Reflections

It has been a very eye opening journey as I have identified my own strengths and weaknesses in communication.  I have appreciated the comments and post for my colleagues who have not only challenged me by their own honest reflection but have also encouraged me in knowing that we are on similar journeys for the sake of making this world a better place!

Saying Good-bye

 In my experience high-performing groups are hard to leave.  I think the highest performing group that I have had to leave was a band that I was in.  We were very diverse but came together based on the love for music and similar values.  We spent a great deal of time together and formed close relationships.  The relationships were sometimes messy and we had to put a lot of energy and effort into accepting these differences and making it work.  I think this is what made it so hard to say good-bye.  So much of our lives were invested in each other and reaching our common goals.  We did not really have a closing ritual but instead the last few times we got together we got into arguments.  I think because we subconsciously were trying to push each other away in order to prepare ourselves emotionally.  In hind sight I think it would have been much more effective to have a party, show videos of our past concerts and spend time remembering,  If we had taken time to express our feelings even mourn the loss I think it would have provided closure for us.  Discussion of future plans and dreams would have helped us celebrate and be happy for one another.

Communication Challeges

I work for a nonprofit origination that owns several elementary schools and child care centers.  Because these centers are considered part of this larger organization they are subject to the new health care mandates.  If our child care centers have to pay $970 per employee they will shut down in a month, but how do you cut employees to under 30 hours a week that have dedicated their time and devotion to our children?  How do I help business men to see or even care how having to hire several part time employees will cut down on the quality care given?   I’ve never been into politics but suddenly I have been thrown into this issue and have had to learn to communicate with those in the corporation that are not even aware of how this will affect our programs.  I started by creating an awareness of the value of these programs by showing pictures and sharing testimonials from parents.  I used the words “our programs.” To make sure I communicated that we are all on the same team.  I have learned that it also helps to tailor my communication to the person I am talking to.  In a conversation I had with the treasurer last week I cited research that showed 60% of all new enrollment in our elementary schools comes from our Early Childhood programs.  When I started talking percentages and money I was talking his language.  The idea of a “third side” has also really helped me recently and I was able to negotiate a possible solution that would help the corporation meet their needs while still meeting the needs of our employees.  I was able to take the passion I felt and direct it in a way that allowed me to be more objective.  We are meeting with a lawyer on Monday to look for possible solutions and will I know I will need to practice all of the new skills I am learning.  In the early childhood profession we must be advocates and requires skillful communication!

Who Am I As A Communicator?

In my Communication Anxiety test others rated me lower then I rated myself.  Although there are times when I am a bit uncomfortable, to those that evaluated me it is not noticeable.  In Verbal Aggressiveness I rated myself as having a good balance between speaking my thoughts while maintaining respect and consideration for others.  My colleague also evaluated me in that way but my family member rated me as significantly aggressive.  I think this surprised me the most because I don’t see myself that different in the way that I communicate at home.  I suppose that I am not as conscious of my communication when I am with family as I am when I am in the workplace. 

Two insights I gathers this week are: 

When communicating I can improve my perceptions by avoiding relying on first impressions.  I can resist taking the easy way out by avoiding communication based on these impressions and instead spend time really listening and going beyond the surface.

I need to be mindful not mindless when it comes to communication, even if it is with family.  Family relationships are a very important value to me and so I want to communicate effectively in this area as well as the work place.

Communicating With Others

I do communicate differently with people from other cultures.  One area that comes to mind particularly is the way that I communicate with those whose primary language is not English.  My desire is that I would understand them and that they would understand me, but recently my daughter pointed out that I communicate in a way that could be insulting.  Apparently I use fewer words, talk slowly and use a lot of hand gestures.  This was unconscious on my part and I realize that I could be making a big assumption that they don’t understand.  My daughter told me that they understand perfectly and I should talk normally.  Now that I am aware of my actions I can correct this.  

The other area that I notice requires adapting my communication is when it comes to physical touch.  I notice that some people are comfortable with touch and others seem to have a “bubble” around them.  The way people greet each other varies depending on their culture.  Some of my colleagues would be insulted if I didn’t greet them with a hug and some would be very offended if I did.  This is an area I have to adapt to by paying attention to body language.  If I notice the other person is stepping back then I know I may be standing too close to them.  I have to observe the body language with those that I don’t know well in order to gage their comfort. 

