Opening
Almost every reflection, I have started with this video. It is a powerful video that calls into question how we strive for social justice. Watch this video and focus on the "red" characters.
|
|
Please engage in the activity, PlaySpent, and then comment on your experience of the activity here.
What?
Watch the following two videos on mentoring/tutoring programs. Examine each program's philosophy on the students: is it modeled as a savior-complex (the students are in need and we provide a remedy) or is it modeled as a program modeled to support and be alongside the student (empowering them with their own skills and talents).
|
|
So What?
In seeing the two programs in the videos above, I want you all to look at the program at Cristo Rey. If you are familiar with The Study at Loyola, it provides tutoring service. There is no need/mandate to get to know the tutor; that part is optional. Looking at our service at Cristo Rey, it is a predominantly tutor-based program. How do we build relationships with our students, and get to know them deeper than just the academic realm? Do you find that the student's need for academic assistance blocks the chance to build relationships deeper than just the assignment? In a sense, are the students over-dependent on our service at CRJ, and, to some degree, need us to get through the quarter, semester, etc.?
Examining the definition of social justice, the full and equal participation of both groups (the one's providing service and the one's desiring service) such that there is a mutual cooperation and design of what justice looks like. Are we abiding by that definition when we mentor? Besides comfort that we are helping out, what are we receiving from service? While we are fulfilling a need from the partner, isn't that just a savior-complex in disguise?
For students to rely on us, rather than seek empowerment from themselves, might be considered problematic. Give a bit of insight to this via comment.
Examining the definition of social justice, the full and equal participation of both groups (the one's providing service and the one's desiring service) such that there is a mutual cooperation and design of what justice looks like. Are we abiding by that definition when we mentor? Besides comfort that we are helping out, what are we receiving from service? While we are fulfilling a need from the partner, isn't that just a savior-complex in disguise?
For students to rely on us, rather than seek empowerment from themselves, might be considered problematic. Give a bit of insight to this via comment.
Now What? and Closing
Write a letter to yourself. In this letter, include what you perceive your role to be as a mentor at Cristo Rey. We know that our role is to provide academic assistance to the students. That cannot be changed; however, what we can change is how we go about that assistance. Our techniques should leave the students feeling empowered, that they can tackle the assignment on their own. We want to become their subsidiaries, being supportive when necessary, rather than hand-holding. Knowing this, write on how your techniques will change in your academic assistance at Cristo Rey. How will you empower students while simultaneously "getting the job done."
Please drop this letter off at CCSJ no later than Wednesday, April 6, 2015 at 11pm. As a note, failure to submit this reflection will result in a one-on-one meeting with me and/or my supervisor.
Please drop this letter off at CCSJ no later than Wednesday, April 6, 2015 at 11pm. As a note, failure to submit this reflection will result in a one-on-one meeting with me and/or my supervisor.