Creating Art

Diversity Poem.

Children are unique with different abilities and needs,
They learn and play as teachers plant seeds.
Chidlren from different cultures, backgrounds, and all walk of life,
Work hard to learn and overcome personal strife.
As an educator, I will do my best to teach acceptance in a class that is bias free,
So that every child can grow and develop and learn to see...
That diversity is beautiful.

This image illustrates diversity to me.

Start Seeing Diversity Blog: "We Don't Say Those Words in Class!"

About one week ago, I was in Walmart and I saw a woman riding one of the carts.  When the woman passed a man and his son, the young boy said, "Daddy, that woman is too fat to walk."  The father appeared embarassed and told the son to stop saying that.  This was not the right way to handle this situation.

In early childhood education, children are very open and honest about their comments and views of the world.  The woman was obese and could not walk around the store.  However, the child did not understand that the woman was disabled.  In teh early childhood classroom, I would inform the child and other children that it is not nice to tease or meddle people who are different.  I would further explain that some people are disabled and that when they see a person who disabled, they should not point out the difference.  The child in the store did not realize that his comment hurt the woman's feelings.  Therefore, parents and educators have to work together to teach children the proper way to address people in public.  Children need to understand and accept diversity, and they must be taught to respect others.

Gender, Gender Identity, and Sexual Orientation

How you would respond to a parent/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

I would explain to the parents that a teacher's sexual orientation has no bearing on the teacher's ability to teach.  Teachers are diverse and complex as other members of society.  As a result, sexual orientation does not impact the quality of care.  Furthermore, I would explain that children need to be exposed to diversity because the world is diverse. 

If you have ever used or heard homophobic terms such as "fag," "gay," "homo," "sissy," "tom boy," or "lesbo" as an insult by a child toward another child? Or, by an adult toward a child? Describe what occurred. How might these types of comments influence all children?

I have heard children use the term "that's so gay".  It is an expression that refers to something that is stupid or ignorant behavior.  Children also use this to describe acts or behavior that is considered homosexual.  This is very offensive to children and it makes them feel ashamed or embarrased.  As a result, it is important for educators to explain to children that it is wrong to use these terms.  Children need to understand that it is stereotyping and it presents gay as a bad term.  Therefore, I would teach children not to bully or tease, and not to be biased.

Note of Thanks

I would like to send a personal thanks to all of my fellow scholars who have contributed to my blog.  I have enjoyed working with you and sharing information.  Please feel free to continue to follow and post to my blog.

Tammie Bolden

Adjournment

I have had positive and negative team experiences.  In the positive experience, the adjournment consisted of a party and unofficial ceremony.   The group had a good time and achieved its goals.  During the adjournment, the group was happy and members wanted to continue working together.  In the negative experience, the adjournment was abrupt. The group members had a lot of conflict and when the project was over, people simply left.  There were unresolved issues in the groups, and members did  not get along well.  As a result, the group members did not have any type of  adjournment ceremony.  Therefore, the adjournment phase is affected by the group experience.

Conflict in Communication

Conflict management and conflict resolution strategies can be improved with nonviolent communication and the three R's.  The best strategies to resolve conflict is to use compromise for both parties to resolve their issues.  I have had conflicts with my fellow teachers and I have always tried to use compromising or mediators to resolve the conflict.  Communication is also a key element of conflict resolution.  When people use nonviolent communication, the conflict is less likely to escalate.  The three R's can also show others that you are willing to respect their opinions and views and allow them to present their side of the story.  Therefore, these concepts can help improve conflict resolution.

Communication Assessment

After taking the Communication Anxiety Inventory, Verbal Aggressiveness Scale, and Listening Styles Profile, I learned a lot about my communication skills.  I scored fairly well on these assessments.  As a result, I learned that I need to work on my aggressiveness in communication and my listening skills.  This information has helped me become a better communicator in my school.  I work with a diverse group of teachers and parents.  Therefore, I need to be more aware in my communication to ensure that I do not offend others.  I also learned this week that schemas can affect my perceptions in communication.