What I Have Learned

The one hope I plan to establish in working with children and their parents, and community of “Diverse” backgrounds is to, first build a strong and respectable relationship with each one, design an environment with diverse perspectives which, will allow each child to achieve cultural competence, encourage a sense of wellbeing for all by removing stereotypical materials, and create learning activities from diverse cultures.

 The one goal I would like to set for the “Early Childhood “field related to issues of Diversity, Equity, and Social Justice is to plan a curriculum which, includes all children’s cultural and social background. In doing this it will allow them to participate as a whole in the classroom. Also, having activities such as; art, imitative   play children are able to see themselves through diversity and can acknowledge their different life experiences

 Although, I may not have posted in a timely manner I appreciate each Colleague whom took their time out to read my “Discussions and Blogs”. I enjoyed each of you and wish each must success. Dr. Dartt, I just can’t say thank you enough for working diligently with me.  I gone through many illness but, my goal is to continue to thieve on and don’t give up.

 

 

SEEING DIVERSITY

THROUGH THE RAINBOW

 

As I sit here pondering

I see various colors of the rainbow

And in this rainbow are people which, make up different nationalities (Asians, African Americans, Cacausians, Hispanics, Lantion’s and Mexicans). Although; there maybe other kinds of “DIVERSITIY that, I’m not aware of; but we must all learn how to love, respect, and be loyal to one another.

In this rainbow one should learn to understand we are, not “Superior” over each other but, we are “Equal” in our “Fathers” eyes.

Once this has been conquered, we can all learn to live in Harmony, have Happiness, and Peace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WE DON’T SAY THOSE WORDS

I can recall my very day “Subbing” a six grade class at my son’s School. His school had 2 six grade class rooms and truly, I didn’t realize this was his classroom. The only thing that came across my mind none of his classmates knew I was his mother and hope he would not call me mommy. As the children enter into the room I greeted them one by one and told them, I was their teacher until next week. I notice my child had not arrive and another little boy to class.

          The boys told me down in the restroom with another child playing with a basketball. I ask the aide in the class to keep an eye on them while I go check. My son was in the restroom playing with another little boy bouncing a basketball. I overheard my son tell the other child “You can go to class I’m going to be late because; they going to let an old lady come teach us and she ugly and fat. Now his little friend is just laughing and laughing calling him crazy.

 Then my son goes on to say, “Maybe I could go to the office and play sick”? That was just enough for my ears to hear. I went into the restroom and he was very much startled. He said what you doing at my school”? I replied getting ready to take some business in a classroom but, my question is what are you doing in the restroom? He said, “Nothing” and that’s where I reminded him the entire conversation I overheard him say about his “Substitute Teacher”. I told him those words you used to describe the teacher that’s taking your “Homeroom Teacher” place were very inappropriate and when you get down to your class you need to first apologize to your classmates for coming in class late and then apologize to the Teacher that is taking your “Homeroom teachers” place.

 Then I reminded him this conversation is absolutely by all means No way over, and we will defiantly continue it at home. The only thing my son really concern about was he getting ready to be on punishment for what I heard him say. I then told him and his friend to get them together and go to class. I left out from talking to him and the 2 of; they came down the hallway to class about 3 mins later. When he arrives and opens the door I was writing at on board as.

 He could not do anything but, stare at me, apologize to his classmates as I suggested and then came close – up to apologize to me, gave me a big hug and during Art made me a which I still have in frame, and at the end of, the day and class was over his friends kept saying why are you still sitting in your seat and the bell rang he replied “I’m waiting on my mom so, I can carry her bags”. I then told the ones that were waiting for him “Yes I’m his Mammie”.

Gender, Gender Identity, and Sexual Orientation

 

How you would respond to a parent/f, family member who informed you they did not want anyone who is perceived (or self-reported) homosexual or transgender to be caring for, educating, and/or interacting with their child.

Firstly, I would have a PTA Meeting to announce the teachers, who will be over the classrooms also, would share some insights on the teachers and allow parents to greet and meet them. During my announcement if, any parent had a question or concern about his / her teacher sexuality I would address it by saying, the teacher has an excellent background check, came high recommended to our facility and poses no threat to your child / children. The teachers here are willing to help each child become “Lifelong Learners” in order to be productive in society.

