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)
- One hope that I have when I work with children and their families who come from diverse backgrounds, is to see me as I am. I hope that the family vows to give me a chance and work with me so that I can incorporate their culture into my curriculum. However, they must understand that before I implement their facts into the lessons, I must first learn about them. Learn and research some basic language, beliefs, wants and needs, and also what there goals are for their child.

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)
- One goal I would like to set for the early childhood field that is related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice, is to provide a diversity training/workshop once a quarter. This would primarily be to learn and implement new information, tips, and activities. I think it is very important to keep up with society, being that there is always new information being updated each day.

A brief note of thanks to your colleagues
-To Ms. Snider and Classmates,

I have enjoyed the past eight weeks, from interacting during discussions, giving feedback on blogs, and from getting helpful tips from the instructor. I have definitely learned from each and every one of you. I also have a new outlook on the topics we discussed, that will make me start looking at certain situations in a new light now. I will take what I have learned and implement it into my classrooms and into my teaching style.

Thanks again, Sherrell

Welcoming Families from Around the World.

My family's country is: Haiti
Five ways I would prepare myself for the family's arrival:
-The first thing I would do is to do a little research on the country the family is coming from. This would give me an insight on how their environment and community looks. I would also find out what language is commonly spoken and find out of the family uses it or not. If they did, I would begin learning some of the basic language enough to communicate greetings, needs, and wants.
-The second thing I would do is gather informational documents and pamphlets on resources around the local community if help was needed. It would provide shelters, welfare, how to get assistance for having a baby (WIC), clothing and or food pantries etc.
-The next preparation I would take is to briefly train my teachers in the class he/she would be entering. I would give them the basic language, some common beliefs that is known to be followed in Haiti with a "just in case" they do follow these certain beliefs. I would also learn about the foods that Haitian people eat, and see if I can get at least one of the meals added to the school lunch menu each month.
-Another preparation I would make is to ask the parents to write down a short survey about the child. Likes/dislikes, habits, eating habits, rituals, beliefs, what makes the child happy/sad or scared.
-Lastly, I would schedule a special meeting with the parents and child and an interpreter(if needed), to go over the school's handbook, policy, and paperwork. I would also allow the parents and child to meet with the teacher to discuss any necessary information that each other both would like to share. This would also be an great opportunity for the child to meet the teacher. I would request that the parents stay a few hours at drop off the first day just to make him/her feel comfortable, and to see how the child interacts with the other children. I would end by telling the family that the doors are always open, and that they may come in or call to check on how the child is doing.


A brief statement describing in what ways you hope that these preparations will benefit both you and the family:
- I hope that by taking these preparations, I would getting a better understanding of the family and they would for me as well. I understand it can be difficult entering into a new environment; but more so, into a new country where everything around is foreign. As long as communication is open between the parents and myself/teachers I think that the family will have a wonderful stay while their child is attending the program.

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

- This past weekend I went to the beach and board walk with some friends for my birthday (My birthday is today-Saturday!!!!) and the people who push the carts up and down the boardwalk carting people from one end to the next gave a group of young Caucasian girls a different price  of a flat rate of 20dollars to the opposite side of the board walk, and told my group of friends the price is $5.00 every three blocks. I asked him why were the girls giving a different rate when clearly the rates are posted inside of the cart! The man was stunned and wasn't aware that I overheard his previous conversation. He then offered us the same "special" as the other girls, and because furious when we denied all together.

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

- This situation diminished equity from the simple point that the guy should not be giving deals to certain individuals as if the money he collects goes to him personally. That's his job and he works for a business, the professional side to that is treat each individual the same because at the end of the day, he doesn't know if I work for the company or not and doing a mandatory observation of my employees.

What feelings did this incident bring up for you?

- This brought up prejudice, biased, and also the fact that I am not good enough. I was just so taken back that after it all happened the man still denied the fact he was being unfair. 

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

- The cart guy would have to do his job properly and charge customers the posted price that is labeled inside of each cart. Even though he may correct his inappropriate behavior, I would still decline and refuse taking any cart anytime I am on the board walk because of one back experience. My feelings are that if the man did it, they all must do it.