Three strategies to improve communication:   

1.  Being mindful of my own actions and the actions of others during communication is important.  I also need to make sure that I don’t jump to conclusions and ask questions and reflect to gage understanding.

2.  Recognize that different nonverbal behaviors mean different things.  Gonzalez-Mena  point out that we must expand our ability to pick up on silent messages and notice when others are uncomfortable. (2011).

3.  Developing appropriate knowledge is a very important step when learning about others. Gonzalez-Mena mentions several types of touch that would be offensive in certain cultures (2011).  I need to make sure that I know what some of these touches are and be ready to adjust my personal practice accordingly.  

Beebe, S. A., Beebe, S. J., & Redmond, M. V. (2011). Interpersonal communication: Relating to others (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon

Gonzalez-Mena, J. (2010). 50 strategies for communicating and working with diverse families. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.

Without Sound-Family Matters Sit Com

Sound Off

This particular family was made up of a mother, father and a son.  The mother seemed to be the dominate person in the family.  She was always pointing at them and appeared to be bossing them around.  As the other family members talked to her, they seemed to watch her to see her reaction.  She would show her approval or disapproval by what appear to be yelling, shaking of her head, rolling her eyes and avoiding eye contact or looking away.  The other characters body language was more submissive, relaxed and they appeared to be talking quieter.  In one scene the father goes to the son’s room to talk to him.  He turns his chair to face the son and they are talking eye to eye.  They appear to be listening to each other.  At one point the son takes out a notepad and writes down what the father was saying.    

Sound on

 I assumed that the mother and father had a rocky relationship.  They did not make eye contact and the mother seemed to make angry or irritated facial expressions.  When I watched the show I realized I was incorrect because the mother was sarcastic and was not mad.  They were communicating through several inside jokes.  I was correct in that the mother had more of a domineering role and personality.   It would have been much easier if I had seen the show before because I would have known that this was supposed to be the funny part of the show.  Whenever she made what appeared to be a yelling or rude gesture she was actually making a sarcastic and funny remark.  The audience laughed but the family did not so I had no idea when I watched it with the sound off.  In the end the mother and father stick up for each other and say things that make the other feel as though they are on the same team.

A Communicator I Admire

The first person that comes to mind when I think of competent communication is my coworker.  She is the most authentic person I know.  When she communicates she is being very honest and this honesty makes her vulnerable.  Because she makes her self vulnerable it makes me want to respond with vulnerability.  I have noticed people come to her and tell her things that normally would not be shared with anyone else.  She creates an atmosphere of trust in this way.  I have also observed that she often reflects what people are saying by restating it.  She listens well and nods making eye contact and often says tell me more about that.  She doesn’t just jump in to “solve” the problem but rather focuses on identifying the real issue.  I would want to model some of my communication behaviors after her because they are very effective and communicating love and respect.  Those are important values of mine and I believe I can learn from observing her methods.

Professional Hopes and Goals

◦What are the three most significant "lessons" that I have learned from studying issues related to diversity, equity, and social justice in this course—and what makes them significant?

1. Prejudice and discrimination are alive and well.  What is significant about this is that I have realized that there is hidden bias and prejudice displayed in ways that are often unconscious.  I have become more aware of this which will help me overcome my own bias and stand up for equity

2. Being an advocate for anti-bias education will take institutional change starting with the institution that I am a part of.  This is important because I am part of the dominate culture and can influence some of the practices that go on in the work place that are discriminatory

3. Creating a diverse classroom means that I will need to find out about the family culture of each of my students.  This is important and necessary in order to integrate other cultures into my classroom culture.

◦Which of my personal characteristics/dispositions do I consider to be my most valuable asset for my work with children and families from varied backgrounds—and for what reason(s)?

I think in general I am very accepting of others and assume the best of people.  I feel a great deal of compassion for others and this motivates me to move beyond first impressions.  This will be a necessary in making sure I value and include children and families of various backgrounds, beliefs, values and cultures.  Although I know that I still have room to grow in this area, I feel that I have a good foundation from which to work from.

