Today’s class discussion touched upon two different approaches to education: collective versus individualistic. Seward believed that every child was entitled to an education. Seward had a more collective approach rather than individualistic. Seward wanted the United States to be a country where every individual is an active participant in society regardless of religious practices. “His concern was that immigrant children, particularly the Irish, might grow up to be adult illiterates who would become public burdens and never enter the mainstream of American life.” (Spring, 111) For him, there was not a difference between a Catholic child and a Protestant child. In addition, Catholic officials felt using public funding for Catholic education was appropriate. I believe that public funding should be allocated for all church-related schools.
I thought Katie brought up an excellent point when she stated there is a difference between projecting specific morals and values on a student versus just stating the facts about a religion. For example, a teacher could discuss why the Catholic Church has confession versus telling students they have to go to confession every week.
As our discussion progressed, the issue of a white woman teaching American African studies was brought to the table. Prior to our dialogue, I never recognized the possibility of having a racial/gender conflict about teaching certain subject matters. I recall a teacher once told me that I might have a difficult time finding a Social Studies teaching position because I am not a man nor a coach. At this time, the majority of social studies teachers are men who coach. Is my value as a teacher lowered because I am not a man? After our exchange of ideas, it became clear how important it is to recognize challenges educators face.
It is interesting that you were told it would be more challenging for you to find a high school social studies teaching position because you are not a male or a coach. I have heard that before, but there have been several other individuals who have stated the exact opposite. Since we are females entering into a predominate male role, the chances of us getting hired is increased because we bring a fresh perspective to the table. Not to say that male teachers are not qualified to teach social studies, but when a qualified female applies for that position the employer might be more likely to hire us because it is someone new/a new gender that can teach the subject material. For your sake and mine I hope they are correct since we are both aspiring female high school social studies teachers.
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