Thank you 6165

I have enjoyed working with all of you this semester. I feel that I have ventured out of my comfort zone with communicating in the discussion boards. I have learned a lot from all of you. I felt this class was a class will be remembered as a landmark of sorts in my Maters Program. Thank you Dr. Parrish and all my colleagues.

Adjourning

            As I read the blog question, my eyes filled with tears. I have just recently adjourned from a group that I was part of for ten years. It was very hard for me to leave. I was so upset on my last day I even got physically sick. We were at the performing stage and performing very well. It was so hard to leave because of the trust and love that had formed between all of us. We had become a great team that we even could read each other’s moods by facial expression when we arrived in the morning.  This group had established norms and new the expectation of the supervisor and company.  We adjourned by celebrating together with a BBQ pool party, reminiscing and enjoying what was.

             I believe that it is harder to leave a group that is established and performing well because success feels good and no one want to leave something that feels good. However, when in order to grow it is essential to move on to the next project or step in life.  I also believe that sometimes a group can stay together too long and complacency can occur and growth of the individual will cease. I know I do not want this; therefore, it is imperative to know when it is time to adjourn whether or not the project is complete or not.

A movie demonstration/ Fun way of seeing  the stages of team development in action...taken from Remember the Titans.

         
I have enjoyed working with all the students and teachers here at Walden and I will miss the learning experience once I have completed my program; however, I, sadly, have not felt close to any particular person and I will be happy to have finished this difficult endeavor. 

Conflict

I have recently had conflict in both my personal life and professional life. I used to run from conflict and just bend over and take it up the...you know what. I quickly learned that I cannot be an effective supervisor if I do this and I will not be happy either I will be miserable. NVC suggestions are great ways of communicating and can say that I have often used them without the knowledge of them.

Personal

I am a step mom of two children, although I do not consider myself step nor do my girls. In fact, they moved with us to Florida, making me a full time mother to them. There is very little conflict between their other mother and I; however, recently there was some conflict I think because I have the girls full time and she may feel a bit lets say disconnected. She knows I love them as my own so there is never a feeling of my girls won't be taken care of. Megan our 14 year old has a hip injury and is going to have to have surgery. Her biological mom want her to have it when she comes home for Christmas. Megan told her mother that she wanted to have it here in Florida so that all her follow up care is with the same doctor. Reasonable, right? Megan has asked her mother to send the images numerous times to get the MRI's and send them, she wouldn't so finally I got involved. I used the 3 R's without even trying.

Respectful and Reciprocal-  I honored her feelings and told her that I understand how she is feeling and that it must be hard to grasp your daughter having surgery away from her. However, we need to honor Megans feelings which are valid, more than reasonable, they are actually smart.
I did my best to respond to her feelings and validate her and try my best...to somewhat make her feel better. In the end she did send the MRI's but she did not respond to my last text message of validating her and after 2 weeks she just started communicating again.

Professional

As I told you, all recently I moved and accepted a new position. I was to start working at a brand new school. The opening was delayed and I am helping out at another school. I am a education coordinator and it is my job to ensure children are not just getting babysat. I created a newsletter of some ideas for the teachers. This letter is just for the teachers and they do not have to use the ideas within it. Living in Florida without any season I felt that it is our due diligence to expose the children to fall if they show interest. I concentrated on pumpkins and found activities that match elements within our curriculum. The director was not receptive and the first thing she said was we don't have to do fall because we don't have fall and we are emergent. I restated my first comment that it is just a collection of ideas that do not need to be used, but that I focused on pumpkins because when a child goes into the store they are bombarded by pumpkins. Any way I was bothered, I felt like she wasn't listening. I cannot explain it thoroughly.  I did approach her privately and try to reexplain. I explained that although we are emergent we can strategically introduce things to evoke interest. I also explained that when I was a teacher I enjoyed my supervisors taking the time to give ideas. We all know they love take homes and a handouts. Anyway...I met later in the week with my true director that I will be working with who has been with the company longer than the director I am assisting until the school opening and without telling her my experience with the other director I shared the Curriculum fun Newsletter with her and she loved it.

I validated her stance and was respectful. I feel like it is a power stance on her part...but I am not trying to take her power I am just trying to create passion and excitement within her team.  I don't know what to do with the woman I am working with now. Suggestions?

