What I Have Learned

Children are shaped by their family, community, and their cultural history. I hope to make a difference as an educator, to first understand families who are diverse in ways such as different culture, economic status, and sexual orientation. As an ant-bias teacher I plan to encourage students to express their own ideas, to be themselves and respect others cultural differences. I am going to learn about the families and communities of the students I teach so, that I can do a better job in the classroom. Examining what you have learned over the years will be a little like eating an artichoke: you have to peel off the layers to get to get clearer about your experiences and assumptions now (Derman-Sparks & Olsen 2010).

One of my goals I would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice is to recognize the biases and difficulties each type of family faces, and assure families that I support and value their unique contributions, in hopes to create a classroom community where children and their families feel safe and welcomed (Derman-Sparks & Olsen, 2010). 

Derman-Sparks, L., & Olsen Edwards, J. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, DC: NAEYC.

To Dr. Snider and fellow classmates, this for me has been like lying on a sofa with a psychotherapist. I have learned that so much of my identity is shaped from my cultural background and that I have to deal with it and learn to help shape the lives of all children in diverse cultures. My experience in this course has shown me how easily my biases and stereotyping can be formed. Words can’t tell you all how much I have learned and how grateful I am for all the support you gave to me. I hope our journey will continue together. Good luck to all and thank you.

Kathleen