Professional Hopes and Goals

• 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 personal hope for children and families who come from diverse backgrounds is that they use there differences in language, tradition, and culture to an advantage to themselves, by educating those around them. I'd like to see both student and parents not becoming victims and or prisoners to values that aren't there own, rather they be able to celebrate a culture that has meaning to them. 
• 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 believe establishing diversity courses at every level professionally is beneficially to staff everywhere. Parents are able to be impacted by the knowledge learned by staff from workshops, meetings and engagement with other co workers.
• A brief note of thanks to your colleagues Thank you all for the constant encouragement during this course i wish you all a relaxing winter break and that you all come back well rested.  

Welcoming families around the world

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

My family’s country of origin is the United States

• At least five ways in which you will prepare yourself to be culturally responsive towards this family

1. I accept that children bring knowledge to the classroom shaped by family, cultural histories, and communities.
2. As a teacher I can adapt an understanding and empathy for the real lived experiences of children entering my classes.
3. I will provide opportunities for families to feel included, accepted and apart which offer options for grand parents to read stories or sing songs in the classroom.
4. I need to begin with me transforming myself to transform my students and those around me.
5. I believe it’s important to not allow my own prejudices, biases and assumptions inform my teaching and interactions with students.

• A brief statement describing in what ways you hope that these preparations will benefit both you and the family.

My acknowledgement of knowing children bring many qualities and positive attributes to classrooms offer the group expanding resources and their own uniqueness. Education comes in all forms and children sometimes

In light of the most recent events with the Connecticut shooting all hearts are feeling this pain of those lost, many have come and joined forces to comfort the families and students affected. Religion, nor race, or family class is a factor at this moment just pure human nature of feelings and empathy of knowing it could have been one of our children or us as teachers.  

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

• What memory do you have of an incident when you experienced bias, prejudice, and/or oppression, or witnessed someone else as the target of bias, prejudice, and/or oppression? Keep in mind that one can encounter such incidents in real contexts, including online environments, as well as in fictional ones, such as movies, books, television shows, and the like.

There was an incident in which a woman was speaking to me and admiring what I was wearing, we engaged and I gave my casualties in which I thank her for the complement like any one else would, the lady continued on to tell me my color choice worked well together and in her words for me being so dark I wore the colors well.

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

This particular situation brought up feelings of my childhood and how I was bullied and made fun of because of how dark in complexion my skin was to everyone else. As a child I didn’t appreciate the beauty of the glow my skin gave off or the uniqueness in knowing not everyone has the ability to say that.

• What feelings did this incident bring up for you?

In listening to the woman I could feel after giving her comment I was angry because I felt like she was speaking ignorantly, and I questioned why she couldn’t just leave her comment at complementing what I was wearing. I know she had no idea of the affects of what her remark did and or how it made me feel. I simply stated to her I love all colors and walked away. Removing myself from that situation felt like the best thing to do at that moment.

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

I could potentially have gone back and forth with the woman which could have lead into an unwanted argument.