◦Thinking about the statement, made by one of the panelists, "The passion comes from the vision": What is your interpretation of this statement, and in what way(s), if any, can you relate to the connection implied between professional passion and a vision regarding diversity?

Keeping focused on the vision of creating a better future for the next generation that is free from hate and that gives all children the right to reach their full potential will help me in everyday situations.  Noticing when certain actions are effecting that vision creates a sense of hope and determination to keep going.    I like how Derman-sparks sums it up by saying that we need to remember that although we are not perfect change is still possible (2011).

Reference

Laureate Education. (2011) Course Media: Diversity and equity work: Lessons learned.

Five ways to be culturally responsive towards a family living in Russia

Five ways to be culturally responsive towards a family living in Russia

1.  Reading personal blogs:

I went on the internet and read some blogs written by Russian children.  There are also blogs written by teachers in Russia that share their own experiences with the culture and what life is like there.

2.  Consider ways to integrate individual family cultural of children into the curriculum and create opportunities for families to share their individual family culture.  This will take thoughtful planning.

3.  Research the home language and search for pictures and ways to include the home language into the classroom.

3.  Avoid insvisiblity by researching meaningful art, music and books that can be added to the classroom environment. 

4. Make sure to read books, watch movies, and listen to music from Russia to get a better understanding of culture and family life.  Schedule a home visit if possible.

I see this as an opportunity to model by example love and respect for those that are different. The entire class can learn to appreciate others and learn that different is good.  It is an opportunity for me to learn more about the world and try new and different approaches.  The result will be professional growth.   

 

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

I recently witnessed prejudice in a hiring situation.  I heard about an opening where my friend worked and so I recommended a young black man that just graduated from high school.  He had the perfect skill set for the job, had a high work ethic and would have been a perfect fit.  After the interview I asked my friend if she heard how it went and she said her boss said there is “No way” she would hire him because she didn’t like his “look.”  I was shocked because I really didn’t realize such racism still existed!  This women supervisor made a judgment based on outward appearance and whatever bias she had attached to that and this young man did not even get an equitable chance.  I really made me angry.  This young man ended up putting twice as many job applications and working twice as hard to get a job then a Caucasian individual would have had to.  It also seems so silly to me and the employer really missed out on a great employee.  In this situation the supervisor who was hiring needed to be reported for the remarks.  The employer(s) needed educating and there needs to be more honest conversation in general about our individual bias and why it is there before beginning to dismantle it.

Practicing Awareness

Practicing Awareness

 

This week I had an opportunity to use what I have learned so far in this course.  I am a supervisor so when I was visiting a school one of the teachers told me that she was having problems getting a boy in her class to speak.  She said that his parents told her he speaks English well and she felt he just was selectively mute because he did not want to learn.  I had the opportunity to tell her about being sensitive to family culture and how culture is more than a language but a way of living that may be completely different than what he was experiencing in her class.  I hope that my words provided insight that will help her to think differently about how she can meet his needs and not just make quick assumptions.  Watching the boy sit alone silently in the corner of the classroom made my heart go out to him and I thought about how damaging the assumption that this boy did not want to learn was.  At age four of course he wanted to learn and play with the other children.  This attitude by the teacher would only further the discrimination he might feel and keep her from exploring other options and ways to help him adjust.  As teachers we must be very careful not to jump to conclusions and try to take on multiple perspectives of the children and families in our care. 

 

Interviews About Culture and Diversity

Interviews

The people I interviewed mentioned several of the aspects we have spoken of in this course such as culture being people’s beliefs and traditions and diversity being differences in the way people look and speak.  The thing that stood out to me that was omitted is that they only were mentioning broad definitions of different ethnicities and physical differences and did not mention other aspects of culture such as deep beliefs and values that are particular to each family unit.  No one mentioned sexuality, gender, education or family structure.  Perhaps these are areas that are not often thought about.    These areas may have deep seated attitudes and prejudice that may not even be realized.

