TIME WELL SPENT

A Bitter Sweet Moment!!!!

The time has come for us to say our last goodbyes.  As I sit here and wonder, I think about the song that I use to listen to with my children as Barney tells his friends goodbye at the end of every show.  The lyrics goes something like this "So Long, farewell my friends, goodbye for now until we meet again".   This is not goodbye but farewell because I am sure that in the field of Education and being an advocate for social change we shall meet again.  I have enjoyed learning and discussing what we have learned with each and everyone of you.  I will take with me as I pursue my long term goal of becoming a owner of my own consulting company, the things I learned in this course such as learning about the bias with yourself and addressing that particular issue, form a CoP to help you take on issues that effect the community of Education, and making sure that you are passionate about an issue that you take on as a challenge.

This journey has been fun and informative, but as everything it must come to an end.  I would like to say Thank you to Professor Darragh and my classmate for responding to any question that I had and for the advice and sincerity that was given to me during this course.  I am very grateful to have been able to converse with all of you.  I wish all of you the best in your future endeavors.  I will miss each and everyone.  Until we meet again,  may you be blessed and blessing unto others.

Erica Hines

ROLES AND JOBS IN THE EARLY CHILDHOOD COMMUNITY: FEDERAL AND NATIONAL LEVEL (please see previous post dated March, 2013, same assignment)

Exploring Roles in teh ECE Community: Local and State Levels

Throughout this journey in the Education Field, I learned that it is important to become members of groups or organizations that allows you to have input and support of a common goal . The two local organizations that I found to be appealing are The local boys and girls club, and the Christian Athletic Organization. The state organization that I found to be interesting is the Georgia Association of Educator. This organizations are beneficial in helping find solution to problems of students or finding the necessary resources. The state organization is a support group for Educators. They also fight on behalf of the educators to make sure that fair treatment is received. In the boys and girls club children are given the opportunities to get extra help with homework assignments and also to be exposed to many things that otherwise they may not be able to enjoy. This organization helps children who are victims of poverty. The Christian Athletic Organization is a group of Athletics who explore their religion. The Georgia Association of Educator is an organization who help encourage educators and help educators to be inform of the new changes.
Through these organization there is resources to help one learn about job opportunities. Through these organization I feel that I can obtain employment as a counselor, or maybe an Assistant Principal.
In these organizations, I feel that I can be helpful because I have great communication skills and the ability to get along well with other. I am able to value others opinion and appreciate their opinion without being bias.
Erica Hines

Roles in the ECE Community National and Federal Level:

One of the National Organizations that I explored and find interest in was NAEYC. This organization looks out for the best interest of children. They focus on health and safety, positive interaction between adults and children, and parent involvement. It is a big ordeal for an organization to be NAEYC accredited. This means that your program meets all of the above guidelines mentioned above.

Job opportunity with this organization would be a Program Monitor , this person go to the different center to monitor the programs performance.

The next organization that I researched and was impressed with was the National Education Association (NEA). This organization is concerned about the education of young children and helping educators solve issues that they may be having. This program gives Educators an opportunity to learn from each other by networking with other Educators.

The job opportunity that I see through this organization is maybe a Educator Resource Person , an Academic Coach, or maybe someone in Administration.

The third organization that I researched was The National Association of Head Start. This organization is geared at improving the quality of Head Start programs and ensuring that their educators are well trained and knowledgeable of Early Childhood Standards and requirements.

The job opportunity that I see through this organization is to be Program Reviewer, Director of Head-Start, or a Center Manager.
The skills that I feel I would need to fulfill the qualification of these job opportunities is Knowledge, and a passion on Early Childhood Studies.

References;
www.naeyc.orgwww.nea.orgwww.nationalheadstart.org

Community Organizations

There are several groups that I believe that have the interest of the children in mind.  The first group that I think is very helpful is The Boys and Girls Club.  This is a local and national organization that works in various communities to improve children skills.  It also is a mentorship program in the community.  There are various activities that go on throughout the school term and during the summer that help children build or increase skills that will help them become successful students as well as members of the community in which they live.

The next group is a local organization that has recently been organized in my community that is called saving our Youth; this group also is a mentorship program for young children, more so teens to help them get back on the right track.  This program is like a second chance at life.  People from various walk of lives serves on this committee.  They offer advice, help, or prayer to help children get the resources needed to accomplish goals or get on the right track.

The third group is another local organization in my community that is involved in restoring our youth by mentoring, teaching, and helping them to develop necessary life skills.  This group is CYIA better known as Community Youth in Action.  This organization is developing from local church leaders and community leaders.  This organization helps children develop skills through a Christian outlook.  I am currently apart of two of the three organizations and believe in the motto of all three.

