Communication - Blog 1

I consider my principal to have great communication skills.  She is very knowledgeable about early childhood education and helps to make all the teachers.  She always listens to our questions and concerns and validates our feelings.  That, in turn, makes us feel heard.  I would definitely like to be more like her because although she may have a strong opinion about something, she never forces it on us, instead is open-minded and listens to our suggestions.  I think that is a very important part of communication.  It's listening as well as giving your point of view.  It has to be two-sided.

Professional Hopes and Goals

As I conclude this class of Diversity and Culture and Social Equity in Early Childhood Education, I would like to express my thanks to Dr. Johnna Darragh Ernst for all her guidance and support and for asking just the right questions to make me critically think!  I would also like to thank all my colleagues for their comments and probing questions and especially for all the great ideas that were shared throughout this course.  It has been a wonderful learning experience for me.

When I think of working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds, my one hope is that I am worthy of giving them all the understanding, respect and welcome that they deserve and that I make a positive difference in their lives.  I want them to feel included and equal in my classroom and for them to walk away with a smile each and everyday because they are an important part of my life.

Lastly, the goal that I would like to set for the early childhood field is to INCREASE the training that educators receive in the areas of culture, diversity, social justice and equity so that teacher are prepared to welcome and respect these families they come in contact with because it is crucial to the development and the self-worth of the children they will teach.  Not only do new upcoming teachers need more training, but those working in the field for years need professional development in these areas.  It should be mandated because it is that important!

Again, THANK YOU TO EVERYONE!!!  GOOD LUCK IN YOUR FUTURE VENTURES....


Jeannette Coloma

Welcoming Families from aroud the World

Imagining that I was in my current job as a preschool teacher and that I was going to have the opportunity to welcome and teach a child of a family from Ethiopia, which I know nothing about, I would do the following things to be culturally responsive to them:

1)  Learn all I could about the cultural beliefs of Ethiopian families, including their traditions, customs, etc.

2)  Try to discover commonalities or experiences that we share or that would be shared by this child and the rest of the class.

3)  Develop and use vocabulary of greetings and common key phrases in their language so they can feel welcome.

4)  Meet with the family with an interpreter so I can find out all I could about the family and the child.

5)  Create lessons that would introduce this new child's heritage and culture to the classroom

I think these preparations would help the child and his/her family feel like I was prepared for their arrival and eager to include him/her into my class.

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudic and Oppression

I was stumped when trying to recall a time that I felt discriminated against for being a Hispanic woman, but then it came to me....being a WOMAN has me dealing with bias all the time.  I work in an urban setting where I have to park my car in a very "male loitering" block every day.  I deal with the issue every morning and again every afternoon.  CONSTANT OPPRESSION!!  It's the same group of men, whistling and giving me sexual looks and comments and it's very irritating.  At first, I remember feeling embarrassed and ashamed and I would even question what I was wearing to try to not get their attention, but I quickly realized that it didn't matter and it wasn't me, it was them.  At this point, I almost don't hear them anymore but I always walk quickly.  I wait in my car sometimes to see if they go into a store or something and I never, EVER make eye contact.  In order for this to change into an opportunity for greater equity, they would have to really see how I feel which I don't think is ever going to happen.  They don't have any respect for women and it's absolutely disgusting.  Maybe if I turned around and started crying one day and told them how awful they make me feel in the morning, it would spark something......but no thanks, I won't be engaging in any type of conversation because ultimately I don't think it would get me anywhere.....I'm just going to continue avoiding, even though I know it's the wrong thing to do.

Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

This week, I took the time to really observe my surrounding looking for microaggressions that occur all the time.  The main one that stood out for me was beyond obvious and I have to share it.

At lunch today, I overheard a group of people that were on their way to pick up food.  It was a group of men and women, about six of them and there was one black man in the group of whites.  When deciding what to order, the one guy said to the black guy "We're thinking Popeyes cuz we know you brothas love fried chicken."  and they all started laughing.  The black guy laughed too, but I couldn't help but wonder if he was just laughing on the outside or if he was genuinely un-offended. 

What I do know is that although it seemed unintentional and they were all clearly friends, it was an insult nonetheless.  I felt bad for the guy and thought how bad that sounded out loud.  It was nuts!  This example was clear as day, but I now know that I am more in tune with the racism that goes on around me and I am aware of the damage it does on a persons self-image, self-esteem and self-worth.  We really have to stop the madness and start thinking more before we speak....only then can change begin!

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

I decided to use social media for this blog entry and posted the question "What is your personal definition of culture and diversity?'  I thought this would be a great way to get different perspectives from a lot of my family and friends of different genders, races, class, etc.  Here's what I got:

Culture:  1) Origin, customs from our place of birth, foods, behaviors, beliefs & traditions.
               2) Something you grow up with...events that make you who you are.
               3)  The beliefs and traditions of one's nationality, how they dress, behave, eat, and speak.
               4)  Rituals and beliefs passed down from generation to generation

Diversity:  1)  Acceptance of the cultural differences in everyone.
                  2)  A mixture of different cultures, a melting pot.
                  3)  Blending in with different cultures, living together and sharing traditions, melting pot.
                  4)  Different mixes of things and people.

I think these definitions were definitely part of what I have learned in this course so far, especially the definition that number 3 gave of detailing how people dress, behave, eat and speak as being a culture.  Not only your background.  I agreed with all of their definitions and particularly liked "the melting pot" used by two different people when defining diversity.  It's a good way to think about all cultures blending or mixing together to form this diverse world we live in.

My Family Culture

If I had to be evacuated to another Country and I could only take three items with me, other than a change of clothes, it would be:

1)  My Childhood Memories Scrapbook
2)  My grandmother's ruby earrings
3)  My wedding ring

I would explain that these things have special value to me.  My childhood memories scrapbook is a book I put together that has many pictures of my three children, my husband and myself through the years.  This is dear to my heart because I plan on passing it onto them when they grow up.  My grandmother's ruby earrings are an heirloom that she left me when she passed away and I plan on passing that on also from generation to generation.  It is one of my most prized possessions as it came from someone that I loved so much.  Lastly, my wedding ring is a symbol of the love my husband and I share and the commitment that we've made to eachother.  I've never EVER taken it off since he gave it to me and there's no way I would leave it behind.

Now, if upon arrival in this new country I was told that I could only keep one of these personal items, I honestly don't know what I would do.  Each has it's own sentimental value to me.  Each is equally important.  I guess if I had to, HAD TO pick one, it would be My Scrapbook.  I would have to keep that because it has pictures of my three pregnancies, and baby shots, etc., it's irreplaceable and it's something that they have to see when they grow up.  I'm sad just thinking about it!

I realize through this exercise this week that I am very attached to things that are emotional and that I want to pass on to my children.  I think in any culture, family is important and children are at the center of that.  I guess I'm very attached to things and am looking forward to sharing things with them in the future from my past.  Very interesting.....  I love learning about ME!  hahaha

Thanks for reading my post!

Jeannette