Competent Communication

I can say I truly admire people that have strong communication skills.  That is not one of my strengths. However, I hope as I continue in this class that I will become more efficient.

The people that I admire are:

Bishop T. D. Jakes-Founder and senior pastor of the Potter's House a non-domination church in Texas. One of the issues that I have with certain ministers, which is the reason why I am not receptive to their message, is because they don’t teach me.  They "preach" the word but I am not able to understand what the message is.  There have been incidents while in church I watch people reactions to the sermon and I know they did not learn anything from it.  Instead they get caught up in the hype and the music and for that moment they are spiritual.   As I watch The Potter’s House, I am able to understand what he is talking about and I believe I learn from his sermons. He is a great public speaker because he is confident, animated and uses real life situations to explain his messages.

Afaa Michael Weaver -author, poet and professor. I met Professor Weaver at Rutgers University he was my Afro-American Literature professor.  I remember loving his class.  He exposed us to so much history and literature that we did not know exists.  He had a strong presence in his class.  You knew he was in total control.  He never raised his voice but was stern. However, he was a great listener.  He always asked us for our opinions and he offered great feedback. His feedback was never negative instead it was guiding to get you to think in a different way.  I remembered an assignment in which we had to read the Invisible Man, for whatever reasons I was unable to understand the significance of the yams.  Years later after I graduated from college, I found him online and asked him to explain the answer to me. He did it with no problem.  I was happy that he cared.  I also attended one of his poetry readings in Philadelphia, it was amazing.  Besides being my first poetry reading, he listened to people opinions about his book. He gained my respect by the way he respected us as students.

Mr. Earl Kights-My former 6th grade teacher, current friend and mentor.  When I was a student in his 6^th grade class I could not stand him.  He was strict, sometimes rude and very boisterous.  However, he was an excellent teacher and he made sure when his students left his class they were above and beyond ready to move on. Maybe his personality is the reason why he taught the top classes.  Our friendship developed by him understanding why I was having difficulties in school.  He found out, from some other source that my mother had passed away the year before I entered his class. I was going through an emotional turmoil and I took my bent up feelings out on anybody and everybody. At that time I was very difficult to handle.  It seems strange now but he was able to get me to open up about my feelings of losing my mom by making me complete the obituary section on a class newspaper. 

From that point on we developed a relationship in which I can depend on him for anything.  He respects me as his daughter.  He is one of the best communicators I know because he listens.  I know there have been several incidences that he could have judge me poorly on.  However, he has always let me learn from my mistakes and when he offer advice or opinions I listen because I know he is speaking from his heart and he has my best interests.  A few years ago, he gave me advice on a situation that I was going through.  He told me to stop making excuses for someone’s behavior. I was shock because I didn’t know that I was doing that.  Just from those few simple words made me change how I viewed the situation and I was able to make the needed changes.

I would love to model some of my communication behaviors after each of these individuals.   Each one demonstrates the confidence of knowing what they are talking about and are not afraid to express their opinions and two are great listeners and offer influential feedback.  One is good at using nonverbal communication and vigor to get their message across.

If you would like to read more about Professor Weaver you can visit his website http://www.afaamweaver.com/

If you would like to view any of Bishop T. D. Jakes sermons you can visit his website http://www.tdjakes.org/bishoptdjakes.html or look him up on you tube. 

Professional Hopes and Goals

I hope that as I continue my journey in education that I remember the lessons learned in this class.  I hope that I will always make the children and their families feel comfortable and do my best to make the needed accommodations to include them as an important factor in my classroom. I hope that I will remember to be aware of the effects that negativity can have, to be mindful of what I say and may imply.

One goal that I would like to set for the field of early childhood is to continue to be an advocate for the children and their families that are unable to speak up for themselves.  Especially in urban impoverished areas there need to be more advocates for the necessity of quality early childhood education.

At this time I would like to take this opportunity to offer a great “Thank You” to all of my colleagues/classmates that offered their opinions, and left statements to my blog as well as to our class discussions.    It has been a challenge to open up and let people have a glimpse into my world.  However, it has been an enlightening experience that I am glad that I have shared with you. I would encourage all of us to continue to make strives into the world of early childhood education.   I hope to “see” you all in future courses.

Welcoming Families From Around the World

My family Country of origin is Vietnam.

