Competent Communication

            In thinking of someone who demonstrates competent communication, I immediately thought of a professor I had during my undergraduate studies at Central Michigan University. Her name is Dr. Holly Hoffman, and she taught my Introduction to Special Education class. Before this class, I knew very little about Special Education. Dr. Hoffman taught with such knowledge, excitement, creativity, and understanding, and this created a wonderful collaborative learning environment. Even in the great big lecture hall, she made it seem like we were in a small classroom. She would walk up and down the aisles as she spoke, instead of just standing at the front. I learned so much in that class and felt so much more comfortable with special education terminology and issues afterwards. 

            I would definitely model communication behaviors after Dr. Hoffman. I hope in speaking to my young kindergarteners that I convey information in an exciting manner that makes them eager to learn. I also hope that they look forward to coming to school and being in my classroom, and feel special the way Dr. Hoffman made each of her students feel. 

ONE HOPE: When working with children and families from diverse backgrounds, one hope that I have is that they are able to attain any help needed when acclimating to the school environment. A lot of times, to a diverse family, starting school can be even more daunting especially if they come from a different area or country, or speak a different language. My hope is that the school system and teachers are aware and have a plan in place to help these families adjust as comfortably as possible.

ONE GOAL: A goal I would like to see every school system and staff member have when it comes to diversity, equity, and social justice, is to have the children’s best interest in mind and in heart. A lot of times I have seen teachers and other staff members get away from what is in the best interest of the child, and instead think in a way of “what is best for me, or what is easiest.” This is wrong on so many levels, and is heartbreaking to see. If we do not advocate for the children, who will?

I would like to thank my wonderful colleagues for a GREAT 8 weeks!! We discussed some difficult topics, and shared some personal stories, but I felt comfortable talking to each and every one of you. I wish you the best of luck in your continued education and also in the fast approaching school year!!! THANK YOU J

Welcoming Families from Around the World

1) My family’s country of origin: Hungary

2) Five ways I will prepare myself to be culturally responsive to this family:

-         Learn Hungarian words and sayings to make my student and family feel     welcome.

-         Incorporate books with a multicultural theme, including books from or about Hungary

-         Learn and teach a native Hungarian children’s song or rhyme

-         Play native Hungarian games like Hungarian hopscotch

-         Play Hungarian music

I hope that these ideas and activities will not only make this new family feel welcome, but also prepare myself and my students by introducing bits of the Hungarian culture into our classroom. Ultimately, the comfort of my new student is key, and I want school to be a place that they feel excited coming to and sharing their culture and ideas openly.



The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

An example of a time that I saw prejudice was when watching the TV show Big Brother. Some of you may have heard about this instance, as it has been talked about since happening. One of the contestants made a comment to an Asian housemate and said, “why don’t you go and cook some rice.” I could not believe that this comment was made, but it shows us that prejudice is still very much a part of our society today.

This comment diminished equity because it is a nationally televised show, associated with a specific TV broadcasting channel. CBS had no idea that comments like these would be made, and after they were, they quickly put up a disclaimer at the beginning of the show. This disclaimer made it clear that in no way were the comments made by houseguests in affiliation with CBS or its employees.

In watching this incident, I felt sad. Not only did I feel sad for the people the comments would affect, but I also felt sad for the person who made such comments. It is obvious that they are a close-minded individual, and most likely have not been educated in diversity or other cultures.

While this was a horrible incident, the positive is that it can be turned into an opportunity for educating people on differences, and how making these types of comments can be very hurtful.

This week, I learned about microaggressions and how they can affect people. In the video, Dr. Sue explains microaggressions to be brief everyday indignities that are verbal, environmental, or behavioral. They are communicated intentionally or unintentionally, and contain an insulting message that causes physical stress or harm (Laureate Education, 2011).

