Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Center For Resilience

After reading Ilana's blog I was so inspired to write my own. Her passion for youth work and getting the children involved has pushed me to new levels in my own youth work and it is always exciting to see how excited she gets about a new project she is working on. As for my own youth work my passion as well is to get children involved in their specific communities that they identify with. In the dance world in Rhode Island everyone knows everyone. Our studio is a very "tight nit" community and we are built on a foundation of family values. We do our best to get our children involved in community service work, outside performances in the community, and trips to spread the word of what exactly it is that we do. In the dance setting we are in a "classroom" but it is more of a leading with youth type of system. We work together as a team to achieve a desired goal that we may be setting for that week. We have a program of assistant teachers and demonstrators within the studio and they work directly under us and learn how to run classes, choreograph dances, teach children of all ages, etc. Though we all work together the children are aware that I am "in charge" of what goes on in the room.



After watching the videos on the Center For Resilience I have learned and watched techniques on how to get children to "re-set" and get back on track in their school day. Techniques that I wish could have been introduced to me at a young age. I have known one of the speakers in the testimonials for my entire life and know how much he has a passion for empowering all children around him. Sending children who are having trouble in the classroom to the office is not solving the problem. It is just pushing it off to the side rather than taking direct action. These techniques have proven to help children stay on task and believe in themselves and what they are doing.


Thursday, November 3, 2016

ROCK THE VOTE???

YOUR VOICE WILL CHANGE THE UNITED STATES. YOUR VOICE MATTERS. YOUR VOICE WILL CHANGE THE WAY THAT THIS ELECTION GOES. These statements have been surrounding my thoughts for the past year. In this election I have not once been able to stand with one side and have a solid thought between the two candidates. First thing I have to say is that this will be my first presidential election I will be voting in. All I can keep thinking about is that these are the two candidates that I am forced to choose from. I want to vote because I want to make a difference but have felt myself saying I would be unable to make a choice of who is the lesser of two evils. Both are liars (though most if not all politicians lie), both have left so many questions unanswered, and both try to cover up wrong doings of their past.

I am not shy from the voting booth and feel informed about both candidates, but mainly have been listening to what my parents have been saying for the past year. Both of my parents stand and complete opposite ends of the spectrum. My mother is very liberal and my father is the most HARDCORE republican I have ever met. My mother, like me keeps her opinions quiet in order to not start any heated debates. My father is so in your face with his beliefs it is actually embarrassing. When I am out in public with my dad and he talks about supporting Donald Trump I am MORTIFIED.  Though on the other hand I am unable to stand and support all that Hillary Clinton stands for. This election has made me feel such stress and is honestly a complete joke. 

Some questions I have about this election:

  1. How will this election outcome effect my life in the future?
  2. After this election what rights as a woman and citizen will I still have?
  3. Will there need to be more social change after this election?
  4. What will be the final outcome for immigrants in this country?