Mom of twins, wife and educator

Issues in Latino Education          Some of the books that I have read this year, has made me think and reflect.  As a mother of two  beautiful and bi-cultural children, I am concerned and aware that not all children will receive the same opportunities in life. Our job as parents is to be aware that education is a system and that we all need to be included in conversations that expresses our ideas and perspectives. Resource. Power. Perspective. Diversity. The politics of language : “Schools are political domain and are linked to power and control within the dominant society. They are also agents of socialization in which formal pedagogy as well as the informal hidden curriculum reflect the beliefs of the dominant society” (Giroux, 1983). “A common perception among public educators and the public in general is that minority students drop out of school because of personal deficiencies, language difficulties, poverty, and many other perceived cul...

When introducing myself, I say my name is Deidania. “Hum.. Deidania where does that name come from?” People ask. Well, tell you truth I am not sure.. I know that my Godmother suggested that name to my mom and that is where I got my name. What people are really trying to ask and some do ask, is what race and/or ethnicity am I from? Before I even tell them, some people are already guessing. Are you Puerto Rican? Lebanese? Colombian? Italian? Cuban? Dominican? Yes, I have heard them all and then I say proudly “I am Latina, I am Dominican… well Dominican-American because I was born here in Providence. I was always confused when younger while living in the United States, I was considered Dominicana and when I would travel to D.R, I was considered a “gringa”. So where did I fit? What does this mean? Who am I? Why does your identity matter? Why does the languages that I speak matter? Why is Spanish and Spanglish so important to me and my family? Why is talking about it so important...

                        Why is the achievement gap such a big difference in the United States between cultures and society? Why is it that our Latino and African Americans students drop-out of school at a higher rate than White or Asian students? As a Latina and being a parent of multicultural kids, my husband and I want the best for our children just like all parents want the best for their children. As we discuss, I explain to my husband that what I want from the school that they will attend in this upcoming school year is a diverse background of students and educators. We learn best when there are different perspectives, discussions,a positive and equitable learning environment. “Research shows that racial and socioeconomic diversity in the classroom can provide students with a range of cognitive and social benefits.”  tcf.org Students in integrated schools have higher test scores.  Students in integrate...