well, after reading these chapters im at a loss. i have even more questions than answers. all along i was thinking that opening up my room to all races and cultures was fantastic for all my children. i enjoy having all these different precious children. i want them to succeed. i want them to want to learn. i want them to love each other and respect all that is different in each of us as well as celebrate our time together. and my children honestly love each other. everyday they talk about not being able to see each other over the summer and not being able to be together next year in first grade. i have felt that i created an environment where all children knew in their souls that they were loved and respected.
it is my opinion that all cultures have home, formal and professional languages. we all learn to code switch when needed. there is a time and place for all three. as people we are diverse. all the authors of these chapters have incredible professional languages. and im sure when they are in their homes with their families they speak "home" language. all cultures want the best for their children...and im sure the educators that have taught these wonderful author/writers/educators are proud of their accomplishments.
the chapters have bothered me to the point where i actually approached my volunteer hispanic
tutor and asked her if she would help me with my questions. the first was...do the parents of my hispanic children believe that i have not honored their culture? do my parents believe that i am better than they are?...disrespectful to them?...speak the superior language? are they upset that i asked for their children to be together? was i fooling myself into thinking that i was supporting them and their culture by celebrating their hertitage? she simply said that the parents of my hispanic children have felt that i do truly love their children and they have been thrilled about each child's progress.
one of my black students is BED. he was not suppose to be able to make it in the "kindergarten setting". no way would he make it. i was told he would NOT make it. i never let him fail. i never turned my back on him. and he did make it and he did spend his kindergarten in my classroom with all my other children. what did he want most of all in life? friends! he wanted to be loved and accepted...and he is.
another black student of mine lives with his aunt because last year he witnessed his mother's murder. he is the class "best friend". his grandmother spent the morning with us last friday and said that she was so happy for him and grateful for this year he spent in kindergarten. do these black families feel that i have not respected their dialect and culture? in my heart i dont believe that is the case.
ive heard that the number one fear of all people is rejection and the number one need of all people is acceptance...is this statement the "heart" of this book?
i love all my children and i want the best for them. i thank God everyday that i have the honor of teaching them. i am humbled in their presense.
does anyone else have more questions than answers?
donna byrd-wyatt
Comments (2)
Good for you that you took a step back and questioned how you are perceived. I think its great that you asked your hispanic tutor about it. How wonderful that you had that resource.
I agree that most students and their parents want to feel valid and cared for in order to open up to learning. It sounds like you are doing a wonderful job respecting all students regardless of their culture.
You are not the only one with questions. I am questioning everything I ever thought about my language and approach. I'm sure that I will be making some changes as a result of our reading and conversations.
Posted by Sara Joyce | June 1, 2007 11:44 AM
Posted on June 1, 2007 11:44
All you can do is keep critiquing and keep asking smart questions. I am glad the book provoked you to be aware and take notice of how difference plays out in your classroom. Getting perspectives from parents and others really helps to ensure that you are co-constructing an inclusive culture in your classroom. It seems as though this is happening! :)
Also, I agree with what you surmise as the heart of the book. THere's too much research about inclusivity, acceptance, and respect as it fosters cognitive development. Of course in conservative climates this has been interpreted as "soft" and building self-esteem. However, the social, emotional, and cognitive cannot be separated.
Alecia
Posted by Prof. Alecia Jackson | June 2, 2007 3:39 PM
Posted on June 2, 2007 15:39