 

Reflecting on others answers made me realize that there is a general unawareness of attitudes and beliefs about culture and diversity.  I wonder if anyone ever stops to think about it and how their own beliefs affect the way the view others.   Ideas about what is normal and expected begin to form very early and can lead to oppression if we are not more aware of our differences in these areas.   Sparks & Edwards (2010) State that “The formation of a child’s cultural identity begins at birth and unless adults actively guide them, children can develop negative reactions to those that behave in ways that are unfamiliar” (p. 58)

 

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

 

My Family Cutlure

It would be very difficult to choose only three items.  We have several family albums, so in order to bring one we would need to go through our pictures and choose the ones that best represent our life together.  Going through pictures would probably create laughter and tears.  It would be difficult to choose.  The second item that we would bring is a bible.  My personal bible is very precious to me.  It is only 4 years old.  I got it when I decided to read it for myself and my family and I have spent time telling the stories and applying them to our lives.  We consider it as a treasure map containing hidden gyms.  We consider it to be more than a story but something that is alive and part of our current story.  The third item is well…our dogs- O.K. that stands for two and I don’t know if they are an “item” but we really don’t have any other materialistic things that we value.  Nothing passed down from grandparents, no artifacts.  Our dogs are our family.  Our love for them is something we all share.  We have been comforted by them and we have been brought to laughter by them.  We fight over who loves them more and who they love more. 

If I were to explain to others what these items mean I would say that they represent all of the memories that we have together and that they are things that hold us and bond us together.  Taking them with us would help us to get through difficult times.  If I was told to choose only one item I would be devastated.  My heart would break because of all of the things in life they are the most valuable.

I realized through this exercise that my family culture really values time spent together above anything else.  Material things are just not a value to us.  I also feel in some ways that our family has had to sort of create its own culture within the culture.  I feel that we have been very fortunate to be able to have a roof over our head and food on the table.  Because my children are grown, at times I wish I could turn the clock back.  If I could pass any cultural traditions down it would be the value and gift of time.

Course Reflections

Reflecting back on this course I am pleasantly surprised at the growth I have made since the beginning.  I have learned about the details of the research process as well as how to conduct research in a fair and professional manner.  I have learned about different types of research and what context in which they are best applied.

My initial ideas about research were that it would be over my head, boring and not interesting.  As I have studied however I have found it to be understandable, interesting, and a valuable tool in advancing the early childhood landscape.

At the end of the unit I learned that before I even start the planning process I have to keep in mind equity, time, and nature of the study.  I learned that careful planning is a must for a viable research project and that I must carefully design the study to answer a specific question that will ultimately benefit the early childhood field.

One of the challenges that I faced is that the research process is more detailed then I imagined and in the process of identifying essential questions I found that I had to modify the study.  Time was a big factor in this course and I had to make some sacrifices to complete the task assigned.

I have already had an opportunity in a staff meeting with colleagues to argue for implementation of research in our work.  Our education system is in need of revamping and I feel it is vital to me and my team not only to look at past research but also conduct our own research before changes are made.  I appreciate the tools I have gained from this course and I know I will be using them in the future.

Research Around The World-Australia

The site that I chose to study was http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/

The first research topic I noticed was “Identify and Implement Quality Improvements.”  Obviously this topic is not only high in the United States, but also Australia. Other topics of research on the top 10 were assessment, respecting diversity and children’s resilience.

It was interesting to see that parent’s involvement is a high priority for this site. They had several links for parents on how to make the first year of school a good experience. It talks about what parents want to know as their child starts school.  They had a section for free scholarly articles online.  Several of these links were broken but I did find a great web site in the process called “Parenting Counts.”  On this web site there was a developmental chart that would guide parents on each stage of child development and what to expect.  I may find it a useful tool in the future.  Here is the link: http://www.parentingcounts.org/

More Research Needed: Animals and Children

Human-Animal Interactions

There is emerging evidence showing the importance of animals in child development.  I have two Jack Russell Terriers, one of which we call “The comfort dog.”  My son had back surgery recently and had a long recovery ahead of him, he had to be immobile for 3 months and during that time experienced extreme loneliness.  My dog “Lacey” literally stayed by him and sat on him or leaned on him the entire 3 months.  He reported to me later how much that helped him.  According to Esposito, McCune, Griffin & Maholmes, there has been several research studies showing that companion animals stimulate a young child’s cognitive growth through curiosity and learning.  The authors also point to a study where even   looking at pictures of animals reduced stress in children (2011).  Animals can be a great source of emotional support and more research is needed to validate their importance.  I have heard of dogs being used in therapy with children and I would love to be involved in a research project like this.  I can envision many children being helped and feeling a love and companionship that otherwise would be impossible. 