Erica Hines

Reflecting on Learning

THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!

My most passionate hope for my future is to touch the life of a child, and their families as I help them see that behind every cloud is a silver lining by teaching them to empower themselves with knowledge.  I hope to encourage them to reach for the stars and do all they can to accomplish all goals that they set for themselves.

I would like to say thank you to all of my colleagues and my instructor for all the encouragement and support that have been giving throughout this part of my journey to becoming the best Anti-bias educator there is.  THANKS for all you have done and THANKS for being you.  Much, much wishes on your endeavors for obtaining and accomplishing your goals.

Erica Hines

THE SEXUALIIZTION OF EARLY CHILDHOOD

In today’s society there is no surprise to what is being said or done in the early childhood setting.   I heard one child say to another child can I feel your butt.  She said why you want to feel my butt, he said cause that’s what my daddy does to my mommy, he touches her butt then they go to bed.   I went over to him and I said “D”, I can not tell you what you saw at home but I can tell you that here in the classroom we do not touch others in places they do not want to be touch.  I then reference the conversation back to a lesson we had on good touch bad touch and how we do not want people to touch us in places we call our private places that means.  He said well I saw my daddy do my mom like that.  I bet your father got permission from your mom to do adult things.  He then said so I got to wait until I am big to touch her butt.  I said, I am saying that you have to have permission to touch people’s body anywhere preferably when you get married and become an adult.

The next incident, I recall is a child, a young girl, coming to school in heels.  The little boy asked her why do you have on your momma’s shoes, and she stated that these are my shoes my momma brought me to wear in the pageant and I am practice walking in them.  The child had actually sneaked some of her mother’s shoes out of the house and changed on the bus.  Children are growing up really fast even at the age of five.

This week’s resource taught me how to  “ use what I do in early years to pave the way for staying connected with children when the stakes get higher in adolescence” (So Sexy So Soon, 2009, p. 7).

Reference

Levin, D.E., and Kibourne, J. (2009).  [Introduction].  So sexy so soon: The new sexualized childhood

                And what parents can do to protect their kids (pp. 1-8). New York: Ballantine Books. Retrieved

                from: http://dianeelevin.com/sosexysosoon/introduction

EVALUATING IMPACTS ON PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

The "ism" that I experienced when I was younger was that of the gender.  When I was younger my parents would tell me that girls did this and boys did that.  My parents always made a difference in what boys should be doing and what girls should be doing.  Even though I was considered to be Tom boy my parents still expected me to act like a girl and play with dolls, clean house, and do good in school.  I really liked playing sports, racing cars, and climbing trees.  Those are the things that I had to sneak and do when I my parents were working or during summer breaks when we would stay with a relative while my parents worked. 

If children today were governed by the ideas of girls being able to do this or boys being able to do that based on gender then we would see a lot of rebellious children.   I still see adults try to redirect students as they pick colors that teachers should be classified as girls or boys.  This action is wrong and is a form of gender "ism".  

OBSERVING COMMUNICATION

THE OBSERVATION THAT I MADE THIS WEEK WAS THAT OF MY COUSIN TALKING TO HER THREE YEAR OLD GRANDSON.
I WAS OUT SHOPPING WITH MY SON WHEN I RAN INTO MY COUSIN AND HER THREE YEAR OLD GRANDSON. THEY WERE IN THE AISLE WHERE ALL OF THE VALENTINE STUFF WAS AT. ON THE SHELF THERE WAS THIS BIG BROWN TEDDY BEAR THAT SONG YOU ARE SPECIAL. MY COUSIN GRANDSON WAS TELLING HIS GRANDMOTHER HOW MUCH HE NEEDED AND WANTED THAT BEAR. MY COUSIN LISTENED PATIENTLY (AND THAT IS VERY UNUSUAL FOR HER) AS HER GRANDSON TOLD HER WHY HE NEEDED THE BEAR. AFTER LISTENING TO HIM TALK SHE SPOKE AND SAID ‘K’, NANNY CAN NOT AFFORD TO BUY YOU THIS BEAR NOW, THIS WAS NOT APART OF THE DEAL WHEN WE CAME IN THE STORE, YOU TOLD ME YOU WANTED THIS BALL AND THAT IS WHAT YOU HAVE. REMEMBER NANNY TOLD YOU THAT WE DO NOT ALWAYS GET WHAT WE WANT AND THAT IF YOU CRY OR HAVE A TANTRUM THEN NANNY WAS GOING TO BE VERY HURT AND DISAPPOINTED, REMEMBER YOU TOLD ME YOU WHERE A BIG BOY AND BIG BOYS KNOW THAT SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO WAIT ON THINGS WE CAN NOT ALWAYS GET WHAT WE WANT OR LIKE. KJ, LOOKED AT MY COUSIN AND SAID YES NANNY CAUSE YOU WANT ME TO BE A BIG BOY.
He looked very sad after that conversation with my cousin but he also appeared to understand what she was saying.
The most important point that I can relate to our reading that Stephenson made is that in order to communicate effectively we must be good listeners (2009). 　
　
Reference
Stephenson, A. (2009). Conversations with a 2-year-old. YC: Young Children, 64(2), 90-95. Retrieved from the Walden Library using the Education Research Complete
　
Erica Hines

