Hopes, Goals and Thank You

One hope that you have when you think about working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds (any format and any length)

As a teacher, I always want to create a warm, welcoming, and respectful environment to all children and their families. I want them to feel comfortable, safe, and being accepted no matter where they come from. We are role models for our children and the community in upholding respect for diversity and acting for social justice and equality.  We can be the sources of inspiration if we stand firm to our beliefs and implement them into our daily teaching practices.  Teachers are one of the most “external parties” of children. The teacher’s interaction and responses with children have profound impact on shaping student’s self-esteem and self-image.

One goal you would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice (any format and any length)

One goal is to respect and cope with a great understanding of diversity, equity, and justice.  I truly will want the different families, young children and any of the staff that work in a public school.  I would want them to have feel very comfortable with me just as well as me working with many staff members on an everyday work hour and parents feel that their children are safe with me. Plus I would like to reach to the goal of having my parents trust by being involved in seeing that their children succeeding in learning academically not in non-threatening environment.

A brief note of thanks to your colleagues

Time really flies. The assignments in this course are much more challenging that I originally think of.  Some of the issues are very uncomfortable to me but the experience was eye-opening.  Many thanks to my colleagues who leave inspiring words and support in my blog and discussion posts. I am eagerly looking forward to meet again!

   

The name of “your” family’s country of origin

Japan

At least five ways in which you will prepare yourself to be culturally responsive towards this family

 1. I would research the different languages that are spoken in the Japanese family and then I will try to learn a few words or phrases just as well as the meaning of their writing because it’s so different from American writing. Plus I would try to find a translator who can speak every type of the different languages in their cultural may speak so that the translator can be able to help me communicate with the Japanese family.

 2.Next I would also learn about the economic conditions of the country and the area of the country that my family is from with the problem that they may be facing.  I would try to find out what type of work the family may have been involved in before they left just as well as knowing what good work ethics they can do. I know that I would have to provide the family with support in their change to the job or job’s in America.  I know that I will explain to the family how different the life style is in America from how it is in their country.

3.  I also would do some research on the education systems in both areas so that I can compare their education to how it is in the new location with a listing of best to the lease. So that the family can have the right to determine rather or not the family has any type of knowledge. Then with any type of early childhood education program have the family ever had involvements of being a immigrating to America for help for children/families as well. By meeting with the family discussing their understanding with educational experiences with many great expectations in how I would give my very best support with my great ideals and good benefit goals for their children/child and family.

4. I would gather the entire family together to sit down and discuss with the family relationships with how their family relationships can work.  I would bring up to discussion with the family intergenerational relationships just as well as the understanding of the role of the children/child in their culture. I would also make sure that I would give them the understanding that everyone do things way different from how they may be use too because people have different beliefs about things some may be the same.

5.  I think I would reflect on any of the biases that I would strongly hinder my relationship with the family just as well as work on many ways to overcome the different biases in helping the Japanese family.

  

A brief statement describing in what ways you hope that these preparations will benefit both you and the family

     I think by me trying to strength my understanding of many different families culture by trying to find many different ways to communicate with them. The main thing I would mainly do is learn about the families goals, values, beliefs, and plans on what great ideals the family are looking forward of doing.  I truly believe that I could accommodate the family which I would also tell the family that I could be I great help for their family in supporting the best for their family.  I think that it would be a two way of the both of us learning about each other cultural. Plus I would say how it is very intriguing for me to learn so much about them that most ways. How their different beliefs about things may also be a great impact to me and how knowledge would be a great impact to them about the two countries.

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 few years ago I was getting my Associate degree at the local community college. I watched and listen to a lady talk to her child like she was worthless because he had a learning disability. She was upset because she had no one to watch her. The lady had no daycare or family to keep her. Another thing that made me upset was she assumed that people belittled the child and told her she was stupid and no one wanted to keep her. I really wanted to tell the lady that this was her child and how could she talk to her own child that way. Looking back today I think about my grandson with his disability and how he needs all the love and care he can get. Children are helpless and they look for the adult to protect and care for them. She made it like it was the child’s fault that she didn’t have anyone to watch her while she attended school. How can a parent belittle their own child when you are the one to protect them from that.

