Welcome to Media Literacy 2017–2018!

Mrs. Sarah Ashman
Aug 25, 2017 · 2 min read

Hello! I’m glad you’re here. If this is new to you, please bear in mind that it is new to me, as well, and I’m feeling that goosepimply excitement you get when you don’t quite know how what you’re doing is going to turn out, but you’re THRILLED for the ride anyway. This is only my second year teaching ML in Holt, so bear with me. I’d like us to use this first post to talk about the issues or aspects of the media we are most interested in.

You may be able to tell by my tags and follows that, in addition to being a journalism teacher — oh, hey! I advise Ramparts newspaper, incase you weren’t aware — I am also a bit of a social justice crusader. To that end, I ardently follow and contribute to topics such as feminism, LGBTQA rights, BLM, and other causes that seek equality for all peoples and communities. However, I work very hard to put my interests on the back burner when I teach, especially in classes like Media Lit. I’d like you to learn HOW to think, not WHAT to think, so I’m all about hearing what you have to say, regardless of the issue and if I agree with your thoughts. It should go without saying that this can be challenging, particularly if someone speaks unfairly about a person or group of people in class. I always hope to have that kind of talk squashed by another classmate rather than taking it on myself. Sometimes, it’s unavoidable. Furthermore, I am excited by the passion I have seen from some of you in our first few days, and I am also equal parts thrilled and nervous (comfortably so) about discussing issues of race, gender, and culture in such diverse classes. You all make up my DREAM population for these classes, but I am concerned with the comfort and safety of each and every one of you above all else.

Currently, I am enjoying, albeit with a constant cringe, the heaping pile of “whaaaa…?” that is our current political climate. I’m also following developments in the Trump administration, the white nationalism movement, the BLM movement and I just spent some time engaging in a debate on dress codes, a hot topic in the media right now, with some other educators.

What are you following? What are you interested in? Consider all media and be as specific as you can. I’m chomping at the bit to get to know you all — particularly you who are not as comfortable speaking up in class just yet. I appreciate your honesty and am excited to get our class dialogue rolling along. Happy weekend!

-SNA

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Mrs. Sarah Ashman

Written by

High school journalism and English teacher. Intensely interested in digital and media literacy. Using Medium with my students in the classroom!

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