Taking TE 448 this fall has been an enriching experience where I have learned a lot. Mainly, I have learned there are many different types of underrepresented groups that are important to be included in classroom reading of texts. I never realized the depth of what it means to have diverse literature, I'm sad to say, and am glad that I am now much more informed. I have also learned there is a lot of poorly written literature out there that can sometimes be the only way people recognize an underrepresented group, and I need to be critical of the texts I include in my classroom in order to ensure the "insiders" get their voices heard, and things aren't misrepresented, especially in ways tat could be offensive to some readers.
From here, I will continue to build my library for my future classroom, but I will be much more critical of my reads. I will take the time to critically examine and question the texts I choose and make sure they are of the highest quality in representing diverse literature. I won't base my decisions on what other people suggest, I will read informed materials and my own judgement rather than new york times best seller list, or something of that effect, in order to ensure that I am representing diverse literature in my classroom in a fair and appropriate way.
I look forward to continuing this process and am thankful for having the opportunity to learn how to critically examine texts of underrepresented groups in order to have a rich, diverse classroom library.
Thank you!
