Competent Communication

The first person that comes to mind that has competent communication in the education field would be my principal at the school I work at. She exhibits truthfulness, accuracy, honesty, and reason (O'Hair & Wiemann, 2012). She listens and is willing to learn from others (O'Hair & Wiemann, 2012). She strives to understand and respect those who she is communicating with before responding to their message (O'Hair & Wiemann, 2012. She is strongly committed to the courageous expression of personal convictions in pursuit of fairness and justice (O'Hair & Wiemann, 2012).

The different modes of communication

This woman is amazing. She has taken a low-performing Title 1 school and helped make it to the top 5% in academic gains last school year in the state of Tennessee. We also found out that we are 1 of 3 schools that are in the running for a huge award for the entire state for our huge academic gains. She is the definition of someone who is an effective communicator by meeting goals (O'Hair & Wiemann, 2012).

She has inspired the many teachers that work at our school to help our students reach goals that to others, may have seemed impossible. She is well-respected in my school system based on her professionalism and effective communication skills. I am striving to learn how to model my own communication behaviors after her, so that I can become a more effective teacher for my kindergarteners and their families.

Resources

O'Hair, D., & Wiemann, M. (2012). Real communication: An introduction. New York: Bedford/St.Martin's.

Professional Hopes and Goals

I have really enjoyed becoming a part of this collaborative learning community. As someone who works with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds, it is my hope that I am able to recognize my personal biases and rid myself of them so I can best serve the children and families in my care. I have learned that I held biases towards families living in poverty that I didn't not realize until this course. Working in a Title 1 school with 90% of our students on free and reduced lunch, the majority of my students live in poverty and have been through more in their little 5 years of life that I ever have in my 29 years. I used to believe that parents who did not help their child with homework, attend parent-teacher conferences and check their folders every day were lazy and did not care about their child's education. I now know that is just an ignorant thought. After reading many articles this past year, I have discovered that many families living in poverty are working 2 or more part time jobs to make ends meet so they do not have any free time. I also learned that many of the families do not have resources like transportation to get to school so they are unable to attend school functions. Now that I know about my personal biases against families living in poverty, I am able to rid myself of these biases and developed more positive relationships with my students and their families.

It is my hope that as part of the early childhood field, all children receive a quality education with equity, appreciation of culture and social justice. Children and their families should be appreciated for their differences and what they offer that others cannot. All early childhood professionals must recognize the biases they hold and try to remove them as well. I believe if all educators were aware of what I have learned this past year, they too, would improve relationships with children and their families as well.

I want to personally thank you all for your kind comments and encouragement throughout this course. I have enjoyed getting to know you professional and hope to have more classes with you in the future.

Jessica

Welcoming Families From Around the World

If I were working in a child care center and received word that the child of a family who has recently emigrated from Greece, I would prepare myself to welcome the child and her family. Luckily, I am enrolled in a course about diversity and have learned that in order to support families who have immigrated I need to know more than surface facts about their country of origin.

5 ways in which I will prepare myself to be culturally responsive towards this family:

1. I will research information about the country and learn about the culture of families from the country. Once I have done this, I can find pictures of families and places in Greece and post them around the classroom to make the child and family feel more "at home". 
2. I will think about my personal identities and any negative thoughts/attitudes I may hold and work on ridding myself of any biases.
3. I will be very welcoming to the child and family when they arrive and show them around the classroom. While keeping in mind their culture's social habits that I researched beforehand. I will acknowledge the parents as partners in their child's learning and keep them involved in classroom activities throughout the year. I have an open-door policy for parents in my classroom.
4. I will take time to get to know the student and his/her family. I want to build a relationship with the family and learn about the child's past experiences. I would even try to ask the family if they would be interested in teaching the children in the class more about where they lived so the whole class can learn about the child's heritage. (This would be a great activity to do for a day if you have a classroom with very diverse families from around the world!)
5. I would also take interest in the child and family's background. I would love to learn some of the Greek language, maybe asking the family is there are any words I could teach to the class to show appreciation of their culture.

It is my hope that these preparations will benefit both the family I to help build a positive relationship and make the child and family feel appreciated, welcomed and comfortable being in my class.

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

One of my favorite books is My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. I actually read the novel before it was made into a movie. In the story, there are two sisters, Anna and Kate. Kate developed leukemia as a young child, so her parents had Anna so she could help her sister live by providing bone marrow and countless surgeries and blood transfusions for her sister. When Anna became a young teenager, her sister decided it was time for her family to let her go and told Anna to refuse helping any more surgeries so she could die peacefully. The trick was Kate didn't want Anna tell anyone that she wanted to die. So she ended up fighting her parents in court because they argued she was a child and needed to help her sister live, but Anna believed she should be able to make her own decisions when it comes to her body and her health. The girls' mother, Sara loved both her children and wanted them both alive. She was frustrated because she felt that Anna was being selfish, not realizing that this is what Kate wanted.

