Why so surprised?

Background Info: I'm a half-white and half-Mexican girl, but I'm often perceived to be completely Mexican.

Situation: It's the beginning of my junior year in high school, and I walk into the career center to see about information on potential universities, scholarships, etc. As I walk in, the counselor looks up at me and says "The tutoring center is across the hall." I mention to her that I'm actually here to pick some information on college, and by the look on her face, she is surprised. So without asking important questions like, What kind of college? Where?, she hands me some pamphlets on nearby community colleges. Looking at the pamphlets, I think to myself, "I'm one of the top students at this school, shouldn't I be getting more options other than Mt. SAC and Chaffey. Where's the colleges like UCLA, CSU-Long Beach, etc.?"

• Would this interaction be different if I was different race?


• Has this ever happened to you?


• Please share your thoughts and questions about the impact teacher/counselor stereotypes have on students' expectations of themselves and their attitudes about school achievement.
  

Who says?

Here's the deal...

www.slugerassociates.com/ advocate_at_CSE_mtg.html

It is the middle of school year and I received my report card yesterday.

I got straight A's.

I worked hard to get these grades but I don't feel comfortable.

I feel like this is not who I'm suppose to be.

I feel I did too much.

I am afraid all my friends are going to make fun of me, that they will begin to call me "the nerd."

They already make fun of me because I don't play sports, and I hang out with the Asians during lunch.

But who says that I have to behave a certain way?

Whoever said that Chicanos aren't suppose to succeed in school or that the boys need to play sports or that Hispanics could only hang out with Hispanics.?

I get so mad and confused, I don't know what to do.

• What should I do ?
  
• Should I ignore all my friends and do what I feel or should I do what everyone expects me to do?

Adolescent Identity Turmoil: Is it imaginary or real?

Adolescence is a time of turmoil and change for every young adult, especially for students of color and other minorities. As our world becomes increasingly global, there is a disconnect between our students and academics.
Image: http://sitemaker.umich.edu/kung.356/files/children.bmp

• Do some students do better in Math or English because of race?

• What are your perceptions and experiences around the world? How do you define yourself?

• Does your self-identity change based on your interactions with a particular group or race? How does it impact your sense of self-worth? Did you have multiple personalities (i.e. one for school, one for home, and one for your friends)?
  

• How did doing well in school, participating in class discussions or participating in school activities and clubs impact your identity?

• As a parent, have you asked "What is going on with my son or daughter? What is behind this sudden change in behavior?" If so, what did you determine? In answering these questions, please let us know how you resolved these conflicts and emotions?

• As an educator or policy planner, what have you done to ensure the success of all students in your classroom? Have you asked your students if it is working?

Please feel free to answer all, some or only one of the questions above. If it intrigues you, please let us know why. Do you have a personal story? If so, please let us know.

Talking about race in your classroom

A lot of people are sort of afraid to talk about race in their classroom. They might talk about other countries, and try food from their classmates' homeland, but they rarely ever talk about what it's like not to be like most of the other kids in the class.

• Do you remember ever talking about what it's like to be different in class?
• If you are a teacher, what have you done to help students respect each other, even if they are of different races or cultures?
• As a parent, do you want your child to have friends who are of different races or cultures?
• Do you think it is a good idea to think about each other's race, or is it best to ignore it?
• Do you mostly just accept everyone in your class, no matter what their background or race is?
• Do you visit the homes of classmates from other cultures or race?