There is a quote, of contested origins, having no rightful owner. That quote is recited as follows: "Everybody is a genius. But, if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” While we stand in hindsight, we often look back upon where we came and what experiences brought us to the point we are now. I think of this quote often as I reflect upon my intellectual growth. I wonder how my life might have been different had I not been told I was stupid. I sat depressed thinking of the intellectual challenges that will face Shane and how those same challenges adversely affected my will to learn. In that moment, I faced a monumental question: If we are comparable thinkers, are we compare
able learners? I remembered how music had opened my mind in learning more complex material, and I began using percussion to teach Shane to count and spell. Shane, like myself, had a natural musical ability, and music became the medium I used to aid Shane in catching up intellectually. Shane is a fish. Through my lessons with Shane, I developed a music program called Drumming up Confidence. The methodology of this program empowers children by focusing on how they learn, rather than the one size fits all approach. I learned early that it was critical to focus on a person’s individual strengths to build their confidence. Individuals who have a higher level of self-esteem are more open and prepared to face intellectual challenges. As Shane prospered intellectually, I shared my program with other parents. Those parents found themselves empowered as they identified how their children learn, as they were now able to pass that critical information onto their children’s formal educators. It amazed me how simply understanding how someone learns could play such a significant role in his or her lives. If we possess such a variety in our minds, why do we continue to see a one-size fit all teaching philosophy? In what little effort it would take to identify how a student learns the dividends are substantial and life changing. The next time you are tasked with explaining something to an individual, which appears to not understand, ensure it isn’t you who possess the misunderstanding. Finally, never judge a fish on his ability to climb a tree, because fish do not have to climb trees to succeed in their lives.
Through our class discussions of education we came across this quote by Joseph Sobran, an American journalist and writer who spent a great amount of his career working for the National Review Magazine, "In 100 years we have gone from teaching Latin and Greek in high school to teaching Remedial English in college." When asked to critically think about the meaning of this quote I concluded that our educational standards have been lowered over the years and that students in America are not as intelligent as they once were in previous years. These two thoughts brought me to the questions, what does it mean to be educated or intelligent and who gets to decide. When reflecting emotionally on how this quote made me feel I realized it made me feel
Though they can try to be like you, they will never fully succeed due to individual quality you brought to life. "Imitators and descendants aren't the same"
The challenges and troubles that I have faced throughout my life had made me into the hardworking, caring and passionate girl I am today. Growing up with only a mother was never easy, but she gave it and still gives it her all to make sure I have the same opportunities as any other kid. Being biracial in a predominantly white town has always been a struggle, never quite fully fitting in. Each aspect of my life, for better or for worse, has shaped me into the woman I am today, and I’m proud of who I have become and all I’ve done and others have done to help me get here.
While in High School I dint get much homework, I always had time in class to do my homework and class work. College has twice the amount of work had in high school. Before coming here to WMU I already knew that it was going to take a lot of organization and time management to be successful. In High School, I didn’t have to study for tests, I always used to pay attention in class then go over my notes 20 minutes before and still Pass a test. These last few weeks I have been trying to develop a new studying method, but it’s very different and difficult. The change that am I experiencing isn’t bad, its actually good that I am getting challenged and trying to adapt to being on my own and having a lot of freedom. Another thing that have changed
Going forward, I already became accustomed to the high school life and I had settled in… maybe a bit too much. I started my sophomore year confidently and like always I tried my best to earn the grades that would reflect upon me; however, as much as I tried, for the first time I disappointed myself and received a D in the first semester. I solely blame myself for not trying hard enough, but the way the teacher taught was also really confusing and made it worse for me. This teacher just didn’t teach that well and it seemed as if it was her first time although it wasn’t. She didn’t explained the concepts thoroughly enough for her students to understand and I know this because when a different teacher retaught it to me, I completely understood
Outgoing, loud,talkative and excitable are all words I have become very familiar with, Growing up they were always used as words to make me feel bad, I was always too loud or too talkative or even too excited. Since a young age i've been able to successfully carry a conversation with just about everyone.
