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.

Practicing Awareness of Microagressions

As a sales associate at Bath and Body Works, I have the opportunity to meet and greet many people some nice and other not so nice. In reflecting for the assignment of an example of Microagression I can recall a time I was at the register ringing a customers purchase and a man came up near the woman I was ringing up and she immediately grabbed hold to her purse and proceeded to look over her shoulder at the man. The man began shaking his head as if he was in disbelief and looked to me for validation that the woman was clearly overreacting and being dramatic. In watching the display unfold in front of me I felt angered by what happened to the man. I remember thinking she didn't know him, nor did she have a reason to grab hold of her bag tightly and preceded to look over her shoulder.  This was a reminder of how cruel people can be to each other; and maybe the woman felt threatened, we will never know however I can conclude that the man who I rang up next noted to me she made him feel beneath her by her grabbing for her purse to pull it in closer to her; and that he was a small business owner of a hat store in the mall and was just trying to drop off some coupons. 

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

Ria
age: 24
" Culture is a combination of your religous and moral beliefs and your traditions".
"Diversity, is the inclusion of all people regardless of race, color, gender, sexual orientation or disability. The inclusion of all people regardless of difference".

Lakeshia
age:24
" Diversity is understanding that each individual is unique and recognizing our individual differences."
"Culture is your morals and values"

Izula
age: 24
"It's like looking at a box of crayons and seeing how culturally diverse the box is with all the different colors". "The individuals we serve, the various disabilities, are representative of the children in the classes"


In listening to my friends give their responses I was able to reflect on how each of them stated someone important which ties into what culture and diversity truly encompass. It's one's individual uniqueness and how he or she is able to foster that into something greater, whether it be in style with fashion, or distinction in cooking that makes us who we are. Derman, Sparks,& Edwards (2010) Gender roles, language of cultural backgrounds are what make up dynamics of a person existence.

My Family Culture

In the event I was relocated into another area in which I was not familiar with and placed me out of my comfort zone items that I hold near and dear to my heart consists of my bible, picture album, and my grandmothers recipes. These items hold significant importance to me and my culture because the bible is where I can seek solis, guidance, and comfort. My family has always stressed the importance of knowing where and how to seek what you need form it, whether it be for healing such as  Isaiah 41:10 " Fear  thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with he right hand of my righteousness. My picture album contains many of my most fondest memories of times in my life which range from childhood performances, and or relatives. I enjoy being able to reflect back those times and experiences through flipping through a couple of pictures. Parveen Sharma once said "Good photographs are taken not with the camera. Good photographs are taken with Mind, Soul, Eyes, and Imagination where Eyes like a shutter, Mind like a lens, Imagination like an object and Soul like a canvas.” Lastly, one thing that is very important to me are my grandmothers recipes, she has passed them down from her mother and her mother before her, I can remember the experiences of being a child and helping Nana prepare the meals, the family would agree the food was so delicious and make comments that "She put her foot in it" which means she cooked very well. The recipes are extremely important to me now because Nana is no longer with us and her memory holds strong within the recipes she prepared for us out of love. 

In the event of me having to leave two of the three items behind I would not bring my album, and grandmothers recipes, its challenging to leave these items behind however there imbed into my head and in remising with my siblings would help me to remember images of family members and ingredients for the dishes. 

Getting to know internal contacts part 3

 week 7

I have yet to make any sort of contact with my international contacts. I check my email frequently to see if anyone has had an opportunity to make a connection therefore I will be reporting about the UNESCO’s “Early Childhood Care and Education” webpage (http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/).

There were various articles that aided to the descriptions of education across the world. Some that I took particular interest in were how to apply for regional diplomas in Latin America and Africa. Once accepted the program is conducted on a part-time basis, including a two-week intensive session in which participants’ attendance is required, as well as distance learning activities within a timeframe of 30 weeks. In order for us to advance as a whole we must seek ways to improve personally and professionally.

Another included source of information included a newsletter which is published three times a year, the IIEP Newsletter keeps readers informed of current trends in educational planning and IIEP activities. It allows them to update their planning skills and management techniques, but also to stay informed on major issues facing education systems. The IIEP Newsletter is produced in printed and electronic formats, and in four languages: English, French, Spanish and Russian.

Lastly, cultural diversity and the bond or mending information from place to place about the various native is rewarding because one can create partnerships and expand on knowledge acquired. The scale and diversity of mobile learning projects in the United Kingdom and Denmark indicate that sustained government investment is necessary to roll out large projects which effectively use mobile phones for learning. Secondary school teachers in Europe, beyond using mobile phones to enrich the delivery of education, have recently begun asking students to practice technical and critical thinking skills by designing their own mobile applications. Living with diversity, how to tackle racism and the importance of youth involvement were topics young people in the USA and Brazil raised with UNESCO’s Director-General and experts on January 18 at UNESCO Headquarters via a live video conference.