What I Have Learned

• One hope that you have when you think about working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds (any format and any length):

My one hope for children and families who come from diverse backgrounds is that they feel accepted when they are in my classroom.  I feel that an early childhood classroom should be a safe haven for all involved, and strive to create that environment for the diverse families I work with.

• One goal you would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice (any format and any length):

I would like to see more men in the early childhood field, especially in poverty stricken areas such as the one I currently teach.  So many of our children do not have a positive male role model in their lives, and I think it could make quite an impact to have that at the early childhood stage.

• A brief note of thanks to your colleagues:

Thank you to those who have read and commented on my work, and especially for allowing me to read and learn from your work and experiences.  Reading your thoughts and experiences has helped me to grow and develop towards the anti-bias educator that I am striving to become.

Culture and Diversity

This is representative of how Diversity is taught and treated in my classroom:

"We Don't Say Those Words"

Towards the end of each school year, an employee from the County Library comes to talk to our students about the summer reading programs that they are offering.  Last year, the person who came and presented to my kindergarteners had some sort of disfigurement to her face.  My class listened really well while she spoke and she was very good at holding their attention.  They seemed to respond well to her, but I was concerned that one of them would make an inappropriate comment to her about the way she looks.  At the end, she asked if anyone had questions.  The first question she took, a boy asked her, “How come your face is different?”  I was embarrassed at first, but she reacted really great.  She calmly told them that everybody is just different.  She was born like that, and it’s just what her face was like.  My entire class just kind of nodded and accepted her explanation.   Afterwards, I apologized for that student’s comment. She told me that there was no reason to apologize because of course children would notice that.  She then complemented the way he asked and the way the class accepted her response and accepted her.  It made me feel really good about the lessons I had taught them throughout our ‘We are all the same, We are all different,’ and ‘Diversity’ units, along with the day to day lessons I try to instill.  It is natural for children to notice diversity.  However I feel that creating an environment where diversity is a ‘taboo topic’ sends the message to children that it is a bad thing.  It is important to allow them to notice, ask questions, and discuss.  It is equally important to work with them on how it is most appropriate to go about these conversations.

Gender, Gender Identity, and Sexual Orientation

• Some of the ways you noticed that homophobia and heterosexism permeate the world of young children including books, movies, toys, stores, culture of early childhood centers, and schools:  

Contrary to this question, I believe that the idea of being homosexual is becoming more represented and acceptable in the world of young children.  In looking through the children’s literature and television programming, those who are heterosexual are definitely displayed more often.  However, many books are now being published and purchased by centers that display same sex partnered families.  Also, at least where I live and teach, gay and lesbian people are hired as teachers without prejudice or discrimination.  Unfortunately much of the permeation of homophobia is still coming from the families of our youth or social circles in which their families are involved with.

• Your response to those who believe that early childhood centers should avoid the inclusion of books depicting gay or lesbian individuals such as same-sex partnered families:

I am fortunate in that I have not personally encountered centers that are not allowing this, however I have heard that there are some out there.  This is very unfortunate for our youth.  More than likely, there are children in most centers who have same-sex partnered families, and by not representing this in the classroom libraries; it could make these children feel that their family is not normal or ‘right.’  This can be detrimental to emotional growth and development.  Avoiding this type of literature also shelters children and creates a generation of ignorance towards a very realistic and present family dynamic in our country and world.  One or the best ways to create a culture of acceptance love towards others is through exposure to diversity.

• How you would respond to a parent/family member who informed you they did not want anyone who is perceived (or self-reported) homosexual or transgender to be caring for, educating, and/or interacting with their child:

I would first inform them that one’s sexual identity is not what makes them an effective educator, and sexual identity is not commonly discussed between teachers and their children or families. Working in a public school, I would continue by explaining that our staff is representative of the diverse world in which we live, and is chosen based on who can best aid in the growth and development of our children, rather than their sexual identity.

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?