Jameys Law

Many young people face relentless bullying at school, a place where they should feel safe, even nurtured. But when a young person takes his own life because of it--as is happening far too frequently--it affects his family, his friends, his community and, in the case of Jamey Rodemeyer, perhaps the country.

Jamey Rodemeyer was a freshman at Williamsville North High School in Erie County, Western New York. Some people  didn't accept his "choice." Students at school made hateful comments to him in person and online. He blogged about it, he made a video saying "It Gets Better." But it didn't get better enough: After years of vicious bullying for his sexuality, Jamey chose to take his own life on September 18.

The news shocked and saddened both those who knew him and those who didn't, but in the past few days, it's done even more than that. Lady Gaga--Jamey's favorite for her stance on acceptance--has taken up his cause and vowed to get a criminal law passed against bullying. Ricky Martin has tweeted worldwide to get the movement going. And President Obama is holding an anti-bullying summit at the White House. And the Amherst police in Jamey's hometown are investigating criminal charges against the bullies.

Still, we ask your help. If you believe that bullying should be a criminal offense, please sign this petition. May there never be another child who chooses to die at the hands of vicious peers. If only. 

Below is a link to SIGN the Petition against BULLYING!...Be the change you wish to see in this world and sign and stand up for anti bullying! 

http://www.change.org/petitions/the-senate-enact-an-anti-bullying-law-jameys-law?utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=share_petition&utm_term=own_wall

More food for thought!

Upon doing some reading I came across this quote by Ruth Sidney Charney, " If respect, kindness, and empathy are to be our rules, not passive phrases, we must sort through these issues with our students, helping them define and act in ethical ways."

How can we as future teachers incorporate and model  ideas and phrases such as respect, kindness and empathy in our classrooms?  What do you think is the most effective way to teach your students about these ideas and phrases and what do you think the benefits of teaching students these ideas at an early age are?

Please feel free to comment and or reply!  Just a little food to get your brain thinking!  Keep posted for more!

Educational Posts/ Weekly Reading!

For this weeks weekly reading, I did some research on the National Center Universal Design for Learning otherwise known as UDL. I've discovered that the UDL is a set of principles for curriculum development that give all individuals equal opportunities to learn. To sum this up into more simple terms, the UDL acts as a basic plan or layout that incorporates a more flexible approach to learning that allows one to create instructional goals, methods, materials and assessments that work for everyone!   This approach is more effective and beneficial to all learners and can be customized and adjusted to suit for individual needs. The UDL rely on 3 universal designs for learning which are as follows: the "what" of learning, the "why" of learning, and last but not least the "how" of learning. 

 The "what" of learning, more specifically known as the recognition network uses the basic idea and or principle of showing students there are more than one way of representing an idea.  Learners differ in the ways that they perceive and comprehend information that is presented to them. Some students can grasp information quicker using visual and or auditory means while others learn better by reading texts. As a future teacher it is very important to understand the idea of showing multiple ways of passing on information to my students that will allow for optimal learning for students of all kinds. 

The second design or principle the UDL says to incorporate into teaching students is the "how" of learning, more specially referred to as the strategic network.   The strategic network consists of the planning and performing of tasks. It put an emphasis on how we organize and express our ideas as teachers and how students express their ideas to us teachers to show what they have learned.   In reality, there is not one means of action and expression that will be optimal for all learners thus this principle promotes teachers to  provide many options for expression.

Last but not least is the effective network that focuses on the "why" of learning.  This principle promotes teachers to  provide many ways of engaging students that will spark their interests and keep them actively participating.   There is not one means of engagement that will be optimal for all learners in all contexts; providing multiple options for engagement is essential in the "why" process of learning.  

Below I'm going to post a link that will take you directly to the UDL website where you can access more information! http://www.udlcenter.org/aboutudl

Keep your eyes peeled for the next post! 

About Mwah!

Before reading my blog there are a few things you should know about me to better understand who I am, where I'm from and what makes me tick. I go by the name of Travis Van Nostrand. Many would say that I am very outgoing, optimistic, hardworking and determined to make a difference in this world.  My family is very dynamic and consists of twelve of the best brothers and sisters I could have ever asked for and two of the greatest parents on this planet!  You can check out a family picture on my about me! I am a lover of house music and love to dance! I enjoy activities such as snowboarding, golfing, surfing, long boarding, and playing lacrosse. I feel that in order to seek change in this world it starts with each and every individual to make decisions and choices based on the simple and basic principle of right and wrong.  I feel that the saddest thing is life is wasted talent.  I fear the thought of life and the bigger picture in the grand scale of things.  I also fear the thought of time.  Although time may be a 24 hour cycling system you must live in the moment because everything is relevant so make the most of now. I would like to travel the world and see the pyramids of Egypt, the temples and cathedrals of Rome and Italy and eventually make a move back to my birthplace  of Korea.  I'm currently living in a beautiful two person apartment in Cortland NY.  However, during the summer months I reside back to Smithtown, Long Island where I live with my Moms and Pops and some of my brothers and sisters.  In the Summers I have a number of different jobs to keep the money flowing and my lifestyle fast paced and busy.  I work full time in the restaurant industry where I've held almost every position in the business.  This past summer I was actively involved in upscale catering at a local private golf and country club called Nissiquogue Golf and Country club. In addition, I worked numerous lacrosse clinics teaching and helping kids aging from 6-17 develop a better sense of the game, techniques and sticks skills.  On the weekends I drive an hour east to work at semi private golf and country club where I prepare and cook some of the best BBQ food one can buy after making the turn to the 10th hole! This year I was given an opportunity to MC for a good friend & DJ that goes by the name of Matt Hendrick (DJ Drix). We bounced around throwing down different events ranging from baseball games, graduation parties to block parties. While at school I run a full scale hair cutting operation during the week/ weekends that allows me to have some money to mess around with while at school.  Thats it for now!  Keep updated for more posts!

Food for Thought!

Today is my first day as a "blogger" and already I find my head spinning from mass confusion!  However, I'm beginning to get the hang it!  Thus far I've learned the basic technical skills in creating, posting, editing and customizing my blog.  I've posted a video titled, "The Sun Screen Song" which I high recommend that you check it out. I came across this video on wimp.com and since I've not only watched it about once a day but try to incorporate and live by the life lessons that are listed in the video.  One of my favorite quotes in the video is...

"Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who
supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of
fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the
ugly parts and recycling it for more than it’s worth."

Check out the video and feel free to re-post and and or comment with reflections concerns, like and dislikes!
Look out for more posts soon!