Social Justice means that education is an opportunity that should be open for all members of a democratic society, regardless

of social differences or histories and is the only true way to strive for equality among our members. As an educator it is also my responsibility to encourage the academic promise I see not only in my students but in others also. Two philosophies I see at play are Humanism and Existentialism. Existentialism expounds that we, as individuals, should be able to determine and do what is best for ourselves. But we have met the more basic human needs of Malsows Hierarchy we cannot reach a point where we can look beyond our needs to our dreams and desires. We cannot want something better for ourselves until we know that it is a possibility. The Courage to Question Assumptions Morrison, George S. (2009). Historical and Philosophical Influences on Teaching and Learning in America. In Stephen D. th Dragin (Ed.), Teaching in America - 5 ed. (pp.345-348). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

I come from a rural family in Northeastern Indiana. To the best of my knowledge, NONE of my ancestors had ever achieved more than a high school diploma. I had no idea that I would ever go to college. I hoped to live my life much the same way my father had. I would graduate from high school, go into the Navy for four years, return home, get a well-paying job working in a factory, get married, buy a house, raise a family, put away enough money that I wouldnt have to live from paycheck to paycheck, and maybe farm a little on the side. I thought if I could turn out to be half the man my dad is, I would be a success. But when I was a sophomore in high school, someone came into my life for whom Social Justice was more than an interesting theory. It was a mission. Her name was Miss Karlene Kinzler, the choir teacher for Churubusco High School. We met late in the first year of this, her first teaching job out of college. For some reason, she had agreed to act as a driver/chaperone for a field trip to Chicago with the Spanish Club, a group with which she had no affiliation. By luck of the draw, I was in the vehicle she was driving along with most of the people attending who were in the various choirs she directed. In the days before IPods, it was a common practice for those travelling together to pass the time by singing so I felt no qualms about joining in. I was, although, a bit surprised when after one of the songs, Miss Kinzler, asked me why I hadnt auditioned for choir last year. I told her I did but I also had a cold at the time. She asked me why I hadnt told her that and I informed her that I did. Her reply was, Try out again next year. and nothing more was said about it until the next school year. I auditioned and not only made it into choir, I also made

Mens Choir, and Swing Choir. The more I worked with Miss Kinzler, the more I wanted to please her. Truth be told, I most likely had a crush on her. That was also the first that the school performed a musical, Oklahoma! I auditioned at her behest and landed the coveted role of Cowboy/Farmer. I could say I landed the role because they sensed I could portray the characters inner turmoil because, in this musical, the cowboys and farmers hate each other. The truth was that I was an unnamed chorus member but whatever Miss Kinzler of the chorus I gave her, and more. Before the show premiered I was featured in 2 dance numbers, a fight scene, given a speaking line and solo line in the title song. Miss Kinzler was getting to know me and, unknown to me, had plans for me. Things progressed even better for me my junior year. I was bored in my classes because I understood the lessons the first time they were given and would zone out the second or third time the teachers covered the material yet again. I was still in the same choirs, had a supporting role in the fall drama Our Town and was the comic relief character Billis in South Pacific. One rehearsal, during a break, she casually asked me if I had taken my SATs yet. Befuddled, I told her that I hadnt and she just replied that Id better hurry because Id start applying to schools by the beginning of next year if I had any hope of getting into a good one. It was like she was speaking another language. What made her think I could go to college? Id watched those TV shows. The kids of people who worked in offices went to college, not the kids of people who worked in factories. I found out when the next SAT tests were scheduled and signed up, paying the testing fees myself because I didnt have the nerve to face my dad to ask him to pay for me to take a test that wasnt going to yield a drivers license or greater. I found out this was an aptitude test, meaning you either had the aptitude to pass the test or didnt and essentially went into it blind. It wasnt until I got there and met some of my schoolmates that I was the only one who hadnt take a class or practice test to prepare. Oh well, I thought, I guess this will put an end to it once and for all. When I received my test grades in the mail, I opened them and took them to Miss Kinzler the next day. I had gotten a 760 on the Math and a 530 on the Reading. Instead of being resigned to the fact that she had, in fact, misjudged me, she said, Kevin, these are GREAT scores. You have GOT to go to college! This was the first time I had ever seriously considered it. I told her my dad wasnt rich and she said, So? I told her nobody in my family goes to college and she said, So? I asked her why I should go to college and she told me, Because you have the intelligence and ability to learn so

She knew I could do this and I was just making excuses. My dad wont pay for it. Have you asked him? No. Then I guess you really dont know, do you? I got up the nerve that weekend to tell my dad that Id taken the test, done well on it, and I thought I should go to college. He asked me how I was going to pay for it and I told him I didnt know. Well, you work through the summer and put that towards school and your mom and I will loan you whatever else you need to get by until the next year. So I was really going to do it. I didnt know where but, if anyone would have me, I was going to go to college. Miss Kinzler not only understands but practices social justice and I know Ill have the nerve to do the same because of her example.

The Sins of the Father

I have two sons, Nathan, who is a sophomore in high school and Joey, who is in the eighth grade. My father wanted me to be an athlete like him, and I tried, but I never lived up to his expectations. When I was in the fourth grade everyone was tested for musical ability and it was recommended that I enroll in band. Dads reply was, You cant be on the field and in the band at the same time. He wasnt going to pay for a musical instrument, let alone lessons and the subject was over. My sons have their own talents. The oldest, Nathan, enjoyed playing baseball when he was younger but has since lost the fire and doesnt participate. I would LOVE for my dad to see in him the jock I never was but I doubt thats going to happen. He is gifted intellectually, and musically. Hes had lessons and can play the piano, viola, drums, and now has picked up the guitar. He has been arranging multipart musical arrangements on his laptop since the seventh grade but insists hes not a creative person. Joey has never been interested in sports. He almost completed one season of T-ball but he enjoyed more playing in the dirt at second base than actually playing second base. But he is an amazingly creative person. He was not as good a reader as Nathan but the only way I knew that was because when Id have him read out loud I would follow along with him. He would read fluently and with great expression and if he came to a word he didnt know, he would put in another word that made perfect sense and continue. He also plays piano, drums, and the

electric bass with the same creativity. You can feel the emotions every time he plays and he is a gifted bass soloist but he did not make Jazz band this year mostly because, when it comes to just keeping time, he gets bored and his mind wanders. They both have their excuses. Nathan has ADHD and suffers from anxiety. Joey has ADD and Aspergers Syndrome. Its a condition where he has trouble picking up and responding to the social cues of others and, as such, is shunned by many, including a former best friend. As an adult, Ive been diagnosed with narcolepsy and also suffer from ADD. Ive always had trouble staying alert and focused. Perhaps its because of my own ailments that I do not let the boys use theirs as excuses not to achieve. Once you know what the problem is, you can then understand why you act the way you do and find a way to work around it. I can accept their frustration when the simple things become difficult for them but I cannot accept if they dont give their best anyway. I know from experience. Youll never get past it and discover how to deal with your shortcomings otherwise.