Reflection # 2

This article shows many different interesting views on how inventions change the way we think. New ideas are often met with opposition yet change the world regardless. Although there are many inventions that are introduced into society not all of those inventions change society. By inventing the telephone Alexander Gram Bell changed the world forever. As we all know most people cannot live without a phone. This is a means to communicate with other members of society. Without this tool many would not be able to communicate with the masses. In the beginning man defined necessities as food, water, and shelter. Now however, such things as computers, telephones, and money are necessities. There has also been a shift in the idea that women are less moral than men to the new paradigm that women are more moral than men. This shift did not happen overnight but was introduced and passed down by different cultures, religions, occupations. What our religion or culture tells us to believe often shapes us in ways that we believe are our own individual ideas. We take these beliefs at face value without educating ourselves. The facts are often left behind so that cultural traditions or bias will continue. I come from an African American father and a Caribbean mother and am married to a Hispanic male. These cultural differences often lead to very different perceptions of the same idea. My husband hates the idea of the woman working outside of the home and taking charge. Although I was taught as a young girl, from my father, that women should be strong for their families. My mother taught me to cook and keep the home clean yet the American in me wants to be equal to my husband and have him do some of the cooking and cleaning. None of these ideas are necessarily wrong just different. These different schemas make the world a eclectic place like a bowl of mixed nuts. Some like peanuts while some like pecans and so on and so forth. As long as those making decisions for the masses are educated about the facts (which doesn’t happen often) we as a world should be okay. However, we live in a world filled with prejudice based religion, culture, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. Will we ever evolve beyond this? I hope so.

P. Vasquez Reflection #1

Priscilla Vasquez
EDF 1005
Prof. McNair
8/28/09

In the colonial America most teachers where not taught in a school of higher education. They were either apprentice to master teachers of indentured servants who were merely teaching to pay for their passage to America. The few who had some college education were taught primarily in Europe. There was very little knowledge about the subject they taught if any. There were also various scandals regarding the character of these so called educators. The majority of these positions were held by teenage girls who would only teach for a short while.

In 1823 the Normal School in Vermont began to formally educate students on teaching skills. Once they graduated and began teaching more and more children began to enroll in public schools. The need for more teaches also demanded better training from the profession. Although teaches did not get paid very well or get treated with much respect.

As many prominent educators fought for higher standards to modernize the education profession in the nation. They called for higher standards involving an end to undergraduate degrees in education in favor of master level degrees, however many colleges did not support these changes. The present evidence of the past struggles for higher education among professional teachers is seen today. Not only are all potential educators taught in a school of higher learning there is also service learning (apprenticeship), licensing, and continual education to keep said license. One license is board certification which is an achievement equal to that of a medical license among doctors. It signifies that they are knowledge, competent, and skilled in their field.


Teach for American (TFA) is a program that allows for a quick certification for teachers. The premise behind this program is on the job training. This is done in a number of career fields and often leads to successful teaching in the schools. However, many argue that the students are not learning the same information as the teachers are not trained in all areas. These teachers are often put in areas of high need and are welcomed with open arms. If this program is proven successful there may be a shift in the way educators are trained.

Bio PVasquez

My name is Priscilla and I an a veteran of the U.S. Army. My family is very important to me. I have two dogs that are like my babies or at least they think that there babies. I am much relieved that although you grow up you dont have to grow old. Wisdom is a great part of growing old, as well as lower car insurance premiums. :)I am origninally from Jacksonville, Florida home of the Jaguars. My favorite color is pink although my husband thinks that pink makes women agressive. I am an aspiring educator who loves kids and teaching. I use to give my brothers test and grades for fun(which they loves just as much as I did). I live by the saying "when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade", I never give up and I will never surrender.