The ageism developed when Anna took her mom to court and tried to fight for her rights. Her mother basically fought that Anna was just a child and shouldn't be able to make the decision to let her sister die. I connected this while reading the article by Child Rights Information Network (2009) and this direct quote from the article:
"In most societies, children are presumed to lack the capacity to exercise their rights for themselves because they do not have the life experience and competence to make informed, rational decisions and must therefore be protected from the consequences of bad decisions. It is often assumed that age limits are the best way of achieving this protection, even if some children might attain competence at a younger age and others attain this later."
Later in the article they went on to say:
"However, in many cases, children's age and relative lack of experience is used as a justification for denying children rights to which they are entitled. In other words, children face exclusion and unfair treatment because of the low status accorded to childhood in most societies. For example, in most countries, children are often not allowed to file complaints with a court where adults can. This can have a detrimental impact on children's protection."

I believe this novel is directly related to the issue of ageism. While I was reading this novel, I became infuriated with the mother because she was basically dis-owning Anna when Anna decided she didn't want to live like a petri dish anymore. Anna grew up being poked and prodded and when she was brave enough to say she was done with it, her mother threw a big stink and made her feel like a horrible person, even though truthfully her sister Kate was behind it. I also see the mother's point of view because she loves both her daughters and didn't understand why Anna would do that to her sister. Once she realized that it was what Kate wanted, she began to understand Anna and forgave her.

I believe that legislation would need to take action in giving children the right to make decisions about their own bodies and health. When children express their concerns about how they are treated, it should be taken seriously and not pushed aside. Children are little adults in training and we must do everything in our power to protect them and help them live happy, successful lives.

References: 

Child Rights Information Network (CRIN). (2009). Discrimination: Briefing on age discrimination. Retrieved from http://www.crin.org/resources/infoDetail.asp?ID=20940

Picoult, J. (2003) My Sister's Keeper. Atria Books. Washington Square Press, 2005

I also wanted to share this video I saw recently that relates to racism and how kids react to it when they realize racism still exists. I thought you all might enjoy this as we can make a huge impact in the world by teaching children to love everyone, no matter how different they may be. This video is inspiring! =)
 

Practicing Awareness of Microagressions

Dr. Sue defines microaggressions as "everyday slights and indignities, put downs and insults that people of color, women, LGBT population or those who are marginalized experience in their day to day interactions with people (Wiley, 2010)." I had a difficult time noticing any microaggressions this week as I have only been working in my classroom and no where else. But I do recall an incident with an older family member who I won't name. When I was younger, he was driving me around the town where he grew up and as we drove by a bi-racial couple, he gasped and said "Ugh, that is just disgusting!" I looked at him and said "Why?" and he replied that because it was a black man and a white woman holding hands. I shook my head and said, "There is nothing wrong with that!" And he just stopped the conversation. This want to say that this is either an example of a micro assault (b/c it is clear racism) OR a micro insult (b/c it's demeaning). This person has made several racist comments before, but he NEVER says it to the person and is harmless. He thankfully is very civil in public and I think because my family and I are not afraid to speak our mind when he makes comments like that, he has learned to keep his negative thoughts to himself.

When he makes racist comments, it really disappoints me. I believe we are all the same inside- I even do a lesson with my kindergarteners every year when I teach them about the history of Martin Luther King, Jr. I show them a white egg and a brown egg. We notice how they look different, just like people do! Then I break the eggs and show the children the yolks. I ask the kids, do you notice anything different about what the eggs have on the inside? And they of course do NOT. So I connect the eggs to people and how we may all look different on the outside, but on the inside we all have feelings- that can be hurt when mean things are said and done.

Learning and thinking about microaggressions has opened my eyes to how there are still so many prejudices and stereotypes that people hold, no matter kind-hearted the person can be. I admit, I too have realized I hold some after learning about the three different types of microaggressions. I will definitely try to be more conscious about my thoughts and actions when it comes to dealing with students, parents and families and making sure I am respectful and welcoming to all.

References

Wiley, J. (2010, October 4). Microaggressions in Everyday Life. Retrieved on July 26, 2013 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJL2P0JsAS4

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

I wrote to three friends who are all culturally different from me in one way or another. I was very interested in hearing their definitions of the terms culture and diversity.