Perception

I was not very surprised that my husband rated me pretty close to what I rated myself in all areas except anxiety. I believe he is privy to my nerves more than others in my professional life are, because I express my deepest feelings to him.  What surprised me most about his test is that he thought I did not like to speak in front of a group. When he knows I want to be a teacher of adults. I even said to him. Why would you think I do not like it, when that is what I want to do?  He just shrugged. I felt bad because I became passionate and a bit defensive. I had to regroup so that he would be honest for the rest of the questions. He also sees me at my worst when I resort to yelling. Yes women, I yell sometimes when my patience has run out and my kids are not listening. .

Professionally, I had one of my ex team members answer the questions. She told me that I get high anxiety when I have too much on my plate. She says I say yes to too much.  She unlike my husband thinks I do very well communicating to large groups, but that I am down on myself a lot. I would agree with that, I am my worst critic.  She also thought I was not very aggressive in my ways. I was surprised because with her specifically I have had to play the power card.

This week I was learned that I put a lot of my self-worth on my husband and I communicate that with many of my perceptions. Additionally I learned that I base a lot of my perception off personal experience, my own belief system, and off the way people look. I need to concentrate on changing my judgments and perceptions. I love to get to know people that is not only true from what I believe, but the other people in that took my survey agreed. I love people so much they can sometimes abuse that. I need to ensure that I give them the benefit of the doubt with my first impression too. 


I found this cartoon and it shows how peoples beliefs really do define their perceptions. 

Communicating Differently

Do you find yourself communicating differently with people from different groups and cultures?

I do not feel that I communicate differently pre say with people from different cultures; however, I do change how I communicate. I know that it sounds like an oxymoron, but I will communicate the same things I may just talk a bit slower if a person I am talking to does not speak English.

If yes, in what ways do you communicate differently?

Ok… so I guess I do communicate differently, because I do not communicate the same way with children as I do with adults. I talk to children on their level and in words that they understand. As I think more about it, I talk more professionally to my supervisor than I do with my friends.

The answer is that I communicate the same things with people but obviously in different ways. 

Finding Carter- Communication

This assignment was fun and aggravating all at the same time. When I watched Pretty Little Liars. It was very dramatic with the volume down. You could see expressions and body language that expressed all the feelings under the sun. I was pretty spot on about the emotions that were being displayed such as
-anger
-happiness
-sadness
-frustration
- love
I was right about the emotions but not correct on the plot of the show.

I decided to do this with a show I like to watch.

 Since I really enjoy watching this show with my daughters I found it hard to not cheat and hear what was going on; however, when props were used and through body language, and my background knowledge, I could figure out what was going on. What I figured out is I know the characters, therefore, I could read their body language and facial expressions. I just didn't know exactly what was going on so I was aggravated. Then I had an ah-ha moment. When we are not communicating successful people know we are trying to communicated something and they become aggravated with the disconnect. Our body language and facial expressions express the emotion that we have when expressing our thoughts. Isn't it interesting when you are at church or at a training the presenter that is more animated with facial and body language is more interesting to listen to than the one that just drowns on with not facial or body language. Its true...right?

I heard a quote once that communication is 85% body language and facial expressions, and 15% actual words. (something like that) In other words, our physical expressions will give us a way every time.  For example, I say to my daughter please go clean your room, she says (sometimes) ok mommy,but her face frowns and her shoulders droop. I know she doesn't want to do it.

This is why I prefer having parent conferences in person rather than over the phone because their body language may be saying something other than what their body language is saying and I can address that at the time.

People and Communication styles

As I read this question, I realized that their has been numerous people of whom I have learned from. I have adopted some of their skills or techniques. I have also learned from people by knowing I did not want to communicate in their style.  So I learned what not to do.


Here are the following things about communication I have learned from people I have worked with.

In a meeting:

* Have open body language
* Take notes in a meeting
* Active listening
* Summarize the meeting at the end
*Follow up and open the communication again if needed

In a personal relationship

* Active listening
* Cool off before talking
*Don't react/ respond

What I have learned not to do.
* be defensive
* use bully words
* Don't raise your voice
* Don't change the focus of the communication to you at inappropriate times!


These are few things I have learned from professional that have crossed my path.

Communicating is a difficult skill, but I can say that I learn something new every day.

Change your Words, Change your World.

This short video made me cry because it spoke to my heart and brought clarity beyond communication with others.

