Professional Hopes and Goals

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 working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds is to create a positive learning environment for children and their families.  This environment will promote relationships that are respectful, healthy, safe and caring.  There will be equal opportunities, guidance and support for all as well social justice and equity.  My hope is also to be as supportive as possible of children and parent needs, while at the same time providing the best knowledge possible that will enable children to become successful in life. 

 

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 that I would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice is to be able to bring positive opportunities that are geared toward social justice, diversity, and equity in the early childhood field.   I would also like to engage children, families, communities and advocates in committing to continued reflections of cultural differences that will allow each of us to positively make a change in these areas.  As a professional I would like to implement strategies that foster these issues without showing prejudice or bias. 

 

A brief note of thanks to your colleagues

It has been an honor and a privilege to work with such a professional group of individuals including my instructor.  I would like to thank you all for sharing your professional and personal insights regarding various issues in the early childhood field.   I would like to wish each of you continued success during your journey in the early childhood field and may Gold bless each of you. 

 

Welcoming Families From Around the World

Welcoming Families From Around the World

 

The name of “your” family’s country of origin

Nigeria

Nigeria is located in West Africa.  Its coast in the south lies on the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean. 

 

At least five ways in which you will prepare yourself to be culturally responsive towards this family

 

(1)  I will research the country in order to learn about their culture, beliefs,  

 customs and traditions.  This will include learning many of their mannerisms  

 terms, and boundaries in order not to violate their culture. 

 

(2)  I will do all that I can do to make the family feel welcomed and comfortable.

 

(3)  I will be careful in my selection of what and how I ask questions related to  

 their culture as well as their country. 

 

(4)  I would look within myself in order to reevaluate any prejudices or biases that

 I may possess towards the characteristics they possess. 

 

(5)  I would find resources related to the Nigerian culture so that I may be in a

 better position  to help them in areas where they may need assistance and my

 resources are not useful in helping them. 

 

A brief statement describing in what ways you hope that these preparations will benefit both you and the family.

I hope that these preparations will allow me to overcome any biases or prejudices that I may or may not possess.  I hope that I will be able to make this family feel welcomed and decrease any barriers they have by relocating to another country.  I hope these preparations will allow us to learn from one another while at the same time getting to know each other and communicating in ways that will be beneficial to all parties involved. 

 

 

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

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.

 

One memory that I will never forget is visiting a grocery store years ago and being watched by some Caucasian employees.  Every time I went on an isle I would notice one of them peeping around the corner at me.  I only picked up a few small items.  On the way to the cash register I reached in my purse to get my money out and walked up to the front.  The manager came up to me and called me to his office.  He said did you steal something, I said no; I was getting my money from my purse.  I offered my purse for him to check it, which he checked, there was nothing there, and he sent me out of his office, no apology or anything. 

 

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

This incident reduced my self-esteem.  I was young at the time and I felt that all Caucasians treated African American people this and that they all were racists, until I got older of course and learned that this was not true.  I felt that they stereotyped all African American people because of the color of the skin.  I thought it was very sad for people to just look at a person and judge them without even knowing them. 

 What feelings did this incident bring up for you?

This incident caused feelings of powerlessness, sadness, and it was very hurtful.  I never went back into that store ever again. 

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

I personally think that the manager of the store needed to make an effort to eliminate negative behavior, views and attitudes toward any race that he treats this way.  Apparently, his views rubbed office on his employees also.   They must learn to treat everyone with respect and dignity if they expect the same in return.