References

Esposito, L., McCune, S., Griffin, J. A., & Maholmes, V. (2011). Directions in Human-Animal     I

Interaction Research: Child Development, Health, and Therapeutic Interventions. Child DevelopmentPerspectives, 5(3), 205-211. doi:10.1111/j.1750-8606.2011.00175.x

 

Personal Research Journey

The topic of study I have chosen is Quality teaching in early childhood programs.  I believe the roll of the teacher is the most important factor in quality care and education.  I would like to find out exactly what characteristics make up a quality teacher, what types of professional development promotes growth and how to attract and keep quality teachers.

I am learning the importance of being careful and objective when conducting research.  I know that my analytical skills will be strengthened and this will help me throughout my professional career.  I view the research process as journey which includes different steps, from formulating a research question to objectively organizing the data. I believe it is wize to head the advice of Mac Naughton, Rolfe, and Siraj-Blathford to be realistic about the time and resources required to research this subject (2010), and I am looking forward to finding out more about this topic and hope that it will prove useful in the future

References

Mac Naughton, G., Rolfe, S.A., & Siraj-Blatchford, I. (2010). Doing early childhood research:

International perspectives on theory and practice (2nd ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

 

International Contact:  What I’ve learned

Through this course I have had the opportunity to talk with an early childhood professional in Yap.  Talking with Ashley has made me realize just how fortunate we are here in the United States.  We have so many resources available to us.  It has also been a great example of how important it is to teach from the cultural context that the children live in.  Ashley attributes her success to this sensitivity and also to her ability to be resourceful.  In speaking with her we have encouraged each other and reminded ourselves of why we do what we do.  Collaboration is very necessary for growth and mental health!

My Goal:

In attempts to find multiple international contacts I was able to start following several blogs from international teaching professionals.  I have really enjoyed the post.  My goal is to continue seeking out new perspective’s and possible ideas for bettering early childhood education.  Continuing to pursue international contacts is part of that!

Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 3

This week I corresponded with my contact in Yap.  When I asked her about the level of quality she reported that one of the issues were large disparities between individual teachers.  There are not set standards and very little professional development.  While teachers do their best, there are still eminent skills that are lacking to teach effectively.  As a whole, she said her students were behind grade level which she felt was largely due to inconsistency from one teacher to the next.

Another big issue regarding quality teaching in Yap is the lack of resources. Everything she used in her classroom over the past year she brought from America. Construction paper, markers, crayons, posters, children's books, scissors, supplemental teaching books and many more things were brought from the United States. The only supplies available in Yap were pencils and erasers.   

When asked about her professional goals she said “In Yap my goals were to teach the students as best as I possibly could in a fun, yet productive manner. Now as a returning teacher, I hope to continue the many responsibilities that I had to carry out in Yap, and to bring integrity into everything that I do.”  She plans to continue more schooling for specific areas that she feels she needs help with. 

 Talking with Ashley has made me realize just how fortunate we are here in the United States.  We have so many resources available to us.  Teaching outside of the United States would definitely be an eye opening experience to the needs that are out there.

A current issue /trend I’m dealing with:

Help!  Obama Care is going to affect quality in my Childcare centers.  I work for a non-profit organization and work to support 26 child care centers.  They function as small businesses, but because they are under the organizations umbrella are subject to Obama Care.   I am currently facing a huge challenge in that starting in January any employees working over 30 hours will have to come under the Health care of our non-profit organization to a tune of $970.00 per month per employee.  Our centers simply can’t afford this, but laying off workers will lead to employees leaving to find other jobs, children seeing several care givers during the day and in general low quality care.  One of my directors asked me, “How do I tell someone who is my best teacher, a single mom who has worked here for 18 years that I am going to cut their hours?”  So I have formed an ADHOC committee to address this issue.  I found a lawyer that will help us for free and a business man and also someone in Human resources.  I really need help and don’t know where to turn because there is so much inaccurate information out there.  Does anyone know of a reliable source for explaining the details of Obama Care?  I am also wondering if anyone else is dealing with a similar issue.  This is a difficult issue because families with small children need health care, but they also need high quality care.  I wish I didn’t have to sacrifice one to get the other.

