. After completing that event, they have to write a reflection of that experience and their thoughts.

Many students have told me that this assignment has made them think or become more aware of themselves and their actions. Back to the above student, she told me that has been volunteering since she completed this assignment. I asked her how did she start volunteering. She told me, that she went to the homeless shelter, and spent time with some of the children. They touched her heart. She spoke with the assistant director, and scheduled regular volunteer dates. She has never done this sort of thing before. She said she feels really good about what she is doing, and this has broken stereotypes for her.

I told her that I was very proud of her, and good for her to help make a positive change.

Another student commented that she had been thinking about what we had talked about in a previous class.

I thought hmmm...

Then, I smiled as I began my session for the day.

Roles of males and females

We didn't finish our lecture on gender today, due to a piece of technology not working properly. I wanted to show a video to end the lecture, followed by a discussion of the video. That didn't happen because the speakers were not working. In the mean time, I need to call the service people to repair that before next class period--Thursday.

Basically, we discussed what are genders and the stereotypes of genders. The class really enjoyed it. There some good discussions on if physical job standards should be lowered for females to enter certain fields of work, for example soldiers, firefighters, and police officers, to name a few. Majority of my female and a male students said no. Standards shouldn't be lowered for physical demanding work. If a female is qualified, then she is more than like to enter those types of careers.

I also asked them, who would your rather work with? Men or women? Majority of them said men, a couple of them said mixed, none of my students said women. I was surprised by that. I asked them why not? Some of female students replied women tend to be more emotional, gossip, and dramatic. *You think?* I explained to the class those were a form of stereotypes.
To be fair, I, personally, have worked with some awesome female and male colleagues. I personally find that both men and women have some personal issues at work. I do plan to discuss age issues in the workforce, I believe that is important because we are living longer and some of us are even staying longer in the workforce.

I do plan to finish this lecture next week. Then we will be discussing other race issues.

Let the debates begin!

Starting tomorrow and for a couple of more weeks, my students and I will be discussing stereotypes of minorities. It should be really interesting because many students do not like to talk about this in a formal setting, like an institution. I always manage to have a healthy debate on these issues. I want students to know that it is important NOT to ignore sensitive or controversial issues, but instead engage in a healthy, yet democratic discussion/debate.

First we will discuss gender issues, what are they and some stereotypes, etc, followed by race and ethnic issues, and multiculturalism education.

So for now, adios, ciao, stay tuned, shalom, salaam, aurevoir.