Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

This week has been an eye opening week for me.  We have been studying microagressions.  Microaggressions are brief everyday indignities that are verbal, behavioral or environmental, that may be intentional or unintentionally communicated to women, to people of color, to gay/lesbians that have an insulting message behind them that often time causes severe psychological distress and harm (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011).  This week I have remembered times when I was a victim to microagressions and I also realized that I have also been an offender.  As I thought about these instance where I have offended others I realized there were ways that I could have handled the situations better. 

I decided to share an experience from my previous school.  My previous school is located in a upper middle class area in Georgia.  The school was extremely diverse, but there were hardly any African-American families there.  When a family is interested in the school they come for a visit and get a tour of the school.  On this particular day there was an African-American family coming for the tour. As an African-American myself I always got excited to see these families because we needed more at the school and since being there I had never had a black child in my classroom.  When the tour was over I went to talk to the director about something unrelated to the tour.  As soon as I walked in she says "Mrs. Keli the Johnson family loved the school, but I don't think this is a good fit for them".  I asked her was it because of the tuition and she said no.  She then informed that the father owned several businesses and that the mother was a stay at home mom.  So why isn't this school a good fit?  Um.... Well..... It just isn't.  Pushing the issue further, I asked her did they say something to you that would lead you to believe this?  No, I have have been doing this a long time and I can tell  right away.  At this point my blood was boiling and I knew that if I did not walk out of her office at that very moment then the next thing to come out of my mouth would not be good.  I walked backed to my classroom and realized I was to upset to stay and went home.  She did not want them at the school because they were black.  I went back and forth about it and I truly believe that is the reason why the school doesn't have but a few black students.  After this happened I started to view my director differently and found it hard to come to work everyday.  I gave 200% of myself everyday to that school as well as my students and I could not continue to work for someone that did not want black students at her school.   I submitted my resignation and moved on to another center.  

This week made me look at my stereotypes about people and allowed me to see why people have them about me. It gave me a better understanding on how to deal with the many forms of discrimination. It affects people in different ways and people deal with it differently.   I am a Christian and I try to live my life according to what I think pleases God.  One of my favorite biblical passages that I try and live by is Matthew 7:1-3 “Judge not less ye be judged”. 

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

“Diversity is not about how we differ.  Diversity is about embracing one another’s uniqueness.”              Ola Joseph

For this assignment, we were asked to find out from three different people their definitions of culture and diversity. The three people I asked defined culture as our heritage, or beliefs, why we do things; the way you were raised, your morals and rituals; and who you are. Culture can be referred to how particular groups of people live. It is the way we live our everyday lives, which include the language we speak, the religion or spirituality we practice (or do not), and the clothing, housing, food, and rituals/holidays with which we feel most comfortable (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010, p. 55).

They defined diversity as different cultures living together and around each other in the same community; the inclusion of different people, which sets us apart from other cultures; and how we are all different.  Summing up their definitions, diversity is recognizing and appreciating the variety of characteristics that make a individuals culture unique.

I found this assignment fascinating as each viewed culture and diversity in similar yet different ways.  I enjoyed hearing their definitions of diversity and culture as it encouraged a great conversation.   I think their definitions help me to understand how similar and different we are as individuals.    In week two the panelists offered many different descriptions of culture and diversity.   I think all sources help me to understand the complexity of both words.  In the end it is culture and diversity that makes us who we are.   And by acknowledging our similarities and differences we embrace our culture and diversity.

References:

Derman-Sparks, L., & Edwards, J. O. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

My Family Culture

Reading the requirements and scenario for this posting was unfortunately for me frightening.  However, in our trying times in the world we live in, I must admit I, as well as my family, have thought about such a scenario and how we would handle it.

•   Phone with video and pictures of my husband, family and friends.

•   Important documents: birth certificate, social security card, and passport.  I chose these because it will prove my birth and nationality. 

•   Medical records/prescription also because my history if I was in need of medication, show my blood type, shots that I have had, and also may be able to trace my blood line to find my family.

If language was an issue I think that people would understand the value of the items that I brought because they would recognize things like identification cards, passports, and other important items like that.

Upon arrival to this new destination I am told that I can only keep one of these items. I would keep the phone because I I would have made sure that I had taken pictures of all of my important documents in case I lost the originals.