An article from my web resource:

Zero To Three says policies need to be different and more specifically focused then for preschool children.  Research that shows children with risk factors have a higher incidence of developmental delays and disabilities and these disparities are seen as early as 9 months and widen by 24 months of age.  A difference in language abilities begins to emerge before a child’s first birthday and widens by age 3.4.  This is pretty staggering Data.  Follow the link below if you want to see the chart showing the data.  In addition to supporting overall reform efforts of federal programs, there were a few other ways mentioned that are very specific and crucial to early development that particularly caught my attention:

·         Create a federal Paid Family Leave program that would allow moms to stay with their babies and form attachments. 

·         Increase funding for Early Head Start to double the amount of spaces for infants and toddlers

·         Identify and address developmental needs earlier through developmental screening efforts.

·         Increase access to Early Childhood Mental Health Services

Among these initiatives is one that I have never thought about before, and that is to form a partnership between Early Head Start programs and other childcare centers.  The article did not expand on the details of what this would look like except to say that Head Start would be a model.  I wonder what it would look like and what type of partnership it would be exactly.

Resources

Zero to Three. (n.d) Putting infants and toddlers on the path to school readiness: An agenda for the

administration and 113thCongress. Retrieved June 15, 2013 from http://www.zerotothree.org/public-policy/federal-policy/2013-federal-policy-agenda.pdf

 

 

 

 

International Contacts Part II

I contacted my international contact in Yap.  In her school they do not have a readiness exam.  In fact, she had a large class of 23 students and no one was on the same level.  She said that although the curriculum was very similar to the United States, it seemed to her that it did not match the community values of practical, hands on curriculum that would equip the children for everyday life in the Island.  She felt that testing would not be a good way to assess quality since the people there take a more holistic approach.  However, she said more funding was definitely needed and described similar issues with inequity that we have here in the United States.

After doing some research I found an article that summarized the regions strategic plan for quality education.  The plan is called the Basic Education Action Plan (FBEAP) I have summarized the plan below:

Planning and Management

• It was mentioned that there needs to be better data collection and basic educational planning.  Also putting financial resource in things that lead to a greater academic outcome.  Gender equality was also a concern.  

Curriculum and Instruction

• Emphasis was that the curriculum should be relevant and include vocational training.  Also the need for valid and reliable assessment procedures, and improved classrooms and teaching conditions. 

Teacher Training

• Training for teachers should include methods that reach different learning styles and improve their competence and confidence.  Also needed to improve early childhood, pre-service and in-service teacher education programs.

Community Partnerships

• Improve relationships with communities and stakeholders and establish regional qualifications framework.

Margou M., M (2006) Education Strategic Plan: 2007-20012 Yap State Federated States of Micronesia. Retrieved from: http://www.paddle.usp.ac.fj/collect/paddle/index/assoc/yap001.dir/doc.pdf

The President’s Budget Proposal: A Groundbreaking Moment for Our Nation’s Babies

The President’s Budget Proposal: A Groundbreaking Moment for Our Nation’s Babies

This is the title that caught my eye this week as I was browsing through the zero to three web-sites.  The President’s Plan for Early Education for All Americans includes $1.4 billion to expand the head start program specifically targeted to create high quality child care for babies and toddlers.  Zero To Three authors remind the reader that brain research shows that babies are born wired to learn and that those who lack quality early learning can fall behind.  The president’s plan also extends to home visits before their first birthday. This article celebrates what they feel is a good start in using the information and research we have to further expand a program that has been proven successful for almost 20 years in both child and parental outcomes (2013).

