Communication Evauations

The one thing that surprised me about the others who evaluated me is that their score of my communication and listening skills were in sync with my own evaluations. I really was surprised that my listening evaluations rated me as people oriented. And the high rating of my communication skills as being something I do not need to worry about. I take this survey by others as positive reinforcement. My self-esteem in communication was average because I learned some excellent listening skills I needed to employ. I have responsibilities to the teachers and families where I work, and sometimes I have less time than work. Feeling hurried, I had the impressions I was rushing conversations to get to the facts so I could address them and move on. I am sure that is the case in my mind, and that would not promote effective listening skills. I will be working on my communication and listening skills continuously.

One thing I learned from the exercise in initial impressions, is that I should wait on facts before concluding my observations. This is an excellent tool to use when meeting children and their families, I have to allow room for shared communication, asking questions, sharing information about myself, and listening. I will never again be able to think my first impressions are facts.

The lesson reinforced this week was that perceptions can be bias. I like to think that I am a positive person looking for the best in others. Sadly, that statement is not always right, and I realize how it has impacted my vision. Perceptions are natural attributes we all have, but the ability to allow these perceptions to dominate our treatment of others is overzealous. I will try to temper my reliance on believing I know what is beyond my knowledge. I am motivated to improve my understanding of others before I believe what I see or think.

Cultural Diversity in Motion

The past week in my work environment, I discovered people from across the country, and the world makes up part of the families, and college students. One student that is from Nigeria has developed her English skills from a couple months ago when I could barely understand her,to smiling asking questions and relating to me how she is doing. I found that my helping her get a background enabled her to start her classes in Early Childhood Care and she is very happy. When I first met her she was looking for childcare, and I did not have any grants available to help, but I tried. And she was treating me like a long-lost friend when I saw her in passing. The encounter made me realize that I made an impact by being patient two months ago, by listening carefully, we were able to communicate. Sometimes in the rush of accomplishments, when obstacles in communication arise it is easy to dismiss a person. I think in this instance I listen effectively, however, I am mindful that is not always the case. Because,:" Effective listening is a way of showing concern for subordinates, and that fosters cohesive bonds...."(Williams,n.d.).

 I am listening to communication as a person who genuinely cares, and this has benefited me, with a better understanding of what is being said, and what is not. A parent told me she took her child to the doctor because he had the flu. The day she brought her child back to school the director asked for the doctor's excuse, and the parent said she could not afford to take him to the hospital and did not have one. This parent was critical of the letter she received for unexcused absences, perhaps that is why she lied when I called to inquire about her son. The parent just moved from up north and I know her culture is different than Atlanta, and I will have to build a relationship with her that promotes trust. Beebe et al. (2011) advice was to become other-oriented, a process that will help me to treat others as they want to be treated. That is why I ran the conversation back through my mind when I called, I will be mindful to concentrate on finding out how she wants to be treated. It is possible that I did not give her a chance, or make her feel comfortable telling me of her financial situation. I would like to relate to her some resources available that might be of help for medical care if her child is in need. But I will learn about her worldview, ask some questions for clarification, and be willing to adjust my behavior to accept what is important to this parent(Beebe et al., 2011).

Learning About Communication

I watched a movie called “Panic in the Streets” staring Richard Widmark, Paul Johnson, and Jack Parlance. This movie was made in 1950, years before I was born in black and white and it started off with a little murder. But my impression were the police was apparently looking for the killer, and I thought perhaps the killer was in the armed services because Richard Widmark was in a uniform and in most of the scenes. Later when I listened to the movie I found out that Richard Widmark was a doctor and he was looking for the man who was a carrier of the Bubonic Plague. Without a doubt the movie was better with sound, I have watched silent movies but they would have a few words to tell what was happening. Without the sound I had to presume the characters roles and imagine the plot. The lesson I learned from this exercise and reading this week is that I could have heard and watched the whole movie and still not understand or recall what it was about.  According to O’Hair, Wiemann, Mullin, & Teven (2015), there are three parts to listening, sorting out what you hear and see, and   comprehending enough to give feedback(p.152).  I have listened to people without hearing them before, other things were on my mind, or my mind drifted aimlessly. After learning the importance of listening to children their families, and my colleagues I have changed my lackadaisical attitude of skip listening. Which is listening to some and skipping over the rest, I had to change that so I could communicate with understanding and respect. According to O’Hair, Friedrich,& Dixon (2011), the name for playing at listening is called “pseudolistening’ and it can be highly dangerous depending on your career. It was tragic to read of the 911 call which lead to death because of poor listening skills. This week’s insights have led me to realize that I need to listen carefully as if my life depended on it, indeed it could be someone else’s life.

