Welcome to the first year of ethnic studies |
Preparing Leaders
The Ethnic Studies Program at TAPA offers a strong academic program that engages you in learning. Another priority is to encourage you to commit to helping other people. One of the great rewards of teaching this class is that students sincerely believe they can make a difference in the world. The Ethnic Studies program emphasizes activities that pull students out of themselves and their world and into the world of service. This approach is consistent with the school’s mission to empower “each individual to have a voice, assume community responsibility and take social action."
Becoming Mature Students
In Ethnic Studies we try to impart not only academic knowledge, but also academic skills and habits. For example, the subject matter of a book you read provides that information or content – the knowledge. But your ability to read critically, to absorb and think about the content, is an essential academic (and leadership) skill. A student who begins to make time to read regularly builds the foundation for a lifelong habit. These habits and skills are a part of the learning process that is nurtured in Ethnic Studies.
There are also skills that students need to organize themselves to get their schoolwork done. There are also a set of habits to learn, such as recognizing when help is needed, and being open to asking for help. Organizing your academic work is a really important skill to master to be successful in high school. In Ethnic Studies we know it is important to see you as a whole person -- both how you are growing and how you are learning -- and build a relationship with you.
The Ethnic Studies Program at TAPA offers a strong academic program that engages you in learning. Another priority is to encourage you to commit to helping other people. One of the great rewards of teaching this class is that students sincerely believe they can make a difference in the world. The Ethnic Studies program emphasizes activities that pull students out of themselves and their world and into the world of service. This approach is consistent with the school’s mission to empower “each individual to have a voice, assume community responsibility and take social action."
Becoming Mature Students
In Ethnic Studies we try to impart not only academic knowledge, but also academic skills and habits. For example, the subject matter of a book you read provides that information or content – the knowledge. But your ability to read critically, to absorb and think about the content, is an essential academic (and leadership) skill. A student who begins to make time to read regularly builds the foundation for a lifelong habit. These habits and skills are a part of the learning process that is nurtured in Ethnic Studies.
There are also skills that students need to organize themselves to get their schoolwork done. There are also a set of habits to learn, such as recognizing when help is needed, and being open to asking for help. Organizing your academic work is a really important skill to master to be successful in high school. In Ethnic Studies we know it is important to see you as a whole person -- both how you are growing and how you are learning -- and build a relationship with you.