As the students develop reasoning skills through the guided philosophi — Priscilla B. Anderson

"Through my mother’s imprint on my heart and mind I found the value of education."

"Partaking in positive dialogue will give students the opportunity to discuss and make inquiry of the different stereotypes of Black and brown students that exist. Currently African Americans are over represented as sports figures (Peffley). Reevaluation of the content of television commercials, magazine advertisements, movies, plays, cultural events, museum exhibits and other media reveals where African- American representation needs to be increased (Peffley, et.al,). Therefore affording scholars the opportunity to develop their own perspective gives them an up close and personal involvement to starting the conversation along with making connections for themselves."

"Also, it is equally important for my students to gain insightful reasoning to determine all on their own what is the value of education, if any, for black and brown students, and if the societalfactors that exist such as being stereotyped and the effects of poverty impact their future."

"As an African- American Educator I can relate closely to some of the experiences my scholars face on a daily basis such as growing up in an impoverished community, single parent home and being financially challenged. Knowing that this is what some of our scholars endure, the quest in this unit is to disclose why education can truly mean the difference between success or failure for them in society today. I grew up in a rural town called Denmark, South Carolina. I saw education as my way of escaping poverty. My mother, who was not literate, fostered higher learning principles as my only means of survival and did not give me another choice to consider."

"I believe it is imperative to give scholars the space to discover their true understanding of the value of an Education. I know to first have my students engage in conversation about education presenting them with factors that affect their lives such as poverty and stereotypes will ignite the flame of learning initially. Once the conversation begins then the chance for questioning starts and allows the students to hear others perspectives, hopes and expectations around the importance of education. Now this will certainly promote growth and development around a topic that is passively represented within my school and classroom because the focus is always on preparation for a test. Perhaps if scholars are given a chance to discuss the barriers faced on a daily basis then the performance academically can shift when they see how their future is shaped with and without an education."

"In an inquiry classroom, discovery will lead scholars to formulating their own idea about learning through insight from philosophical discussions, classmates’ perspectives, and teachers serving as a facilitator only. Allowing the students to research and study the topics related to obtaining knowledge will prove beneficial because my students will ultimately formulate their own perspectives based on their understanding instead of being told everyday to pass the test to get promoted. According to John Dewey there is no absolute foundation, just variations of Education. Even so, Dewey further suggests experiences make learning (Dewey, 2007 Chapter 24) So learning this fundamental principle leads me to think that if my students openly discuss the various stories of fate, family, racial profiling, economic distress and identity crisis that the conversation surrounding education in the classroom may change for them personally. A classroom of philosophical inquiry provides the platform for them to decide if indeed there is a disconnection to the value of education for students of color. Of course the students will learn there truly is no absolute, no sole answer but their own personal interpretation and mutual respect for their classmates thoughts, analysis and point of view; but, my hope is that the commonalities among the scholars will ignite curiosity and challenge them to find a direct link to the importance of education."