Reflection Paper

            If I could do anything in the world without the risk of failing, I would work, through education, toward the elimination of inequalities based on race, social status, and other inherited factors.  To fail would be not to try, as working efficiently toward change would be a success in itself. 

            According to the 2000 census, approximately 25% of United States residents were non-white; however the highest percentage of whites had a household income of $60,000 to $74,000, while the highest percentage of blacks, Native Americans, and other ethnic groups earned less than $10,000 per year.  Thus, it is fair to say that the playing field is not level in this country.  It is also a fact that most individuals worldwide are born into a series of circumstances that make it difficult, and sometimes impossible, for them to succeed.  I believe that education is a way to alleviate social injustice.

            The late president John F. Kennedy once said, "The purpose of foreign policy is not to provide an outlet for our own sentiments of hope or indignation."  However, in spite of our own national problems, the U.S. government often intervenes to "improve" conditions in other countries.  These efforts sometimes foster conditions that lead to an increase in migration from such areas as Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.    

            Like Dr. Fred Bemak, who presented to our class on September 11, 2007, I intend to work with refugee, immigrant, and first-generation immigrant children over the course of my career.  I also plan to travel to other countries to learn more about various populations, in order to help facilitate the transition of young immigrants to this country. 

In addition, I feel that it is important to focus upon the motivation of immigrant youth, as Dr. Buehl shared with us on September 18.  Thus far in my teaching career, I have also found that motivation plays a strong role in learning.  In that respect, the emotional aspects and adjustment processes linked to migration should be considered of paramount importance in educational settings.

To quote Mohandas Gandhi, "Freedom is not worth having if it does not connote freedom to err."  Thus, I can only succeed in providing comprehensive services to immigrant students.