My Reflection Of Sociology And Education

My introduction to the study of sociology was during my sophomore year in college. Through readings, dialogues, and classroom experiments, my sociology professor challenged me to think about and analyze institutions such as family and school. The more I studied the role of those institutions the more I began to understand how institutions directly and indirectly affect people’s social constructions. The summer following my sophomore year I proposed an independent project inspired by my reading of, “Behind the Beautiful Forevers” by Katherine Boo. My proposal was accepted and I was awarded the Magellan Scholarship, which allowed me to study the slums of India from a sociological perspective with a focus on culture, education, and economics.

As a teacher, I get to mold and shape students mindsets about education, yet I want to take my talents beyond the classroom. My search for a graduate program that would allow me to marry my two passions- sociology and education was halted when I stumbled upon the Sociology and Education program at Teachers College. Since then I have looked into other programs, however none have come close to offering the same potential that TC does. My ultimate goals are to become a principal and eventually become a superintendent. The traditional educational leadership route will allow me to reach my goals, however I would like to prepare myself for the very unorthodox educational climate by preparing myself in an unconventional manner. I hope to dialogue with Dr. Riehl to learn more about her study on, “The Principal’s Role in Creating Inclusive Schools for Diverse Students.” The administrators at my school often praise me for my ability to build relationships with students and parents. I have become a familiar face in the community and have been able to build connections between my school and the community we serve. I personally do not think what I am doing is rocket science, and feels that it is necessary in order to be an effective educator. In order to teach my students I must first understand the reality in which they live in. It is my belief that the Sociology and Education Program will