Competent Communication

     Someone that is competent as a communicator in my opinion would be my immediate supervisor. She has served as a Training/Curriculum Specialist, an educator in the classroom, and currently as an Administrator. The types of behaviors that she has exhibited during staff call meetings, trainings, and counseling staff have been as follows: she is very confident and knowledgeable regarding early childhood  development so when she trains others she stands tall and she is loud, her tone remains pleasant when she is being direct or consoling, she smiles and empathetic gestures with her face when needed, when she needs to get her point across her body language is stiff and her facial expressions read, "I mean business"- no smiling, eyebrows up, her eyes look as though she can see through you! She is a tall woman and when she becomes annoyed she wrinkles her nose on one side and stares directly in your face. She definitely commands your attention when she is speaking and this makes her effective. People adore her.
     I would like to model some communication behaviors after this person because people gravitate toward her in a manner that they do not gravitate toward me. People comment that they're first impression of me is that I look "mean" or "angry". I am not a tall person so when I speak to people most of the time I am looking upward them and I am loud. Maybe I am a little paranoid, because there are times when people look at me as if to say, "Who is this woman?" This annoys the heck out of me! People never mention that she appears  angry; ever! I want that too.
     I want to be approachable like she is where people feel comfortable speaking with me. I would like to have the same effect on people as she does, but I know I will have to practice, practice, practice!
    
    

Professional Hopes and Goals

     One hope that I have when I think about working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds is that they gain a wealth of knowledge from one another in an effort to communicate and appreciate what each culture has to contribute not only to the children but to our community as a whole.
     One goal I would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues if diversity, equity, and social justice would be to implement a program mandating ALL staff to participate in an initial training upon hire (just like CPR) that teaches diversity, equity, and social justice awareness. Annual required training in the form of workshops, college courses, or research that involves staff actually providing a presentation for their peers and open to families to participate as well. I believe this effort would possibly change the minds, stereotypes, and assumptions that people harbor as it relates to diversity.
     Finally, I would like to thank my wonderful colleagues for their encouraging and continued support during discussions and blog assignments in this course. Each of you provided useful information that I will implement into my work as it relates to building relationships with my staff, the children, and their families that I adore and respect.

Educationally.

Shelita

Welcoming Families From Around the World

     Welcoming a new child and their family from Ethiopia into my facility will be a pleasure and great experience for staff and children currently enrolled into the program.

     Five ways in which I will prepare myself to be culturally responsive towards this family will be to research and label everyday items in the classroom such as, (chair, door, restroom, etc.) in the primary language spoken in the home, religious beliefs that may be practiced here it may present a conflict as it relates to our policy practiced in the facility, provide pictures that are related to their country, etiquette practices regarding customs such as, "Across Genders-men should wait to see if a woman extends her hand, Greetings-should never be rushed, take time to inquire about the person's family, health, job, etc., or Only-use the right hand for eating" (Kwintessential). I would also attempt to learn one or two greetings in their primary language such as, "Welcome-Soo dhowow, Hello-Iska warran, and My name is...-Magacaygu waa..." (Kwintessential).

     My hope would be that these preparations will benefit my new family and myself by showing them the initiative taken to learn about their country and customs as to welcome them in their new environment. I am hopeful that they will have a positive experience once they have met my team and I, and will be open to share more with us. My goal will be to make the family as a whole feel comfortable, safe, and to think of their new surroundings as home.

     I will benefit by learning the customs of a country that I would not have researched had I not been given the opportunity by chance. I would feel joy knowing that my team and I put forth the effort to make a family feel at home in a new country.

 

Reference

 

www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/ethiopia.html



The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

     One memory that is fresh in my mind is in regards to bias against staff that share the same culture (Filipino). I recall a manager making a statement against the staff, commenting on their work ethic and their language (Tagalog). The statement was, "I can't stand them because they stick together, ask too many questions, complain about hours, and when they talk to each other; it gets under my skin!" The look on my face must have been that of disgust because she asked me if I was angry. My first thought was maybe they are displaying these things because of her bias feelings toward them and maybe they can feel that! In any event; I responded with attitude, anger, and conviction! I respect everything about the Filipino culture and contrary to her opinion, they are dependable employees. This was the first time I have heard such negative comments toward this culture, so to mention that I was surprised is an under statement.

     Equity was diminished instantly, because clearly respect and the manner in which this group of staff appears to irritate this manager, it is unlikely that she will be fair toward this group of staff.

     My immediate feelings were those of anger, disappointment, and disgust! Did I mention that she is African American...#confused. I believe that she was shocked after I responded to her comments and told her that I better not hear her say those words again or I would report her and encourage ALL staff to submit statements regarding their treatment in the work environment!

     The manager will have to change her attitude and misconceptions in regards to the staff that she is targeting and being bias against for the greater equity.