Communication Style

My test revealed that, according to me, I have low anxiety when talking with others and little to no anxiety anticipating those encounters.  I chose my husband and a colleague to evaluate me as well.  Each result showed that they both believe me to be in the Low category, also.  I have always loved to talk with others, whether a stranger or long time friend.  I enjoy large groups of people but also thrive for a good one on one conversation.  Public speaking is especially exciting to me, as long as I am educated and passionate about the topic.

I found myself to be moderately verbally aggressive, as well did my husband.  I work hard to always remain respectful, but am not afraid of a hearty debate.  I don't avoid conflict, but truly believe there are healthy manners in which to engage in it.  My husband seems to be well aware of who I am, however my co worker found me to be in the Low range.  I am uncertain if it is because she sees me in a more gentler fashion, or if she wanted to be more gentle herself in evaluation.  I rarely get mad, but rather I engage in passionate conversations.

I was placed in Group 1, a people oriented style of listening, after all 3 evaluations.  I am very people focused and enjoy listening to others, as well as encouraging them.  However, I disagree that I am too trusting of others.  I allow others to be who they are, but I have a keen ability to see through many veils.

I am quite surprised that all of the results turned out to be so similar.  I believe it is because I try to be myself in all circumstances.  It is rare that someone finds me to be complicated.

Communicating Differently

• Do you find yourself communicating differently with people from different groups and cultures?
• If yes, in what ways do you communicate differently?

I work hard to be myself in all situations, all the while being culturally sensitive.  I believe it's important to be who God made me to be, but to always consider other's feelings.  Having lived internationally and being bilingual helps me to remember other's cultures.  I work to discover a person's likes and dislikes as well as their personal culture by asking questions about their life rather than talking about myself.  This week's readings on the Platinum Rule reminds me to consider to treat others with the respect that THEY want.

Chicago FIre

I have never watched the drama series, Chicago Fire.  I watched the first 20 minutes without sound. It was filled with emotional events, that appeared to create both sadness, fear and anger in the characters.  They displayed tears, posture of hopelessness, angered eyes and aggressive body language.  The characters seem to have strong relationships, because there is so much emotion wrapped up in their communication.
When re-watching the first 20 minutes I found that I was correct in my assumptions.  That the characters had pre existing relationships that caused sadness and anger when faced with tragedy.  They were protective of one another and were angered on the others behalf. 
My assumptions wouldn't have been much more correct had I been familiar with the show.  It certainly proves that nonverbal cues are significant and highly impactful.

Competent Communication

When I think about a person, in my life, that is an example of a competent communicator, I think of one of my dear colleagues. My colleague works for the State of Michigan, she works to educate parents on how to be an advocate for their child(s).  Holly, my colleague, first and foremost speaks genuinely and from the heart.  As a mother herself she draws of personal experiences to make connections with families/parents.  She doesn't try to represent herself as the perfect educator or parent.  She trains from perspective that we are all on a journey and learning as we go.  Families so easily become comfortable with her.  I have been graced with spending many hours, days and weeks with Holly gaining countless ideas on how to improve my own communication skills.  Holly creates conversations that encourages parents to be empowered.  She is a good listener, which is vital, to shared communication.  Most importantly, she cares about others and it shows in her communication style.

Hopes and Goals

One hope that I have when I think about working with children from diverse backgrounds is that we work closer with families to truly determine how their families culture and traditions can be represented in the classroom.  Rather than stock our classrooms with things and approaches that we determine represent their diversity that we take all of our cues from the family.

One goal I would like to set is that I as an early childhood professional can create more opportunities for families to get involved in the classroom.  Parents are a child's first teacher, however so many of the families that we work with don't believe this to be true.  I want to work to empower them to feel like a strong and able voice at the table.


Dear Colleagues,

Thank you for a wonderful 8 weeks.  This has been a challenging and at times exhausting course.  As we near this special Holiday may each of you be blessed and full of Joy.  I am wishing you well in your future studies and hope to bump in to you in future course work.

Sincerely,

Heather Merrill

Being responsive to culture in the classroom

The country of origin I chose is Kazakhstan, previously part of the Soviet Republic and situated in Central Asia and Eastern Europe.  Still and communist country and working on a balanced foreign policy.

5 ways that I will be culturally responsive to the family:

*  I will research information about the culture of their origin
*  I will work to bridge the gap between home and school, through my homevisit
*  I will use my gathered information to adapt my teaching style
*  I will bring things representing the families culture in to the classroom ie. pictures, dramatic play items, food, books, etc.
*  I will ask parents to share stories and traditions with the class

My goal is to create a learning environment that brings all of the children's cultures in to the classroom.  By researching information about a families culture I can become more sensitive and mindful.  I intend for each of my students to bring their home culture to school with them, offering feelings of safety and comfort.  The connection between parents and teachers is vital and can enhance a child's learning.

Prejudice

When I first returned to the United States, after 4 years of living in Monterrey, Mexico, I entered in to a conversation with an older man.  He inquired as to why I had been living in Mexico and as we began to talk I knew that it might possibly end badly.  He felt he had found an outlet to voice his disgust for the hispanic families living in the United States.  He spoke openly about other nationalities working and living in the U.S. as he felt a level of pride that entitled him to live here but no one of differing cultures.  He felt that if they were unable to speak english they did not belong.  I openly shared my opininions of embracing others and showing each individual respect.  If our world functioned under the same feelings and opinions that this man did, no one of differing languages and traditions would be welcome in this country.  His feelings of ownership wouldn't allow any equity amongst the differing groups.  I was truly enraged by this conversation and recognized how far we have to go, as a country, to reach equality and equity.  Laws, employers, educators and society at large would have to change to allow for equity for immigrants.  We need to embrace and celebrate difference in order to gain compassion.