Welcoming Families From Around the World

Scenario

My name is Tracy Halverson and I am working as a preschool teacher in my community of Salt Lake City, Utah.  I have just been informed that a young child who has emigrated from Sweden will be enrolling into my classroom.

There are many things to prepare for before the child enters the classroom.

I think that I would do a little research about the culture of Sweden so that I would know a little if and when this family decides to share information

I need to create a relationship with the family so that they can trust me to share information that is needed.  This doesn’t mean drilling a million questions.  I feel that treating these people how I would like to be treated would be a great way to get to know the family

I would need to find out if the child has sensitivity to any foods or medicines.

I would need to find out how old and how many bothers and sisters if any.  Who is the caretaker (s). 

Does the family have a home language or do they speak English

One last thing to get started is to educated the family in what the culture is where they are entering.

I feel that exchanging this information will make for a smooth transition.

Preparing and knowing a little information before you meet the family will help you understand a bit more of where the family is coming from.  However, everyone will be different.  Preparing to create relationship naturally is a positive way to welcome any one into a new classroom.  It will take more than one meeting, however, all of these preparations will make for a smooth entry.  It will be most interesting to find out where this child is from so that we can all learn from him as well

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

What memory do you have of an incident when you experienced bias, prejudice, and/or oppression, or witnessed someone else as the target of bias, prejudice, and/or oppression?

I have a couple of incidences that come to my mind. One of the first one that was a target of bias or oppression or even prejudice was a young child in the same grade as me.  He had dark skin and was kind of chubby and did not dress like others.  I remember he was always leaving when we said the pledge of allegiance.  I always wondered why.  Back in my day sometimes it was not smart to ask questions, especially of this type.  I noticed through the year(s), he was excluded from the celebrations and he had to go the library or sit tin the hall and do some sort of worksheet. I finally got brave and asked, (it took until sixth grade), that it was because of his religion.

In what way(s) did the specific bias, prejudice and/or oppression in that incident diminish equity?

I really thing that there was no equity at all.  He was singled out of the whole school.  This child was the only one who was singled out this way.  There was not one way that he could participate.  There were not previsions made to meet his needs. I remember the teachers saying, “well it is his choice, we cannot do anything about it!” I know that by the time this child was 16 years old he was robbing and using drugs.  I believe that he was in prison as well.

What feelings did this incident bring up for you?

There is much that comes up for me.  It comes down to that we will never make everyone happy. However, in the 21sr century we should be more educated on what to do.  I know that it bothers me in my program that we cannot celebrate holidays and we cannot learn the pledge of allegiance among many other cultural events. 

What do we do with a situation like this little boy?  He has really known idea other than what his parent taught him.  I know it made me feel bad. I felt powerless myself because of some of the things that happened to me. Plus I those days you did not ask questions.

What and/or who would have to change in order to turn this incident into an opportunity for greater equity?

Well definitely I feel that the teacher, actually the whole school administration. By getting to know there students they would have known that this young person was not able to participate in all these activities and maybe planned something different for the day. I feel that the individual teachers can be sensitive to this belief. As for the pledge of allegiance, I am not sure.  I feel that I am being prejudiced against because I cannot share this simple poem that was written for the flag and our country.

As educators we have to be aware of everyone’s special need.  Early childhood is an essential. Habits, feelings and outlook are structured in these early years. Once again I believe we need to form the relationship with the parent and find out what their needs and wants are and really work around what they tell us.  Therefore, it seems that there would be a win/win.

Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

After reading all the materials this week and reading the different posts in the discussion forum this week has brought a higher awareness for me.  I really thought that I was more aware of prejudice, discrimination, and /or stereotypes with people.

As I went through the week reflecting and observing other’s along with myself, I have come to the conclusion that a the human race most of us do not think before we talk and laugh at things that shouldn’t be laughed out.  I found that some just shrug words and actions off.  Deep inside I know that they are hurt and scared. 

It is important that I look at the person as a person first and as I create the relationship, learn about their culture and race and/or ethnicity. I feel that this is going to make me aware of not discriminating and stereotyping.  These Microaggressions are so prominent around me. 

Working in the restaurant industry as a server there is much microaggression happing.  I am so much more aware of it after this week.  As humans, it seems that we just go along with everything without thinking if it doesn’t affect us. 

Working as a teacher in Headstart there is much diversity.  I came across several microagressions this week and am ashamed to say that this was my aide in my class.  We were on home visits and visited a home that was of Brazilian decent.  We had a nice visit with Mom and Child.  She was speaking clear English and we were communicating about what was happening with her child.  When we left we were going out to the car and my aide began to speak about, “Well those people think that they are entitled to everything.  They get their Headstart for free and all the services and they do not even appreciate what they get!”  I said, “Why would you say that”?  She just answered, “Well it is true!”  This really made me start to think how I can talk to her about this.  It is not all right to treat people this way.

I was on Facebook the other day and I saw a demonstration about how bullying and words and different actions can scar a person forever. The demonstration went something like this:  Have children or adults crumple up a piece of paper.  Then have them try to smooth it out. They will find that it will never smooth out, they will see that there will be creases and wrinkles forever.  This works with people as well.  Think before we talk.