My personal thoughts were directed toward me and my family. My older daughters are always talking negatively and focus on the negative that may happen rather than the good.  Communication is imperative in our world, but not just with others but with ourselves also. We have power to change how we feel about ourselves and our experiences if we communicate the good. Bringing strength with internal communication.

I had to post this on my blog because it spoke to me. I want it for future use.

Hoping for a world that embraces diversity!

One hope that I have when you think about working with children and families from diverse backgrounds simply put is that I demonstrate to them that I accept them and want to be educated in their differences.  As I reflect on this statement, I am aware that this statement is directed toward every single person I encounter. Sometime these statements seem to be directed toward people with unique backgrounds from your own; however, every person I encounter has a different background. If I treasure, respect, and learn from every single person I encounter even those with the same ethnicity as myself I reflect a person that desires to get to know, support, accept, and understand every person or child as an individual. Individuality is preached about when it comes to the academic learning regularly. If we treat, every aspect of our relationships with the people we work with the same attitude anti-bias curriculum would be a no brainier.

Additionally, I am excited to continue to work with people from diverse backgrounds and not ignore our differences but celebrate them and become educated in various beliefs, attitudes and much more.

One goal you would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice.

My goal would be to advocate for equity, tolerance, and anti-bias behaviors within my home, social, and work environment. The first step is to educate the people around me by having training. I believe this is the order in which a training sequence should go.

1.     Understanding Your own Biases
2.     Combating micro aggression
3.     The three E’s of  Diversity: Educate, Experience, and Embrace 
4.      Advocating for Equity and Social Justice

I reflected and created number three I am so excited about it.  I cannot wait to develop this training!

I have thoroughly enjoyed this class, and have learned a great deal about and from all of my colleagues through discussion and blog posts. I want to thank all of you for being transparent with some of your experiences. This really brought some emotional connection to the subject area. For me when my emotions are triggered it is something I remember for a lifetime.

Love and Joy to ALL of you!

Here are a few things I found that I liked.

Preparing for a New Culturally Diverse Family

I have a hypothetical child joining my school who has emigrated from Egypt. I know that I want the child and her family to feel welcomed and comfortable; therefore, I will research her country of origin. Egyptian people are very helpful and friendly, they love to be helpful. I found the following very interesting about Egyptian peoples attitude.

“Egyptian people are generally very helpful, so tourists rarely have trouble finding assistance with directions or recommendations. It is not unusual for an entire crowd of Egyptians to surround you trying to answer a query. They stand very close when speaking, requiring very little personal space. Egyptians are accustomed to refusing every invitation the first time it was offered, so if your offer is genuine, repeat it a second time. The same goes with invitations from Egyptian people. They will offer something once out of politeness, but you know the offer is sincere if it is repeated. If you accept an invitation into an Egyptian home, such as for a meal, and you do not show, the hosts would be humiliated.”

http://traveltips.usatoday.com/culture-egypt-32949.html

1.      The first step to be culturally responsive is to know that I must invite parents more than once to a conference or to ask questions.  This is good to know that sincerity is evident when request or invitation is repeated.

2.      I do not want to just look on the surface, and because website research is generalized, I would have the family fill out a questionnaire. This would help me get information that goes beyond the surface.

I found a few sample questionnaires  here are the websites

·         http://www.stjamesschoolhwd.org/forms/PK_Family_Questionnaire.pdf

·         http://newparent.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/BT_Questionnaire_online.pdf

·         https://www.naeyc.org/files/yc/file/200905/BTJCohen.pdf

·         http://www.keyschool.org/documents/PS%20Family%20Questionnaire%2009-10.pdf

3.      I would learn how to greet in their native tongue it is amazing, but there are numerous ways to greet depending on the circumstance. I found this web site that has numerous phrases and how to pronounce them. http://arabic.desert-sky.net/greetings.html

4.      I would find a translator to assist in our first meeting and future ones if needed.  I found the following website to find translators who speak Arabic in my area. https://www.elance.com/ls/usa/florida/boca-raton/arabic-translation-professionals/

5.      I would schedule of home visit if it they were open to it. Going to a persons home can really assist in getting to know a family better. You can also observe some of their culture. During this visit I would ask the child to create an all about me chart to share with her friends.

I would hope that this preparation would help me and the family feel more comfortable. It would demonstrate professionalism as well as care and concern about the family. These preparations would allow me to be culturally responsive, digging beyond the surface, and confidence to both me and the student.    I would hope these actions would have a positive effect on my relationship with my student.               

