Critical Pedagogy in an Urban High School English Classroom

The ideas and situations presented in Critical Pedagogy in an Urban High School English Classroom Is insightful towards the multi-faceted culture and educational struggles exemplified within the modern urban educational environment. It was a very thoughtful commentary and discussion on how students affected by this sort of learning environment can be given the same opportunities of not, more to develop their worldviews, accomplish their learning objectives and excel in the education system despite the setbacks and disadvantages set upon such students and schools that lack the proper amount of funding responsible for providing the most recent texts, lesson material and resources necessary to provide a decent education.

I enjoyed the emphasis and respect towards the concept of using the text and literary resources of the classic literary masters to supplement the need for up-to-date textbooks and actively engaging in teaching methods as simple in concept as ordinary class discussion to challenge, engage these students and encourage them to always seek improvement through dynamic analysis of texts that connect to them on cultural, personal and relevance to worldview. I find it increasingly necessary to provide the tools to students or help them to develop or refine their own tools for progressing towards their literacy objectives and engagement in the humanities and in extension, their own communities. In this way, these students will be able to achieve an education just as validated as students enrolled in schools with more up-to-date accommodations.

As the Greek Philosophers and great teachers of the ancient past embraced, “A classroom is not always a room with fancy books or tools, but an environment where student and teacher alike have a willingness to learn and a desire to always improve their understanding, in this way, a classroom facilitates a connection between knowledge, discovery and understanding.”

Urging students to look at texts and literature from different perspectives and worldviews is a surefire way to encourage empathic connections among the students and instructor that provide a positive atmosphere where true learning can take place, no matter what materials or resources are lacking.