Prompt 5

        The culturally competent teacher involves and works with families and community resources, understanding the differences in families, the important influence of family participation in students learning, and the benefit of collaborating with the wider school community.  Just from my experience in the classroom, and the information I've gathered from my teaching mentor, the correlation between involved, concerned parents, and successful engaged students is clear.  The more successful students make their at home practice with mom or dad clear as we go through exercises. "Mom showed me this when we read Matilda" or "Dad told me that when there's an E at the end of the word, the vowel before it says it's name" etc.  The children who struggle with day to day lessons in subjects like math and reading make no such comments.  They often make comments like "Id rather be playing video games".  As the teacher of a classroom, the difficulties of taking all of these different attitudes about learning, that begin at home, and finding a way to engage ALL of the students seems to be the biggest challenge.
        In my classroom, there are a number of different groups of children who's families all seem to value education at different levels.  There are many who's struggle with English speak to the condition and status of their families, most likely new to this country and unaware of the 'secret codes' of power that Delpit talks about that place those with an education above those who lack one.  For families like those of Roberto, Jose, and Angelina who's homework are never completed in the morning, schoolwork is never an important part of life at home, so why should it be while at school?  In my home, my mom and dad would badger me relentlessly until all the necessary homework assignments were completed.  They emailed teachers, required a list of what was due, and did their best to ensure that my brother and sisters and I were doing as best as we could.  The parents in the piece 'Aria" that we read made the ultimate sacrifice of Spanish culture in favor of education which would set their son up for success in American culture. 
      Children's attitudes are a direct reflection of the attitudes of their parents.  Things that their parents hold of high importance will most likely effect what the child holds of high importance.  As an educator, it would be extremely difficult for me to see a child struggle in school, only to find the parent of that child as equally unconcerned with their poor performance as the child themselves.  For too many parents, they accept the idea that their child is unintelligent, or simply not a good student.  They throw their hands in the air and expect the educator to fix the issue.  In some ways, the parent is correct.  It's my job as an educator to inspire students to do well, and strive for success.  Regardless of outside circumstances, the classroom should be a safe heaven and a gateway to endless opportunities and available information and options.  At the same time, if at all possible, a little outside encouragement from family and community will only help to strengthen the ideology of the importance of education in a student.  As an educator, I would stress the importance of education to parents, and encourage them to encourage their children to strive for success.  Most students and parents don't know their options when it comes to things like college and life after public education.  As a highschool educator, I want to be well aware of programs and available outlets for students and parents who otherwise would not persue or encourage education due to outside factors like money.
        When parents don't respond to my attempts to engage them in their children's education, I'll at least know the students who may need some extra attention and direction.  Speaking with parents will allow me to know where my students come from, what their aspirations may be, and what the family holds important which may in turn help me to create lessons that are more interesting, and applicable to the real lives of my students.  Knowing these things will help me cater more towards my students without offending any of them, knowing that many may come from homes where parents did not finish school  There is a way to teach the things that you are required to teach, while mixing in things that make the lessons interesting and appropriate for the time and place.  If some parents could care less about school, I won't overload their child with the importance of higher education, but i will certainly make the conversation about alternatives and options for all students part of the classroom discussion so that it never leaves my students minds.  Particularly in art education, making practical careers in things like art education, art therapy, or graphic design as practical things to do with an art degree.