kaleidoscope#5

While interviewing a distant relative of mine whom; is a principal and has asked to remain anonymous, at one of our local schools here in Brownsville. I asked a series of questions in reference to our local school reform. I was impressed by her opinions and statements, which were quite interesting to hear. I asked about the school curriculum and I was told that the school curriculum is set by the state. Texas like many other states, is experiencing changes toward a predominantly minority school population. Therefore the curricula must meet the requirements to suit everyone’s needs. The apparent failure of the Texas public schools to ensure a high level of academic performance and a minimum incidence of dropouts among schoolchildren have spurred a variety of responses about how to improve poor-performing schools where a disproportionate number of the student population is comprised of minorities living at the poverty level. I asked if the school system helped find a student’s identity and her response to me was that the counselor’s job is to assists students in choosing courses. This gives the student to take charge of their lives and teach them how to make decisions for themselves and their futures. I also had to bring up the topic of control in the classroom. I was informed that the teacher must impose discipline on the students. Lastly I asked about mindfulness and the lack of it in the school system and its students. I was told that when you are mindful that things you were once exposed to seemed mysterious, might now make sense. I felt that this interview was very experiencing for me and was a very good opportunity for me to listen to someone else’s views and thoughts on certain topics having to do with school reform. Again, I was highly impressed by what this principal had to say.