Evaluation as a Communicator

For this week's blog assignment, I had my daughter and co-worker complete the three assessments on my communication skills. It was funny to find the similarities that we shared as I reviewed the results with the both of them. The test was conducted individually but the results were similar to each other. As I conducted my own evaluation, I tried to recall any opportunities where I portrayed the actions of the question. Then if I had not I would choose an option that was closely related to what I would do. When I asked my daughter how she conducted the evaluation, she expressed to me that she too tried to recall situations that she may have seen me to any of the actions the questions may have asked.  I then asked my co-worker for the reason she responded to the question and she bluntly replied: "I just answered the questions to the best of my ability". Afterward, we laugh so hard because she is not a detailed person, yet be able to explain her reasoning to well.

What surprised me the most is that I am perceived by my family and co-workers in a way that I also see myself. This was not the outcome that I was expecting to have. It feels good to know that people close to me know the type of communicator that I am and that it shows through my interaction with them. One new insight that I gained this week, Is how easy people are perceived by others without actually knowing them. Just as the professor shared her story on how the doctor was looked upon before she shared who he was,  let me know that our society is really bias and ignorant to things that are not of their normal life. In the near future, I would like to expand my knowledge on the variety of things, lifestyles, cultures, and events that occur in the world I live in today.

Applying Communication 

As I reflect on the changes of my communication skills, I would have to say that I have not changed the way I communicate as much as I would like. Thus far in the course, I have gained a deeper understanding of why it's important to communicate effectively in the ECE field. I am able to differentiate the way I communicate with, colleagues, families and in my personal life.  

To expand on my communication between colleagues, there are a few co- workers that I consider family. So with that being said, we have our own language that we speak amongst each other. my supervisor has encouraged us that although we have a bond that is strong amongst us, we have to remain in our role at all times.When I communicate with my families I make sure that I present a professional attitude but it can be hard to do at times. 

Three strategies that I will implement when communicating with my colleagues and families are professionalism at all times, maintain eye contact and apply the platinum rule. In doing so my biggest hope is improve my communication skills with my families especially to ensure that I am helping to fulfill the goals that set forth for their child. Prior to this week's resources, I would have never thought to consider the way others would do in the situation when communicating with them. Implementing these strategies will also allow me to communicate better with my assistant as well.

Communication and Relationships

I don't watch a lot of T.V shows, so this assignment, I viewed a movie I never seen. So I watched half of "Central Intelligence" starring Kevin Hart and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson without any sound. From watching the first half in silence, I think their relationship was based on memories. As the character Bob reaches out to Calvin you can tell that he was excited to meet up with him. They shared hugs and smiles during their first interaction. As the movie progress on the relationship seems to take a turn for the worst. They went from overly excited to seeing each other to not knowing who to trust anymore. 

Once I turned the sound back on my assumptions were true. I started the movie over from the beginning to gain a full understanding of the plot. Bob and Calvin went to school together during their high school days. Calvin had befriended Bob at a time that was the most embarrassing. It turns out Bob was CIA agent and needed Calvin's help to stop the sale of codes to a black market dealer.

I think viewers of familiar shows or movies are always on point with what to expect from the production. If I had watched this movie prior to this assignment, I believe it would have been easier to pinpoint the relationship between the two main characters. 

Effective Communicator

When I think of someone who I feel have effective communication skills, I would like to say my Education Coordinator. I choose her because she is very effective at ensuring that her staff is informed on all the important task of the program. We are constantly in staff meetings and training to improve our productivity in our class environments. She also relates to the role of the educator so she always finds creative ways to communicate with her staff and parents. She is a true example of what an effective communicator posses.

Hopes and Goals for ECE

In my continuous work with children and families, I hope to grow as an individual. One thing I enjoy about the early childhood field is the flexibility for those who work with children. Working with families from diverse backgrounds will allow me the opportunity to maintain a neutral understanding for the families I work with.  One goal for the early childhood field would be to educate those unfamiliar with diversity. Informing others about the importance of advocacy for young children and families will help the local and national organization understand the work early childhood educators do to implement an environment that is culturally responsive to all diverse backgrounds. I believe this to be the foundation that will expand on social justice throughout the world.

I want to thank all of my colleagues for sharing this journey with me. It was my pleasure to learn intimate details about you all past or present. During the past eight weeks, I have learned more about myself and what I need to do when working with the children and families that I provide a service for. I wish you all the best.

 Welcoming Families From Around the World

 

In preparation for the arrival of a family that has emigrated from China, I must first gather information on their country. As a Teacher at a Head Start Program, this will be a totally new experience to me. I am fortunate to be enrolled in a diversity course, that will expand my knowledge on how to prepare a culturally responsive class environment.

 The first method I would implement to help transfer the environment would be to research the origin of the families hometown. In doing so will allow me to gain historic information of the countries culture, language, and education. The second method I would implement is to have all the forms translated into the families language to assist in conducting the required home visits and parent-teacher conferences. If this is not available then the program will provide a translator during these conferences.The third method would be to provide materials that are related to the families culture. These materials would be pictures and or artifacts, clothing, toys and label everything in the classroom in their native language. The fourth method would be to research the preschools in heir country to learn more about the teaching strategies that they implement. The fifth method would be to allow all the families to make a poster board with family photos and information related to their culture to allow everyone to learn about one another. 

In my efforts to make this family feel inclusive into a brand new environment, my hopes are not to make the family feel singled out from everyone else. As we have learned in viewing the video on "Microaggression", we can intend no harm to someone who is of different origin or culture but in one form or another cause harm. Presenting an environment that showcases the appreciation for diversity will allow the family to open up to moving into a strange land. Showing that your program has the materials and equipment to provide a service for the family shows that the program provides a high-quality service and appreciation for all the families in their program.

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

I have not personally experienced any bias, prejudice or oppression thus far in my life. Although it never convicted me in person, but I have witnessed it through media and movies. As I reflect on this issue, I recall a time when one of my co-workers shared an experience with me.  At the time her oldest son was a pre-teen in middle school. The school he attended was in an area where Caucasians were dominating race. One particular day after school her son was chased home by a gang. She continues to share that this gang was the skinheads. Now I have seen this gang in movies but never in reality.  She was truly upset that that happened to her son and proclaimed to address the issue the next day to the principal. 

To know that a child had to experience this makes my heart heavy. Unfortunately, this is something that happens throughout our society and even worldwide. I became uneasy for her son at the time of the incident because he was a victim of a senseless act. I became very angry the more I thought about it. I even thought how could I help him to get revenge on his attackers.  Although the incident happened around the school, there was not much the principal could do to get justice for him. But I think if the school collaborated with the community and educated those in the community as well the school then incidents such as this one wouldn't happen as much or not at all. Some people are blinded to the inequalities that others have to endure by them because they are exposed to such behavior on a daily basis.