 

 

Another interesting even that I found out about this week in browsing poverty issues in my area is an upcoming poverty simulation.  During a simulation, participants role-play the lives of low-income families, from single parents trying to care for their children to senior citizens trying to maintain their self-sufficiency on Social Security. The task of each family is to provide food, shelter and other basic necessities during the simulation while interacting with various community resources staffed by volunteers. I will share my experience at a later time!

 

Zero To Three. (2010) The President’s Budget Proposal: A Groundbreaking Moment for Our Nation’s Babies. Retrieved from http://www.zerotothree.org/public-policy/press-release-presidents-budget-proposal.html

Poverty From The Eyes of a teacher in Yap

Poverty From The Eyes of a teacher in Yap

 

This week I interviewed a teacher named Ashley who is currently teaching in the island of Yap.  Yap is located is located in the western Caroline Islands, today part of the Federated States of Micronesia, about 850 miles east of Mindanao in the Philippines.  I asked Ashley about the poverty there.  Although compared to the United States, it would seem impoverished; most people that live there do not see themselves in that way.  Most make their living from fishing and are able to make enough income to buy basic necessities and although they live in small shacks made out of tin, they consider themselves to have what they need.  In the classroom there is still a disparity between the “haves and the have-nots.”  While a few sported IPADs, some students lacked transportation and so they could not stay for much needed tutoring after school or participate in school events that required money.  Some lacked basic supplies because they had to wait until their parents got paid, which in the fishing business fluctuated.  She described her main challenges as having limited supplies and dual language learners.  Supplies such as printing paper and ink were very limited so she had to get very creative in her lesson planning and was not able to send things home.  In addition to this she had some students this year that did not speak a word of English.  She found that one of the strategies in helping the students learn was to relate everything to the fishing culture.  She noticed that all of the pictures showed boats and water and fish, so she used real life examples such as how many fish were gathered and sold to teach addition and subtraction.  She explained even though she did the best she could, she could have done a better job if she had more resources and help.  Even though some of her students came to school hungry it would be frowned upon if she were to feed them.  In this culture children as young as 7 years old are expected to get up at 5:30, make their own rice and draw their own water for hygiene.  Students that came to school hungry or dirty were considered “lazy,” and needed to learn the lesson by the hunger pains and being made fun of by other students for their appearance.  Ashley observed that these students did not do as well when hungry and it affected their learning.  She feels she did her best this past school year, but reflects that there is so much more that she would need to do in order to reach out to those who do not have the emotional or academic support that they need at home.   

I have learned that even though it may look different in different areas, poverty still has the same affect regardless which is the student not getting equal access and opportunities.  I also have gained an appreciation of the tools we have here in the United States for overcoming poverty that are not as easily available in other areas.

Course Resource

 

The web site that I have chosen is http://www.zerotothree.org/

Currently the web site features “Welcome to the Baby Brain Map, a ZERO TO THREE Web exclusive” with its focus on brain development from prenatal through age three.  More research has been done and more information is available for specific ages and stages of brain development.  This web site also provides specific ways we as caregivers can respond to aid in that development.  For example, responding to the cries of a 0-2 month old and playing tracking games with them.

This specific issue highlights the importance of how crucial relationships are to brain development.   Because such a large part of brain growth is happening at this age it is crucial for educators to be aware of how children learn at each stage and what steps they can take to aid in brain development.  This will be an excellent resource for me to pass along to teachers in the field.  I am even thinking of printing these resources and putting them in a chart form for the teachers that I work with.

Establishing Professional Contacts and Expanding Resources

Part 1:  For my personal contacts I found several blogs that were created by Early Childhood teachers that are teaching outside of the United States.  I chose a few that created blogs that were interesting and up to date.  I contacted them and I am still waiting to hear back.  Also, one of my former Pre-K students is currently teaching in Yap.  It is a small Island and therefore she doesn’t check her email every day.  I am really hoping to be able to talk with her.  I am awaiting her reply.  I would be very excited to learn from these professionals and hope that I don’t have to choose option 2.  Eagerly waiting!

Part 2:  For my website I chose Zero to Three.  http://www.zerotothree.org/ When I was a center director most of the challenges came from the infant and toddler rooms.  At the time I did not know about this web site and it seemed that there was not much information or curriculum suggestions available for this age group.  I signed up for the News Letter and I am going to subscribe to their journal as well.  I currently supervise and act as a resource person for 13 Early Childhood programs.  I know that I will be able to pass along information that I gather from this site.