Love in Any Lanuage...Religion...and Difference....(List can continue)

To complete this assignment, ask yourself these questions:

What memory do you have of an incident when you experienced bias, prejudice, and/or oppression, or witnessed someone else as the target of bias, prejudice, and/or oppression? Keep in mind that one can encounter such incidents in real contexts, including online environments, as well as in fictional ones, such as movies, books, television shows, and the like.

I was raised in a Christian home and I love and cherish my faith. Throughout my childhood, I often clashed with my mother over our worldviews and Christianity. I have always been an accepting and loving person. I had friends of different faith, color, and sexual orientation. One of my friends whose belief was Mormon gave me a Mormon Bible because I was curious about it. I wondered how their book of Mormon would parallel the bible if at all. My mother found this book and ripped it in half It angered me. I began singing a song from church at the top of my lungs, “love in any language, straight from the heart” I would scream that includes religion and then continue singing, “pulls us all together never apart’. I was furious and could not believe my mother was that intolerant.  We got through it, but I have to say I lost a little respect for her that day.

Although we did not really talk about religious discrimination, this story really surfaced when the above question was asked.

In what way(s) did the specific bias, prejudice and/or oppression in that incident diminish equity?

I would not want anyone to tear my bible, it would show disrespect for what I believe and would be an insult. Equity is not shown when one person believes they are right and others are wrong in how they believe. Do not get me wrong, I believe that my religion and belief system is the truth, but my truth. I have decided to accept my religion. Every person has the right to choose how he or she believes. No person’s beliefs are better than the next in the equity of this world.

What feelings did this incident bring up for you?

I was angry and alarmed at how my mother responded to finding the book. I believe it was fear, fear that I would stray away from our faith. However, I could stray without viewing the book of Mormon.

I was appalled at the fact that I was taught to love and not judge. I felt that my mother’s reaction was pure hate and intolerant d.

What and/or who would have to change in order to turn this incident into an opportunity for greater equity?

I spoke to my mother about the incident how I felt that her actions are the actions that cause war around the world. She listened, but I do not remember her response. In me, personally it created more drive to be accepting and show tolerance. This will create drive for equity in how I go through life in the hopes that I become an example to others and one day maybe we all will start setting examples to change the world around us. I am not naive; I know it will take time but every step counts!

Below is the song I sung at the top of my lungs when the above events happened. I believe the song is talking about more than just language! We all have a heart, we just need to love each other. 

Microaggression

Describe at least one example of a microaggression which you detected this week or remember from another time. In what context did the microaggression happen? What did you think and feel when you observed the microaggression or when you found yourself as the target of a microaggression?

I was trying to go back in my mind to forms of microaggression that I have witnessed. I was having a hard time recalling any.  I remember going out with a group of people in college. We were all discussing where we should go to dinner; someone suggested that we go to a fried chicken joint. My girlfriend said I do not like fried chicken. A friend of ours said, I thought all your people like fried chicken and watermelon.  We all laughed including my friend. Now I realize now that it was a microinsult.  My friend never mentioned it to me, but now I wonder what my friend really felt.  Looking back, I feel sad that she could have been hurt.

In what ways did, your observation experiences this week affect your perception of the effects of discrimination, prejudice, and/or stereotypes on people.

This week my family and I drove 2000 miles to our new home in Florida. Along the way, I encountered many different people and often people watched. I paid attention to some of my thinking and some of my thinking saddened me.  I always strive not to be judgmental; however, I realized this week that I do make judgments on the inside. I was sitting in a play area in a shopping center. A family walked up. The husband was dressed in shorts, t-shirt, and sandals. The little girl was dressed in a fashionable summer dress. The mother was covered from the top of her head to her ankles.  Being new to this climate, I thought, man, she must be hot. I immediately thought, her husband must be cool, must be nice. I gasped inside knowing that I had assumed the woman was uncomfortable and I have no knowledge of the woman’s thinking or culture.  This week’s studies have made me aware of how I think and view the world around me. I am working on changing it and having less discriminatory, prejudice, and discriminatory thinking. 

I heard this poem many years ago (before 2006) and I loved it and wanted to share it.

And you call me coloured..??

Written by an African child and nominated by The United Nations
as the Best Poem of 2006.

And you calling me colored??