1. The first person I asked was our school's Centerstone behavior therapist, Barbara. Barbara works with children who have behavior problems and she works with them at school, does home visits and is just a wonderful person to work with. She sees all sorts of family culture so I was really interested in hearing her definitions of culture and diversity. This was Barbara's response:

"Well, culture to me is a set of beliefs that a set of people share regardless of age, race or sex. 

Diversity, to me, is differences within a group that sets one apart from the rest. Most young people these days are very diverse in the way the live and their belief system. 

We have our own culture in our school versus others that work with children in a different capacity. We even have several cultures within our school from administration to the cafeteria workers."

I found it interesting how she discussed the culture in our school versus others. That goes along with what we have learned about in our course. Just like there is family culture and culture between professions.  In our field, schools and early childhood facilities have different cultures, even if we live in the same town. For example, because I teach in a very low-income area of town, the culture at our school might be different from the areas of town that have higher-incomes. 

Speaking of which, I found it interesting while at an inservice this past week, I was sitting with a teacher who works in a school on the "rich side of town." We were discussing parent-volunteers and I was mentioning how we don't get too many at our school because they are working several jobs or may not have the transportation. The teacher from the rich part of town said that she didn't get much either b/c the parents are busy working to afford the big houses and way of living. I never even thought of it that way! 

2. The second person I asked was one of my best friends from college, Jim. Jim now lives in New Orleans and works at an art studio.  He's very talented in art and gets along great with everyone. I'm sure he is surrounded by much diversity and culture where he lives so I was curious to hear how he defines culture. His response was:

"Culture is made up of the creations that surround us. Culture is man made. Whether it be religion, movies, or french fries, it's the things that we created by being intelligent beings that we surround ourselves with daily. That's why culture changes between different groups of people. Different groups of people surround themselves with different man-made things. And sub-cultures are broken up from there. Diversity is the difference between these groups of people. The easiest way to identify that diversity is perhaps the different sub-culture creations that suround these groups. However, diversity isn't always man-made. Diversity can be cultural, can be by heritage, where we live, the color of our skin. Diversity is just our differences, and a portion of that is our differences in culture."

I was interested in his definition of culture in that it's manmade. Especially the part where he stated culture changed between different groups of people. That is so true. For example, when I'm with my family, we usually are seated in the living room talking and watching TV. But when I am visiting my best friend's family, we will sit out on the porch and listen to music or sit around a bonfire and talk. There is typically more conversation with the later group. Culture has to do with everything we do (Family Cultures: Dynamic Interactions). I believe he is spot on with his definition of diversity. I even discussed in my first discussion post about how diversity has subgroups. Such as we can be diverse by our relationships... this would be things like: mother, parent, teenagers, widow, etc. A subgroup within mothers would be a mother who is apart of the group "mothers against drunk driving" (Deaux, 2008).

3. The 3rd person who I asked was my best friend Andrea. She is also a teacher and we've been friends since childhood. She said

"To me, culture is one's background based on traditions, religion, beliefs, and upbringing. Culture helps define who we are and why we behave the way we do. Diversity is recognizing there are differences between other's cultures (beliefs, traditions, & upbringings). It is becoming increasingly more important in our society to learn about and respect the diverse cultures that make up our diverse country. We are a country built upon diverse cultures and it's critical to respect that."

When Andrea said "Culture helps define who we are and why we behave the way we do" made me think of the podcast we watched in week 2. Nadiyah (in the podcast) discussed that culture has a wide-range of meaning because culture has to do with everything we do (Family Cultures: Dynamic Interactions).

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I also noticed that some aspects of the term "culture" have been omitted from their definitions. Culture is a much more broad term than most realize. It's not only religion, traditions and beliefs. It everything we do. The week 2 podcasts discussed how culture is also how we behave and react in certain situations, how we present ourselves, how we greet others, etc. It's so broad, it really has to do with everything about us (Family Cultures: Dynamic Interactions).

Thinking about other people’s definitions of culture and diversity has influenced my own thinking about these topics in that I have realized how much my understanding of the terms have changed in the 3 weeks I have been in this course. I also discovered that between all three responses, when giving me their definition of diversity, the word DIFFERENCES popped up every time. I even underlined them to point it out. I now think of the words diverse and differences almost like synonyms. I believe diversity is not something that should be shunned or ignored. It is a part of life and that I need to expose children to much diversity in my care so that they grow up to be accepting individuals of other's diversity or differences from him or herself.

