Wrapping Up

Walden University course EDUC 6357  has been both challenging and exhilarating.  It has stretched my mind and my emotions.  I have discovered things about myself that I didn't know, both for the good and for improvement.  I have enjoyed learning about myself and about diversity.

     One hope that I have when I think about working with children and families with diversity is that I will show them unconditional love and acceptance, even when I may not agree with the choices that they may be making.  I want them to experience respect from me so that they feel they can be themselves.  I want what's best for my students and their families; I want my students to feel that school is a safe and comforting place where they feel loved and accepted.

     A goal that I would set for the early childhood field regarding diversity and social justice is that each classroom would reflect the personalities and cultures of the students within.  I would like to see each classroom be a happy, cheerful place, with color and pictures and toys that express the diversity of the students.  My daughter recently started as a lead teacher in a toddler room.  The previous teacher did not make the room a happy, comfortable place where parents would want to bring their children.  She is using pictures of the students around the room, art projects and posters to improve the atmosphere and make it feel more like a home for her students.  By simply rearranging the classroom she has made both the paras and the parents feel that their child is being well cared for and accepted.  It makes me sad to think that there are many classrooms in the field that are like that one was originally was.

     I would like to thank my colleagues for their supportive comments in the discussion boards and blog assignments this semester.  They have helped me realize that I may not be where I need to be regarding diversity within my classroom, but I am on my way to making diversity a priority with my students.  I have enjoyed reading their posts and answers to discussion questions as well.  Together we are learning.  We may not change the world, but we can change the lives of the students we are privileged to teach.

Creating Art

 
YI am not an artist in any sense of the word!  This is a difficult assignment for me because of that.  My creativity seems to be limited to projects preschoolers can make!  So I decided to take a little different path.  I have read some beautiful prayers that were like poems.  I can't rhyme either, but I think I can develop a prayer poem that illustrates my journey through becoming more anti-bias.  I don't want to offend anyone, but I believe in Jesus and God the Father so that's who I pray to.  Here's my creation...

Father, help me to see

To see those whom You love.

You have created all things and all peoples

From every part of the earth

You love them all.

Jesus, You call me to love too

Not just those who are like me

But those who appear different than what I am used to.

When You walked this earth You didn't see differences in people.

You saw through the eyes of love all the diversity You created

And You saw them all.

Rich, poor, old, young, beautiful, broken, Jew, Arab, Roman, Gentile and every other ethnicity

Varying abilities physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually

You treated every person with respect and love...(except the Pharisees who had hearts of hate).

Father, give me eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart that is tender toward those that You love.

Let me be able to acknowledge the beauty in differences

Let judgment have no place in my life.

Grow me, unsettle me, transform me into what You would have me to be.

Let truth and justice be on my lips, spoken in love.

Thank You for the beauty in the peoples You have created

Help me to see, love, and teach about that beauty to all the little ones You've entrusted to me

And their families as well.

Thank You for loving me....help me to radiate that love to everyone You bring across my path.
Amen.r different than what I am used to.

When You walked this earth You didn't see differences in people.

You saw through the eyes of love all the diversity You created

And You saw them all.

Rich, poor, old, young, beautiful, broken, Jew, Arab, Roman, Gentile and every other ethnicity

Varying abilities physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually

You treated every person with respect and love...(except the Pharisees who had hearts of hate).

Father, give me eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart that is tender toward those that You love.

Let me be able to acknowledge the beauty in differences

Let judgment have no place in my life.

Grow me, unsettle me, transform me into what You would have me to be.

Let truth and justice be on my lips, spoken in love.

Thank You for the beauty in the peoples You have created

Help me to see, love, and teach about that beauty to all the little ones You've entrusted to me

And their families as well.

Thank You for loving me....help me to radiate that love to everyone You bring across my path.

Amen.

"We Don't Say Those Words in Class!"

My niece was in the grocery store with my sister when she was about four years old. While they were waiting in line to checkout , my niece pointed at a lady ahead of them in line and said in a loud voice, “Mommy, look at that fat girl! Why is she so fat?” My sister was mortified and tried to hush my niece, then distracted her with something in the cart. She whispered a quick apology to the lady in front of them but did not really make eye contact.

My sister may have communicated the message to my niece that it is not okay to talk about physical differences or why people might look different from one another. By suppressing my nieces childlike curiosity in this instance, my aunt may have helped to instill in my niece the belief that she should keep her questions about differences to herself. She may also very well have intimated that it is bad to be fat; this message was reinforced later in my nieces childhood when she became heavy and my sister kept putting her on different diets. To this day, my niece has lots of issues with weight and has suffered from anorexia. The root of these issues may well have begun when she was small and absorbed her mother’s beliefs about weight and people who are overweight.


