Temika McCann

          6164- 1

                                                          Blog: Professional Hopes and Goals

 As an educator one of my desire is to see all children will be respected regardless of his/her color, race, religion, gender and belief.  I would like to see bias be dispelled from our early childhood program so we can work together and do what best for each child that we come across on a daily basis. I would like to see educators must explore historical and contemporary family struggles and be able to respect each child and their families regardless of his/her back ground. Harvard Family Research Project. (2003).

The one goal that I would like to see as an educator is to be the best role model in front of children and to be able to embrace all culture who I encounter on a day to day basis. I would like to see all culture come together and work together in unity and respect each other for who they are regardless of race, color, gender and religion. According to Dr.Sue he stated in the video that we have to always be mindful of how we approach others from different culture.

A brief note of thanks to your colleagues – I like to thank all of my colleagues who have encouraged me and supported me over these last 8 weeks. You shared vital information and inspiring posts and feedback which helped make this class exciting.  I would also like to thank you for your constructive feedback which will help me to continue my journey in education. I wish you all the best of luck as you move forward to your next class. I pray that all you have a bless successful year as you continue your journey in early childhood. Have a great week!

Reference

http://www.hfrp.org/hfrp-news/news-announcements/(year)/2003

Laureate Education (Producer). (2011). Microaggressions in everyday life [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu

Temika McCann 

Temika McCann

Welcoming Families From Around the World

6164 -1

Ever since, I was a young girl I always wanted to learn about the country Japan and visit that country one of these days. As an educator there are several ways, I would prepare myself for culturally responsive towards families from the. After during a little research, I have discover about the country of Japan and the ways, I will prepare myself as an educator for culturally responsively by, First, I can prepare myself to be culturally responsive towards this family and make sure I learn the appropriate when greeting these parents. Secondly, I can prepare myself to be culturally responsive towards the family by ask parent open – ended questions. For example, is there a particular way that your child learns would your share it with me so I can better help your child to succeed?  Thirdly, I can prepare myself to be culturally responsive by learning different teaching strategies to help each child succeed and reach his/her full potential. Fourthly, I can prepare myself to be culturally responsive by learning more about the family beliefs, traditions and values. As an educator, I will make sure that I will understand the culture values and traditions in ways families celebrate holidays. Last, but not least, I can prepare myself as an educator to be culturally responsive towards this family by having a potluck  once a month focusing on different cultures. This will help children to learn about different culture’s food, belief and values. Visiting library and communities that participate in the cultural life of children and family and I will also read book about hat country to better understand the child and family.

A brief statement describing in what ways you hope that these preparations will benefit both you and the family. I feel this preparation will benefit me by teaching me about different cultures.  In turn, I will be able to acknowledge multiple equity pedagogies in order to permeate justice and equity for all. According to Hyland (2010) these preparations will benefit educator, children and families by assisting parents grow the vital skills essential to engage children in discussions concerning injustice. According to Hyland (2010) educators and parents can assistance children discard stereotypes that marginalize specific communities that are strictly based on gender, ethnicity, culture, and sexual orientation. I will also make sure I am showing respect to the families always.

Reference

Dermman ( 2010) Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves "Becoming an Anti-Bias Teacher: A Developmental Journey" (read "Explore Social Justice Activism" on pp. 28--30)

Hyland, N. E. (2010). Social justice in early childhood classrooms: What the research tells us. YC: Young Children, 65(1), 82–87.

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

I am an African American woman and have experienced much prejudice in the work place. I felt that other color was giving more opportunity at my preschool jobs. The  director I will call her Ms. Tosa will always let other teacher take longer break and time off from work , but when it came to me I will always get the running around or she will say “ I not able to let you have this week off because , I need you to cover a certain class this week” but she would never ask the other teachers. I remember one time I was a 1 second over and she went crazy. But when other teacher was late or took a longer break nothing would be said.. Many times, Caucasians was allowed to take time off with ,but when it came to me there was always an excuse why I was not able to take days off. It was very irritating.  My director did not have any problem changing the schedule around when it came to certain teachers, but when it came to me I would always get the attitude.