Resources 

Producer Unknown. Family Cultures: Dynamic Interactions [Video Podcast]. (Date Unknown). Retrieved on July 10, 2013 from the Resources section of week 2 of Walden University's EDUC 6164 class at https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2F webapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_3397 499_1%26url%3D

Deaux, K. (2001). Social identity. In J. Worell (Ed.), Encyclopedia of women and gender (Vols. 1–2, pp. 1–9). Maryland Heights, MO: Academic Press.

My Family Culture

If my family was forced to evacuate the U.S. due to a catastrophe and we wouldn't be able to return and could only bring three items that represented my family culture, I would bring:

My Bible

If I witnessed or was a victim of a catastrophic event, I would need some comforting words to help me emotionally get through that experience. Growing up in a Christian home, I believe the Bible is full of comforting words that have personally gotten me through some of the toughest times of my life. My mother got me my bible when I turned 18 to remind me that even though I was legally an adult, to remember the values and beliefs I was raised with. She had it engraved with my name and it is so beautiful.

My Grandmother's wedding ring

My grandmother was the closest person I have loved to pass away. She died when I was 16 after a long battle with cancer of the blood. I have many wonderful memories with my Grandma as a child, including tea parties, playing board and card games, making home-made playdoh, reading books at the library and so much more. When we arrived at Grandma's, she would open her arms as wide as she could and give us the best hugs! My brother, sisters and I were her whole world. And when she passed, it was a very hard time for all of us. Almost 10 years after her death, my grandpa gave my sisters and I each a little box with a piece of Grandma's jewelry in it. He had us pick the box, not knowing what was inside it. When I opened mine, and saw the ring, I began to cry like a baby and asked him "Is this her wedding ring?" And he said yes. I ran up and gave him a hug and told him I would wear it constantly and take good care of it. That is the most valuable (sentimental, not financially) item I own and would be devastated to ever lose it. 

A photo album containing my most treasured photographs

In this photo album, I would want pictures of my family and friends from some of my favorite memories: such as my childhood, birthdays,  my high school and college graduations, my sister's wedding and my brother's weddings, the birth of my first niece and a few random memories that were special to me. My family values each other and we are very close. These photos would help me remember all the good times we had growing up in the States and be able to show my niece when she was older.

Here are "just a few" that would be in that album...

When my niece was born she spent a week in the NICU...

The VERY first time I got to hold my niece! I was so happy!

Every 4th of July my sisters would help Grandma make this American Flag jello cake! =)

My sisters and I with my niece on Thanksgiving 2012

My awesome kindergarten team at Panama City Beach on vacation together for fall break 2012

My sister and I's first day of Kindergarten! (We are Irish twins.) 

Making silly faces with my mom and brother 

Looking at a family photo album with both my grandmas! 

My mom made this Hawaiian themed dinner that I still remember to this day!

At my high school graduation, one of the happiest days of my life! =)

Loving on my big brother! <3

Me and my best friend enjoying some hot chocolate while going Christmas shopping

My niece on her 1st birthday! 

Me, giving my mom kisses as a toddler!

My mom, sisters and I at Niagara Falls ( I want to go back as an adult!)

Me, my sisters and just "a few" of my cousins... I have over 30 on my mom's side of the family. 

Giving my baby sister life lessons at the age of 2!  (I think this is hilarious!)

Now, if I arrived to the country where we would have to live and were told that I could only keep one personal item and have to give up the other two items you brought with you I would be devastated! I don't think I could choose. I am such a sentimental person that my heart would break giving up any three of these items. My bible could technically be replaced, but the sentiment that came with it could not. My grandmother's wedding ring could never be replaced and I would feel like I would lose a part of her if that ring was taken away. And the pictures- anyone who knows me knows how much I love my photos! I really need to get some fire proof containers to put them in now that I think about it!

So honestly, I don't know which one I would choose and I truly hope I never have to!

I have realized through this exercise, how sentimental I am when it comes to my family and friends. My most treasured items are ones that have meaning and sentiment behind them. I still have teddy bears given to me by my grandparents and parents at specific times in my life, such as when I got my tonsils out and woke up terrified and not knowing where I was. But I had this cute little teddy bear in a pink dress and bonnet to comfort me. I also have a teddy bear that is so soft given to me by my dad when I had to stay home from school one day b/c I was really sick. I couldn't bear to give those items up, but every other toy I owned was given away by the time I was an adult. My family truly means a lot to me as well as my friends. I wouldn't trade them for anything else in the world. 

Looking forward to hearing everyone else's responses this week! Hope you all enjoy your weekend!

Sincerely,

Jessica