Pioneer's Community is Lit Because of Latino Lit
Latino Literature's new teacher allows the class to transition into a new era of education on campus.
By Jisela Negrete
Latino Literature's new teacher allows the class to transition into a new era of education on campus.
By Jisela Negrete
With a new year comes changes in what courses students take but also what teachers teach, and Latino Literature is no exception. For the past eight years, Latino Literature has been a part of our campus as a senior English course. It was created at Abraham Lincoln High school with Andrew Christian, husband of Pioneer’s English Department chair Beth Stafford, and Dr. Marcos Pizarro, a professor from San Jose State University. With an attempt to relate the English curriculum more to their students, the class began to thrive at Lincoln, so it was added as a course at Pioneer. In previous years, Kristen Borup and Annie Tobin have taught the course, and now Andrew Kosel-Castañeda has stepped up to teach it.
Latino Literature isn’t like any other senior class. The course has allowed the English department and Castañeda to add cultural conversations and stories to the classroom, making it stand out from many of the other course offerings.
“It’s different from other English classes because this class is just on Latino authors or people of color. Most senior classes have to do Shakespeare still, which we don’t do any of, all the main readings we do are from Latino authors who have experienced some kind of trauma well living in and growing up in the United States,” said Castañeda.
The course is mainly focused on authors of color making it feel different than any other English class. The class is a great way to prepare for college classes and have real world experiences.
“I think this is a good learning experience for me, and students as well. In college, I had some classes that had some Latino Lit stuff, but nothing like this where it's mostly just focused on Latino authors,”said Castañeda.
Stafford believes that the course opens up more doors for students, especially since it allows for light to be shed on other backgrounds.
“Latino Lit gives students more choice and allows them to select a class that interests them. It is also similar to college where students have more courses to pick from. Additionally, it is an Ethnic Studies course and gives voice to a group who hasn't had it in the past,” said Stafford.
Students in the class agree that the course has been able to expand their interest in many topics that the class covers.
“Usually most English classes are the same kind of idea but this time you can dive more deeply into topics that are more surrounded by race and or critical race theory that is not brought up a lot. A lot of schools seem to want it gone,” said Shiloh Pierce, 12.
Castañeda, however, didn't grow up fully immersed in his Latino side. He felt he was pushed into his white side more when growing up but still can speak for his Latino side from his experiences and his families experiences.
“I’m always transparent with my students. I wouldn't be the person that’s supper oppressed throughout my life, I’ve had a lot of privileges growing up. Just by the way I look with a lot of eyes I seem like I'm white even though I’m not. It’s my name that tells people that I am Latino,” he said.
With this being his first year working with seniors, as well as teaching the Latino Literature class, Stafford said she is looking forward to seeing how Castañeda will incorporate his background into the curriculum.
“He will be able to make the class new and relevant to students and use his own experiences as well,” said Stafford.
For Castañeda, the most important thing within the classroom environment is being able to open up to various conversations and opinions.
“I’m making sure to create a safe learning environment for everybody so nobody feels like they’re being threatened or anything like that on any of the topics we talk about, and they’re free to input on the topic in any way, about stuff they have,” said Castañeda. “I’m adding my own things because since I’m part of that culture, I can use and see what’s important to bring to the table, and what to highlight.”
Latino Literature isn’t like any other senior class. The course has allowed the English department and Castañeda to add cultural conversations and stories to the classroom, making it stand out from many of the other course offerings.
“It’s different from other English classes because this class is just on Latino authors or people of color. Most senior classes have to do Shakespeare still, which we don’t do any of, all the main readings we do are from Latino authors who have experienced some kind of trauma well living in and growing up in the United States,” said Castañeda.
The course is mainly focused on authors of color making it feel different than any other English class. The class is a great way to prepare for college classes and have real world experiences.
“I think this is a good learning experience for me, and students as well. In college, I had some classes that had some Latino Lit stuff, but nothing like this where it's mostly just focused on Latino authors,”said Castañeda.
Stafford believes that the course opens up more doors for students, especially since it allows for light to be shed on other backgrounds.
“Latino Lit gives students more choice and allows them to select a class that interests them. It is also similar to college where students have more courses to pick from. Additionally, it is an Ethnic Studies course and gives voice to a group who hasn't had it in the past,” said Stafford.
Students in the class agree that the course has been able to expand their interest in many topics that the class covers.
“Usually most English classes are the same kind of idea but this time you can dive more deeply into topics that are more surrounded by race and or critical race theory that is not brought up a lot. A lot of schools seem to want it gone,” said Shiloh Pierce, 12.
Castañeda, however, didn't grow up fully immersed in his Latino side. He felt he was pushed into his white side more when growing up but still can speak for his Latino side from his experiences and his families experiences.
“I’m always transparent with my students. I wouldn't be the person that’s supper oppressed throughout my life, I’ve had a lot of privileges growing up. Just by the way I look with a lot of eyes I seem like I'm white even though I’m not. It’s my name that tells people that I am Latino,” he said.
With this being his first year working with seniors, as well as teaching the Latino Literature class, Stafford said she is looking forward to seeing how Castañeda will incorporate his background into the curriculum.
“He will be able to make the class new and relevant to students and use his own experiences as well,” said Stafford.
For Castañeda, the most important thing within the classroom environment is being able to open up to various conversations and opinions.
“I’m making sure to create a safe learning environment for everybody so nobody feels like they’re being threatened or anything like that on any of the topics we talk about, and they’re free to input on the topic in any way, about stuff they have,” said Castañeda. “I’m adding my own things because since I’m part of that culture, I can use and see what’s important to bring to the table, and what to highlight.”