The stories from my childhood, the ones that make me what I am today, that replay in back of my head daily, that my dad is proud of me for today, to follow me for my entire life, those stories are of my difference. The stories that shape me into who I am today, it's not like I can ever forget them and they are glued to me. Those stories are of the difference that won’t ever leave my side.
Most students have an identity, an interest, or talent that defines them in an essential way, what if I told you my family came from nothing, and made that into something. I was born and lived on base in fort campbell with my mom, dad and sister (ashley). When I was a couple months old, my mom and dad divorced, and my Mom decided to move here San Antonio Texas with the rest of my family, you’d think life was all well and good when my mom moved in with family, it wasn’t. We lived with my grandma, aunt her son (Adam) and uncle under one roof, in the south side of San Antonio. at the time my mom didn't have enough money to move out or live in an apartment, we lived in that small house till i was about 3 maybe 4, my mom, aunt and grandma decided to pitch in and move into a house in north east side of San Antonio. Ever
When I was little, I had a care-free mind; no worries at all. I did get tired of people saying I am too young to know this or how I need to be a little older to see this. I always dreamed of growing up and being an adult. Living on my own and doing what I want. The truth is growing up does suck. You have to pay bills, buy your own food, and drive everywhere. I had three life changing moments in 2016. I graduated high school, went into the military, and started college.
Throughout my life, many factors have influenced and shaped me into the young woman I am today. I am an active member of many cultures, and continue to learn and adopt numerous values, traditions, and morals from each. There are certain cultures people are born into, and others that are chosen by people at various stages of their life. Over the span of my nineteen years of life, I have been put into as well as voluntarily joined a combination of cultures which have instilled in me both positive and negative qualities. Cultures I was born into include the female culture, the Caucasian American culture, and my unique family culture. As for those which I have elected to become a member of include things such as the soccer culture, the Concordia
Have you ever just cringed at a thought about something you’ve done in the past like maybe an embarrassing phase? If your answer is all the time then congratulations that’s pretty much highschool as a senior. Hello, I’m Nathan Diaz and the phenomenon I had just described for you is completely fine to experience and I worry for you if you haven’t. It shows growth as a person and more importantly means that you are constantly changing. I’ve had my fair share of cringe and I stand before you ready to move on with my life.
My identity comes from many different things that are being labeled upon myself. Thus, any person can create an identity for me and label me as such. However, only I can accept these identities and label myself accordingly.
What I learned about myself as an individual was that I have a pretty cool personality. I am a tactile learner which means that I like to do hands on stuff. I’ve always thought I was a visual learner since I like to draw and could only learn from seeing visuals but now I notice that I am a tactile learner since I wiggle around my chair and stuff like that when I study.As much as I like visuals to help me learn I do prefer hands on activties.Also the personality quiz did change the way I tihnk about myself. I always thought of myself to be an extrovert and to think criticaly but it turns out that I am an introvert and feel more than think. My letter code was INFJ. Apparently, INFJ’s care deeply about others and make sure they feel emotinaly
At first glance I looked innocent, incapable of causing any harm. My face deceived everyone. No one expected such a small, shy, sweet, girl like me to be a bully. Unfortunately, those who did get to see my true identity cowered before me. Yes, I was a bully, I admit it. I tormented my family, my friends, and anyone that tried to cross me. I was a monster, I didn’t fully realize the destructive path I had formed until the damage was done. Be that as it may, I have changed, and it was all due to the one person who stood up to me. Before I reveal their identity, I must provide the necessary details to provide the image of how, in fact, I was a bully.
As I sit here knitting the cape of my identity, I reflect upon my past experiences and how they have shaped me. I may not have shelves of golden trophies adorning my wall and I may not have a huge, impactful personal project, but my life is one that I’ve centered around helping other people. I learn and gain knowledge not to compete and paste on my resume, but to grow as a person, a person who can confidently and truly help others with a good heart.