What I Have Learned......

 



Before my courses at Walden, I never really thought about diversity and the importance of embracing it. However, upon seeing the importance of embracing differences of everyone, I realize how important it is to reflect everyone in my classroom, even if I am not comfortable with it or do not agree with it. Because children spend more than half of their day in classrooms, they should feel comfortable and accepted, and each aspect of their life represented.

 

 

Because I did not think much about diversity before this course, I believe there should be workshops or classes that every teacher should have to attend just to learn the importance of embracing diversity. Through this class, I have learned the importance of self reflection, as it has helped me uncover some of my own discomforts I would have never thought about had I not taken this class. The knowledge I have gained has allowed me to be a better anti-bias educator as well as speak to my co-workers about the importance of diversity.

I would like to thank all of my colleagues for your wonderful comments throughout this course. It has been very helpful in allowing me to see things from a different perspective. I have also enjoyed reading all of your discussions and blog postings as they have given me a great deal to reflect on. I hope to see you all in more courses together.



A special thank you to Dr. Kien as your words have also been constructive and helpful. Your course has been organized and thorough, and you have always been more than helpful to ensure we have a smooth 8 weeks. Your insight and comments to me have helped me see things from many different views. Because of your expertise and this course, I feel I am a better anti-bias educator. Thank you again!



Creating Art

I love this picture as I see everyone as happy and friends. I love how everyone is smiling and enjoying each other!!


 I love the differences in ethnicity within this photo!! It truly touched me seeing the differences of each face!!


I think this is one of my favorites because of the love each child is showing, regardless of their race or being in the wheelchair!

I am so thankful I have taken these courses at Walden!! I have learned the importance of accepting and embracing the whole child!!!!

We Don't Say Those Words In Class!!

 

What a great blog topic!! Before taking courses here at Walden, I never considered what an anti-bias classroom looked like, or what I would do to ensure my classroom was full of diversity. However, upon learning the importance of embracing all diversity, I consider everything I can do to welcome all children.

During the summer, I was told I would have a girl in my class that should be in the 6th grade; however, because she was in a wheelchair and was not able to talk or interact with other students, her mother requested she be in my class because we were always singing and dancing. At first, I was quite nervous, but then I welcomed the challenge I knew I would have. Why did I consider this a challenge? First, she was in a wheelchair, she did not speak, and she has one arm missing, and because I did not know how my 4 year olds were going to react to her, and what I was going to do to ensure she was welcome in my class.

During the first week of school, she did not come in as SPECO was getting everything set up for her in her room. However, she began coming in the second week of school. I introduced her, and we all said good morning to her. I remember one of my students took off running, began screaming and ran into my arms. At first, I was so shocked I had no words. I hugged my student and soothed her. I used this time as an opportunity to talk about differences and how we should always accept those differences. I explained to my students that she was just like anyone else, only she was in a wheelchair and couldn't talk. I explained to them how she communicated in different ways than we did, but we should always show her love and respect. I wanted my children to understand this and accept this, but I knew it would take some time. N. Spangler (Laureate Education, Inc., 2010) suggests we use persona dolls or puppets so children will bond and friend these puppets and begin to engage with them. Pelo (2008) suggest persona dolls can help young children respond to stereotypes with compassion. I wanted my students to show compassion and ensure there were no injustices being done because of the visual differences of my student, and by the 4th week of school, my students were engaging with her, hugging her, and talking to her daily.

I remember one of my students coming up to me and asking me why one of her arms were missing. I never once told her to "shhhh" or ignore her; rather, I explained to her, and the whole class, how she was made that way, and how we are all made differently, but how we all need to be accepted and loved regardless of how we look. Should I have silenced her or not elaborated, I feel I would have done injustice to all of my students.

As an anti-bias educator, I want to always ensure my students are not developing bias attitudes, and should comments arise, I want to stop this bias before it continues. "Although children may not understand the full meaning of their biased comments, these can become the bias for more developed prejudice if adults do not respond to them" (Derman-Sparks & Ramsey, 2008, p. 44). Because these biases can continue for a lifetime, we, as educators, must do everything we can to ensure we are preventing stereotypes in our classrooms and with our students.

