Professional Hopes and Goals

                                                           

One hope that I have when I think about working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds is that everyone working with children and families from diverse backgrounds will learn to respect diversity.

One goal I would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice, is that myself and others in the early childhood field get educated in other languages, and classes related to diversity, equity, and social justice, so that we can better assist children and families from diverse backgrounds.

Well classmates, we have come the end of another exciting journey. I want to thank all of you for your support, and concern these pass eight weeks because you have really helped to shape my career. GOOD LUCK to all of you.

Welcoming Families From Around the World

The name of my family’s country of origin is:

New Mexico

Five ways in which I will prepare myself to be culturally responsive towards this family is by:

Calling a meeting with the child parents to find out things about the child and parents such as, do the child speak Spanish or English, any disabilities, anything special I should know?

Set up the classroom in Spanish and English with toys, books, games, ABC’s, food etc.

Let the other children know that there will be a new student entering the class.

When the child arrive have his or her cubby, seat, name already assigned.

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

I think by having things already in place when the child arrives will make the child and the family feel more welcome to the classroom.

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.

The memory I have of an incident when I experienced bias, prejudice, and/oppression, or witnessed someone else as the target of bias, prejudice, and/or oppression.

Every time I would visit the neighborhood hardware store I felt like I was being watched. On each visit one of the owners would ask a worker to help me after several responses of telling them no help was needed.  Not only are these in my opinion a form of racism, its sexism as well.

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

The specific bias, prejudice and/or oppression in this incident diminish equity by reducing my self-esteem. This incident lead me to believe that the people (Caucasians) that owns this store is racist. They think biracial people steals. But one cannot just look at a person and judge them.

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

The owner of this store will have to change his views towards people that are different from him. After all this is a public place, one that don’t suppose to discriminate against anyone because of race. I believe if this store owner would put away his bias attitude and accept people that come into his store for who they are, he would make more sells.

What feelings did this incident bring up for you?

This incident caused feelings of powerless, sadness, and fear to me.