Final Farewell

Three Learning Topics

During this journey at Walden, I have learned many things.  I now have a better understanding of diversity and differences.  This new knowledge will allow me help families and to be an advocate for children.  The confidence I have acquired in myself through this journey has been remarkable and I know it will benefit members in my community.

Secondly, as I mentioned above I feel my knowledge will help me be an advocate.  Throughout this program, we have learned various ways to be an advocate.  I am a very quiet person, who does not like to give speeches in front of large groups, but I know now that I can make a difference by finding something that is not completely in the public eye. 

Lastly, working on the final project has helped me in understanding ways make a stand on challenges that are facing many families.  The research has taught me the importance of team building to incorporate individuals that can help with my cause and make changes to benefit others. Developing a community of practice helped me find strengths in individuals and to use those to serve our cause.  Working on the final project also allowed me to reflect on the type of leader I want to be and will now allow me to make the necessary changes to become that leader.

 

Long Term Goal

My long term goal is to put my Master’s Degree in Early Childhood to use.  I plan on opening my own childcare/preschool program. It is not clear yet on where this childcare will be located.  I recently wed and my husband lives in Calgary, Alberta Canada.  He is very supportive of my plans and will help me acquire the center wherever we decide to locate.  Regardless of the location, it is my intent, to provide quality education to all, and to provide assistance to families that struggle to afford childcare and preschool. 

 

Final Farewell

I can’t believe that our time together has come to an end.  It has been an honor and privilege to work and learn from each and every one of you.  It has also been a wonderful experience to have great instructors throughout the entire program.  From the many posts from discussions to blogs, I am confident that each of you will go on to do great things that will have great impacts on early childhood education.  I wish all of you the best of luck with your goals and dreams.  I hope that our paths will cross again in another journey.

Exploring Roles int he ECE Community: Local and State Levels

 

This week’s blog assignment had us research three local or state organizations that appealed to us.  I had some issues finding appealing organizations to me, but I finally located 3.

The first one is United Way of Monroe County.  I chose this particular organization because it helps our community in regards to abuse, disaster/housing, food/nutrition and many other important topics that can be detrimental to families.  I find each of these worthy causes that need attention.  United Way has many organizations within itself, and the one most dear to me would be the Big Brother Big Sister Program.  This organization helps children reach their potential and allows them one on one time with individuals that really do care about them and their problems.

On the website, it did not list any current job opportunities.  However, it did give ways that you can volunteer.  They ask for donations, and you can also advocate for the organization.

The skills or experience I could foresee with these positions is simply free time, ability to communicate effectively in public settings to promote the organization, be part of a team and self-motivated.

The second organization is called the Great Start Collaborative.  This is sponsored by the Monroe County Intermediate School District.  The focus of this organization is to promote early childhood education.

A current position they have open is for a part time School Health Coordinator.  Skills needed for this job are:  experience working with schools, knowledge of Michigan Model or health education, must be organized and possess good interpersonal skills.

The last organization is The Michigan Association Education of Young Children.  This organization works for children, families and childhood professionals.  They help train staff and work with children from birth through age 8.

They currently have many positions available, but the one most of interest to me is teacher assistant for Head Start.

Skills necessary are documentation of experience working with families of race, ethnic and multicultural backgrounds.  Must speak English and be able to lift 50 lbs. to assist students in emergencies. Must have a minimum of a CDA and working towards a degree in education.  Although not listed, I would also assume one should be a team player, self-motivated.

Passion

My passion is to make all children's learning experience a positive one.  I want to make all the kids I come encounter with to feel safe and accepted.  When parents drop their child off in my care, I want them to be able to go off and feel confident and assured that their child is in a nurturing environement.

I feel that with my own experience of teasing and bullying, that I have followed the correct career path.  It is my goal to prevent the ridicule and humiliation that can sometimes go along with being different.  I can help even one student feel confident about him/her self, than I am happy with that. 

This course has helped me to realize and put in perspective why I chose diversity education.  I feel more confident in my abilities to accomplish my goals and dreams.
Along this path, I have read many blogs by my fellow colleagues, and it has been a pleasure to take this course with all of you.  I wish everyone the best of luck in your future endeavors and maybe someday our paths will cross again.

Sexualization for Early Childhood

This weeks article did not surprise me much.  Unfortuantely, I have seen so many children wearing provocative cloathes.  With the role models children have to pick from it is not surprising that we are seeing this at such young ages.  Just recently, I had a fifth grade girl that was standing in bus line and singing lyrics from a song that I was not famliar with.  I asked her what the words meant, and she said she's not sure she just likes saying the lyrics.  Unforunately, this happens so many times.  Kids  repeat what they hear without fully understanding what it is.  
If the music industry isn't bad enough, we have the reality tv shows!  I despise the show with the little girls all made up in makeup and dancing provocatively...I don't know the name but it's something Tiaras.  This show is degrading to these beautiful little girls, I think it is more the mothers living  a fantasy through their child...sick! What is more despicable, is that these little girls think that they are so much better and prettier than other girls...now we are raising and promoting bullies!  Just last year I had a first grade student that after lunch would come in the classroom and stick her fingers down her throat to make herself sick!  When confronted about it she said she was fat and needed to get thin...the girl was perfect weight for her height.  As a society we have put way to much emphasis on appearance and image.  People have now developed a model for Barbie - because according to men she has the perfect figure, but realistically it's not possible, but our young children don't understand that. 
As educators, we need to help our students build and maintain a healthy image of themselves.  I truly believe that it is never to young to promote positive self esteem in any child. 

