Faculty of Education Education News Fall 2011 / Winter 2012 Page 11
on in the classroom . Schoolbased research helped me better understand the context I work in everyday ; thus , the insights I gained can be applied to my current practice .
How do you manage family , personal life , work and research ?
Well , that ’ s a tough one . At the present time , in addition to my work as a teacher , I also have a 3 and half year old and a one year old and I ’ ve just defended my thesis – so it ’ s a balancing act . I think the important thing is to stay organized and make time for the things that matter the most . Just as I like to view students holistically , I think it ’ s also important for teachers to view themselves this way and make time for all areas of our lives . Yes , even time for ourselves .
An excerpt from Kyla ’ s thesis
Note : Throughout this found poem , Patricia ’ s * voice is represented in regular text and my ( Kyla ’ s ) voice is represented in italics . (* pseudonym )
Inclusion
When I ’ m in the regular classes I don ’ t just get up and say whatever I want whenever I want I ’ m a totally different person
It ’ s not that bad With the Canadian students There ’ s some girls – they are always nice The teachers are welcoming you And making you feel like everybody else
Sometimes I just feel like I don ’ t fit in I don ’ t even try to say anything Unless I have to If I needed something or didn ’ t have a pen I wouldn ’ t ask any student If a teacher asks something I wouldn ’ t bother to put my hand up or anything
Just sitting Not talking Too shy
I ’ m the only EAL student there In my other classes There ’ s no one person from the ESL classroom there I just don ’ t feel comfortable there I don ’ t like the feeling I get when I ’ m there When the teacher gives us the paper and the projects You have to do this thing , and do this thing , and do this thing And sometimes I just don ’ t even know what she ’ s talking about Kinda big words I don ’ t even know what to do
Can I go to the ESL classroom ? Then I give it to one of you Then you guys explain it And then it just < snaps fingers > I understand the whole thing
In the ESL classroom if you pronounce a word wrong , They won ’ t make a big deal out of it
In the ESL classroom I just say what I want whenever I want I just feel comfortable here I get help You guys will listen
When I ’ m in the ESL classroom I ’ m myself I kinda know almost all the students here I ’ m kinda close to my ESL teachers Like letting go I like it in here It ’ s really fun to be here
All I know is the ESL classroom is where I belong in this school
If there was no EAL classroom in this school ? Wow ! Without the ESL help ESL teachers ’ help I ’ d probably fail all of my classes I would probably move to a different place I guess
( Found poem interim research text , Spring , 2010 )
Defended December 2011
Supervisor : Dr . Janice Huber Committee Members : Dr . Val Mulholland and
Dr . Andrea Sterzuk