Evaluating Impacts on Professional Practice

• Describe in detail the consequences you might expect for the children and families with whom you work while you experience specific “–ism(s)” in your own life. Include specific examples either those you have and/or are experiencing or ones you would anticipate.

In an anti-bias classroom, children learn to be proud of themselves and of their families, to respect human differences, and to recognize bias and speak up for what is right (Sparks, & Edwards, 2010). I grew up as a part of the dominant culture in Sri Lanka. I learned to respect and care for everyone and everything as a part of my culture. Parents taught their young ones about the importance of respect for all living beings. I learned that there is discrimination and it hurts. My parents showed us by examples that there is nothing majestic about being in the upper class or dominant culture. Hunger and pain are same for all beings. I grew up with high expectations from my parents; they always made education the priority.

After migrating to Singapore and then to the United States of America I learnt the hardships of being poor, middle class and an immigrant. So it became my life’s motto to not make any one else feel the way that I felt on different occasions. I try my best to understand the families the way they preferred me to know them. I try to help anyone in anyway that I possibly can. No one escapes learning stereotypes and misconceptions about various aspects of human diversity (Sparks, & Edwards, 2010). There were certain learned misconceptions that I had within me that have disappeared long time ago, because the more I interact with families of different parts of the world, different abilities, as well as different socio-economics, the more I understand the realities of their lives.

The way a child’s family does things feels natural and normal, and all young children bring that feeling with them when they enter care (Sparks, & Edwards, 2010).  I always try to keep in mind that I struggled to learn the ways of American life. I had to think hard to figure out what goes with the culture that I grew up with what are the changes that I need to make my family’s and my survival. So I always try to keep these fresh in my mind. The most important thing we bring to our teaching is who we are (Sparks, & Edwards, 2010). I believe that one of the most important values that I have with me is expectations. I make sure that I am consistent with them and they are age-appropriate, clear, and simple.

These include a family’s expectations and hopes for their child, child-rearing strategies, guidance and disciplinary methods, daily life rituals, language, and other aspects of their home culture (Sparks, & Edwards, 2010). Moreover, as an immigrant I am a believer in respecting the differences and learning from each other. There is no reason to believe that as an educated educator my way is the best. Everyone has the opportunity to work together and to provide the best for the children of the world. Because at the end what is the most important thing is: loving, caring and educating the future of the world.

My personal views could be different from the majority due to my upbringing. But I make sure that I respect and care for all the individuals and work hard to keep all the “ISM”s out of my mind. I am a believer in knowledge and the changes that knowledge could bring to an individual’s life. Knowledge is power - or perhaps more accurately, knowledge gives you tools to act powerfully (Sparks, & Edwards, 2010).

Reference:

Sparks, D. L. & Edwards, O. J. (2010). Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves. National Association for the Education of Young Children. 1313 L. Street NW.

Suite 500

Washington, DC. 20005 - 4101