BUILDING COMMUNITY OUT OF CHAOS - Christensen, Chapter #1

I grew up in a small community and i lived amongst the middle class. My parents were and are still together and no tradegy engulfed my traditional American lifestyle. I have always known that I have been severely lucky in regards to my childhood and upbringing, however, my knowledge of this typical childhood is in some way a hindrance for my future. As i read chapter 1, just within the introduction, i sat wide eyed and shaken about wars between class culture lines, violence at home,within the school, and the on streets. The realization of one teacher knowing what is happening, but struggled to change the way it was brought into her classroom grabbed my attention. The author seemed to mirror how I continuously feel might happen to a white middle class girl with aspirations to become a teacher such as myself. But, the final line in the introduction kept me interested and blanketed my anxiety and fears. Christensen states that "...Students need more than an upbeat, supportive teacher; they need a curriculum that encourages them to empathize with others." (2).

Curriculum of Empathy
"Empathy is key in community building" (Christensen, 6). I 100% agree with the authors thoughts on methods to help these troubled students recognize the difference of circumstances in others, and the ending response not resulting in laughter but actual learning and empathizing. If i at some point in my career as a teacher I am able to have a class with these concerns, I most definitly will follow the authors suggestions and select literature that will show culture differences, hardships, and struggles like she did with the Filipino writer. In addition, the author explained that the students would keep a daily journal to write responses, and in my opinion is a great way for the troubled students to write about thier struggles in comparison to the characters within the literature piece. I strongly believe, amongst other suggestions, would help communicate and realate with a troubled classroom rather than just being a another teacher that struggles to understand and continuously supportive.