Thank You!

Thank you to all of my classmates for sharing your experiences and wisdom.  I have learned a lot through this course about effective communication and collaboration, and feel that thanks to you all I have stregthened my skills in these areas!
I look forward to working with you more in future courses.  Happy Holidays!

Team work and Team building

I have worked with several different groups and teams in my career.  It seemed to me that the group that was hardest to leave was a team of behavioral therapist that I worked with several years ago in an early childhood special ed. setting.  I had already known many of these therapists before working in the same classroom as them, so the forming stage had already begun, and we became very bonded as a unit.  I would say that our established norms for our group was an area of weakness in our team because we were friends prior to being coworkers.  Ours strength was in performing.  We were very effective and enjoyed each other and our students very much!  Adjourning was very difficult with this group because we worked so well together.  However it was determined that we would be more effective working in separate locations where we could help train other staff.  We have remained friends since then.  We now share personal and professional stories and advice.

The adjourning stage for any group is important because it reflects what was learned and benefited from the group work.  It is my hope that through these courses, I am creating a network of colleagues which will assist me throughout the program, and perhaps throughout my career.

Conflict

I often have conflicts with my sister.  Typically I do not handle the conflicts in the most appropriate manner, at least not initially.  I tend to react impulsively and make insulting comments.  My sister seems to be the only person this occurs with.  Our relationship has a lot of ups and downs, and I often wish we were closer.  Perhaps using nonviolent communication along with the 3 R’s (Respectful, Reciprocal, and Responsive), our conflicts would be resolved in a more appropriate way, and our relationship would grow closer with each disagreement, rather than further apart as it seems to do. 

It seems that I have conflict with those in my family more than I do with anyone else.  Does anyone else feel the same way? And if so, do you find yourself handling the conflicts in a nonviolent, respectful manner?

Who am I as a communicator?

In our application assignment for the week, we were asked to evaluate ourselves as communicators, and then have others evaluate us using the same scales.  I chose a coworker and my fiancé to conduct the evaluations on me.  I was pleasantly surprised to see that both other test takers revealed the same results as I did, revealing me as a good communicator in all areas.

What is the one thing that surprised you the most? Why?

I was most surprised at my listening style.  This is an area that I see as a weakness in myself, as I have a tendency to become distracted and have recently been told by someone that I have a tendency to interrupt.  However, the results of the test revealed me as a people oriented listener, describing me as empathetic and trusting of others and their feelings.

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.

The first insight that I gained is that I am too trusting of others.  This is not something that I knew to be true about myself, but after discussing with the other evaluators of my communication skills, they helped me to understand this revelation.  I often believe in the good and honesty in others, rather or not they are deserving.  While some see this as a good quality, it can be dangerous in my personal and professional relationships, and I should gather more information about a person before giving them my trust.

Another insight was the pride I felt in reading through all of the results of these surveys.  I feel that they revealed me as an effective and well rounded communicator.  This is a very important skill for a teacher, as there are several people who I communicate with constantly including my students, families, coworkers, administrators, and community members.  It is also important in forming and maintaining relationships in my personal life.

Communication and Culture

I live and work in very diverse cultures.  In my job, my colleges are all white, or African American, most are women.  The students are white, African American, Hispanic, Asian, and Russian.   My neighborhood is primarily African American; however the community I live in is much more diverse including large populations of whites, African Americans, Asians, and Bosnians.  My family is all Italian/Caucasian. With the exception of my family, I find that my communication with others varies more based on the location/setting I am in than the different cultural groups.  When I am at work, I am very professional.  I carry myself with confidence in what I am doing.  I am professional and firm, but sensitive and understanding at the same time.  In my neighborhood and community, I remain respectful, but I am much more relaxed and my language may be less proper.  Because of the culture of my family, I may appear to be much less sensitive, respectful, or understanding as I am very aware and comfortable with their boundaries.  I also know that in a family such as mine, one must be loud and direct in order to be heard (hence the Italian heritage).  I find the most important way of communication in all areas of my life is to be aware and sensitive to my surroundings, observing and listening to their communication culture.

Nonverbal communication

For this assignment, I watched a television show with the sound turned off:

T.V. Show:  Whitney

• What do you think the characters’ relationships are based on the ways in which they are communicating?

It was evident that the main characters were a couple based on the fact that the episode began with them in their bed.  However, there was very little physical interaction between them throughout the episode.  They do often exchange flirty looks and smiles.

Another couple was constantly holding hands, getting each other things, and exchanging kisses.

