Professional Hopes and Goals

            The hope that I have when thinking about working with children and families is to remember my journey and what I have learned.  I will remember to self reflect on my biases when faced with families from different backgrounds to ensure that I treat them justly.  Every child and family should feel welcomed and accepted in any classroom.  Even though I do not work directly with children and families, I want to educate the providers that I work with.  I hope to give them the tools and resources to start on their journey so they are able to welcome all children and their families.  I also want to share my journey and encourage my co-workers and colleagues to do the same.  Within our Partnership we have a Family Resource Center.  The Family Support Specialists need to be able to look past their biases and stereotypes to welcome and respect the families with whom they work.

            I would like to set a lofty goal for the early childhood field in regard to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice.  My goal is that the early childhood can set the standard and lead the nation in cultural competency.  I want our field to show the nation it is possible for everyone to live, play, work, and get along without stereotypes, biases, and prejudices.  We can set the standard of how to self reflect about our feelings and social identities.  We lead the example of how to respect each other and our differences without one being better than another.  Through these examples, we can advocate to change laws and attitudes that help create one culture being better than another.  I realize this is a lofty goal but if we band together as a field and profession, it can be achievable.  Are you with me?

            I just wanted to thank everyone for sharing their thoughts and insights during this course.  I have learned from everyone.  Your experiences have touched me and will be used to fuel my fire on my journey of cultural competence.  I also would like to thank my colleagues for their words of encouragement.  Without you, I would not be where I am today, with an open heart and mind.  Thank you!

Welcoming Families From Around the World

            I am a preschool teacher who just learned a new girl will be attending my program.  Her and her family are family are from Armenia.  I will first prepare myself to be cultural responsive by researching Armenia, especially the specific region they are from in order to learn more specifics from that area.  We all know that areas and regions within countries can vary in different ways.  By learning more about the country and specific area, this could give me more of an idea of the family’s culture and way of life that they are accustomed to.  I could possibly find out some cultural behaviors such as do I address the husband or the wife, is eye contact acceptable, etc. 

            Another way in which I will prepare for the family and girl’s arrival is by learning important terms and phrases in the family’s home language such as hello, how are you, etc.  Through this, I can communicate with the girl and teach these phrases to the other children in the classroom so she feels welcomed.  I would also work on converting all written information into the family’s home language.  If possible, I would also look into finding a trustworthy translator to be accessible in case one is needed for easier communication. 

            I would display pictures in the room of Armenia.  As soon as I was able to get family photographs, I would display them.  Also, I would look for materials and books that would represent the family and their culture.  Music is also culturally important so I would incorporate it into my classroom’s musical collection. 

            It would also be important to learn what holidays and/or religion that the family practices.  This way I could incorporate them into my lesson plans and celebrations.  I would not want her to feel left out of celebrations because of her religion and/or culture so it would important to learn about them.  Last but not least I would want to learn more about the types of food the family is accustomed to eating so I could look into incorporating them into the menu. 

            I think these preparations will benefit both the family and me because the family will feel welcomed and accepted into my program.  It will show I am supporting the family and will be an ally if needed.  Through this support, I can start building a relationship and strong partnership with the family, which will help the little girl succeed.  These preparations will also prepare the rest of my students and families for their arrival.  In this way when the family arrives, the rest of the program is aware and can treat them appropriately as well.  It is not fun being the new person and everyone staring at you because they do not know anything about you.  My research and learning more about their culture will help prepare myself for any underlying prejudices and biases that may arise.  If I can focus and overcome them, I will be more respectful and accepting of the family. 

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

            A memory of an incident that occurred to me personally happened when I was a sophomore in college.  One of my guy friends, Chris, was an African American male.  One night, he asked me if I wanted to go out to a club with him and his friends.  When we arrived there, I realized I was one of very few Caucasian people there.  It did not bother me until some of the other girls were staring at me.  I felt like Julia Stiles in Save the Last Dance and I was there to “take their men.”  This could not have been further from the truth.  I was with friends and having a good time.   

            Equity was diminished because of the perceived attitudes.  I felt as if I were being judged.  I felt like they thought Chris and I were a couple instead of friends hanging out.  Apparently the thought of Chris and I together was not a positive thought based on the attitudes.  I felt as if I did try and explain that we were not together that I would be accused of being a racist because it would not be proper if a white girl dated a black man.  I felt caught between a rock and a hard place. 

            At the time, I remember being uncomfortable.  I remember telling Chris about it and he said to shake it off and not let the girls bother me.  None of his friends had a problem with me being there and I had a great time.  Reflecting back on the incident, I can still remember being uncomfortable at the stares.  It was one of the first times I felt like I needed to explain myself and a reason for being somewhere.  I was not used to that feeling.  Why should I have to explain my presence?  I had every right to be just like they did.  I can see now how other races may feel when they are in a predominantly Caucasian event.  

            In my opinion, I think society, as a whole would have to change in order to turn this incident into an opportunity for greater equity.  Even with the improvements in racial relationships, there are still racial divides.  In this particular situation, both I and the other girls would have to change our attitudes.  I would have to feel comfortable and not feel like I had to justify my presence.  The girls would have to be in a place to be comfortable having me in a club with an African American male.  It would take a lot for both parties to reach this place due.  We would all have to overcome what society tells us about our social identities to find a place where everyone is comfortable.  It’s a long journey but I feel like one day, it will be possible.