My Education

In reflecting on my past educational experiences, I would have to say that I have been quite fortunate. I lived in a middle class neighborhood, and although there was not much diversity in terms of race or ethnicity while I was in elementary school, once I reached middle school and even more so high school, there was an increased level of diversity.

I would have to say my education compares to the “middle class school” referenced in Jean Anyon’s “Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Work.” There was decision making involved in our learning, and we did have some freedoms. The teachers treated us with kindness, and only were strict when a student misbehaved.

 

  

 

My most memorable part of school (elementary, middle, and high schools) was the extracurricular activities we had the opportunity to participate in. In 4^th grade we had the chance to take musical instrument lessons of our choice. I opted to learn to play the violin, and continued with lessons through high school. Starting in 7^th grade, I also took up the flute and was able to take lessons at school for that as well.

 

 

Looking back overall, I see now that I took my education for granted when I was younger and did not take advantage of the many opportunities I was presented with, which led me to getting a menial job after high school, and postponing college until now. Hopefully now that I am older and supposedly wiser, I will use this opportunity at Cedar Crest to advance my education, which I believe will enrich and better my life as a whole.