Professional Hopes and Goals Week 8

The approach to learning that I had prior to this course has been enhanced and I am now in a better position to service my families in a positive and professional manner without biases. One hope that I have when I contemplate working with children and families from diverse backgrounds is the impact that my knowledge and compassion will have on their lives. I would like to provide a wealth of information without impinging on their ethical and cultural traditions.

As research shows, the minority will soon be the majority and we must necessitate change to ensure that we are on the cutting edge of research and education.  One goal that I would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice is to share my educational enlightenment with my colleagues.  In doing so, it will enhance the delivery of service and development that is provided in the community.

This semester started out as a true challenge and there were times when I felt like I was drowning. However, my colleagues and Dr. Parrish were always there to keep me afloat with words of encouragement and support and their own personal stories that gave me additional insight and hope. Growing up I was always told by my grandmother that every person that you encounter in life is there to teach a life lesson and I have learned a lot. For the wealth of information and understanding I say thank you to all of you and wish you success in all future endeavors. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel even if it is too dim to see! Keep striving for success and the just reward we be the many young lives you touch.

Wishing you enough!

Jan

 

EDUC 6164 Week 7 Welcoming Families from Around the World

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

Working with a non-profit social service agents, I am responsible for helping international families settle into their new communities. The family who will be immigrating to our country is coming from Sochi, Russia. Sochi was recently the host of the 2014 Winter Olympic (XXII). The family is moving to the United States in order for their daughter to train at the Detroit Skate Club located in Novi, Michigan.

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

• Using Skype or FaceTime, I can establish dialogue through the use of an interpreter. During these interactive conversations, I will gain insight about the family’s religious customs and any adjustments I may need to make in order to help them feel comfortable when they arrive.  Once I learn their religious affiliation, I will locate a house of worship and establish communication alerting of the Parrish leader of the families arrival.
• I will look for local stores in my area or surrounding areas that might sell Russian food. There is a small commune of Russian families in Huntington Woods, MI.  I can purchase dietary staples and while visiting the local mercantile district and interact with customers or workers that speak the language of the Sochi family; this would help me learn basic greetings and other supportive words.
• Interacting with my social media acquaintances I will find cuisine and some recipes that I can duplicate at home that would be a welcoming meal common to their home environment.
• I will locate local physicians that service families of Russian heritage, which the family can contact with any health concerns.
• I will make sure that the family has all of the necessary documentation regarding their travel itinerary prior to their departure including passports, immunization records and birth certificates.

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

Making preparations for this family will hopefully improve their comfort level as they begin a new chapter in their lives. I believe these preparations will not only help the family feel at home, but it will show them that there is a support system in place to help them make adjustments to their new life. My actions would be genuine and by contacting members of the community and establishing an open line of communication with the family, it will begin to foster a system of trust and understanding across cultural lines. It will also enhance my ability to understand the culture and family culture that I will encounter.

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

A memory that I have regarding prejudice occurred in November, 2013 when my daughter and I visited a local mercantile to finish shopping for her birthday.  As we entered the establishment, I held the door open for another patron entering the establishment and proceeded to the cosmetics department. The clerk (African American) looked up and gave me the once over from head to toe. I smiled but, she did not reciprocate the same. Instead, she turned her attention to the young lady that entered behind me and immediate welcomed her to the establishment and asked if she needed assistance.

I was wearing a leisure sweat suit and tennis shoes but, my patronage and money were no less important than any other consumer. In my opinion no! I immediately sought the assistance of the manager, explained the situation and requested the employees name in order to file a complaint. When asked by the manager why she did not assist me, the clerk replied “She looked like a browser and not a shopper.” To her dismay, her customer spent a mere $24.99 and I spent $352.00 giving her co-worker a wonderful commission. The lesson learned that day was to treat people with respect regardless of how they look. Furthermore, it reminded me that racial prejudices towards individuals of the same race is a relevant problem in today’s society. In order to improve fairness in this particular situation, customer service representative in the service industry need to have increased training in diversity and customer etiquettes.