When I born, I black.
When I grow up, I black.
When I go in sun, I black.
When I scared, I black.
When I sick, I black.
And when I die, I still black.

And you white people.
When you born, you pink.
When you grow up, you white.
When you go in sun, you red.
When you cold, you blue.
When you scared, you yellow.
When you sick, you green
And when you die, you grey…

And you calling me colored??

Culture definitions

I was not surprised by the answers I received from the three individuals I spoke with about culture and diversity.  All of their definitions contained predominantly surface culture. Traits that can be physically seen such as skin color, where a person is from, the kinds of food they eat, and religion. All three seemed stumped, just as I have in the past. It was almost as though it took them much thought to come up with the answers they provided.     It is unfortunate, that many do not realize or understand the depth of culture and diversity.

Omitted from the definitions I was given that I had omitted as well was, language, beliefs, and the basic how others live and think differently. I never thought of culture and diversity being personal to each individual despite the surface culture.

I too, before this class was stuck at the top of the iceberg, only seeing what was visible. The adventure and reward is looking deeper underneath the water line of an iceberg. 


Here are some quotes on culture and diversity from many famous diverse people . You may enjoy them.  

https://www.ufic.ufl.edu/Documents/20%20Quotes%20Praising%20Cultural%20Diversity.pdf

My Culture and Diversity items

Imagine the following:

A major catastrophe has almost completely devastated the infrastructure of your country. The emergency government has decided that the surviving citizens will be best served if they are evacuated to other countries willing to take refugees. You and your immediate family are among the survivors of this catastrophic event. However, you have absolutely no input into the final destination or in any other evacuation details. You are told that your host country’s culture is completely different from your own, and that you might have to stay there permanently. You are further told that, in addition to one change of clothes, you can only take 3 small items with you. You decide to take three items that you hold dear and that represent your family culture.

A description of the three items you would choose:

As I reflected on this assignment, I realized that as long as I had my family with me, I would not need anything materialistic. We create our culture by being together. A tradition that we have is to at least have Sunday dinner together.

However, if I had to choose something to bring I would bring the following.

1.       My camera

2.       Zoey’s baby scrapbook

3.       Easton’s Baby scrapbook

I take a lot of pictures, in fact I am known as the photographer in my family there isn’t a family function without the presence of my camera. I feel that pictures are important to keep memories a live for generations.

How you would explain to others what each of these items means to you:

The baby books are important because I wanted my kids to know a lot their development their first year, in case I am not around. My mother passed away before I had kids, so I wasn’t able to ask her if I did particular things by children did, and I don’t remember ever hearing about my birth story because when I was young it didn't matter to me.  I also treasure hand written notes from my mom; therefore, I did the entire book by hand not digitally. I hope they one day treasure those books.

Your feelings if, upon arrival, you were told that you could only keep one personal item and have to give up the other two items you brought with you:

If I could only have one item, I would choose the camera to continue keeping memories through picture. I would feel very sad and angry about leaving the scrapbooks, but I know that having my family really is all that matter, and I would hope to one day be reunited with the scrap books.

Any insights you gained about yourself, your family culture, diversity, and/or cultural differences in general, as a result of this exercise:

I was pleasantly surprised by the lack of need for material things to keep my culture and diversity.  Family is the most important thing in my life and defines who I am as a person.   You could say that All I need is love. 

Research Class Review

What insights have you gained about research from taking this course?

I was very nervous about taking this class. I like to find answers through scholarly articles, but I never saw myself wanting to do research on a large scale. I gained insight about the challenges research including but not limited to design, consent, and equity. Learning about all the different aspects and details of research made it clear that I am not a person that wants to design a research project, but I like reading them.  I admire research professionals

In what ways have, your ideas about the nature of doing research changed.

Research is more than just reading what the early childhood philosophers say, it is about creating a question and doing what it takes to find the answer. I used to think it was about reading numerous articles and reports, I never thought about the process of creating those reports.

However!!! I also discovered how I am a researcher on a daily basis when I am learning about each child.

What lessons about planning, designing, and conducting research in early childhood did you learn?

I learned that designing a research project, putting it down on paper is challenging, and there are so many avenues to find the answers. Through our text, I have found that there are so many unexpected challenges that researchers must think fast on your feet, and be willing to be reflexive through the process.

Through this course, I was shocked to find the many different designs to conduct research. True researchers find their topic and then find the best design that suits their project whether it is qualitative, quantitative, or mixed.