I realized that doing this assignment that I don’t think I would ever be prepared to have to abandon the place that I call home and leave my family and all my love ones behind.  I began to think about the millions of families that have to do this all the time and how hard this has to be.  When I lived in France for 8 months the worst 2 I was felt out of place all the time and every time I found an English speaking person I wanted to hug them.   I realize how important it is to know all of your information and have it saved somewhere that you can access it. 

When I Think of Research.....

What insights have you gained about research from taking this course?

One of the best insights that I have learned about research was how to read and review other research articles!  The pointers and tips about how and what to read in often lengthy articles reduced the apprehension I had previously had in regards to literature reviews and reading through multiple lengthy articles.  This information was very helpful and will continue to be beneficial for me throughout my career.

In what way have your ideas about the nature of doing research changed?

The nature of research also changed for me throughout this course.  The course format; in which we were able to systematically break down (and work on) each individual component really allowed me to see the whole picture of research.  This allowed me to break down the overwhelming feeling of actually doing research.

What lessons about planning, designing and conducting research in early childhood did you learn?

The biggest lesson I learned about planning and designing was to take it step by step.  I also learned that equity is important to any research project.  Researchers need to address the issues of justice and fairness when designing a project.  Researchers need to be sensitive to their perception of authority or power when undertaking a researcher project, because their outcomes may be tainted or contaminated.  Over all I have learned there is much detail that goes into the design of a research project.

What were some of the challenges you encountered and in what ways did you meet them?

The work I did on my own research project was challenging to me.  The process of identifying a effective research questions was challenging to me.  I think that my initial question was too general so I came up with several subtopics, but could not decide which one closest addressed the issue that I was trying to research.

What are some of the ways your perception of an early childhood professional has been modified as a result of this course?

I had never explored this aspect of the early childhood field and at times I felt overwhelmed and confused. I have a greater respect for research and how it helps improve and guide the early childhood field.  I can honestly say that I am a little better equipped as a early childhood professional to not only understand research that I read but also can conduct a research paper with the help that I have gained through this course.

Most importantly, this course has increased my yearning to stay on the path of early childhood education.  It has shown me that there is still much to learn, much to discover, and I am so excited about my future in this amazing field!

I would like to thank my colleagues for their support and sharing their thoughts, dreams, and comments on the discussion board.  I also want to thank our instructor for the feedback while doing our stimulation assignment. See you in the next course.

Research Around the World

Early Childhood Australia:

http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/

What are some of the current international research topics?

Teachers’ perceptions of their abilities to be educational leaders in Victorian childcare settings

The quality of early childhood education and care services in Australia

What are children learning in early childhood education in New Zealand? (Free full text available)

Rethinking the professional development policy for early childhood education in Hong Kong

Which agenda? Inclusion movement and its impact on early childhood education in Hong Kong

A comparison of early childhood preservice teachers’ beliefs about music and developmentally appropriate practice between South Korea and the US

The New South Wales campaign for improved staff ratios for babies in centre-based ECEC (2002–2009): Influences on politicians’ decisions

Equity and quality: Challenges in providing early childhood educational opportunity in China

Curriculum guidelines for early literacy: A comparison of New Zealand and England

Children’s transition to school: Voices of Bangladeshi parents in Sydney, Australia (Free full text available)

Are we experts? Perspectives of Korean teachers on their careers in infant and toddler care

What surprising facts/insights/new ideas about early childhood did you gain from exploring this international early childhood website?

I loved exploring this website.  I am always looking for sites that offer quality information about early childhood issues and this does just that.  As I scrolled through the numerous articles I was shocked by how many there were and that these articles were not just about Australia, but focused on issues around the world.  The website is easy to navigate and that was also very helpful.  Some of the links that you will find are: Early Childhood News, Every child magazine, Australasian Journal of Early Childhood, and Research in Practice series.  I have only listed a few of the wonderful resources that you will find on this site.

What other noteworthy information did you find on this website?  I had no idea that this organization existed and I learned more about their history and their visions. 

Early Childhood Australia is the peak early childhood advocacy organization, acting in the interests of young children, their families and those in the early childhood field.

OUR VISION: Every young child is thriving and learning

'Our role in achieving this vision is to be an effective advocate for young children and a champion for quality outcomes in early childhood education and care'