Reflectionm #9 Importance of extra curricular activities

I just got out of Foundations of Multicultural Education. We watched the video. I think it was called Mad Hot Ballroom Dancing. The class discussed the importance of dancing in the lives of the students Here are the basics of what I want to talk about. The Queens team came from a school that had more money and the students were probably involved with a variety of extra curricular activities like sports, drama, debate etc. Therefore, dancing was just another enrichment for them. However, the Indigo team did not have many activities at the school. Students were more likely to get into gangs, use drugs, have low self-esteem, and drop out of school. Therefore, this dancing provided a better way for these students. It provided them with goals to work toward and a measure of success. Their dancing instructors also became good role models for them.


Today, I can relate to the Indigo team. In high school, I struggled with a poor self-perception. I was always reading my Bible and helping with the after-school Bible study, but I felt I needed to get involved with other "non-spiritual" activities. Learning American Sign Language gave me the outlet I was looking for. I also had a goal to work toward, because I wanted to become fluent. Taking ASL provided me with a role model through the teacher. I felt I related to her in many ways, because she was pretty funny and energetic at times, just like me. When I watched how she was I was able to accept myself for who I was. This helped me to eventually stop trying to be someone I was not and just be myself. It also helped me to realize the potential I have for becoming an effective teacher. I wanted to influence students in the way this teacher influenced me. I am very grateful today, because I think having this class helped me become more confident and expressive in who I am. Also, the teacher used to remind me to take time for myself. She told me when I started college to "be good, study hard" and I think she told me to get good grades. Three years later I still think about all the things she taught me those last two years of high school. This goes to show people the importance of healthy role models and what extracurricular activities can do for a young person.

I will want to encourage youth involvement in a variety of activities. For example, I started knitting this year. I love it. If I end up working at a teen-center (apart from my teaching) I hope to teach knitting. I will also encourage students to check out acrylic painting and drawing. Art is a great way for students to constructively express themselves. I want to work with children who have been rescued from human trafficking. So, hopefully art will become like a medicine for these students to help them work through traumatic experiences so they can put to rest what they have been through and obtain emotional and spiritual wholeness. Oh, let us not forget that sports and music are good outlets as well.