This  made it really hard for me to perform my job duties never neglecting or abuse or rude to parent and children but had a hard time trust the team around me because they would allow people  of other color to take off, but when it came to me I am a black person it would always be a problem. A couple of times, I felt like leaving. but I really enjoyed working with the co - teacher in my class and of course the children and families.  When I would decide to take time off, I would put my notice in one week before and Ms.Tosa said she did not have anyone to fill my spot, but this one particular teacher   from another class I will call her Rosa put in her request the same time, I did and was approved.  I felt like just because, I was the only black there and I felt like I was being discrating against due to my color.  According to Dr. Sue I feel we should all be respected and treated fairly in the work environment regardless of race, belief, religion or gender. On one hand, I was upset and on the other hand, I was glad it happened to me so I could learn  from this situation on how  I can make sure when I get my child care center , I will not treat my  staff that way. I will make sure I am making every race feel comfortable

 I became very angry on several occasions and on top of that I had three miscarriages I was dealing with at the time of going through all these issues at work and that did not. I felt like I was not being appreciated and having to make special arrangements to go to my doctor appointments. These issues at work did not make me feel any better, but I learned how to manage the abuse. I felt I was not important, embarrassed and shameful. As a floater, I felt that I always had to pick up the slack.  I felt like I was really being taking advantage of.  I will never treat anyone this way and the director needs to make sure that she is being fair across the board.

Referemce

 Laureate Education (Producer). (2011). Microaggressions in everyday life [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu

Temika McCann

6164 -1

Practicing Awareness of Micro-aggression

Temika McCann

6164 - 1 

I am so enthusiastic about this week blog the new insight I have learned about over these last 4 week. That I have as an educator I am so interested to learn about Micro-aggression. According to Dr. Sue Laureate, 2011) he said, that Micro- aggression's exist in everyday humiliations and disgrace that are oral behavioral. However, they may well exist not deliberately interconnected they cause external hurt and extreme pain if the message contained in offensive.  It allows you to personally own your understandings and capabilities. I had known idea of these terms and if I was setting in a setting amongst a group of people I would not have any idea what he/she might be talking about. I am so glad that and happy about this class. It has taught me so much and now I feel empower and will be able to share this vital information with coworker and families.

Last week I had an important phone call with my daughter principle and I was talking with Ms. Jay about an incident that occurred at my daughter school. I had to hurry to finish the phone call because I had another call that was coming in. I said, Ms. Jay I have another call that coming in that is long distance can I give you a call back in 30 minutes. She asked “why do you need to answer that call if you are on the phone with me.” I try explained to her it was a very vital call that I must answer she insist on talking after, I was very polite with her.  Ms. Jay was trying to over throw my conversation, by demanding me to continue to talk with her. I was going to drive to get there, so I told him and immediately he went into redirecting me to another route. I agree with Ms. Jay I very much of being on the phone with you , but you have to realize and take into consideration that I have another call coming in and as soon as I am done I will give you a call back. Ms. Jay was very rude a very impolite, I totally feel she invalidated what was significant toward me. I also felt like my  decision and phone call was not important to her and that if I was to continue to stay on the phone with her she would have being fine and the other phone call was not that important how  rude.

When I recognized as a person who was a victim of a micro aggression, I step out of character by not being aware of theirs and their beliefs I felt I was a little rude and upset. I started to do something that I might regret later and I want to say something that might not came out so good so , I held my peace, I don’t consider what I did was  on purpose, but I should had thought about it first and be more aware of other values and tradition.  According to Dr Sue (Laureate Education 2011) said that undoing come about day in and day out without a person being aware of the other persons or group of people.  I had a coworker who was a control person in the classroom want to control everything and everybody so I have always being the bigger person and played follow the leader to have a peaceful time within the environment and classroom I work in.

I always try to be mindful when I am interacting with children, friends, coworker and families. It is very important to me as a mom and educator how we want to be treated we have to make sure we our treating others that way. The motto my mom always say do unto others that you will have them to do unto you. If you don’t want anyone to be rude towards you don’t be rude towards them. Overall for these last 4 weeks this information and knowledge I have gained from this class and professor has help me to understand people much better and always respect people for who they are. Regardless of race, gender and belief. I also know that looking down on others because we are all different is very rude, harmful and leave deep pain to others.   

Reference

Laureate Education (Producer). (2011). Microaggressions in everyday life [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu

Temika McCann

Educ 6164 – 1

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

Week - 3 

Despite the fact diversity and culture is very significant , we are looking  at other people from all walks of life and race  in different ways , but respect each individual for who he/she are. This week I was so excited to hear what other had to say about diversity and culture. I  had a chance to speak with people I had not heard from in  a while and to hear from them and to share my assignment together was cool! I was glad to connect with them and to find out what was their thoughts on diversity and culture, I learned a lot from each person.

The first person, I spoke with was my cousin he specified that culture was shared beliefs and values of group: the beliefs, customs, practices, and social behavior. Individuals who bring unique perspectives or outlooks to the organization. In general diverse means variety a diverse community is different people living in one or different kind of community. They may be different because of their gender, social class, upbringing, culture and religion. The second, person said that culture was a way a person live hid/her life and diversity was a celebrate different time of the year. Thirdly, I spoke with an acquaintances stated that culture was traditions, values and a person beliefs.