An anti-bias educator may have responded to a similar situation by telling the child that people come in all shapes and sizes, and helping the child think about the people in that child’s life and how their body shapes differ. For instance, the educator could point out taller and shorter adults that the child knows and ask the child to compare his or her own body to others. This approach would have led to frank discussion of bodily differences and the message that it is okay to talk about differences. Another strategy might be to turn the question back on the child, asking the child why he or she thinks that a person might be fat. This may give the teacher a glimpse into children’s misunderstandings and help the teacher figure out how to address these misconceptions. For instance, a child might believe that the person is fat because they have a horse in their stomach, based on hearing someone say, “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse!” Other children may not have misconceptions and may give logical reasons based on their life experiences and/or what they have been told. If a child says that she thinks people are fat because they eat too much junk food, the teacher might acknowledge that is one reason people may be fat, but give the child some other reasons as well (e.g. some medical conditions make people gain weight). Above all, an anti-bias educator would emphasize respect regardless of physical differences.

Gender, Gender Identity, and Sexual Orientation

Gender, gender identity and sexual orientation are very complex topics and diverse experiences related to them are crucial to a child’s healthy development. “Gender is the first core identity that gets young children’s attention. It develops very early: By age 2, children begin to describe themselves as boys or girls, although they are not yet sure what that means” (Derman-Sparks & Olsen Edwards, 2010, p.90).

It is important that diversity is discussed and explained within the classroom. As a teacher, I want to ensure that I am prepared to do so in a way that it is honest, and ethical. I want to provide an environment that is safe and understanding and teaches diversity in a way that is rich and meaningful to my young students. As a classroom teacher I hear often, “You can’t play in the house area” It’s for girls or “These tools are only for boys.”  As a teacher,I want to take the time to let my students know that these are not true. I really liked the way in which the media segment showed the teachers asking the children questions about their thoughts. “Why do you think girls cannot be doctor’s?” or “Has anyone ever seen a female doctor?” I also loved the way that the children were always part of the learning process. They were not just told, “Girls can be doctors too”- the learning came from them collaboratively. They even went out into the community so that the children could see for themselves that gender roles are not only linked to what they perceive. One boy even caught himself using a stereotype which showed his ability to reflect and realize that his thinking was incorrect (Laureate Education, n.d.).

The classroom activity outlined in this week’s gender media segment showcased the stereotypical thinking children exhibit about gender at a very early age (Laureate Education, n.d.). I also really liked the reflection piece that the media representation brought into perspective as well. “Are we more likely to view boys work as important?” It is important to instill diverse learning experiences for the children in our care and to provide anti-bias education to all students. This therefore means that as educators, it is our responsibility to reflect on our actions and unconscious biases so that they are not impeding our judgement and the development of the children in our care.

Much like Tina’s experience in using racial slurs unintentionally and without recognition, so many people today use the term “that’s so gay” without even realizing the meaning and connotation strung behind it. It has become so common place that people say it negatively without remorse or thought. We need to teach children that words can hurt and even they hurt unintentionally they still have a huge impact and often consequence. It is important for all children to see their culture in their classroom. “…when children’s life experiences are invisible, and they hear and see negative, stereotypical, or untrue representations of their lives, shame, confusion, and low self-esteem will likely result (Derman-Sparks & Olsen Edwards, 2010, p.123).

References:

Derman-Sparks, L., & Olsen Edwards, J. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, DC: NAEYC.

Learning from Another's Life Story. (n.d.).  Tina. Retrieved from: http://mym.cdn.laureate-media.com/2dett4d/Walden/EDUC/6357/CH/mm/audio_player/index_week3.html

Laureate Education (Producer). (n.d.). Start seeing diversity: Gender [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu

Adjourning: An Essential Stage of Teamwork

Adjourning: An Essential Stage of Teamwork

This week you read about the five stages of team development: forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning. Consider the adjourning phase for several of the groups in which you have been involved. Think about which aspects of the groups made for the hardest good-bye. Are high-performing groups hardest to leave? Groups with the clearest established norms? Which of the groups that you participated in was hardest to leave? Why? What sorts of closing rituals have you experienced or wish you had experienced? How do you imagine that you will adjourn from the group of colleagues you have formed while working on your master's degree in this program? Why is adjourning an essential stage of teamwork?


The hardest adjourning phase I've ever experienced was when I worked at the Center for Community and Family Services in the Los Angeles County Area.  It was probably the toughest job I've ever had, but it was also the place where I felt I learned the most from.  Although it was difficult to achieve trust and respect from my colleagues at that school or organization, I believe I was able to prove myself as a good asset to the faculty.  I made close professional and personal relationship with a few good teachers and site directors.  We were a team of highly motivated individuals, and all of us had the same vision and mission in life.  Our passion was driven by intrinsic rewards; we thrived in seeing our students develop healthily and reach their fullest potential.  We had the clearest established norms, and as time went by, we had to overcome numerous hardship together, which made our team even stronger.  

