"Well this is a mess!"
"Well this is a mess!"
These were the exact words my orthopedic doctor used to greet me on Thursday to share the results of my MRI.
I had torn my shoulder a few weeks back (trying to lock the back row passenger seat in place while turned around in the driver seat). Yup, not smart!
Then, instead of resting - we moved. So I packed, and lifted, and packed and lifted.
Then, I slipped on a stack of flattened boxes - and while trying to spare my shoulder - landed on my forearm and burned it on a wooden stair case.
THEN, while in the new house, I attempted to lift my 80lb chocolate lab up four stairs (usually not an issue), but as I exerted force, my shoulder gave out.
So needless to say - I've been unable to do all I need to do. I have pictures to hang - and boxes still to unpack. My hopes of landscaping and building a vegetable garden and chicken coop are being put off until next Spring. Even getting dressed and clicking the seat belt fastener is a challenge. Being one armed is frustrating!
It's always when you become limited, or have to do without - do you realize how blessed you truly are.
So now more than ever the term Limited English Proficient (LEP), really bothers me!
Just as the phrase language barrier does - possibly even more.
You see, my educational philosophy is grounded in social justice and the asset perspective. That students should experience equity of services, and that students from diverse backgrounds should be valued for their own cultural and linguistic capacity. They are in process of learning English, so the term English learner is appropriate. Also being a strong advocate of the growth mindset, the time it takes to become fully proficient in a target language, takes 5-7 years for social language, and 7-9 years for academic language. To carry the word 'limited' for nine years does not bode well with the growth mindset.
I've seen federal and state language change in the last month from LEP to EL. Even though it's frustrating in the world of educational acronyms to now become familiar and with another term, this one is important. Sure, it will take time for all platforms and organizations to get on the same page ~ I encourage YOU to have EL replace LEP in your own vernacular.
These were the exact words my orthopedic doctor used to greet me on Thursday to share the results of my MRI.
I had torn my shoulder a few weeks back (trying to lock the back row passenger seat in place while turned around in the driver seat). Yup, not smart!
Then, instead of resting - we moved. So I packed, and lifted, and packed and lifted.
Then, I slipped on a stack of flattened boxes - and while trying to spare my shoulder - landed on my forearm and burned it on a wooden stair case.
THEN, while in the new house, I attempted to lift my 80lb chocolate lab up four stairs (usually not an issue), but as I exerted force, my shoulder gave out.
So needless to say - I've been unable to do all I need to do. I have pictures to hang - and boxes still to unpack. My hopes of landscaping and building a vegetable garden and chicken coop are being put off until next Spring. Even getting dressed and clicking the seat belt fastener is a challenge. Being one armed is frustrating!
It's always when you become limited, or have to do without - do you realize how blessed you truly are.
So now more than ever the term Limited English Proficient (LEP), really bothers me!
Just as the phrase language barrier does - possibly even more.
You see, my educational philosophy is grounded in social justice and the asset perspective. That students should experience equity of services, and that students from diverse backgrounds should be valued for their own cultural and linguistic capacity. They are in process of learning English, so the term English learner is appropriate. Also being a strong advocate of the growth mindset, the time it takes to become fully proficient in a target language, takes 5-7 years for social language, and 7-9 years for academic language. To carry the word 'limited' for nine years does not bode well with the growth mindset.
There is hope -
for my shoulder -
and for how we define/allow labels to subconsciously limit our students
but we need YOU!
for my shoulder -
and for how we define/allow labels to subconsciously limit our students
but we need YOU!
When we focus on limitations, we become blind to ability. Be an advocate for ability!
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