Evaluating Impacts on Professional Practice

 

Growing up I experienced ableism.   My family is from the south and although I was born and raised in Michigan, I have a southern accent.  Many people make comments and tease me about the way I say certain things.  Sometimes this bothers me and other times I just ignore them.  Growing up I had severe speech impediments, classmates would say and make fun of me and say I was dumb because I couldn’t talk properly.  As a result, I now find as a teacher that I am very partial to students who receive speech services.  I can understand their fears and the shame they feel.  When dealing with any type of “ism” you feel isolated.  I remember I would feel angry towards those that would tease and mimic me.  I hated going to school and always had severe stomachaches because of the stress. 

I think that this experience has been beneficial to me though in that I can relate to families with speech impaired children.  I can discuss with them that the support they give the child and the necessary services are all important for helping the child become successful.  I am also finding that I need to be careful with my bias of children who tease other students.  I have found that I am more strict with them and have little tolerance for the behavior.  I think this also leads me to be unfriendly to the parents when discussing the issues. 

Observing Communication

For this blog assignment, I chose to observe our new kindergarten teacher.  She had taken her class to the restrooms for a quick bathroom break. She had some boys that were not following the procedures for the hallway.  I observed her getting down at their level, asking them to tell her what it was they were suppose to be doing, and explaning to them why it is important to follow procedures.  During this time, she maintained a very calm and pleasant voice, she also was very direct with her responses.   I think this helped the children understand why it was important to do the right thing.  Because she was using a calm voice, the boys did not act fearful of her. 
When I use to work in daycare and kindergarten, I would also get at the child's level.  I think it is important to make eye contact with them when you are talking.  Sometimes though, I would get a little louder than I should and I think that this may have scared some kids. When dealing with young children, we need to make sure we explain why we don't want them to do something instead of just telling them not to do it. I liked how she held the kids accountable by asking them what they were suppose to be doing instead of just telling them.
I think for the most part I am a good communicator with young children.  One area I would like to strengthen on is rushing.  Since there is so much that has to be taught in a day's time, I rush kids to tell me things or I may just give quick, short blurts as answeres.  I need to slow sown and really show the kids that I am interested in what they have to say.

My Childcare Center

If I were to open my open family childcare center I would make it very inviting and warm to all families.  In the video, I liked how Adriana had a whiteboard upon entrance that said good morning in English and Spanish.  This sent a message right away that she is aware of the languages her families speak.  I think that this is very important.  Along side of this I would also include a newsletter that was written  in the different languages of my families.  I am fortunate enough to know students in high school and colleagues that are fluent in various languages.  I also would utilize a website that I have heard about that takes English and translates it into other languages.  This would allow all my families to feel connected to the center and to be up to date on current and future happenings.

 

In my center, I would have bright, warm colors that were soothing and inviting.  Everything would be at child's level, just like Adriana had things low for the kids to reach.  The walls would have portraits made by the kids as well as portraits depicting diverse cultures.  I think it would be fun to have a mural somewhere at the center with different cultures and languages.  I am a person that loves music, therefore I would be softly playing various types of music in the background. 

 

Children would have different centers to explore.  In the  dramatic play area, there would be numerous items for dress up clothes, ethnic foods for pretend cooking/eating, babies of various races. 

In the library, I would include books that had main characters of different races and genders.  I was recently thrilled to find a Red Riding Hood book for my class in which the main character was an African American girl.  The kids were very surprised to see it.  I also encountered a Three Little Pigs book that portrays the pigs as 2 boys and 1 girl…can you guess which one built their house of bricks?  I love picture books because young children can read the pictures and make their own stories.  This is a great way to have conversation with them about what they are thinking.

 

To help children feel safe, I would have a room set aside for those not feeling well.  This would allow them to rest comfortably until a parent could come and take them home.  This room would have stuff animals for the child to cuddle with on cots. 

 

Parent involvement would be encouraged.  I understand that parents are working, but I would try to encourage them to come in for a short time to help in the center.  Even if a parent could only spare 30 minutes, that is enough time to sit and read a book to a group of children.  Parent involvement is crucial to build a positive relationship between daycare and home.

 

Upon check-in, I would have notebooks available.  These would be used by parents to ask questions or make comments.  I know from my previous experience that as a director, you are not always available to talk to parents when they arrive.  This allows them to leave me a brief message so that I can ensure I make time available to meet with them or contact them throughout the day.  Open communication is very important and I find this to be a valuable tool.