In the year 2010, when the organization shut down due to the administration's mismanagement of funds, my team knew we were going to be transferred to different schools and some would also be laid off, or perhaps choose to part ways and start a new journey with a new company.  My team decided to have one last gathering at a special restaurant, and there, we discussed our growth within the company; I spent 5 years there, while the others spent over 10 years.  It was a bittersweet goodbye for all of us, but today, with the help of social networking websites, it feels as if we never left each other.  Facebook, LinkedIn, personal emails, telephoning, have been my  communication avenues to keep in touch with friends and ex-colleagues.  

I imagine that I will adjourn from the group of colleagues I have formed while working on my master's degree in this program in yet another bittersweet goodbye.  I know that with the knowledge we will obtain from the time spent here in Walden University will prepare us for success and better quality of life.  It will be a steppingstone to reaching our ultimate dreams.  I believe that each of us will leave a mark on other people's hearts, as I know some of my colleagues already have done through sharing their unique life stories with me.  I would truly wish each one of my colleagues the best that life could give.  

Adjourning is an essential stage of teamwork because it gives everyone a chance to share their positive experience in the program or career, and wish each other well.  It is also a time to further their relationship outside of work, and perhaps establish good professional contacts so you can utilize their position as your main reference in the future.  Adjourning does not necessarily mean ending your relationship with your colleagues.  Sometimes, it just means, "see you later" because as small as the world is, there is a great chance we may see each other again someday.  This is also why it is best to always leave in good terms with the company and with your colleagues and take care of those relationships even after you have adjourned.

 

Nonviolent Communication and Conflict Management

Think about any disagreements, or conflicts, you have recently experienced or are currently experiencing at work with a supervisor or colleague, or someone in your personal life. Share at least two strategies you have learned about that might help you manage or resolve the conflict more productively, and why these strategies might be effective. For example, could you suggest a compromise? Could you look for a broader range of solutions to your disagreement? Could you use some of the principles of nonviolent communication or the 3 R's to better help you resolve this conflict?


 
Two strategies that I have learned about this week that might help me manage or resolve a conflict more productively is to use some of the principles of nonviolent communication. "Nonviolent Communication skills emphasize personal responsibility for our actions and the choices we make when we respond to others, as well as how to contribute to relationships based in cooperation and collaboration" (The Center for Nonviolent Communication, n.d, pg. 1).  It is important when in a disagreement to remember why and what you are disagreeing about, not bring in personal issues in to the argument. It is vital to remember that your actions and words have consequences. 


 


Nonviolent communication is about learning "to hear our own deeper needs and those of others, and to identify and clearly articulate what 'is alive in us'. When we focus on clarifying what is being observed, felt, needed, and wanted, rather than on diagnosing and judging, we discover the depth of our own compassion. Through its emphasis on deep listening—to ourselves as well as others—NVC fosters respect, attentiveness and empathy, and engenders a mutual desire to give from the heart" (CNVC, n.d., pg. 2). When in an argument or disagreement it is important to remember that being right is not the answer. It is crucial to think of the other person, why are they arguing. It is important not to judge and really listen to what the other person is trying to say.

Who am I as a Communicator

For your blog this week, think about the similarities and differences between how you evaluated yourself as a communicator and how others evaluated you. What is the one thing that surprised you the most? Why? What other insights about communication did you gain this week? Choose at least two to share with others through your blog and consider how each might inform your professional work and personal life.

I was very happy this week that there were many similarities between how I evaluated myself as a communicator and how others evaluated me. I tested the same in verbal aggressiveness scale assessment across the board. It said I scored moderate, that I am able to maintain good balance between respect and consideration for others. That was pretty cool and surprised me that it was just not my opinion that this was true but from the other two people evaluated me.

 

This week I learned about first impressions and jumping to conclusions based on what I see and not what I know. This week for the discussion we had to look at the random picture that was provided and answer personal questions about this person based solely on the picture. It was an interesting assignment but I did not like it. I did not like guessing what kind of person they were without knowing anything about her. But I understand that everyone does this on a daily basis, even myself. We all have looked at someone and judged them without even knowing anything about them. I have learned that I would not want to be judged out of context and that I should not do this to others. This will help me in my professional work and personal life. I will be more open and excepting of others. I will come into contact with many different people in my professional life and sometimes life happens and we do not always make the best first impressions. It is important to get to know a person before making any rash judgements.

 

The second insight I have learned about communication this week is that a lot goes into it!  We have verbal and nonverbal communication. We can all have different listening styles some are people oriented others time oriented. We all have different levels of aggression in our communication. Are you pushy and use insults to get your way, a people pleaser and never like to get in to disagreements, or do you maintain a good balance between the two. We all have different levels of comfort talking in groups or even one-on-one with people we do not know. These all have to do with your personal schemas. It is vital to understand your strengths and weaknesses in regards to communication.  This will help me in my professional and personal life because in everyday life you communicate with people even when you do not intend to. It is important to be a good competent communicator.