What were some of the challenges you encountered—and in what ways did you meet them? I had many personal challenges in my life during this class and was unable to give it the focus it deserved and needed. I honestly can say I probably did not get as much out of this class as I wanted to or should have.

The content itself, I struggled with grasping and understanding some of the topics. I often felt ignorant when reading the material. I combated this by rereading the material numerous times, and using the glossary..

What are some of the ways your perceptions of an early childhood professional have been modified because of this course?

My perception of an early childhood professional has modified in that an early childhood professional is also a researcher. We utilize steps in the research process on a daily basis within the classroom.  I really appreciated the resources in how to read research; I feel that when I read material I will understand it better.

Although I had a rough semester, I am glad I was educated in research. 

International Research

What are some of the current international research topics? Some of the topics I found in the journal were:

1.    -   Stress and caregiver sensitivity among childcare staff in Santiago, Chile

2.      - Demographic factors, temperament and the quality of the preschool environment as predictors of daily cortisol changes among Finnish six-year-old children

3.   

-        -Foregrounding silences in the South African National Early Learning Standards for birth to four years

You must be a member in order to read the full articles; however, you can read the abstract.

4.       What surprising facts/insights/new ideas about early childhood did you gain from exploring this international early childhood website? I found it very interesting that even countries in Europe are studying and discussing some of the same issues we are in the United States. Often times we think other countries are completely different than us but in all actuality it is very similar.

 

       What other noteworthy information did you find on this website?

European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA) Has developed Country Coordinators to keep abreast of all the research going on I the world. In addition it promotes research.

The expectations of the country coordinator are:

EECERA Country Coordinators will be expected to:

• be active in their role to meet the aims outlined above;
• provide an annual activity report by 15 November each year which shows how they have carried out their role over the previous year and what success they have had in achieving the aims of this role, for example:
  - increased membership
  - increased number of submissions for the journal
  - increased attendance at the conferences
• maintain contact with, and be accountable to, the EECERA Trustee who supports Country Coordinators (currently Maelis Karlsson Lohmander: maelis.karlsson-lohmander@ped.gu.se)

The country coordinators seek out the research in their country and make it available to the Journal.

Research Process

I am really struggling with choosing my topic. This class is making me feel not so smart right now, but I will work through it. I am struggling with this process. I am struggling more because I have to look up how to do things repeatedly. Although I know this is a learning process, I am getting a bit frustrated, but I will prevail!

After much tears and aggravation, I narrowed my subtopics by webbing. Who would have known that this literature activity would assist me in my defining my subtopic for research? I .have decided to “research”, Techniques to Modifying aggressive behavior in children, I chose this topic because throughout the past few years that has been the number one behavior that parents within my program have asked for assistance with.  Some aggressive behaviors are developmentally appropriate and some are not; however, if aggressive behavior is not modified it could become habitual and harder to modify.  I am excited to continue to learn about this subtopic to benefit my families and myself.

I have found that this process has been a challenge! If you have any suggestions, please let me know. 

Final Blog 6162

As I reflected on this class I was pleasantly surprised with the amount of new knowledge I gained. My favorite subject was equity. Equity is so important in all areas of early childhood development. I also learned of the depth of information that is out there both international and nationally. I did become very aggravated and overwhelmed as I viewed various information within our field.

One consequence of learning about ECE in other countries is that I have been made aware of how deep the need for research within our field. I had hoped that other countries would know more, although each country has different strengths it is not coming together as it should.

The second consequence to learning international is the unity we can feel . It is amazing to know that we are all on the same side and having a desire to learn more about early childhood.

Finally, a consequence is the knowledge that I have not even dented research of the early childhood . However, I think there will always be more to learn.

I am excited to continue this journey and I am in anticipation of all the new knowledge I will gain. My goal would be to continue to educate myself with various media both nationally and internationally. I really enjoyed BAM radio and have saved it to my favorites and will visit it often. Anyone who reads this...Please visit http://www.bamradionetwork.com/ and plug in a subject and see what you get you will be happy with the results.

Burnout

Through this weeks discussion Dr. Meyers asked me how I would keep passion for the field;therefore, I looked up Burnout on Bam Radio. I found the podcast entitled "Getting Beyond Burnout".

Burnout is caused by teachers not feeling empowered or supported in what they need to do. Powerlessness is what causes burnout both in teachers and students.