In what way(s) did the specific bias, prejudice and/or oppression in that incident diminish equity?

I’m not a doctor but from years of experience and studying child development it seems the little girl may have autism. I say this because of how the mom was yelling at the child and his reaction. The mom said things to her like you don’t know anything, your dumb, you’re a waste of space and while she was saying these things the little girl was having a break down because of the noise and extra attention. She was rocking back and forth humming to herself. I was sitting in the courtyard of the school at a table reading some assignments and the lady and child was at the table in front of me. I was hoping someone besides me was listening to and would say something. I end up saying how can you talk to your own child this way. Your child deserves to be loved. This poor child had endured more than anyone should ever have to and no one thought she was worth the time because as her mother had told her she was disabled and she had no idea what was going on. I just knew this child needed someone to stand up for her.

What feelings did this incident bring up for you?

This incident made me feel like people are ignorant and people that have a disability are rejected by their own family at times. It also made me think that children need people in this world that want to take time with them even if their own parents don’t.

What and/or who would have to change in order to turn this incident into an opportunity for greater equity?

I was already going to school to work with small children but this really was my point where I wanted to work with children with disabilities. This is what made my decision to work for a Head Start program where 10% of children have a disability. It also was my choice to work for Head Start because I wanted to offer children an opportunity to learn. Head Start is also free for low income families so this would give them the opportunity to work or go to school. Also the children with disabilities will receive free services that will help with their education. This also may be the only time the child gets the love and attention they need.  This one small helpless child had to deal with bias, prejudice and oppression by her own mother. Amazing to look back and see that changing point in your life was a moment in time.

Practice Awareness of Microaggressions

Describe at least one example of a microaggression which you detected this week or remember from another time. In what context did the microaggression happen? What did you think and feel when you observed the microaggression or when you found yourself as the target of a microaggression?

When Head Start close for the summer I help out at a daycare center. One of my good friends name Esmeralda is a teacher in the one year old room. Esmeralda is from Asia. So one day we had a luncheon for the staff and parents. That day I was working with her and it was our turn to go get out our plate. When we walked in it was a couple parents and other staff in the room. So Esmeralda fixed her plate and another staff member said “Esmeralda I can’t believe you are eating other foods besides white rice, you always eat white rice is that all popular food that every Asian people eat”? I looked at Esmeralda and she looked like she was so angry. Esmeralda said “what you say”/ The other staff said “I was just wondering because that’s all you eat”. So then that’s when I said “my husband is from South Carolina and he eats white rice with everything. I told Esmeralda to ignore her that some people are just dumb. I felt bad because from learning about different microaggression I knew this was a form of micro-racial.

In what ways did your observation experiences this week affect your perception of the effects of discrimination, prejudice, and/or stereotypes on people

My experience with microaggression affect my perception of prejudice and stereotypes because I have learned that if people do not understand something they will tend to assume and make presumption. It makes me upset to know microaggression happens outside the level of awareness of well-intended individuals. It makes me disturbed when I observe hatred towards people of any culture, race, gender or ability. This week I learned to never assume things, ask meaningful questions and be kind and respectful.

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

This week I was ask to share with 3 people their definition of culture and diversity.

Person 1 is the cook at the Head Start center I work at. Her definition of culture is the way of life and the belief of your people. She said her definition of diversity is being able to adapt to different cultures and beliefs and accept those differences. She stated that diversity is made up of different cultures.

The second person that I had the opportunity to talk with is my next door neighbor. She is an elderly women who shared with me that “she thought culture was her beliefs and what her mama and papa taught her as a little girl growing up”. Her definition of diversity is “simple that we all have differences the people who look the same are different she explained no two people are alike in the world, we all are created to be different”.

