Professional Hopes and Goals

Professional Hopes and Goals

This course may be over but the lessons never are.  The lessons we have learned will be taken out into the world and understanding and social justice will be continued on through our work.  We are the examples and we must spread the word to others. 

One hope that I have for all children and families that come into my care is that they feel safe, welcome, and valued.  I also hope that we will all learn from each other.  I never want anyone to feel left out or unvalued.

The goal that I set for the early childhood field is that all children are taught to respect other for their differences.  It is also important that the children will take the opportunity to learn from each other.  If a seed of understanding and compassion can be planted in one child then our work will continue. 

Colleagues and friends- I want to thank you for all your support through this class.  I feel that we have grown together, cried with each other, and supported on another through the tough times.  Only through this type of bond could we bare our hearts without fear of ridicule.  

Welcoming Families From Around the World

Welcoming Families From Around the World

My new family is arriving from Russia and will be starting school next week.   In order to prepare for their arrival I have done some research.  I will try to make this transition as easy as possible.  I hope that through preparation and research the family will feel more comfortable and that they fit in with the school setting.  I have listed five ways that I will prepare.

First-I have labeled items in the classroom in their home language.  This will help them to find the items and rooms that they need.  This way the family can teach us new words while they are learning new words.

Second- I would plan a “share your culture” day.  All the families could participate in this so no one feels put on the spot.  I would also ask if they would like to come and share something from their culture.

Third- find out who in the family I should consult in education and health matters.  I want to make sure that I don’t offend the family by speaking to the wrong family member. 

Fourth- find out what experience they have had with public education.  If they have had little experience with public schooling develop a plan to slowly introduce them to the process.

Fifth- develop a plan to address issues of differences and avoid discrimination behaviors.

You can't have money because .....

One experience that I remember experiencing prejudice was when I first started college after high school.  I was registering for financial aid and waiting for the results.  I met with the financial aid officer and she told me that I did not qualify for much in the way of financial help.  She told me it was because I was white.  She said if I came back and was Native American, Black, or Hispanic she could help me. 

I was completely floored.  I could not believe that she just came right out and said that.  I know many people thought like that but never would say it out loud.  She was say that because I was white I did not need any help financially for school.  My parents had two children in college and one more on the way.  My parents were both teachers, we had no money.   I was upset and depressed because I would not be able to attend college at that time.  I was stuck in a minimum wage food service job that did not pay enough for me to even attend the community college. 

In this situation the financial aid system needs to change.  The need for help should be based not on race but on an individual needs assessment.  We fill them out every year, it is called the FASFA.  The financial aid system needs to look more closely at your ability to pay for school.