Hispanic+Culture

 ¡Bienvenidos a la página de la cultura hispana! Welcome to the Hispanic culture page! We have all engaged in 3 different experiences with the Hipsanic culture in order to understand the surface and deep elements within the culture and well as the many variations of it among Hispanic people. Additionally, we have read about Hispanic students and how we should contruct our curriculum and teaching in order to effectively teach them. Here is a sampling of what we have learned.

Future teacher's first name, Grade and/or content area, element about Hispanic culture you've learned-Put each one in a different color.  Sarah Boes: I want to teach Math to either 6th or 7th graders. One thing I have learned about the Hispanic culture through my experiences is that most of the Hispanic population does not place a high value on materialism, instead family seems to be extremely important in their culture.


 * ​ Laura Zarrillo: I would like to teach first graders. I have learned so much about the Hispanic culture throughout my experiences. As I look forward to teaching very soon, I plan on making connections with my students and allow collaborative learning in the classroom when appropriate. I also will get to know the parents of my students because I feel they should be involved in their child's education especially since family values are very important and highly respected. **

Ivonne Chavez, Second grade ESL/Bilingual. What I have learned is that a teacher must have patience in order for his or her child to feel comfortable in a new environment. As a teacher I want to be able to make my students feel comfortable enough to ask whatever questions they might have and also to be able to come to with my questions or comments regarding their academic success.

Alyssa Jones- I would like to teach fifth graders. I have learned to accept them. Before my first day of class, I thought they were greedy and just wanted to come here and take jobs. As i look back on that statement, it sounds ignorant from the information that i have gained. I have gained the knowledge to know that they want the same amenities that we have. I don't believe that we should deny anyone that right.

Laura Morgan - I would like to teach preschool or very early elementary school. One thing I have learned about the Hispanic culture is that students feel the need to be friends with the teacher. This idea makes me slightly uncomfortable, however, now that I know, I will be able to better adjust my teaching.

Anita Jamadar. I want to teach 3rd grade. I have learned that people of the Hispanic culture really value respect. I will always respect my student, his or her culture, and his or her parents.

Haily May- I plan to teach fourth grade science. Through my experiences I have learned that the Hispanic culture is very interdependent culture with many different needs. I look forward to having children of the Hispanic culture in my classroom, so I may further expand my knowledge and understanding. I have learned many positive attributes about this culture that I had not known.

Gabriel Nogueras- I would like to teach a bilingual class, 3rd or 4th grade. One thing that I have learned is that a teacher has to find a connection with all of their students to be effective. I also learned that we need to be open to every culture and become familiar with the one in our classroom.

Kelsey Wilganowski--1st grade. For this experience, I interviewed a Mexican American family from my hometown. After this experience I witnessed that it is truly possible to incorporate more than one culture into your life; consequently, I learned that it is also possible to successfully incorporate two cultures into your education.

Kerri O'Brien: Middle School Math: I found throughout this process how important incorporating students' cultures into the classroom is. I interviewed a family friend whose children attended the same schools as I did, yet their experiences were vastly different that what I had experienced. The process of incorporating the Hispanic culture (as well as other students' cultures) creates a sense of stability and feeling of security within the classroom and helps the students increase their abilities to learn.

Amanda Hildreth - I would like to teach Middle School Mathematics. I have learned that it is our job as a teacher to provide ample opportunities for students of all cultures to learn. We can not assume that just because a student is different, that they are less intelligent or incapable of reaching the same level of difficulty as other students. Students from other cultures may need more time to learn something but they can do it if given the time.

Leah Starck- I would like to teach 3rd grade. A better understanding: I learned more about the struggles they face when they come here to The United States that I was not aware of before. Some of the things they spoke of such as language barrier, poverty, missing their family back in mexico, discrimination, etc. I had heard of before, but it never really "came to life" or affected me until I spoke with people one on one, and saw first hand what they go through on a daily basis.

Kelly Goodwin - 8th Grade Science - Through my experiences I learned how easy it is to take what is acceptable in your culture for granted. I was relayed a story through one of my friend's fathers about how he had inadvertently insulted an American business man through a simple act that was considered acceptable and even lauded in Mexican culture. As an instructor I must keep an open mind about any misunderstandings between me and my students or their families and confront these misunderstandings without judgment.

Amanda Smith, 8th Grade Science- After researching and experiencing the Hispanic culture I learned they are very close to immediate and extended family. The parents want what is best for their child. However, the family is a high priority. I also learned that many people of the Hispanic culture have many ideas, values, theologies, and insights to share but they are never given the opportunity. As a teacher it is very important to move away from the hidden curriculum which emphasizes the mainstream culture, and bring in other views. Use the funds of knowledge your student's parents have.

Amanda Morgan- I want to teach Kindergarten. I've learned throughout this assignment, that every culture has something to offer in the classroom. I want each child in my classroom to feel that their culture is important and special and this assignment have equipped me with many tools to know how to help my students feel like they can be proud of their culture. ​ Abbey Smith: I want to teach 3rd or 4th grade. I have gotten so much out of all of my experiances with the Hispanic culture. I feel the most important thing that I have taken from them is there overall value of family and friends, and how they focus more on the basic needs, rather than falling into America's obsession with materialism.