Professional Hopes and Goals
My Hope…
One hope that I have in regards to working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds in the early childhood setting is to keep an open mind. I hope to grow from each family and continue to build a holistic appreciation from the information that I learn from each of them. I truly believe if early childhood professional show families that they are valued with their diversity than there is hope for future improvement of social justice and equity for all humanity.
My Goal….
A goal that I have for the early childhood field is to see more consistent formal training and education for all staff in how to positively interact with families of diversity. As diversity changes it is vital that all early childhood professional receive the tools they need to accommodate the families of diversity. New staff needs the training so they can have the confidence and skills to handle diversity effectively while current and experienced staff needs the training so they can stay up-to date with the new issues and trends that come with diversity. I would like to see mandatory training sessions giving to all early childhood staff at least twice a year.
“Note of Thanks”
I would like to take the time to thank each of my colleagues in this Perspective and Diversity class. I have learned so much from the touching personal stories that have been shared from both the Discussion and Blogs. I feel like I have grown not only as a teacher or student but overall as a person. It was nice to be able to relate to the different scenarios of oppression and sexism and realize how many different people use their personal struggles as motivation to make the world a better place. I also got a chance to see how genuine some people of the dominant culture can be in regards to helping to improve social justice and equity in diversity. Having the opportunity to grow, learn and network with each one of my colleagues has been a blessing. At times the colleagues in this class were my inspiration, motivation, and encouragement to continue to be the best teacher I can be. I thank everyone for their support and I wish everyone good luck on your future endeavors in school, life and in the early childhood education field.
Friday, June 27, 2014
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Welcoming Families From Around the World
The country I have chosen for my family to have migrated from is Russia. There are several different things that I would do to make myself more culturally responsive to my family. One of the first things that I will do is to reflect, acknowledge, and let go of any biases or stereotypes that I may have about the Russia Family. The next thing I will do is to get background information on Russia’s culture, language, and proper Russian etiquette. Adding specific items such as Lacquer boxes, ballet costumes, Matrioska dolls and or photos of these items in various centers will begin my process of adding Russia’s culture to the classroom. This will be an on-going process and I hope to include the new family on this endeavor. I will ask my director about the primary and secondary language that the family uses. If the family is not fluent in English than I will see what I can do about a translator. Weather the family is fluent in English or not I will make it my business to learn greeting and other simple phrases of communication in Russian or whatever language they use other than English. The last thing that I will do is to set up a meeting where I can meet the family before the child formally begins daycare and make them fill welcome by letting them know that we are glad to have them in the center, answer any questions that they may have, get to know their expectations,show them that their culture is respected and we look forward to getting to working as a team to make sure that their child has the best early education experience .
Weather a family is from Russia, China, or right here in the United States it is our responsibility as early childhood professionals to make sure that they feel respected, valued, and comfortable in their new environment. Just for the little bit of information that I researched for this assignment I found out how amazing and rich Russia’s culture is. I look forward to sharing this information with everyone. I think it will be exciting to plan activities supporting some of Russia’s holidays such Christmas which is celebrated on January 7 ,International Women’s Day and Cosmaunant Day which celebrates Russia’s immense contribution to space. I hope the time and effort that I spent adding Russia’s culture to the classroom will make the family feel welcome but also show other families, and the children in the class that we can all learn special things from one another. The translator if needed will decreases communication issues between the family and myself which will enhance our partnership. While I believe bringing the Russia culture into the classroom and the translator is important, the meeting with the family prior to the child starting daycare is also vital. This meeting is the best way to make sure that the family and I , the teacher get off on a good start. I hope from the meeting the family will learn that I am sincere about making sure that their child gets the best early childhood education which includes their Russian heritage. The meeting will help me to prepare for a great year of learning about a different family and culture and will also help me to become more comfortable with welcoming families from around the world altogether.
Weather a family is from Russia, China, or right here in the United States it is our responsibility as early childhood professionals to make sure that they feel respected, valued, and comfortable in their new environment. Just for the little bit of information that I researched for this assignment I found out how amazing and rich Russia’s culture is. I look forward to sharing this information with everyone. I think it will be exciting to plan activities supporting some of Russia’s holidays such Christmas which is celebrated on January 7 ,International Women’s Day and Cosmaunant Day which celebrates Russia’s immense contribution to space. I hope the time and effort that I spent adding Russia’s culture to the classroom will make the family feel welcome but also show other families, and the children in the class that we can all learn special things from one another. The translator if needed will decreases communication issues between the family and myself which will enhance our partnership. While I believe bringing the Russia culture into the classroom and the translator is important, the meeting with the family prior to the child starting daycare is also vital. This meeting is the best way to make sure that the family and I , the teacher get off on a good start. I hope from the meeting the family will learn that I am sincere about making sure that their child gets the best early childhood education which includes their Russian heritage. The meeting will help me to prepare for a great year of learning about a different family and culture and will also help me to become more comfortable with welcoming families from around the world altogether.