CREATING AN AFFIRMING ENVIRONMENT

If I ever have the chance to open my own child-care center, it would be one that when you walked in the door you would receive a comfort and an appreciation for diversity. In the hallways of each classroom there would be a get to “Get To Know Me” board located beside each classroom door. On the board a picture of each child would be posted along with a “All About Me” poster. On this paper you learn about the likes and dislikes of the people in the classroom, you also get a chance to learn some background history about the students. The ethnicity, gender, race, heritage, and other useful information. In the classroom I would incorporate a variety of books, pictures, and toys dealing with diversity. Everything would be labeled in English and of course a second language.
The students will be made to feel as if they are in a safe and secure environment by participating in setting the climates and class regulation for the room. As stated in the media section, Adrianna spoke about the quiet area or cozy area. This would be incorporated in the classroom because as adults, we sometimes want to be by ourselves and children sometimes feel the same way.

This would give them an opportunity to sort things out or reflect on the days event. My classroom would be very inviting. The children would have age appropriate equipment and learning manipulative. The students will also have free choice to chose whatever they want to play with or whatever color paper they want to use. All I can say is Welcome to “Hines Kiddie Land” .
　
Reference
Laureate Education, Inc. (2011). Strategies for Working with Diverse Children. Baltimore, MD: Author
　
Erica Hines

WHAT I HAVE LEARNED

The Ultimate Goal that I have as an Educator is to become  the best and most Effective Anti-bias Educator that I can possibly be by making a difference in the lives of the children that I teach.

My goal as an Anti-bias Educator is to make sure that I make all students feel safe, secure, and non-subjective to any type of bias.

Thanks to all classmate for the encouragement given to me through the duration of this course.   I wish that we accomplish all the hopes and dreams that we have established for ourselves.  May God continue to bless each and every one of you and your families.  Keep up the hard work and accomplish all.

Erica Hines

CREATING ART

My art work is a poem entitled:

"DOES IT REALLY MATTER?"

Does It Really Matter

Does it matter that I do not look like you, walk like you, or talk like you?

Does it matter that I am proud to be a woman, tall, plumb, and brown skinned?

Does it matter that I love me for me and have been given the opportunity to compete with the best?

No it does not matter that I do not look like you, walk like you, or talk like you.

Because I am me and I am proud to be me.

I love me for me.  I love me because I am me, so no, it does not matter if you like me or love me,

Because I love me and that is enough.

By: Erica Hines

"We Don't Say Those Words in Class!"

I remember being in the store with my son.  This woman (who is know one of my co-workers for the past eight years) and her daughter passed by.  Her daughter has this illness that left her with really short limbs,  she have two fingers on each hand.  She can not talk.  Well my son saw her for the first time as they were walking down the aisle in the store and he asked mom what's wrong with her.  I told him to be quite, the girls mother heard me she turned around and came to me and said "don't tell him that, he just want to know, so she begin to explain what was wrong with her daughter to my son.  After she got through explain, my son asked the lady May he buy her little girl an ice cream.  I as an adult and an educator felt so ashamed of myself because as an educator, I should have known to explain to my son that people are different but they all are still human and deserve to be treated with respect.

As an educator of young minds we should have a variety of materials such as books, dolls, manipulative's, puzzles, and various of other items to teach our children about diversity of all type.

Erica Hines 

Gender, Gender Idenity, Gender Orientation

I am responding to the following bulletin:

       - Your response to those who believe that early childhood centers should avoid the inclusion of books depicting gay or lesbian individuals such as same-sex partnered families.

I believe that early childhood centers should not avoid the inclusions of books depicting gay or lesbian individuals such as same-sex partnered families because the children that are serviced by many of the early childhood centers are raised by same says parents.  In the center that I work for, we have a lot of children who are raised by same sex parents or partners.  So when the children family members come to visit them at family hour other children are asking why you have two moms.  I believe that if we have literature for the children than they will better understand what is going on and the other children will be able to relate.  This by no means says that the teacher or the center agrees with the living conditions it just say that they respect that diversity in various households. 

