Kumashiro believes that common sense is something that needs to be challeneged, because becoming comfortable with ‘how things have always been done’ could hinder or suppress growth.  ” Common sense is not what should shape educational reform or curriculum design; it is what needs to be examined and challenged.” (36). When we are comfortable, we are not challenging our narrative and our drive for growth.  That is why it is so important to pay attention to commonsense and becoming trapped in it. It does not allow for ‘thinking outside of the box’, and with that, new concepts and ideas.

“Alternative Perspectives, including perspectives that challenge common sense, are already dismissed as irrelevant, inconsequential, or inappropriate. After all, common sense does not tell us this is what schools could be doing; it tells us that this and only this, is what schools should be doing.” (35). This is a recognisable danger with falling into ‘common sense’ thinking. We as teachers, want to help encourage critical thinking in our students, and question the world around us for a deeper understanding. It is great to follow guideline and structure, but it is healthy and okay to question why these guidelines and the structure is in place. Life is always changing, and if we have the ability to change with it, creating healthier advances, we should.  After this quote, Kumashiro talks about social pressures around the school system and curriculum. Social pressures are huge on parents, teachers and students. ‘Old school” mentality is something that comes with a lot of pride and discipline and it can be intimidating to try and go beyond that for the growth of ourselves, our students and in-turn, our future.

My understanding of curriculum and pedagogy is to follow what is laid out for us, keep the students engaged and comfortable in the classroom. I had thought about being a teacher for many years, but was talked out of it by many people. Adults in my life, particualry those who were educators themselves or worked within the schools. They made the curriculum sound like shackles and chains, told me I wasn’t going to be able to carry out the creative freedom that was part of my identity. I was told it was suffocate my spirit.  After 4 years of travel, coaching basketball and working in a daycare, I joined the South East Cornerstone School division as a substitute EA, wanting to form my own opinion. I am in my 6th year as a substitute EA and my second year of University. As someone who struggled in school themselves, I find I have respect for the curriculum, because I myself, need that guidence and the information laid out to me. The pedagogy is the fun part, thats where my spirit and flair get to come in, by learning how to deliver the curriculum to the students. I do not see the curriculum as shackles and chains, instead, it is the structure I need, and so far, I see freedom in how I want my classroom to feel and how I am able to teach my students the required knowledge.

Jada Wright