There were two characters, a male and a female, who are not involved romantically with any of the other characters.  The female appeared angry and mopy throughout the episode, while the male up beat and happy.

• What are they feeling and expressing based on the nonverbal behavior you are observing?

The main characters along with the single female appeared irritated with the others often.  This conclusion is based on their nonverbal communication; body language, facial expressions, posture. 

The other couple appears happy and carefree, as does the single male.

Next I watched the same show with the sound turned on:

• What assumptions did you make about the characters and plot based on the ways in which you interpreted the communication you observed?

I assumed that three of the main characters were somewhat crabby, sarcastic, and unhappy.  The other three characters seemed much happier and carefree.  As it turned out, only the single female was actually unhappy, the others just joked sarcastically and teased each other.

• Would your assumptions have been more correct if you had been watching a show you know well?

Knowing the actual characters by watching this show more regularly would have allowed me to understand the dynamics of the characters and their relationships without needing to make assumptions based on body language and facial expressions.

Watching this show made me realize that sarcasm and teasing can be misconstrued by others as unhappiness or just plain rudeness.  As a person who is often very sarcastic, this is important for me to know and realize.  Others do not always see or understand sarcasm in the playful nature that it is intended.

Effective Communication

I am lucky enough to work under a principal who demonstrates wonderful communication skills with teachers, students, other administrators, and families.  She communicates effectively with this very diverse group of people by being respectful but firm.  She always explains her view point, and gives others the opportunity to explain theirs.  Often these other opinions or perspectives are different from her own.  However she is very skilled in coming up with questions for those who she is communicating with.  These questions not only provide her with more information about another’s perspective, but also many times guides others towards the view point that she wants them to take.  I am always observing her communication skills, especially with parents and other family members.  I am slowly attempting to model my own communication with parents after hers.

Professional Hopes and Goals

One hope that you have when you think about working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds:

I hope to create a welcoming classroom environment which is representative of diverse cultures and makes my students feel safe, welcome and comfortable.

One goal you would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice:

It should be the goal of the early child field to be more equitable by offering the experience of early childhood education to ALL children ages 3 to 5.

A brief note of thanks to your colleagues:

Thank you to my classmates for opening my eyes to diverse experiences, view points, and opinions.  I have learned more about how different, yet similar we all truly are.

Welcoming Families From Around the World

• The name of “your” family’s country of origin:

Portugal is on the western edge of Europe.  It is a developed country and is a country of very little diversity.  Its residents are over 90% Portuguese.  The dominant language in Portugal is Portuguese.  The predominant religion is Catholicism.  The school systems in Portugal are very successful with a 99% literacy rate.

• At least five ways in which you will prepare yourself to be culturally responsive towards this family:
1. Look up the location of this country on the map
2. Research on the internet some cultural norms of this country
3. Include representation of this country in my posters and bulletin boards
4. Set out and prepare lessons around children’s books that include people and/or information about this country, diversity, and acceptance of others
5. Set up a meeting with an interpreter and the family to get to know them and find out what I can do to make them feel welcome and to help ensure their child’s success.
• A brief statement describing in what ways you hope that these preparations will benefit both you and the family

These preparations will help me to be better prepared for this student and family.  It will also help to expand my knowledge and cultural awareness by learning about a place I previously had very little knowledge of.  It will help the family to feel more accepted and comfortable in their new country and new school setting.  I would be hopeful that I could provide a positive first experience with school that will continue throughout resulting in a successful school experience. 

The personal side of bias, predjudice, and oppression

• What memory do you have of an incident when you experienced bias, prejudice, and/or oppression?

In high school and the few years following I was close friends with two African American men.  We would often be in the car together, just the three of us, driving around town.  There were multiple times when we were pulled over by police officers for no apparent reason.  There were no warnings, or citations given.  However, my two friends were always asked to step out of the car and searched, while I was allowed to stay in. 

• In what way(s) did the specific bias, prejudice and/or oppression in that incident diminish equity?

I believed this to be both racial and gender profiling; possibly agism as well.  I think that we were pulled over simply because we were young and there were two black men in the car.  They were obviously discriminated against because they were searched and I was not.

• What feelings did this incident bring up for you?

Initially I felt very angry that this type of racism was occurring in an area which I lived and loved so much.  However because there was never any citations that they could find to give us, we would often laugh it off.

• What and/or who would have to change in order to turn this incident into an opportunity for greater equity?

I believe multiple changes would have to occur.  Obviously racial profiling is a problem in our police force and government that needs continual monitoring and improvement.  Even if crime is higher among African American men than some other races, it is unfair and unjust to classify all African Americans as criminals, which is what occurs when police officers to assume someone is doing something wrong simply because they are black.

Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

• Describe at least one example of a microaggression which you detected this week or remember from another time. In what context did the microaggression happen? What did you think and feel when you observed the microaggression or when you found yourself as the target of a microaggression?

It is sometimes hard when working in a diverse, low income area like I do, not to use stereotypes.  Last year during a parent teacher conference with a Hispanic parent, the ELL teacher, and interpreter, and myself.  We were talking with the parent about how we could best support them in getting the child’s homework completed.  It had not been turned in for several weeks.  The ELL teacher implied that perhaps a family member or friend who lives with them would be able to help.  After the suggestion was given in Spanish, the parent made a puzzled face and let us know that there were no other family members living with them.  Often in our district, several Hispanic families live together in small apartments.  The ELL teacher was making the assumption that, because they were Hispanic, there were other people living with them.  While I didn’t know it at the time, this was a microaggression.

• In what ways did your observation experiences this week affect your perception of the effects of discrimination, prejudice, and/or stereotypes on people.

Unfortunately, discrimination and prejudice are still very prevalent in our society.  Turning our backs on them and pretending they do not exist will not solve the problems.  We can spread the word of acceptance and being mindful of others, but perhaps the best thing we can do is model respect for others in a non-stereotypical way, and teaching kindness, acceptance, and open-mindedness to our students and children.

Definitions of culture and diversity from multiple sources:

• From my fiancé- a Caucasian, middle class male in his 30’s.  Grew up with very little diversity, but is a very open-minded, accepting person and now lives in an extremely diverse area: 

Culture – The environment that a person grows up in and currently lives in that shapes ones thoughts, beliefs, patterns and actions.  A person’s culture for the most part defines who that person is and what they will become.

 Diversity – Words that come to mind when defining Diversity include variety or difference.  Diversity can come in many different forms.  It could mean one person’s taste in music, food, etc.  It can also mean a group’s racial or cultural makeup. 

·     From my mother- a Caucasian, middle class female in her 50’s.  Went to a Catholic school and grew up with very little diversity.  Worked in a predominantly African American school district for several years and converted to the Jewish religion at marriage:

Culture:  social attributes of a group of people that kind of binds them together....things like values, beliefs, customs.

Diversity:  those individual and differing attributes which make people unique within their culture.

·         From a coworker and friend- an African American, middle class, lesbian in her 30’s who, like myself, has participated in depth trainings on cultural diversity and teaching in a cultural responsive manner:

Culture - Culture is the behaviors and belief systems that a particular group of people espouse to based on the sum total of their experiences, it may or may not be tied to ethnicity or race.

Diversity - For my own definition of diversity, I think of is as the differences we all have that make us unique.  There are many different kinds of diversity from the types we are born with and the types of diversity we develop through our lives. It can be racial, cultural, based on lifestyle, or many other different kinds of things that make our lives what they are.

·         My Reflections:

I was most impressed to see that no one that I discussed this with had the opinion that culture is related solely to race or ethnicity, and all included that culture is related to a person’s beliefs.  They also all related diversity to ‘differences.’  Again, these differences did not necessarily just relate to race and diversity.  They all seemed to have a true understanding of culture and diversity.  And although they are all very different in their own cultures, their definitions and understanding of these terms were very similar.  I suppose that people often surround themselves and have close relationships with others who have similar beliefs as themselves, so these similarities to each other’s definitions as well as my own does not surprise me.  Like we have discussed in our class, culture and diversity is much more than race.  It is everything that makes a person who they are.

My Family Culture

Imagine the following:

A major catastrophe has almost completely devastated the infrastructure of your country. The emergency government has decided that the surviving citizens will be best served if they are evacuated to other countries willing to take refugees. You and your immediate family are among the survivors of this catastrophic event. However, you have absolutely no input into the final destination or in any other evacuation details. You are told that your host country’s culture is completely different from your own, and that you might have to stay there permanently. You are further told that, in addition to one change of clothes, you can only take 3 small items with you. You decide to take three items that you hold dear and that represent your family culture.

Blog about all of the following:

• A description of the three items you would choose:

I couldn’t imagine going anywhere without my 2 dogs.  I know that they are not small items, but they are far too important to me to leave behind!  They are the most important 2 possessions in my life and I would trade any other three items to be able to take them.

Assuming that they are considered to be part of my immediate family and are already coming, my three items would be as follows:

1.       My memory box:  This contains pictures, ticket stubs, and keepsakes from nearly every special date, movie, dinner, or trip that my fiancé and I have taken together.

