: Professional Hopes and Goals

Blog Assignment:  Professional Hopes and Goals

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

One hope that I have when thinking about working with children and families who come from diverse background is that children and families want have to worry about being accepted in society as well as in the classroom. Another hope is when children enter into the classroom there are programs and training prepared for them to help with the changes they will face in a different environment.

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

One goal I would like to set for the early childhood field as it relates to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice is to prepare educators, children and families before they enter the classroom. As the professional stated in video, “ you may not have all the answers, its important to know what direction one needs to go in.

A brief note of thanks to your colleagues

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my colleagues and Profess Morgan for a great class experience. I have enjoyed the discussions and blog assignments. I hope to get the opportunity to take others courses with you all.

Happy Holidays to You All:

Tonetta Bogard- Marion

: Welcoming Families From Around the World

The name of “my” family’s country of origin is

Africa

Five ways in which I will prepare myself to be culturally responsive towards this family

1.  Research is the key. If my family is coming from Africa it is important for me as the educator to know all there is to know about what part of Africa there from and learn about their culture and belief.   Ask the family question about their expectation for the program and how we can meet those expectations.

2.  Develop tools to address difficult issues of discrimination and oppression and always respect the individual child.

3. As a early childhood educator it’s important to make sure that the program is rooted in children needs and experiences.

4.  Always encourage children to discuss their family heritage to encourage self- knowledge and a positive self-concept.

5.  Widen the friend and colleagues acquaintances and make sure it includes people of different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences.

Brief statement describing in what ways I hope that these preparations will benefit both you and the family

It is so important to make sure you learn as much as possible about children and families of diver culture in order to meet their needs. In order to meet their needs I must get pass the discrimination and oppression and make sure all children are being respected. This can be done when children are encouraged to discuss their family heritage. As an early childhood educator it is important to continue training and surround myself with friends and colleagues that can help with the learning process as it relates to backgrounds, cultures, and experiences of the children and families I will one day serve.

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

The memory, I experience with biases was at a childcare center I worked at. One my co worker and I were discussing her wedding. She went into details about the wedding at a chapel in the casino. She went on to say we only had one problem I asked her what was the problem? My co worker stated the only problem was my husband did not want to be married by a colored man. I sat there trying to process the words that just came out of her mouth.

My first reactions are you really seriously using the word colored man? At that very moment I was floored about her statement. I could not believe that anyone especially someone is their early twenties would use colored man. The only word that would describe my feeling at that moment was surprise.

I handle the situation by explaining to my co-worker that her statement was inappropriate. I let her know that not all people would have taken the comment she made in a good way. She thanked me for letting her know that what she said was so inappropriate. I feel that some people are ignorant to the affects of their words and actions.