The last person I asked about culture and diversity is my co-worker. She was born in Mexico and has been America for 15 years. She expressed “culture is what I was taught in my country to be educated and have a good life”. She said “my family has a very strong culture, we have traditions and believe deeply in our religion. She said “diversity to me is America”. She mention that “I came to America because it is a free country that provides opportunities for people, you can find people from all over the country in America”.

Which aspects of culture and diversity that I have studied in this course are included in the answers I received—and what are some examples?

The aspects of culture and diversity that I have studied in this course are similar to the answers that I have received from the people I ask the question to. From gaining knowledge and understanding I learned that “a person’s cultural group is related strongly to his or her ethnicity, which reflects the place of origin and cultural background of the person’s ancestors or relatives who lives hundreds of years ago” (Derman-Sparks, 2010). Culture is much deeper and more significant that just costumes, holidays, foods and objects and things are easy to see, taste and define in everyday life” (Derman-Sparks, 2010). We all are the same but different on the outside. We should get to know other people and their culture.

Which aspects have been omitted—and what are some examples of such omission?

I did not have any omitted because they covered everything about culture. It helps me understands what is culture and diversity. I have learned a lot from the three people I interview. When you have friends that are of a different culture or have different beliefs and you spend ample amount of time with them. Their beliefs and cultures kind to affect/effect your family cultures and beliefs. I do not feel like this is wrong. We are all different with different views. 

In what ways has thinking about other people’s definitions of culture and diversity influenced my own thinking about these topics?

I have always believed that culture plays a very important role in our lives, it influences the way we live, our view of the world, our values, our dreams, and even our fears. After reading their responses I also agree that culture is handed down or learned by observing family or society. We can choose to follow it or we can choose to follow a different culture. Diversity allows us to recognize that we are all unique and that we may share the same skills, abilities, views, believes, and behaviors.

Reference

Derman-Sparks, L. & Edwards, J.O. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

My Family Culture

A description of the three items you would choose

1.   Cell Phone

2.   Family Photo Album

3.   Cash

How you would explain to others what each of these items means to you

1.   I would take my cell phone because it has everything on it. It has pictures, the bible and my contacts to keep in touch with everybody. Since I have the bible on my phone I am able to read the bible from my phone. I can use my phone to look at pictures and have memories of my family.

2.   The photo albums is dear to me because it is visual images of some the memories of the good times and places that my family and I have experienced.  I have pictures of weddings, birthday celebrations, holidays, family reunions, and even the birth of the babies in our family.  I love taking picture and sharing memories while looking back.

3.   We all know we need cash to survive. In order to survive we need money to buy the things we need.

Your feelings if, upon arrival, you were told that you could only keep one personal item and have to give up the other two items you brought with you.

If I were told that I had to give up two of the items and only keep one, I think I would be sad and heartbroken but I would have to keep my cell phone. Keeping in touch with my family and friends and being able to have memories from pictures and being able to communicate is important to me. The pictures make me smile, laugh, and cry.  I can actually feel the moments and memories of the many different experiences of the love, and joy when looking at the pictures.   This would be helpful to me when I begin my new journey in another country.   

Any insights you gained about yourself, your family culture, diversity, and/or cultural differences in general, as a result of this exercise.

I had a hard time picking three items but it was even harder to pick one of the three. After this exercise I gained insight that I truly love my family and even know we go through struggles and hard times I thank God that he chose these people to be in my life.  I enjoy every minute that we spend together and I look forward to making many more memories.

Until Next Time

It is hard to believe we have finished another course! We are just a few more away from earning our Master’s degree! I would like to thank Dr. Parrish for the feedback on the assignments. I have learned so much about communication, collaboration and conflict resolution. I would also like to thank my colleagues for your encouragement and comments both on the blogs and the discussion boards. Each one of you have been so positive and encouraging! I trust that I supported my colleagues by asking them questions in the discussions that had them thinking up of new answers. I hope all my colleagues the best in grasping whatever professional endeavor they are chasing. I know that you all have a bright and important future. Maybe we will meet again in another course. I hope that we can keep in touch!