A good way to cure burnout can be combated with professional development or goal setting.
During  burnout exercise during the day, a new hobby, spiritual activities, and becoming healthy.

Keeping a Journal may be helpful and having a good support system. "Connecting outwardly".

REACH OUT for ASSISTANCE!


"Burnout among teachers is a growing problem driven by increased feelings of powerlessness in the classroom and profession. Our guests explore the roots of the problem and offer practical guidance on getting through and beyond burnout."

Digging Deeper

I linked to the partners of BAM radio and found  21 links to other early childhood sites. Head start is a program that was created to help in equity. BAM radio has a link to the National Head Start association. On this site is pod casts directed toward the Head Start program. Below is a list of  podcasts. Additionally you can subscribe via iTunes.

Finding a Dental Home for Head Start Children 
Nychelle Fleming


New Federal Crib Safety Regulations 
Nychelle Fleming

Window of Opportunity for Low-Income Children 
Mark K. Shriver

Positive Observation in the Classroom 
Guests:Rebecca Berlin, Ph.D.

Managing With The Stages of Child Development 
Guests:T. Berry Brazelton, Dr. Sparrow

Silencing the Whiners on Your Staff 
Guests: Holly Elissa Bruno

3 Ways to Run a Better, Smarter, More Efficient Head Start Agency 
Guests: Ann William and Michael Patterson

Vision Screening: Avoiding the Big Mistakes 
Guests: Dr. Bruce Moore, Dr. Jean Ramsey, and Susan Proctor

Are We making a Difference? New study says... 
Guests: Catriona Macdonald and Ronna Cook.

Tough New Standards From the Office of Head Start 
Guest: Maria Fuentez

The Importance of Movement on Learning 
Guest: Rae Pica

Preparing Head Start for H1N1 Flu 
Dr. Lisa Barrios and Tia Campbell

Getting Your Child Ready for the First Day of School
Guest Almeta Keys

New Era, New Leadership, New Possibilities
Guest Yasmina Vinci

Accessing Stimulus Dollars for Head Start Guest Ted Waters with host Scott Stapf 

http://www.nhsa.org/nhsa_radio

I was pleasantly surprised to find more radio pod-casts. I appreciate these because time is precious, so when I am commuting I can educate myself even more during drive time!

Two must Listen web cast.

These two web casts were very helpful in the issue of standards in the early years. The arguments is between very DAP teachers and teachers that love common core standards. If you take both and balance the kindergarten classroom with rich learning through play activities and vibrant didactic teaching SUCCESS OF DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE STANDARDS AND IMPLEMENTATION  FALLS ON A WELL PREPARED TEACHER THROUGH PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.  

National K-3 Standards Harm or Help Young Children?

Randi Weingarten, Edward Miller, Lisa Guernsey with Rae Pica

 this web cast, they discuss the concern of implementing Preschool and Kindergarten Standards. Research shows that children that learn to read at 5 and children that learn at 7 show know differences by age 11. 

The fear is that children that aren't learning these skills at age 5 will end up labeled as deficient. 

The point is equity in Literacy and Numeracy not Standards. The standards are to help ALL children be exposed to academics. 

Some believe that standards are promoting didactic teaching rather than a balance o didactic and play learning which is stunting social emotional growth. 

What matters is how to implementing standards both didactically, through play, and dramatic play. 

Can Kindergarten Standards Be Implemented in a Developmentally Appropriate Way?Randi Weingarten, Edward Miller, Lisa Guernsey with Rae Pica

Mrs. Weingarten- Feels like the standards help scaffold the learning for children and teachers. Third grade teachers shouldn't be held responsible. 

Ed Standards have become a "Sacred Cow"  there is no research that shows that standards helps K-3. 

We need to become strong advocates for our children and not allow tests to be misused and become the only way children are assessed. 

Implementation is what is important to have a positive experience and outcome from standards.