My Supports

Emotional Support

This is the most important one for me.  I have my God and my husband and friends that I know will be there to encourage me and walk with me through all of life’s challenges.  I have certain friends that support me more in one area then another that I will call upon during specific challenges.  Just telling someone how I feel or what my frustrations are relieves a lot of stress.  It’s great when I can do this without fear of judgment.

Support from others

I have colleges and neighbors that support me by joining me in solving a problem or contributing a specific skill set that they have where I might lack.

Physical Support

There are many things I am just not physically able to do that my husband does such as fixing my car or plumbing.  If it wasn’t for him I would go broke paying other people to do those things.  I find it very helpful to know I can count on these things to be done and it frees up time for me to worry about other things on my list.

I could not imagine how difficult it would be to live without these supports.  I would not be able to do all of the things that I do in life as I would have to spend way too much time doing things that are difficult for me.

My Connections to Play

This sums it up better then a quote could!

 

 

       “The end of childhood is when things cease to astonish us. When the world seems familiar, when one has got used to existence, one has become an adult.” ~Eugene Ionesco

        

       My sister and I grew up in a single parent family.  My mom struggled to make ends meet so we never had much in the way of toys.  We even went through a period of time where we had no T.V.  The world became our playground.  All we needed was space and our imaginations.  Our favorite games to play involved horses.  Our bikes or our own legs became the horses.  We created a world of our own and we were always so disappointed to have to stop playing to come in.  We were allowed to ride our bikes anywhere in the neighborhood.  Once we lived near some woods and staked out exotic trails for ourselves, writing our own scripts.  Scripts that looking back were way more exciting than what you see in movies today. 

     Things were so different with my own children.  I could not for safety reasons allow them to ride all over the place with their bikes.  We weren’t rich but they had some of the most popular toys and technology tools.  I remember them complaining a lot about being “bored.”  It saddens to me to think that they missed out on such a gift as play.  True play even in my adulthood is being creative.  Acting out your dreams and visions for life.  True play is getting wrapped up in the moment, where time ceases to exist.

 

Relationship Reflection

I believe I was created to be in relationship with my God and with other people.  Meaningful relationships in my life are built on mutual trust.  We are there to encourage, strengthen, and see the best in each other.   

I have been married for 26 years.  Our relationship has lasted because of a deep commitment, unconditional love, forgiveness, and at times hard work.  I love being married, but a strong marriage just didn’t happen.  We have learned that the key to our marriage is becoming selfless, putting the others interest in front of our own.  Serving and appreciating each other. 

I have two children that I am very close to.  Two simple rules have kept our relationship strong.  The first when raising them is “let your no mean no.” and the second was to spend time playing with them, taking an interest in their lives.  I am happy to say that they are both productive adults and we are still very close.  Our home is a safe environment where they can feel free to tell me how they feel and what they are going through without being judged or condemned.  I don’t give them advice unless they ask for it, but they ask for it often.  I have always given them freedom to make their own decisions and they have always proven trustworthy. 

 

I have two dogs that are a big part of my life: 

Little-man is a full blood Jack Russell Terrier.  He is full of mischief, smart, a hunter and a playful friend.

Lacey is my study-buddy.  She loves to sit on my lap when I work on my computer.  She is helping me get my masters by helping me relax and concentrate.  She was a rescue that no one wanted, so I got sucked in.

They both sleep with us at night, Little man at the foot of the bed and  Lacy under the covers beside us!

My Church Family

 

I have the privilege of having these young people in my life, many of them I taught when they were in Pre-K!  They come to my house every Friday night to hang out and read the bible.  I guess you could call it "church."  I have invested long term in their lives.  Sometimes I get tired, but I feel real meaningful relationships take an investment of time, that means more then once a week, but mid-week phone calls, meeting for lunch, listening, and supporting them.  I have found it to be so rewarding to watch them grow up!

Love sees the best in people- Including children

Assertiveness comes from the Power of Attention.

                                            Focus on what you want to happen.
                                                     -Dr.Becky Baily