Optional Final Blog:

1. The very first day of class you asked us “what is our definition of urban education, and if we didn't have one, what comes to mind when we hear the word urban”. My definition of the word Urban has been distorted by the media and music videos that I've seen throughout my lifetime on channels like , MTV, BET, VH1,  so on and so forth.

2. The differences between private schools and public schools are as follows; 1.) you have to pay a tuition fee to attend a private school whereas for public schools, all you need to do is register, and have updated shot records. 2.) In the private schools in Minnesota, you can talk about religion without neglecting other people's beliefs, whereas in public school, they've now made it illegal to even say the Pledge of Allegiance for fear of "not being sensitive to other people's beliefs". 3.) Private schools are small community based, whereas public schools get all their assistance from the government and have to do a lot of standardized testing. 4.) Charter schools are nonprofit schools, meaning they have to get contracts that are specific to what they plan to accomplish with the students and remain in place for up to three years. 5.) The school board is generally made up of district parents and teachers.

3.Teacher shortage and the reason why: the enrollment of people into the education field is due to the cost of classes and in the people with the passion to really want to teach and getting your teaching license and area of specific need not being there which are math, science, special education and bilingual teachers not getting the correct training.

4.. School funding and the way school funding should be used is by having fiscal equalization so that no matter what type of school be it, public, private, or charter, all students should have an equal amount of money given to each school district to help cover the cost of supplies. First and foremost students need TEXTBOOKS. Math, Science, History, English, Spanish, French, Latin, etc. Students need other things as well, such as uniforms for extracurricular activities like JROTC, Physical Education, Cheerleaders, Dance Team, Football, Basketball, Baseball, Hockey, Wrestling, swimming, you name it kids need it.

5.The philosophy of education is an important thing to know as a future educator, because it helps me to know what type of school system would best be accommodating with the way I teach and can best help the students.

6. Observation hours was a test to see if we could handle the school setting and come up with a way to help improve the classroom to make it more amenable for students than bad. It also prepares you to deal with kids of different ethnicities, as well as the way teachers handle the students. We got good tips on how to handle kids, and also were able to voice concerns as well.

7. Knowing our biases now give you time to correct them so they don't affect the way you teach or treat your students and colleagues inside and outside the school and to not be so judgemental without getting to know them.

8. Acknowledging the fact that students and their families come in all races, religions, and ethnicities. Understanding that everyone doesn't come from the same culture so we have to do our best to ensure that all students get an equal opportunity to an equal education.

9. Relationships with the parents of the students, in order for a child to be successful they need to have a good support system. The more people involved, the better.

10. Community Project (lobby day) was a very unique event in itself. I have never been apart of something that can help change my way of living when it comes to the amount of education we receive. As far as others are concerned, I learned that the best way to get people to do what you want and really deserve you, have to share your own personal story. The best way to see things change is to get involved in an event like this one.