Thursday, June 12, 2014
The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression
The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression
What memory do you have of an incident when you experienced bias, prejudice, and/or oppression, or witnessed someone else as the target of bias, prejudice, and/or oppression? Keep in mind that one can encounter such incidents in real contexts, including online environments, as well as in fictional ones, such as movies, books, television shows, and the like.
I did not realize until taking this class how many different times in my life I have experiences bias, prejudice, and oppression because of my race, gender, and social class. I believe one the most profound incidents of bias, prejudice, and oppression that has taken place in my life were when my grandmother was force to retire. After over 30 years of work my grandmother was told that there was going to be a massive layoff in her department and it would be in her best interest to retire. She initial thought her boss was looking out for her best interest until she learned after a luncheon with former co-workers that the department did not experience any layoffs and two new, younger employees were hired to do her position as a case manager in the hospital.
In what way(s) did the specific bias, prejudice and/or oppression in that incident diminish equity?
This incident was a clear demonstration of Ageism. It was more profitable for the company to let my grandmother retire and hire younger, less experience people to do her job than to keep her there. I would think that a company would value the dedication and hard work that comes from an employee that has been working for the company for over 30 years. My grandmother’s right to work in a career that she loved was diminished by the lies of her boss.
What feelings did this incident bring up for you?
As a teenager I was confused, upset, and angry by this incident. My grandmother raised me to believe that as long as you work hard, you will be valued and always have a job. I was upset and angry because I remember the long hours my grandmother worked the extra effort she put to make sure that everything was done to perfection and her flexibility with the many changes in the hospital. It was a slap in the face in my opinion the way they got rid of her.
What and/or who would have to change in order to turn this incident into an opportunity for greater equity?
If a person is capable of meeting each of the job requirements and qualifications, I do not believe they should be asked to set down from their position because they are over 60. These people can be great mentors to the new employees and in many companies tend to be the glue that keeps everything together. The company’s greed and lack of respect and value for the elderly would have to change to turn this incident into an opportunity for greater equity.
What memory do you have of an incident when you experienced bias, prejudice, and/or oppression, or witnessed someone else as the target of bias, prejudice, and/or oppression? Keep in mind that one can encounter such incidents in real contexts, including online environments, as well as in fictional ones, such as movies, books, television shows, and the like.
I did not realize until taking this class how many different times in my life I have experiences bias, prejudice, and oppression because of my race, gender, and social class. I believe one the most profound incidents of bias, prejudice, and oppression that has taken place in my life were when my grandmother was force to retire. After over 30 years of work my grandmother was told that there was going to be a massive layoff in her department and it would be in her best interest to retire. She initial thought her boss was looking out for her best interest until she learned after a luncheon with former co-workers that the department did not experience any layoffs and two new, younger employees were hired to do her position as a case manager in the hospital.
In what way(s) did the specific bias, prejudice and/or oppression in that incident diminish equity?
This incident was a clear demonstration of Ageism. It was more profitable for the company to let my grandmother retire and hire younger, less experience people to do her job than to keep her there. I would think that a company would value the dedication and hard work that comes from an employee that has been working for the company for over 30 years. My grandmother’s right to work in a career that she loved was diminished by the lies of her boss.
What feelings did this incident bring up for you?
As a teenager I was confused, upset, and angry by this incident. My grandmother raised me to believe that as long as you work hard, you will be valued and always have a job. I was upset and angry because I remember the long hours my grandmother worked the extra effort she put to make sure that everything was done to perfection and her flexibility with the many changes in the hospital. It was a slap in the face in my opinion the way they got rid of her.
What and/or who would have to change in order to turn this incident into an opportunity for greater equity?
If a person is capable of meeting each of the job requirements and qualifications, I do not believe they should be asked to set down from their position because they are over 60. These people can be great mentors to the new employees and in many companies tend to be the glue that keeps everything together. The company’s greed and lack of respect and value for the elderly would have to change to turn this incident into an opportunity for greater equity.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)