I really enjoyed this blog on this week. I gained so much insight about how each person shared what culture and diversity means to them from personal perspective learning from all these wonderful people just make me appreciate and respect each person for who they are and that we all are different and unique in our on ways. I learned that everyone express their self in a unique way and that what make the world a rainbow.

I did  learned  this week  that majority  people’s definitions for culture was what I learned growing up and the article and the reading  that I readied  over these last couple of weeks was amazing to hear it again through the people I interview this week.  The family and friends that, I interview on this week was not aware of dominant culture, I got a chance to share what dominant culture was and they were blown away!   According to Derman-Sparks and Edwards, (2010) said, that dominant culture is not necessarily or always mean the culture of the majority rather it is the culture of the people who hold social and political. They were astonished with the answer.

As I look at culture and I had gained so much insight that have open my mind on a whole different level, I learned this week not to judge a book by its cover. After this week what I found what culture is it has a lot to do with who a person is when he or she is around family or friends that should and need to to feel accepted by all regardless of race, color,belief  and religion . According to Dr. Gonzalez (2011) she stated in the video that a person should be able to be themselves around family and friends that what define true culture.

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). 

 Laureate Education (Producer). (2011). Culture and diversity [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu

Blog: My Family Culture

Temika Mccann

( 6164)

The reason I chose these three items is because my granddaddy and grandmother made these items by hand. She and my grandfather took turn making these items my granddaddy was 76 years of age and my grandmother was 73 when they made these items by hand they work as a team and that what made these items unique and valuable. I remember my grandparents just like it was yesterday. My mom shared with me as I got older  she told me that she made those items because they wanted my mom to share it with her children when we became a certain age to where we could really understand the meaning behind it. I thought that was amazing to know that. I really treasure these items and hold them deep to my heart.  The design in these items reflects the southern culture and I was astonished. And these items bring so many memories just as if they just gave it to me and my family yesterday. The reason I chose to take those items because religious has always been a first priority in my family culture. Just to know that my grandmother made a handmade bible cover is so thoughtful and something for me to cherished as I put my bible inside of it. I would take the blanket because every time, I cover up with it will remind me of my grandparents and how they cover up with it when I use to go visit them. Lastly I would bring with me my outfit. Our culture enjoyed making clothes and was very creative with the designs and I would cherished the outfit knowing that it was handmade makes it very meaningful to me. As I arrive at my destination if I had a chose to take one of my items my grandparent made me I will take the bible cover with me. The  bible cover mean so much to me than the other two items because it will let me know and remind me that God is always with me no matter what battle I may be in he is in the midst. I will hold this bible cove deep and dearly to my heart. Overall this was a vital topic and I am so glad to be able to shares with Dr. Parrish and my classmates. This assignment have really open my mind how little things can be yet so meaningful to a person and their family culture life.

Have a wonderful week Dr.Parrish and Everyone!

Blog: My Family Culture

Temika McCann

The reason I chose these three items is because my granddaddy and grandmother made these items by hand. She and my grandfather took turn making these items my granddaddy was 76 years of age and my grandmother was 73 when they made these items by hand they work as a team and that what made these items unique and valuable. I remember my grandparents just like it was yesterday. My mom shared with me as I got older  she told me that she made those items because they wanted my mom to share it with her children when we became a certain age to where we could really understand the meaning behind it. I thought that was amazing to know that. I really treasure these items and hold them deep to my heart.  The design in these items reflects the southern culture and I was astonished. And these items bring so many memories just as if they just gave it to me and my family yesterday. The reason I chose to take those items because religious has always been a first priority in my family culture. Just to know that my grandmother made a handmade bible cover is so thoughtful and something for me to cherished as I put my bible inside of it. I would take the blanket because every time, I cover up with it will remind me of my grandparents and how they cover up with it when I use to go visit them. Lastly I would bring with me my outfit. Our culture enjoyed making clothes and was very creative with the designs and I would cherished the outfit knowing that it was handmade makes it very meaningful to me. As I arrive at my destination if I had a chose to take one of my items my grandparent made me I will take the bible cover with me. The  bible cover mean so much to me than the other two items because it will let me know and remind me that God is always with me no matter what battle I may be in he is in the midst. I will hold this bible cove deep and dearly to my heart. Overall this was a vital topic and I am so glad to be able to shares with Dr. Parrish and my classmates. This assignment have really open my mind  and eyes an let me know not to despise the small things an how little things can be yet so meaningful to a person and their family culture life, I feel is awesome!