CS Scholars Attending Grace Hopper Conference 2015
CS majors Kristen Godinez and Winter Smith attended GHC 2015 on full scholarships from Qualcomm and Intuit. Congratulations to our scholars!
Archive for date: October 17th, 2015
Inspiring girls to play a role in STEM
CI Computer Girls participating in “Players of the Light” event in La Reina HS on October 10, 2015
October 19th
Marketing Violence: The Special Toll on Young Children of Color
~ Media Messages about race:
Children of color are sometimes judged by other children and adults, could this be because of what children watch on TV? Many parents try to teach their children not to judge others based on the color of their skin. However, many children learn to judge others from television, school, and other adults. As an adult I don’t clearly understand why. Why are people of color automatically judged and not part of many great TV shows? For example,That 70 show Fez is the only teenager of color. Fez isn’t given a last name and never shares his ethnicity. I remember watching this show as a teenager and I would laugh at the jokes about Fez’s character not realizing the stereotype.
Today we see more people of color on TV and media but they usually portray a stereotype. It is rare to find a doctor, teacher, policeman, and other roles on TV played by people of color (there are many professionals of many ethnic backgrounds in real life). Children learn from what they see, someone of color could potentially be dangerous because of a TV show where someone of color had that role. There are many dangers these stereotypes can lead to. Children may expect only violence form someone based on the color of their skin. Children may also ignore real dangers because the “bad guy/ girl” is usually an outcast not someone who appears the “good guy/girl.”
Oct. 17 INCLUSIVE LEADERSHIP FOR LGBTQ
I’m not completely finished with all three readings yet, but decided to post part of my reflection since I was late in posting from Colorado last week. I finished reading the Hernandez article and Theoharis chapter 6. I felt concerned about a few different points as I read. First, I was already aware of the problems with harassment and bullying for LGBTQ students, and the high incidence of suicide attempts, but seeing the statistics was both alarming and saddening again. Second, I was surprised at some of the findings that administrators would not act on general policies against bullying of LGBTQ students. Bullying is bullying. Third, the shift from sexual identification from the college years to middle school was a reminder of the changing environment of our youth and the issues they face at younger and younger ages.
After these thoughts, I was relieved to read after this that there are some specific strategies to help administrators prepare to be proactive and organized in approaches to create appropriate supporting environments for students. I believe that most people, even those who have conflicting religious views regarding sexual orientation, desire to show kindness to others, and particularly our youth. I appreciated the story of Patrice Jenkins and her desire to do what was good, and was able to use that desire, regardless of her personal belief, to move past her ignorance and use her influence to create and ensure a safe environment for her student(s). I also appreciated the story of Principal Carl Parker and his influence to help bridge that gap between desire and preparedness. One often does not know what one does not know until one knows. (reread that one!)
As for me, I am one who has a desire and lack preparedness as well. Even after reading the distinction between the various terminologies…I’m still unclear. However, I do believe what is said in the conclusion–“School leaders have a tremendous amount of influence over the culture and climate of their districts and schools.” I also believe that one sees rightly with the heart and that the heart, and desire to do what is good, will help bridge the gaps. I try to see rightly.