2.       My running shoes

3.       My iPod

• How you would explain to others what each of these items means to you

1.       My memory box is an important reminder of all the special times my fiancé and I have had together.  It is a collection of our favorite experiences and memories, and symbolizes the start of our lives together.

2.       Running is a very important part of my life, not only physically but mentally as well.  For a fitness view point, staying in shape and active has always been an important part of my life.  When I was a child through my teen years, it was through sports and dancing.  I spent my 20’s experimenting with several types of workout programs and fads.  But it wasn’t until just about two years ago that I found running as my physical and emotional outlet.  Running is freeing to me.  It makes me feel good about myself, allows me to blow off any steam, release any anger, think things through, and clear my mind.

3.       I have always loved music, a passion that was passed to me from my dad.  Early in life I played multiple instruments, and my dad taught me about classic rock musicians.  Throughout my life I have developed quite an eclectic collection of music.  I have music to fit and ease my many moods.  Much like running, it allows me to think clearly and relax.

• Your feelings if, upon arrival, you were told that you could only keep one personal item and have to give up the other two items you brought with you

I would be angry and confused, but I suppose I would choose my memory box.  Memories cannot be replaced.

• Any insights you gained about yourself, your family culture, diversity, and/or cultural differences in general, as a result of this exercise,

I’ve realized that what is most important to me is that which allows me to reflect, unwind, distress. 

Research Reflection

I have gained many insights about the research process throughout this course.  I had previously not realized the many steps and considerations involved in research, or the different types of research.  I noticed that often, a research idea or project may change or alter throughout the process, especially if the subject is initially broad.  In my research simulation, my original topic was very broad and encompassing, so throughout the course work I was able to narrow it to a more direct focus.

International Research in Early Childhood

The website I reviewed was that of the European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA).  This organization conducts research on and about early childhood education (ECE), along with how the policies and practices affect the field.  The EECERA’s annual conference and monthly journals report the findings of their practices as the leading international contributor to the development and improvement of the early childhood field.  The special interests groups within this organization break down the early childhood field into the categories of birth to 3, equity and respect for diversity, leadership and integration, leadership mentoring for early years services, learning and participation, mathematics birth to 8 years, outdoor play and learning, professionalism in early childhood education and care, transitions, young children’s perspectives, and working with parents and families.

Unfortunately, there is a fee to access the journal and discover the specific research projects and results.  However it was encouraging to learn that there is a non-profit organization conducting comprehensive research with the intention of improving the field of early childhood, and the policies and practices within the field.

Research Project

If I possessed the knowledge and were given the opportunity to perform any research study affecting the field of early childhood education, it would relate to the effects that ‘screen time’ has on the developing human brain.   Throughout my career, I have noticed a large regression in the areas of socialization, problem solving, focus, and attention.  More recently through my class readings, I have learned that many studies are relating some of these problems to the amount of time children are spending in front of various screens, be it video games, computers, and television.   Even learning games are being considered as possibly damaging.  I am learning that it is not the nature of the game, but the time that children are spending staring at a screen rather that interacting with others, and the world around them.  If I could, I would conduct a research study that would hopefully provide comprehensive evidence that links screen time to any or all of the above listed problem areas.  This research would be important not just for parents to know, but for teachers as well.  A new trend in education is technology, which is very important for our children to become familiar with in the ever changing and growing world.  However, we may need to be cognitive and aware of how much technology we are utilizing as it pertains to ‘screen time,’ and the consequences that can come along with it.

My Research Topic:

As a kindergarten teacher, I am constantly working to incorporate developmentally appropriate practice into the current trends of standards and test based teaching and learning brought about by government policies such as No Child Left Behind.  Because of this, my research topic will be: ‘How can educators incorporate both developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) and standards-based learning into the early childhood setting?’  Reading the assigned chapters and forming the research chart has helped me to learn about the steps I will be taking while researching.  To this point, I selected my topic, I am working with relevant literature on my topic for this week’s application-2, and I have formulated my question.  I am currently reviewing the literature to take me into my next stage of research. 

I would love to hear if anyone else is struggling with incorporating DAP into state mandated standards-based learning.  How have you combined the 2 and are there any suggestions you could share with me?

Welcome to My Blog

So, this is my second attempt at a blog site.  My first blog somehow malfunctioned, to where it wouldn't let me post on other people's anymore.  So, I'm trying a fresh start.

Look forward to blogging with you all throughout the course!