The ways that I would prepare myself to be culturally responsive are:

For the children

• The classroom would be labeled with English and Vietnamese translations with pictures.
• I would have children books that are written in Vietnamese.
• I would learn some Vietnamese words and phrases so that I can communicate.
• I would have music, costumes and other items that represent their culture.
• I would ask the parents and others Vietnamese persons to visit the classroom and share different aspects about their culture.
• I would learn about the different roles that children have in their culture.

For the parents:

• All flyers and other forms of communications would be done in dual languages.
• I would ask the family who they would like for me to communicate with.  Also what are their religious beliefs and what holidays do they observe. If I am unfamiliar with the holiday I would learn more about it and respect that the children may not attend school around certain events.
• If the family does not speak English I would have an interpreter.
• I would read about their culture and ask someone who is Vietnamese prior to the parent’s visit, to give me information about their culture so that I would not be disrespectful.
• I would research what community activities and /or resources are available for the family.
• I would ask them what their expectations of their children are and what is expected of me.

I hope that all the preparations will enable the Vietnamese children and families to feel comfortable and confident that I will be doing my best to educate and incorporate their child within the classroom.   In the process the children and I will be learning more about each other cultures and can celebrate the differences that we have.

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice and Oppression

For this assignment I was brought back to the memories of my childhood watching Saturday morning cartoons and other syndicate shows that used to feature segments portraying different stereotypes of African Americans.  I used to see these images and not understand the role that they played in that time area.  I remember watching The Bugs Bunny Show, Tom and Jerry and All In the Family and laughing when jokes  and other stereotypes were demonstrated.  At that time, I did not identify with the significance the negative images had on the world.





The Bugs Bunny Show

    These images are from the Tom and Jerry Show.


  All In The Family.

I remember watching the original movie, In The Heat of The Night with Rod Steiger and Sidney Poitier.  In one scene they we going to question a White man that was a plantation owner about a murder that he may have been involved with.  When they arrived on the plantation there were black cotton pickers around the house.  Once they arrived at the main door, chief Gillipsee, Rod Steiger, rubbed the head of the black lawn jockey.  From what I understand when white people rubbed the head of the black lawn jockeys it was a symbol for good luck.  At the front door they were greeted by a black butler.   The butler escorted the men to the green house where the "Master" was located. Harsh words were exchanged about his whereabouts for the night in questioned.  The "Master" slapped Virgil Tibbs, Sidney Poitier,  in the face and to his dismay Virgil Tibbs, a Black man, slapped him back.  The "Master" questioned the police chief Gillipsee,  "what he was going to do about this?" and the chief said he didn't know what to do.  The "Master" made the comment that at one time he could have had this man hanged for doing something like that. This movie is a prime example of racism and discrimination. The word Nigger and Negro is constantly used. Virgil is harassed and questioned about his ability to do his job as a detective. In one famous line Virgil is called "Boy" and he responds "My name is Mr. Tibbs!"

In the beginning of this movie,  Virgil Tibbs, is the suspect of a murder because he is a new Black man in town. Even when the police department finds out that he is a detective from Philadelphia they still did not believe he had the same rights as the white citizens in Mississippi. He was still the target of violence.  In another scene he was chased into an empty factory warehouse by a gang of White men driving cars with the Confederate Flag for licence plates, they were going to teach him "a lesson".  The White men had chains and ropes and it was evident that they wanted to harm him or kill him.


This historic movie is a prime example of racism, discrimination, oppression, bias, and stereotypes.  In this movie the African Americans did not have equity. They were considered second class citizens and were still in deep poverty and segregation. Virgil, had to gain their respect by solving the case with little to no help from the local police department.

When I watched this movie it made me feel angry because the comments made were so blatant.  The symbols of African Americans were negative, the butler, maid, plantation workers, the store owner/abortionist, the black area of town, the images of shacks and poverty.  This movie was based on the disbelief that a Back man can be a detective. He was automatically accused of the murder, with no evidence against him except for the color of his skin. However, by the end of the movie, I believe that the police chief and other officers had a change of heart and respected Virgil Tibbs as a black man and as an experience  police detective.

In this movie, the whole perspective about African Americans would have to change in order to change the perspective of this movie. When you watch this movie you learn about the history of this country with regards to race, prejudice and discrimination.

Other movies that I considered for this assignment are Roots, Queen, Rosewood, Ruby Bridges, The Color Purple and Django Unchained, each of these movies show different aspects and time periods of oppression, discrimination and stereotypes of African Americans.

Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

Throughout this week I really tried to observe and listen to other people conversations to be a witness to microaggressions.  To my surprise I was a witness to two incidents.  In one scenario there was a dispute between two teachers.  One teacher was from the dominate culture and the teacher was of African descent.  Apparently, the lady of African descent was supposed to share information that was pertaining to the renewal of the teacher’s contract.  The information was due January 25.  The teacher of African descent did not inform the other teacher about the information.  The teacher from the dominate culture feelings were hurt because she was not aware of the information.  The teacher from the dominate culture said, "That is how her culture is, they are selfish and only look out for themselves." 

In the second scenario, another teacher who is of the apostolic faith was asked in private why does she have people, including the students, call her Sister.  They asked if she was a nun.  Also, she was asked does she have to wear a turban all of the time.  The teacher explained the nature of her religion and thought the experience was over with.  Within a year she was transferred to another school.  The rumor is the principal, a male, did not like that she practiced the Apostolic faith, wore a turban and she refused to call her Sister or have the staff including the parents and  the students call her Sister.

In the first scenario, I believe that the teacher of the dominate culture flew off the handle because she was scared of jeopardizing her job.  I believe she was scared of losing her job.  However this does not excuse the comment she made.  Her comment was a display of racial microaggression and she needs to be aware of how it sounded and the meaning behind what she said.  This situation might have been an oversight by the teacher of African descent.  For the other teacher to say that is how her culture is, is demeaning and because of her action that does not mean all people of African descent are like that. She stereotyped all people of African descent together.

In the second scenario, it is a clear representation of religion and gender microaggression.  The teacher was discriminated against because of her religion and because she was a woman.  The principal was showing power over the teacher by getting her transferred to another school.

From each person experience I realize that perception is everything but can also be wrong. It is important to really be mindful of the comments you make and the way you perceive other people actions. It is important to understand and recognize your own individual biases. The effects that microaggressions have on people can be intentionally devastating however; maybe it can cause people to learn more about each other.

Perspective on Diversity and Culture

For this assignment I decided to ask my fellow preschool teachers for their help.  The preschool team at my school is diverse and represents a range of nationalities from Africa, Puerto Rico and The United States.

Each of my coworkers gave their perspective on what defines culture.  Each focused on their beliefs that were passed down through generations.  One person did include in their definition of  culture to include school, work or church. Another teacher stated, "culture is ones beliefs about religion, politics etc.  How one is raised with the those beliefs to function productively in society."  From an early childhood perspective my co workers did mention that culture for children is learned from the people that they come in contact with.

My co worker that is from Sierra Leone, started to describe the differences she has seen between her culture and here in the United States.  She describes the work ethic and different "principles" as she has seen. She also describe the role as a woman in her culture.

My co worker that is from Puerto Rico started to compare the similarities between the her culture in Puerto Rico and Sierra Leone.  In my opinion, they sound very similar to hear in the United States.

The teachers did realize that we were only teaching the surface of culture.  That we were not teaching  in depth  about the children's culture. I believe that this is something that we as educators must learn about too.  At that time we planned on discussing what can we do to give the children a deeper understanding of another person culture.  

One co worker's definition of diversity is " A group of people that come together for a specific/ common goal.  The people come from different ethnic groups, beliefs, religions, social and economic status."

From this assignment I learned that as an early childhood educator we must learn to examine the deep culture of individuals to gain a better aspect of the way they function in society.  Also, to remember that children learn first from their immediate environment. It is our job to nurture the children and respect their family differences and also for us as to learn more about too.

My Family Culture

Three small items that I would take with me to represent my culture would be a picture of my mother, my bible, and my grandmother's wedding ring.

I would take a picture of my mother because I would never want to forget what she looks like, mainly her smile, and the values that she instilled in me. 

I would want to take my bible because I know that I would need it for strength, guidance, and because I have important information written inside of it.  Such as, my family history, articles and special scriptures that I have outlined.

Also, I would want to take my grandmother's wedding ring.  My grandparents mean a lot to me and they were married for over 50 years.  Her ring is the representation of their love. Their love would remind me of the wonderful memories that we shared. 

If I only were able to keep one thing it would have to be the picture of my mom.  Even though she has passed away over 30 years ago, her picture still reminds me of the unconditional love she gave me and I believe that as long as her picture is with me we are still together.  

This assignment actually became emotional for me at the end because I would not want to lose my mom picture.  I realize that I would never forget how much she loved me and seeing her smile makes me feel strong.