TRAR - Photo Voice

Why Photo Voice?

Photo voice uses a combination of photography and critical group discussions as a way to engage participants in identifying their own views of the research topic, and as a tool for social change.

Photo voice is a type of participatory action research that ‘seeks to address a particular issue by giving cameras to people who are directly affected by that issue..

How we used photo voice

Why Photo Voice?

Photo voice uses a combination of photography and critical group discussions as a way to engage participants in identifying their own views of the research topic, and as a tool for social change.

Photo voice is a type of participatory action research that ‘seeks to address a particular issue by giving cameras to people who are directly affected by that issue..

How we used photo voice

We will ask students about the intersections of home and school.

How do you define home?
Do you feel like school is a home?
What makes school feel like home or what is needed for school to feel like home?
Take a photo of what best elements, people, places, time, environment makes the school feel like home.

Our goal is to praise how certain aspects of school reminds students of home but uncover how certain aspects of school can develop into to a space where students can be liberated in terms of how they learn and how they are treated in public schools.

Annie's student work-

Usually, when I’m in my room, I only have my desk lamp on.

I really like low light settings and where it’s warm and cozy. This specific classroom uses those LED lights a lot, making it easier for me to relax in class and reminds me of my own room. The teacher in that class is also my favorite teacher, so I’m very comfortable and usually am always surrounded by my friends there.

I associate that same comfort with home, because of the familiar relationships I have with my family. Because I am close with my friends, I am constantly reminded of my own comfort in my house, directly making school a little more enjoyable than it would have been.

I took a picture of me and my friend’s shoes to represent how I am at my most comfortable in school with them.

Maria's student work-

“I define home as spending time with my family and my brothers… maybe while we're watching a show.

I feel like school is a home because of my friends. Other than that not really.

I don't want school to feel like home. I’d want them separate.”

Jovanny's student work:

images were taken by different students and Jovanny with the idea of taking a photo that reminds them of their childhood or a moment where they felt at home in school.

2-3 Goals of Photovoice

We are visually and physically centering the experiences of young marginalized people attending NYC DOE public schools by using photovoice as a way to share their narratives!
We hope to incorporate student's lives and experiences into the classroom and into school curriculum.

Why does this matter now?

An NPR article mentions,

With a high increase of newly arrived immigrants to NYC about 20,000 children have been enrolled in the NYCDOE.

“Melissa Aviles Ramos, chief of staff for the New York Department of Education, states.. "We can handle it. We always have handled it. This is a massive increase that we've [never] seen before, and it is not without challenge. this is a real opportunity for our teachers, are admin and all of our staff to really step up and not only accept, but embrace the difference in language and cultures."

Yet,

The New York Department of Education says it has hired 188 new ENL teachers. And, has 140 other candidates in the works. Compared to 20,000 new students, that feels like a drop in the bucket.

While resources are hard to come by to support marginalized students in the NYCDOE, by embracing and uplifting the students we have through empowering their stories and experiences, we can do more good than harm.