       -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 parent or family member that here at this particular center we do not discriminate.  I have the confidence in this particular person that the parent is referring to do a wonderful job of caring as well as educate their child, but the ultimate decision is up to you the parent, either your child can stay at the center or you are welcome to take your child to another center.

I believe that people should not be judge on who they are or what they believe in.

Erica Hines

THANKS, THANKS, THANKS

Thanks to everyone for their kind words and responds to my blog.  Also I would like to thank you for listening to what I had to say.  May our journey leads to the road to success and effective communicators.

Thanks and til we meet again,

Erica Hines

ADJOURNING A GROUP

In the past I believe the hardest group that it was for me to say good-bye was to a group that I did not mention in my assignment.  It was a group of that I worked with in the Medical Field.  I worked at this practice for eight years prior to going into the educational field.  We did everything together.  After work, we hung out together, we visited each other’s homes, and special events that were going on in their family.  After the business relocated to another state, we stayed in contact with each other for a little while but shortly that ended as well.    I wished that we would have made some type of connection that we would have been able to have some type of closure.

I believe that we as classmate will say our goodbyes to one another and some will exchange numbers and keep in contact with each other.  Adjournment is necessary for closure.

Erica Hines

COMMUNICATION: SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCE

After taking the communication test and then

comparing the results with the two people that I

choose to evaluate my communication skills, I

surprise that their thoughts of the way I

communicate was somewhat different then the way

I perceived my communication skills.  They stated

that to their knowledge, I did not appear to have a

problem or concern with speaking in front of a

group.  I felt that sometimes I became nervous

when speaking in front of a group of people I just

met.  This was something that they stated they did

not notice.  Both participants stated that I was a

good listener as well.  I thought that I could

improve in this skill.  Both participants stated that

they thought that I speak my mind with no

particular concerns if it hurt another person’s

feeling or not.  I disagree with that statement

because I believe that I am constantly trying to

spare the feelings of others.

This assignment was neat because you had the

opportunity to view yourself through the eyes or

opinions of others.

ERICA M. HINES

COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY

Sometimes when talking to people whose culture is different then mine, I find it difficult and frustrating.
I find myself communicating differently because I want to be cautious and not offend another person. I try to listen more and allow them to speak more before commenting or engaging verbally in the conversation.
One thing that I feel that I can do is learn more about the culture of others. The next thing that I feel that would help is be more understanding and trying reading the body language of others and asking them to explain or discuss their culture beliefs so that no one would be offend or take misunderstandings out of context.
The third strategy is to try being more open to new ideas and beliefs.

I believe applying this strategies would help me become a more effective communicator with someone of another culture.

ERICA HINES

BLOG ASSIGNMENT: OBSERVATION OF A TELVISION SHOW

This week a watched a show that I usually do not watch and it was an episode of the Andy Griffith Show.  In this particular episode, Opie had a new teacher, she was teaching them about History.  Well Opie and his friends or classmates thought that the teacher was teaching them a lot of useless facts, so they went to Andy and telling him about how they was not interested and how the teacher was boring.  Andy tells them the story of Paul Revere and Opie and his friends became interested in history, but before then Andy and the teacher exchanged words on the way she was teaching the boys and how the boys were behaving. 

Well when I watched the television show with the volume turned down, I could tell that the boys did not do something they were suppose to do at school or that they were in trouble by the teachers facial expression and body language, as she was talking with the students and Andy.  The thing that threw me off was when Andy was telling the boys the story of Paul Revere; I assumed that they (the boys) were being reprimanded for their action at school.  After hearing the conversation, I realized that the boys facial expression did appear to have the appearance of amazement and wanting to know more information.

If this was a show that I knew very well then, I probably could have just listen to the conversation without watching the picture and would have been able to explain what was going on in the scene.

COMMUNICATION 1ST BLOG

When I think of someone who has influenced my thoughts of communication, I have to say that it would be my daughter, Taylor.  She is 19 years old who is filled with confidence and the ability to get her point of view over no matter how she has to do it.  She speaks often in front of audience of young children and always know what to say, how to say it, and when to say it.  During her speeches she uses a lot of verbal and non-verbal techniques.  Some of the techniques are facial expression, body language, or visual aid. 

I have heard a lot of motiviational speakers before, but after hearing Taylor speak, not because she is my daughter but because she is a wonderful speaker, she has given me a new out look on communicating with others.  In order to be a great communicator you also have to be a good listener.  

Thanks to a wonderful teacher, my daughter Taylor.

Erica Hines