One hope of mine when I think about working with young children and families is that all families be treated the same and be respected, appreciated and serviced to the fullest. When we as early childhood professionals come in contact with families of diversity,we should make sure they are taken care of , their voices are heard and their needs are met.
One goal that I would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity and social justice is that when I am put in the place to serve that young child and/or their family, I do it with their needs at hand, as well as communicate with other early childhood professionals, if other resources are needed.
I would like to say "Thank You", to all of the dedicated early childhood professionals that I have grown to respect, appreciate and trust throughout this course as well as others courses that we have taken together. I would like to wish you all the best of luck and if there is anything that I can do to help one of you, please feel free to contact me. Thanks and Good Luck!
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Friday, August 12, 2011
WK 7 Welcoming Families from Around the World
The country I would choose would be Africa, I would love to learn more about their culture, education and ways of life. First, I would research the country through books or the internet. Second, I would see if there are any parents from Africa throughout my school that I could contact. Third, I would get with the parent liasion at my school and see is she could help. Fourth, I would contact our resource department through the county. Fifth, I would contact family and see if there was a way to set up a face to face conference.
I would hope that these ways help me and the family, so that we are comfortable with each other. I would like to make their transition form Africa to America as smooth as possible. This family will have so many issues and things to do and learn, so if I can make it a little easier on them that will help. I can also have some type of idea of waht to expect from this family. The more I know about the family the better off I will be. The most important thing is to start and maintain a strong line of communication with all members.
I would hope that these ways help me and the family, so that we are comfortable with each other. I would like to make their transition form Africa to America as smooth as possible. This family will have so many issues and things to do and learn, so if I can make it a little easier on them that will help. I can also have some type of idea of waht to expect from this family. The more I know about the family the better off I will be. The most important thing is to start and maintain a strong line of communication with all members.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
WK 6 The personal side of bias, prejudice and oppression
The memory of an incident that I experienced with bias, prejudice and/or oppression is:
When my 18 year old son was in the 8th grade, he played football, basketball, ran track and played baseball at the park. While playing football, he was injured by another player from the other team and his collar bone was broken, so he was under a doctors care for 4 weeks. At the beginning of the 4th week, basketball tryouts were held, so we got a note from the doctor releasing him and stating that hwe was able to tryout and play basketball.
All of the young men that tried out were given one full week to participate with tryouts, however my son was only given two days, per the coach and then was denied a position on the team, although he had played the year before and was named, "The student athlete of the year in 7th grade."
So, I requested a meeting with the athletic director and the coach, to find out what happened and why was he treated unfairly compared to the other boys. The athletic director and coach were only expecting me and my son to attend the meeting, however my husband at the last minute arrived at the school to sit in on the meeting and as the meeting began, the comment was made to me, "Mrs. Gardner, we were not expecting Mr. Gardner. We thought that we could solve the problem without him." My husband then spoke and said, "I just want to make sure that the situation is treated fair and everything is resolved."
To make the long story short, my son was able to play ball, the coach was reprimanded by the athletic director, because my son should have been given the same time as the others. Also, the coach made the comment to my son, "I want another student to be elected, "The student athlete of the year and not you two years in a row."
I feel that not only my son, but myself as well were treated unfairly and in my judgment, I feel that the coach was jealous of my son and his talents on the field as well as the classroom. If I were the coach, I would have used my son as a role model for other young men, who made be having a hard time in the classroom or on the field. The coach needs to learn how to support all students and not feel the way he felt. I would have paired students together that needed help, so that everyone could have an extra hand in the learning, so that he could remain eligible to play sports in middle school.
When my 18 year old son was in the 8th grade, he played football, basketball, ran track and played baseball at the park. While playing football, he was injured by another player from the other team and his collar bone was broken, so he was under a doctors care for 4 weeks. At the beginning of the 4th week, basketball tryouts were held, so we got a note from the doctor releasing him and stating that hwe was able to tryout and play basketball.
All of the young men that tried out were given one full week to participate with tryouts, however my son was only given two days, per the coach and then was denied a position on the team, although he had played the year before and was named, "The student athlete of the year in 7th grade."
So, I requested a meeting with the athletic director and the coach, to find out what happened and why was he treated unfairly compared to the other boys. The athletic director and coach were only expecting me and my son to attend the meeting, however my husband at the last minute arrived at the school to sit in on the meeting and as the meeting began, the comment was made to me, "Mrs. Gardner, we were not expecting Mr. Gardner. We thought that we could solve the problem without him." My husband then spoke and said, "I just want to make sure that the situation is treated fair and everything is resolved."
To make the long story short, my son was able to play ball, the coach was reprimanded by the athletic director, because my son should have been given the same time as the others. Also, the coach made the comment to my son, "I want another student to be elected, "The student athlete of the year and not you two years in a row."
I feel that not only my son, but myself as well were treated unfairly and in my judgment, I feel that the coach was jealous of my son and his talents on the field as well as the classroom. If I were the coach, I would have used my son as a role model for other young men, who made be having a hard time in the classroom or on the field. The coach needs to learn how to support all students and not feel the way he felt. I would have paired students together that needed help, so that everyone could have an extra hand in the learning, so that he could remain eligible to play sports in middle school.
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