Chapter Préliminaire: Part A - Greetings and Education

 

    I grew up in the Mountain West region of the United States - specifically the Big Horn Basin in northern Wyoming. The most common greeting we use when meeting new people is shaking hands, in both informal and formal settings. Family members typically greet one another with a hug or a pat on the shoulder, and some may kiss on one cheek. I would say, though, that unless it is absolutely necessary as an introduction I never see anyone touch another person as a greeting. This is true of seeing teachers and supervisors - typically a wave is used instead of a handshake if you are not meeting someone for the first time. If I am greeting friends or family I might also wave, but depending on our relationship I might also hug or kiss them on the cheek. In my culture, distance is considered more respectful, and some might find physical contact unnecessary or even off-putting.

    In Wyoming, schools exist in a hierarchy with the state being the highest authority, then the school district, then the individual school.  Once a school district meets all the requirements of the state, it is free to make specific governing choices, like the number of school days in a week or the curriculum taught in the classroom. Many schools in my district implement specific behavior management plans and strategies that aren't used as widely in other areas of the state. Despite the potential for school districts to implement their own structures to schools, there are many commonalities among districts. 

    In Wyoming, Pre-K programs are gaining popularity at an accelerated rate, as are Early Childhood Education Centers which admit students as young as newborns for developmentally appropriate curriculum. Some school districts offer Pre-K services to children aged 3-5, but programs may only be half-day or limited capacity. Preschool is not compulsory in Wyoming at this time. In my state, children are required to undergo Kindergarten screening at age 5 to determine if they are developmentally ready to attend public schools. If they are not, they may be referred to Early Childhood Education specialists or additional screening. Every school year lasts roughly 10 months, typically beginning in late August and ending in late May. Elementary schools usually hold grades K-5, middle schools grades 6-8, and high schools 9-12. 
Students hoping to attend a post-secondary institution are normally required to take the ACT exam, but there is not an exam to directly diagnose whether students can proceed to the next grade level. Proficiency testing is done frequently in the Math, Science, and Reading areas to determine if standards are being met and where support is needed.

     I attended a very small high school, so there was plenty of opportunity for independent study and development of my own knowledge. We also had a small student to staff ratio which allowed for one-on-one instruction when needed. I believe that my experience did prepare me for college, as I was able to take higher-level classes and also take dual enrollment credits while in high school.

                    Image Source: Ajnw. "Chingshin High School New Classroom at the New Building 5th Floor Classroom." Wikimedia Commons. 20 August 2019. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chingshin_new_classroom_1.jpg.

    This image is a realistic norm for what the classrooms I experienced in high school were like. Desks were most commonly situated in rows, posters with educational concepts were displayed across the walls, and a SmartBoard was present at the front of the room. The classrooms I learned in all had larger desks for the instructor, typically at the front of the room. Bookshelves were also a common element in many of my classrooms.