My Weary Query

My virtual presence, at least on this blog, has been null. I regret my neglect when I see so many insightful others. Stephanie Jones’ blog (http://engagedintellectual.wordpress.com/), for instance, compels me to write about educational research I’m doing and my field experiences in classrooms. Much of her research in schools takes a social class perspective, underlying structures that perpetuate differences in education and literacy along class lines, and how this impacts education. She goes far beyond superficial notions of poverty that are perpetrated by Ruby Payne which have infiltrated public schools. I feel, along with many others, Payne’s work limits the way teachers think about and respond to children who are low SES (see Rethinking Schools, http://www.rethinkingschools.org/archive/21_02/fram212.shtml). We need more research like Stephanie’s that provides a more nuanced perspective of poverty and its effect on children’s dispositions. 

I’m prepping for doctoral candidacy exams this semester, so a lot of my free time is pointed there. Even with that looming, it’s scary how easily distracted I can be.  I’ve a little voice that says “Study! Study!” — and another that says “Play! Play!”   Then there’s a reoccurring dream of not attending a class (I’m strangely back in high school facing Ms Carter), and there’s no way I can pass, get credit, and graduate. Could this be pointing toward a growing ambivalence toward certain institutional requirements? The test itself is a necessary evil spread over three weeks–Part A & B are written and timed. Part C is an oral exam, where my committee members grill me on particular concepts. While I’m concerned, and want to do well, I’m not too worried. I want to jump through this hoop, get started on my dissertation proposal, and hopefully write more regular posts here.   

Warmly,
Treavor