"One of my professors at UIC, John Nicholls, was particularly influential in challenging me to continually rethink my assumptions about teaching. John was forever emphasizing the importance of listening to students and bringing their lives into the classroom." Page 56
This particular quote really ties in perfectly with the chapter. Mr. Mitchie organizes a reading group in order to create an audio book of The House on Mango Street. Immediately after auditions, Veronica, Yajaira, Marisa, Alejandra, and Nancy become completely attached to story told by Sandra Cisneros, all visualizing a portion of themselves told through the main character, Esperanza. As the following weeks progresses, the Mango Girls (as they called themselves), practiced the stories so many times that they all knew them virtually by heart while exploring a story that relates so closely to their own lives.
"I was coming to discover, that part or teaching is the willingness to explore with kids, to reach with them, follow a dimly lit path together, often unaware of the dazzling surprises that may wait around the bend." Page 63
Nancy's story provides insight into her challenge through out college at Depaul University. Coming from a community where most people don't continue on into college but instead work in the labor industry. Nancy struggles to maintain her identity as a young Mexican woman within a society where shes feels judged not only by her school peers but by those within her community. Like the story of The House on Mango Street, Nancy strives not to erase or forget what she knows, who she is, and where she came from.
I absolutely love this idea. Mr. Michie recording these readings and presenting them is a great example of progressive education. The students are being hands on with their learning, creating knowledge through actual process. These are the stories that make me excited to be a teacher, and gives me hope that there are other teachers out there like this.
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