National K-3 Standards Harm or Help Young Children?Randi Weingarten, Edward Miller, Lisa Guernsey with Rae Pica

Are proposed national, common core standards developmentally appropriate at the kindergarten level? Class, wealth, social status, and implementation may all be factors. In this two-part series Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, defends the program to critics who argue that national standards are neither needed nor helpful.

http://www.bamradionetwork.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=554:jackstreet54&catid=35:jackstreet54&Itemid=89 

Can Kindergarten Standards Be Implemented in a Developmentally Appropriate Way?Randi Weingarten, Edward Miller, Lisa Guernsey with Rae Pica

Do common core standards for kindergarten mean standardized testing for very young children? If not, how will the standards be measured? There are many questions around how this program will ultimately be implemented.  In this segment our guests zoom in on the challenges, potential pitfalls and possible ways to employ kindergarten standards in a developmentally appropriate way.

http://www.jackstreet.com/jackstreet/WMBK.RTKindergartenregulation2.cfm



Global Initiative

The global initiative is working with Brazil to develop good leadership and policy in their Early Childhood Program. They have begun to translate videos to educate Brazilians. Se the below paragraph for more direct info.

As part of its Global Children’s Initiative, the Center launched Núcleo Ciência Pela Infância, its first major programmatic effort outside the United States. In collaboration with local experts, this project aims to use the science of child health and development to guide stronger policies and larger investments to benefit young children and their families in Brazil.

Núcleo Ciência Pela Infância is a collaboration between the Center, the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies at Harvard University, Fundação Maria Cecilia Souto Vidigal, the Faculty of Medicine at the University of São Paulo, and Insper. This project represents a unique opportunity for the Center to work with Brazilian scholars, policymakers, and civil society leaders to adapt the Center’s programmatic model for the local context in order to catalyze more effective policies and programs that will, ultimately, foster a more prosperous, sustainable, and equitable society.

Together, these organizations engage in the following activities:

• Building a scientific agenda and community of scholars around early childhood development;
• Synthesizing and translating scientific knowledge for application to social policy. This will include working with the Center’s longtime partner organization, Frameworks Institute, to effectively communicate the science of child development in the Brazilian cultural context;
• Strengthening leadership around early childhood development through an executive leadership course for policymakers;
• Translating and adapting the Center’s existing print and multimedia resources for a Brazilian audience
• 
  

http://developingchild.harvard.edu/index.php/activities/global_initiative/applying_the_science_of_early_childhood_in_brazi/

Sharing Web Resources

What specific section(s) or information seemed particularly relevant to your current professional development?

I have been looking at the NAECTE web site and the BAM Radio. I really have enjoyed and learned a lot from BAM Radio more than NAECTE.

BAM radio has a wealth of information on it. These are web casts to listen to. This site helps my professional development because I can search a subject and then listen to other teachers and professionals talk about it. This is a great site. The sections most relent to me are Educators Radio and Leadership Radio.

On NAECTE there is information that is relevant if I am a member. Most of the information on this site pertains to members.  I have learned about their yearly conferences that I can attend to get professional development hours. The winter 2014 Enewsletter talked mostly about nominations and board members and so on. It also communicated about scholarships that can be applied for. The section that would be most helpful to my professional development is the Journal Of Early childhood Education teachers. I did not become a member so I am unable to access most of the articles, unless I purchase them, But I know where to find articles if I need them.

 •Which ideas/statements/resources, either on the website or in an e-newsletter, did you find controversial or made you think about an issue in new ways?

Any podcast I listen to can be controversial and/or make you see things outside your knowledge base and explore other points of view. As I listen to these podcast/radio broadcasts, I keep an open mind and listen for statements that are backed by research. I then rethink were I stand in any specific issue, and form an educated decision and outlook.  

•What information does the website or the e-newsletter contain that adds to your understanding of how economists, neuroscientists, or politicians support the early childhood field?

Bam Radio has a tab called News and you can listen to press conferences and more about the race to the top. A program the Obama administration has put into play.

A podcast on  BAM Radio  below discuss the importance of the communities support of Education.

  

Why Schools Cannot  Do it Alone  Jamie Vollmer, Jay Mathews, Valerie Strauss, Debra Viadero, David Bloomfield    Jamie Vollmer is part of a class of education advocates who come from the business world. Though many professional educators dismiss what these increasingly influential advocates have to say, Jamie's message about how to get support for education reform has captured the interest of professional educators in high places. Listen to his key ideas followed by a reality check by our panel.

•What other new insights about issues and trends in the early childhood field did you gain from exploring the website or e-newsletter?

I discovered that there is so much going on through politics, society, and science that I did not have any idea how much discussion goes on about our field. Additionally, I have found a plethora of peers to listen to and comment on different strategies, policies, and more.

BAM radio also has a parent category that can be useful when providing information to parents. Three is many different stations that will take months to go through, but is so fun, enlightening, and great for professional development.