References:

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). Learning from another’s life story: Anti-bias in ECE settings. Retrieved from http://mym.cdn.laureate-media.com/2dett4d/Walden/EDUC/6357/CH/mm/audio_player/index_week6.html

Derman-Sparks, L. & Ramsey, P. (2008). What if all the kids are white? In A. Pelo (Ed.), Rethinking early childhood education (pp. 43-47). Milwaukee, WI: Rethinking Schools.

Gender, Gender Identity, and Sexual Orientation

What a difficult topic for me this week! However, it has allowed me to think deeper about children's feelings about their family structure. Even with my difficulty with homosexuality, I do feel as if we need to make all children feel proud of their family, even if they are not the traditional family.

When I think of homosexuality and preschools, I believe it is not represented because it is such a taboo subject to discuss with people, especially young children. When I read the questions for this blog assignment, it prompted me to think about my own classroom and the books I have in my classroom library. None of my books represent families that are gays or lesbians. Many of my books do not show complete families; at times, some of the books actually only show a mother but no other family members. I also spoke with my school librarian, and there are no books that represent diverse families. Next, I decided to look at my kindergarten teachers' books, and the same applied. When I asked the teacher about this, she stated this is such a touchy subject, especially for such a small school. She stated she did not want to put her job in jeopardy as this is something that is not spoken of to young children (Y. Sanchez, personal communication, 2013). The preschools I have seen, as well as my own classroom, do not depict any type of family other than the typical family; a mother and a dad. I began thinking about dramatic play centers, and decided to talk to one of my friends that had been a preschool teacher for 20 years. She said she was always homophobic, and refused to talk about something she knew was wrong in the eyes of the Lord (S. Cardenas, personal communication, 2013). When prompted with the question of how this made children feel that came from homosexual parents, she simply could not talk about this type of family with her students; she could not teach something that she knew was so wrong, even if the child was not at fault for what type of family they were born in to (S. Cardenas, personal communication, 2013). I do believe schools and stores are focused on the heterosexual family, rather than the diversity of all families because of the discomfort it may cause someone, as well as the confrontation they may face from other families.

I am very uncomfortable with homosexuality because of my strong Christian faith; however, I never want a child to feel as if they and their family structure is not as important as their peers. Should I have a parent come to me with their concerns about someone being a homosexual or transgender teaching children, I would assure them a person's sexual orientation has nothing to do with their teaching ability, and their child is in no danger of being harmed by this person. Second, I would also remind them they are only assuming this person has this sexual orientation, and that making assumptions can certainly harm someone's reputation. I would also make sure I have research and articles on this very subject and go over this with parents. I would also stress to parents how important it is to talk about diversity and acceptance.

My daughter is in the 8th grade, and everyone has assumed one of her teachers is gay; it has never been confirmed. I have never thought negative feelings about him teaching my daughter because he is an amazing teacher, as well as being my daughter's favorite this year. I have never focused on this as I believe the person's sexual orientation has nothing to do with their ability to teach.

I am very thankful we can be honest and open throughout this course. While I know how important it is to make all children feel proud of their family, I find it quite difficult to discuss same sex parents. I am inclined to agree with the fact that early childhood centers avoid the inclusion of books that depict homosexuality as it is not what a typical family is made up of. However, I feel very torn as a family is made up of those who love you and support you. In the media presentation, it is discussed how it is important to discuss gay and lesbian parents so children can be respectful (Laureate Education, 2010). I believe this is important as all children need to learn to be respectful to all adults. My biggest concern, however, is how to accomplish this without offending all other families.

I think back to Tina, (Laureate Education, 2010) and her family never speaking of homosexuality. I never spoke about with my daughter as a young child either; it is just a difficult topic for me because of the discomfort I have with.


References

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2010).Learning from another’s life story (Video webcast). In EDUC 6357 Diversity, development, and learning.Retrieved from http://mym.cdn.laureate-media.com/2dett4d/Walden/EDUC/6357/CH/mm/audio_player/index_week3.html

 

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2010). Start Seeing Diversity. (DVD). In EDUC 6357 Diversity, Development, and Learning. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_2098819_1%26url%3D

Professional Hopes and Goals

One hope I have when working with children, their families, and diversity is to ensure they are welcomed with no biases or oppressions. I would encourage families to continue with their day to day routines, home languages, and traditions, remembering to never make them feel as if they are wrong or feel guilty about it. My hope is children, families, and diversity is embraced within all schools and facilities around the world.