A Competent Communicator

I think my Pastor is a great communicator because he is speaking from knowledge. It shows when

he speaks that he has done research on his topic. He knows the dynamics of the era, the location, and

the culture of the people. He also invites the listener to research his findings by directing you to the

texts his research contained. I am convinced of what he is saying because he uses the Bible to

interpret the Bible. Seldom does he speak on what he thinks; instead, he gives different places to

compare where more understanding can be accomplished.  I have heard lots of preachers during my

lifetime, some shout incoherently, others espoused their own beliefs as scripture. But I have to say

this man communicates with passion, never condemnation, with explanations, never demands. And

those qualities put him above the rest in my opinion. I would love to speak on a subject that I have

thoroughly researched and it flows out with no hesitation because I believe what I am saying.

Confidence comes from knowledge, and that is what the Pastor exhibits that I would emulate.

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

My one hope is that families of diverse backgrounds will sense my genuine desire to know what is essential to their family, their beliefs, and dreams for their children. I want to develop relationships that breed friendships and honesty by being honest. Derman-Sparks & Edwards (2010) both agreed that:” Ensuring that every family feels welcome and comfortable creates a crucial foundation for mutually respectful relationships” (p.37). The understanding developed from this course impressed me that all children and their families are diverse. Each family and their children have a unique culture which is distinct and demands respect from me.

My goal for the issues in ECE in diversity, equity, and social justice is to accept and respect the differences of my colleagues, children, and their families. I will be alert for opportunities to encourage and stand up for any who cannot stand for themselves. I hope to be a voice ushering social justice in the classroom, and into the future of early childhood. Derman-Sparks & Edwards (2010) explained that:” Anti-bias education work in early childhood is shaped by a deep-seated belief in the importance of justice, the dream of each child being able to achieve all he or she is capable of…” (p.9). Every parent has a desire to see their children succeed, and I want to be a part of helping them achieve their ambition.

To all my Colleagues,
Thank you for sharing your stories, your dreams, your challenges, and triumphs, they inspired me. "Perspectives on Diversity and Equity" has been a hard course where we were called to remember and share our hurts, and disappointments. This course forced some of us to realize we were products of internalized privilege or internalized oppression. However, we became aware with the knowledge giving us the power to change bias, accept diversity, and to stand up for social justice. I pray that we all learn and grow from all we have discovered

Welcoming Families from Around the World

 The family's country of origin is Argentina. And I have no previous knowledge of the country. First thing I would do is to research the country, find out their language, climate, history, education, transportation, of the rural, and suburbs. Next, I would find out exactly where this new family originated in Australia and all the same facts about it that I learned about the country itself. Hopefully, I can find a translator if they do not speak English, who would know their dialect. I would be interested in the foods they eat, the clothing, their holidays, and their religion. I would learn some simple words of greeting in their language, maybe more if time permitted it. I would get some books in their primary language, and some with translations. I would have the school's handbook printed in their language, information about the school, as well as a personal note of greeting from me.

My goal for this surface preparation is to make them family feel valued. To show respect for their culture, and to show we are willing and able to converse in their language. While researching their country I would learn a lot about their history, and how their education system works, what foods are a part of their diet, what they might like to drink. And everything I learn will help me to build a relationship with this new family and their child(ren). If I show enough care and concern to take the time out to find out these things, perhaps it will show the family that I genuinely would like to learn all they are willing to share with me.

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

Walter Scott, 50 years of age was shot in the back and killed. Antwon Rose 17 years of age was shot from behind and killed. Daniel Hambrick 25 years of age was shot from behind and killed. All three were shot by Police Officers who are sworn to uphold the law and protect citizens.

These incidents show a specific bias that killing Black men, young and old is still happening after all the ones who were lynched and outright killed for no reasons other than being Black, even in the 21^st century. Equity means impartiality, fair play, justice, and there is none when shooting a man from behind.

These ongoing incidents break my heart that life can be cut short so quickly by Police Officers when no violent crime has been committed. Black men are killing each other, and killing White men, and all of it is wrong. But I expect criminals to commit inhumane acts, but not the ones who are charged to protect. I feel like we are living in a mad, mad world, where love is “waxing cold.” These incidents bring to mind the innocent black men who were beaten to death, lynched because they looked in the wrong direction, or were in the wrong place.

The only thing that can change these incidents into opportunities for doing good is the changing of hearts.  For the Police Officers, the Black and White men to value life. To realize that each person has someone who loves them and hopes for them to become the best they can be in their life. People need to acknowledge that taking someone life who is not trying to take your life or someone else life is a crime and a sin. Like I said a change of heart is the only solution to this ongoing travesty.

In July 2018, a White man at a wedding was shot and killed by a Black teenager who was trying to rob him. This teenager did not value life; there was hate or indifference in his heart. The family is devastated, as am, I. Wrong has no color of skin, we have a nation with a lot of sick hearts. We have to find a way to overcome the desensitized minds capable of killing. All life matters!