Professional Hopes and Goals

It is my hope to enable all children to value themselves,nurture each child's individuality, and to identify ways to help children and families when they are being discriminated.

One of my personal goals is to create an environment that welcomes all children and their families while establishing a home/school relationship that is beneficial for the student's academic success.

I would like to thank my collegues for their helpful input and encouraging words during this course. I wish you the best of luck as you take the next step in this program.

Welcoming Families From Around the World

This week I have been told I will be getting a new student in my classroom from France. I am very excited about this new addition. In order to prepare for the arrival of the new student and be culturally resposive toward the student and their family I will: (1) gather information about education in France (2) familiarize myself with common vocabulary from France and compare it to our vocabulary (3) educate the other students about games and sports in France (4) research and gather information about important holidays in France (5) distribute books and materials about France in the classroom. Once the student arrives, I will encourage their family to come into our classroom and share about their culture and traditions. We will take the opportunity to compare and contrast life in France verses life in America.

I am excited about this opportunity. This addition to the classroom is very beneficial to as well as the other students. I think the new student will feel accepted and welcome when seeing familiar materials distributed around the classroom pertaining to their country. Including the family will be important to the family as well as the child. I hope the new student will see that we are not only excited but also interested in their previous home and life style.

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

When thinking about an incident of witnessing a bias, prejudice, or oppression, a little girl within my school comes to mind. She is biracial and is being raised by two women who are living an alternative lifestyle. She is a precious little girl who is often made fun of because she is mixed and has two mothers. When she is questioned about her situation by other children, I feel very sad for her. When this happens, in my presence, I am able to rescue her by changing the subject or removing her from the scene. I think the more time teachers and others invest in her life and help build her self-esteem, she will flourish and become a very successful young lady.