Building Relationships

Opportunity Gaps- In our society we are separated by several things and it starts very early on in life.  Some believe we play a part in that separation with the decisions we make, the people we choose to be friends with, and how we live our lives, but I feel society impacts our mindset more than we think.  Separation starts as early as our education does, our environment, our social class, often determines where we go to school, who teaches the class, and what is being taught. Many of these will impact how we see the world, and our place in it.  It is not uncommon for schools in low socio-economic areas to have less funding, and inadequate standards, even though public education is state and federally funded.

I believe it is these differences that create opportunity gaps in our society. 

It is important that we recognize these gaps, and make improvements in effort to close them.  I feel it is important for educators to learn how to understand these gaps and why they exist.  Once they are able to understand why these gaps exist, they can look for tools that may counter the effects.
I think it is important for educators to understand, that they are not limited by their budget. Educators need to discover tools within them and their students that can be utilized to close these gaps within education.  Building friendships and rapport with students can be an effective tool, just as discovering the cultures within the classroom, and exposing students to different thoughts within academia   I understand educators need to meet requirements, and devote time to designated curriculum, but use that curriculum and infuse the students.
I truly feel any effort outside of the box, is a move in the right direction.  I love the idea of stepping out of the box.  I think trying new things is what makes people grow and develop.  Often we will evaluate something on its effectiveness, but we also learn from mistakes, and sometimes we learn more from our errors than our successes.
I hope this will encourage educators to try.  I live under the motto try, what you can lose.  Some might say a lot, but sometimes loosing, is what builds success.  When you try and success is not seen, you know what does not work, and you know not to continue.  I believe knowing not what to do, is just as effective and important, as knowing what to do.  I feel as a future educator, as long as I am trying, I cannot loose.
I would appreciate any feedback from educators and their experiences with stepping out of the box