Professional Hopes and Goals

This course has taught me a lot about diversity, equity, and social justice. The information I have obtained from the course will be beneficial for me as an early childhood professional. Children, their families and the community will also benefit from my knowledge. The course has provided useful information that can make helpful to everyone.

 

 One hope I have when I think about working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds is ensure they feel comfortable. I want the children and families to feel that they belong and no isolated because they are different. I want the children and their families to feel proud of their culture. I want the children and the families to feel that I am interested in them. 

 One goal I would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity and social justice is to ensure every student, their families and the community have the knowledge they need about culture and diversity, equity and social justice. I have always heard that knowledge is power. Providing the information is a great way to resolve some of the issues that we have to deal with when it comes to diversity, equity and social justice. The more we know about each other and our difference, we can begin to understand and embrace each other. Once we are able to embrace the differences, then we can take the necessary steps to resolve all the other issues.

As I complete the course, would like to thank my classmates for sharing their information with me. My classmates are very encouraging when it competes to providing and sharing information. Thank each of you from all of the information and knowledge you have shared. Sharing information based on your experiences have provided we with useful information I can use in the future.

Welcoming Families From Around the World

The student who will attend my child care center is a native of Gabon.

Five ways in which you will prepare yourself to be culturally responsive towards this family:

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•     I would research more about the traditions and holidays.

•     Provide materials that the student can relate to such as books, toys, custom dress in the play areas and maps.

•   Incorporate the national language of Gabon, which is French, into the lesson plans.

•  Have family members to come into the classroom and share some stories, customs and traditions with the class.

•   Find ways to include a French translation of information sent home to parents in newsletters and all other forms of communications.

•   Incorporate some foods native to the country so the student will have something familiar to him/he.

         I think the research I do in preparation of the students arrive will make the transition easier for me as well as the student and his or her family. The preparation will be a learning experience for me. The student can walk into the classroom and feel proud about him/herself because he/she can see things in the classroom which represent him/her. The student can feel more comfortable in the classroom because there are things in class to represent his/ culture.

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

This week we are to discuss an incident when we have experienced bias prejudice, and/or oppression. I have mentioned one of my experiences before, but this is the one that sticks out in my mind the most because of how it made me feel. It made me angry, uncomfortable and somewhat insecure. I had a disability because of an accident, so I rely on social services for many things, such as Medicare for insurance. I had to report in for review every so often. I remember going to my interview and talking to the social worker. The entire time she was talking down to me and at first I felt like I was over reacting or seeing something that was not really there. The reason felt that way was because I was constantly told that when I mentioned being mistreated and recognizing it was because of my race. Well, as the interview continued it became obvious that I was being treated a certain way because of a presumption and stereotype of a young Uneducated African American woman who was not working. I still did not say anything because I wanted to keep my dignity. However, the time presented itself when the myth and stereotype was debunked.  During the interview, the question was asked if I had any children. I answered no and the interviewed was surprised. She asked the question again and again I replied with no I do not have any children. Another question was the highest education level completed.  I replied with a master’s degree and the interviewer facial expression visually changed. Her statement was wow and began to ask me what my degree was in. I simply answered the question, but my emotions were the same.

Reference

Rollins, M. Diversity Profile. Unpublished manuscript, Walden University.