Any other related situations, thoughts, concerns, questions, and/or areas of discomfort you would like to share related to children, gender, and sexual orientation.

I was in the grocery store about a month ago, and there was a baby in the grocery cart. I notice how customers would walk by and ask another person is “That a little boy or girl”.  This all came about because; the child had both of their ears pierce and hair was braided all over. All they were doing was stereotyping the women’s child instead of, saying to this person your baby looks very nice or just simply saying is that a boy or girl. My question I would like to pose is why people are so fast to stereotype others? I understand this has been going on for quite a while but, it needs to truly stop.

 

TO MY COLLEAGUES AND DR. SHEPHARD

 

Firstly, I would to give thanks to Dr. Shephard for working diligently with me, as I engaged in meeting the goals in the class. What I truly, admire about Dr. Shephard was, she didn’t give up on me, we stayed in constant contact, and not one time did she mention dropping me, from her class, and I thank you from the bottom of my HEART. Colleagues, I want you to no, these 8 weeks haven’t been easy for me but, I give Glory to God for allowing me to interact with each one of, you whether it was on the “Blog or Discussion Board” reading the postings, and sharing the comments.

The suggestions you gave lead to me being a better “Competent Communicator, and doing the last 8 weeks I was able to use “Collaborative Skills with a new team of doctors. Again I thank each one of, you for your prayers. I pray each one’s success as, we move towards our “Specializations. My “Specialization” is How Adults Learn, and I hope to meet you again on August 27, 2015 and if, not I wish each one the best in their endives.

If, anyone would like to stay in contact with me, the best way is by emailing me at:

Lawana.edwards@waldenu.edu

ADJOURING

The groups I’ve had the opportunity to work on were my Church, Block Club in the community, and working on a group project while taking courses in my Bachelor’s semester. I can admit out of, those 3 groups which, I was an active member the hardest one to say good –bye to was the group project I was working on with 6 colleagues and it ended up with only 2 young men and myself. The 2 young men were older than me, and treated me as though I was their sister. We would communicate on the phone every Wednesday and I would do three to put all of us on the phone.

Also, we three agreed before discussing our project that, we would begin with a short prayer which I lead and prayed before hanging up the phone with them. Although, there were times we disagreed but, came to a medium and kept on with our project. I always say, one has to disagree to agree some times. I haven’t work on any project in my Master’s Program. The only thing thus so far is doing the last 8 weeks of our Master’s course is to write an appreciation to our colleagues in the blog to state how we appreciate one another.

Adjourning is an essential part for me because; it gives me a chance to view all the accomplishments and goals I’ve made from my Bachelor’s Degree 2014 to receiving my Master’s Degree in 2016 which, I set out to do.

I would like to say although; at times it’s been sort of tense at times but, we all  hung in there to graduate, and I will be able to meet my colleagues which, I had the pleasure of, interacting with during discussions and blogging.

 

MANAGING CONFLICTS

Today I found myself having a “Disagreement” with my husband on where, I

would like to eat. As I stated to Tracie in her blog this happens to be an ongoing

situation due to he wants to take me out for breakfast, lunch and dinner due to I’ve

been in the hospital for 3 weeks, and he knows I want some real FOOD. He never

choose where to eat because if, the food tastes bad it would end up being my fault

due to I choose the restaurant. So, this allows to us disagreeing with one another

I’m beginning to think why go bother to go out to eat and his happens all the time.

I work on how to handle Conflicts and Disagreements. Below are a few tips.

Handling Conflicts one must: Listen for what is felt as well as said. ...

·        Make conflict resolution the priority rather than winning or "being right."

·        Focus on the present. ...

·        Pick your battles. ...

·        Be willing to forgive. ...

·        Know when to let something go.

·        maintain professionalism

·        We've all heard the old saying about "disagreeing without being disagreeable"

·        5: Recognize and avoid "straw man" arguments

·        Watch what you say