A personal experience I have had with microaggression had to deal with my gender. I was in my early teens, and have grown up with an extended family full of boys and uncles who LOVE to hunt. Just because I was a girl, didn’t mean I was excused from the woods, so I would go out with them and build blinds, bait, and even hunt with my own bow and arrow. I remember as a writing assignment in middle school, I wrote about hunting with my cousins. One of the boys I sat next to said to me “I bet you’ve never shot anything in your life.” He was implying that because I was a girl, and not that many girls hunt, that I was no good at it. It really hurt my feelings, and I remember that moment to this day.

Before this class, I knew that discrimination, prejudice, and stereotypes were wrong, but unfortunately were also things still prevalent in today’s society. The effects of these things can be very hurtful to those who are the target, and even to those who are not the target, but perceive them to be wrong. I myself am very saddened that we still have these issues today. The key is education, and we need to do a better job of not just learning ourselves, but teaching others just how important these differences are. In learning about microaggressions this week, I will definitely be more mindful as I believe I have most likely unintentionally been part of a microaggression at some point in my life.

Reference

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2011). Microaggressions in Everyday

Life [Video webcast]. EDUC- 6164-8, Diversity & Equity. (Course Media). Baltimore, MD: Author

1) Jennifer: Friend, 29 years old

Definition of Culture: A group of people that share the same ways of thinking, traditions, lifestyles, religion, and beliefs.

Definition of Diversity: A separation of individuals based on race, language, culture, etc.

2) Pat, Mom, 56 years old

Definition of Culture: The way that a group of people have the same beliefs, look at things the same way, and deal with things the same way.

Definition of Diversity: The ways people are different: race, age, gender, religion, etc.

3) Tom, Dad, 58 years old

Definition of Culture: The backbone of society.

Definition of Diversity: Melting pot, everyone is different

4) Leslie, Friend, 28 years old

Definition of Culture: People’s perception and behavior based on the ways that they are raised, and the environment that they live in.

Definition of Diversity: People of different cultures working together.

Both surface and deep cultural aspects were given in response to the questions, such as religion, traditions, beliefs, etc. Things that were omitted were self-identities, such as political standpoint, sexual preference, career, etc.

In starting out, all four of the people I interviewed had a hard time starting to answer the question. They all paused and said umm……and some even laughed because they were having trouble putting their thoughts together. This is kind of how I felt before starting this class. I had ideas about culture and diversity, but they were hard to put into words. These past weeks and assignments have really helped me to gain a deeper understanding of culture and diversity.

A major catastrophe has almost completely devastated the infrastructure of your country. The emergency government has decided that the surviving citizens will be best served if they are evacuated to other countries willing to take refugees. You and your immediate family are among the survivors of this catastrophic event. However, you have absolutely no input into the final destination or in any other evacuation details. You are told that your host country’s culture is completely different from your own, and that you might have to stay there permanently. You are further told that, in addition to one change of clothes, you can only take 3 small items with you. You decide to take three items that you hold dear and that represent your family culture.

This is the scenario I was presented this week. While this is certainly a dire circumstance, I am happy to be alive and able to travel to a different country where I can survive.

The three items I would bring along with me would be; a photo album, an owl figurine, and my pets. I would bring a photo album with me because it holds many memories of family and friends, good times, and happiness. It would allow me to show those in my new country where I came from and what I represent. Family is the most important thing to me, and I think that is a universal feeling that most people can understand. I would also choose to bring an owl figurine because it represents my Grandmother. Her and I were very close, and she passed away when I was 13 years old. She collected owls and had them everywhere! I was fortunate enough to be able to keep most of them when she passed and they help me to remember her and how much she meant to me. This is kind of like bringing the photo album, just another way to show who is most special to me. The last thing I would bring is my pets, I could never imagine leaving them or living without them. They are pretty much an extension of my family, and are just as important.

If I was told, upon arrival, that I could only keep one of these items I would feel terribly sad and torn. All three of these things mean so much to me. In the end, I would choose to give up the photo album and owl, and keep my pets. I would choose this path because the photo album and owl are inanimate objects that I can keep alive in my memories, my pets are living things that need me just as much as I need them.

This was a very hard exercise! There are so many things that mean so much to me and represent who I am. I could not imagine the feelings people have after loosing everything in a terrible disaster.