One professional goal I would like to set for the early childhood field would be to encourage all educators to study diversity and the importances of embracing it. I would speak to people I directly work with and discuss with them how beneficial it is to embrace diversity. I would ensure all cultures are respected and valued, and encourage the use of home languages, all while ensuring trusting relationships are being built.

This class has certainly been a difficult one for me; having to refer back to my childhood and the things I went through has been very difficult. However, by studying the numerous resources and having discussions with classmates, I have come to realize I have biases I must let go of. My past has influenced my future, and has allowed me to become a better person as well as a better educator. For that, I am thankful.

Thank you to each classmate that has read my postings and commented on them. I am thankful you all were very respectful and kind throughout this course. I pray many blessings upon each of you! Have a Merry Christmas and a great break!

Hope to "see" you all in future classes!!

Blessings,
Susan

Welcoming Families From Around The World

The country I chose would be Russia. I know absolutely nothing about this country, and I would like to see what their traditions and cultures are.

To prepare this family for easy transition, I would do the following:

*Do my homework (research) on their cultures so I can ensure children have an easy transition and I can incorporate this culture into my classroom.

*I would prepare my students by discussing our new student's culture, as well as differences and similarities. I would show my students pictures of this child's home, and what they would be leaving behind. We would discuss how we can ensure our new student will feel loved and nurtured, and make a list (with pictures) of the things we can do. I would also make sure we had things around the classroom that this child can relate to. For example, at centers I could also label it with familiar pictures from Russia that would have the same American meaning; anything that will help this child feel little stress and more comfort.

*I would research the language of this country. I would make sure I could say a few things should this student not know English. I would make sure this student did not feel bad about not knowing English. I would help her embrace her language and feel proud of it. This will also aid me in making her cubby and locker labels, as well as any other type of label she may need to see, as well as any literature that will need to go home.

*I would schedule a time to meet with this entire family. I would welcome them into our school and my classroom; we would take a tour, show the family where everything is, as well as meet everyone in the school. This would help calm any fears or anxities about a new place. I would also ensure the family I would be available at any time.

*I would encourage the family to share their goals and expectations for their child. Since this a different country, I would want to know what their previous country's education system was like, and what type of goals it had. When we discuss this, we can come together and make a plan for their child to be successful.

With this family moving to a different country that is unknown to them can be scary as well as stressful, especially with a small child who will be attending a school they know nothing about. Hopefully, with creating a nurturing environment as well as opening those lines of communication will aid in a successful transition. For me, this would benefit me because I could embrace diversity by celebrating it within my classroom. By creating a diverse classroom, this child can feel comfortable in her new environment as well as feel proud of where she is from.

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

I always refer back to my husband and the incident that happened to him in a department store. He was literally followed around once he walked in. (I believe this was because he was African American!) I, on the other hand was never given a second look. My husband just wanted to do some shopping and he felt like a criminal. He would never take anything that did not belong to him, and he was very hurt that someone would assume he was a thief because of the color of his skin. This entire incident made him feel inferior and he also thought the clerk may have felt superior to him because she was caucasian.

As my husband's wife, my first feeling was anger. I was so upset that someone would assume something because of his skin color. That should never be an issue. After I calmed down, and spoke to the lady about her actions, I actually felt empowered because I let her know what she did was racist, and she should be ashamed of herself. I felt sorry for her because she could not see past my husband's skin color to see what an amazing man he is!

I believe this lady would have to change to prevent this from happening again. However, if she was raised this way, it may not happen. There is a common saying, "You cannot teach an old dog new tricks." Sad as it is to say, many people were raised to believe things about other races, and it is has been embedded in their head for so many years that it is virtually impossible to change.

I feel very blessed to be married to a man that I love with all of my heart. I feel blessed that God sent him to me, and if someone cannot see past his skin color, that is their loss. It is so unfortunate that so many people still have this mind set. There are so many people in this world that are missing out on wonderful friendships!!