What are you Going to Teach the World?

My mother always tells me I can't save the world. While I may not be able to save the world directly,  I can work to save the children. Before beginning this program, I knew I wanted to ensure we were progressing down the right path for children. Now as the program comes to a close, I have learned that:
              **Diversity is much more than what we see. Diversity also connects in ways we are not even remotely aware of.  I strive to be the leader who looks at disabilities with the realization that each person has the ability for greatness despite their outward appearances.
             ** Listening will move our field so much more than talking. If we would just take the time to listen to children, families, stakeholders, peers, everyone, we will have the ability to meet one another's needs without conflict.
             ** While my experiences are in the state of Pennsylvania, I have connected with other students from other corners of the United States and the world. We were all children once and we share many of the very same struggles. I have learned so much from the student and faculty of this program through the sharing of possible solutions to these problems.
             ** I have learned to trust in myself. In looking back, I wanted to throw in the towel after the child development course. The instructor held the highest expectations of any course I ever had and I honestly thought "It's child development. It will be a cakewalk." I was sadly mistaken and grew in my ability to push forward. I am so glad I did not give up.

Looking forward, I truly see myself as self-employed. I have learned so much from the administrators I have worked under and created numerous connections in this field. My plan is to begin researching my options for opening up my own early learning facility. The choices are limited where I live and the options that are available are low quality. Locating start-up funding will be the biggest hurdle I foresee. In the event this dream does not come true, I will look to become an in-service educator and consultant. I enjoy my role as a CDA PD Specialist, but I know I need the connection with children.

To my past instructors: I thank you for challenging my belief system and encouraging me to think outside the box. The resources that were provided on this journey were completely amazing and I look forward to sharing what I have learned with my peers and staff. I thank you for the endless hours of grading papers and posting on discussion boards. Thank you for always correcting my APA format. I honestly won't miss that at all. You have truly made an impact in my life and I hope that our paths may cross again someday.

To my colleagues: Thank you for your honest and candid feedback. You may not have always agreed with everything, but in doing so, you helped me grow into the leader I hoped to be. From the discussion boards to the blog posts, you were always there to support and provide insight. I found it reassuring that we often shared the same struggles and achievements. I wish each one of you continued success.

 

Arlene McMahon

mcmahonclan5@aol.com

Across the Ocean...International Opportunities

I must admit I found this assignment a little intimidating because of the scope of this project. I reviewed several sites and could not come to terms with applying for a position that was not located in my hometown. Then it hit me, that this is my time to dream and learn. What if I could just pick up everything and move to Paris while improving education for young children? I have now let go of being grounded and begun to dream.

I am currently with working with refugee children and families. I hear the stories of how they left their war-stricken countries and have been uprooted. They have left so much behind in hopes for a better future in the United States. I am eager to learn more about how to assist these families in transition and feel that the organization Save the Children would be an ideal agency to work for. I am intrigued by the Human Resources Generalist position posted on their site. I have a passion for HR work and creating positive work environments. This position would bring together many of my passions in the field. This position would require a BS with HR experience in recruiting, learning, compensation and HR practice. The applicant would need to be proficient in Office and ideally understand the Ceridian, SharePoint, and Cornerstone applications. I am familiar with none of them.

I also enjoyed reading about the National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators. I learned that this organization provides platforms for communication amongst teachers (NAECTE, 2014). I know it's hard for teachers to network with one another with ratio standards, but this venue may provide them with the platform they need. While the job positions that were posted appeared to be from a variety of local colleges and centers. One such position, Preschool Instructional Assistant, appealed to me and I meet the qualifications of the position which include possession of a BS in Education or higher degree as well as the ability to teach nature lessons regardless of weather.


My current position is with a local diversity center in which I work with families from all over the world. Upon reading about the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), I found they work to ensure ....They have a variety of positions available from temporary consultant work to secretarial and professional positions. Under professional opportunities, various sectors are listed. The Educational sector appealed to me as it entails working to ensure educational quality for all children across the globe, celebrating diversity and ensuring the protection of human rights. I see so many families come to the United States and listen to their stories of their lives in their home country. I believe a position such as this would permit me to grow in my knowledge and share my compassion for helping people. The position requires an advanced degree in education, or a variety of other specialties along with the ability to communicate fluently in English and or French with a working knowledge of the other language. There are experience levels indicated for various positions along with management experience (UNESCO, n.d.).


References

National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators (2014). Job opportunities. Retrieved from http://www.naecte.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=29&Itemid=42

Save the Children. (2014). Careers. Retrieved from http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6226565/k.BFEA/Working_at_Save_the_Children.htm

United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (n.d.). UNESCO Careers. Retrieved from http://en.unesco.org/careers/professional

Federal/National Job Opportunities

A close friend of mine recently became employed through our local Head Start office and has raved about the resources that are available for families and children. I reviewed the National Head Start site for their job openings and found that I would need to become a member to fully review the postings (National Head Start Association, 2014). There were a variety of options available across the nation for positions from everything for health consultants, teachers, and human resource analysts. My friend shared that there will be a professional development coordinator position opening up in my area. This person will facilitate the professional development of the teachers as well as other trainers. As a past CDA trainer and with my upcoming graduation, I feel I would be an ideal applicant for this position because I have served as a certified trainer for over five years. This position was the most appealing to me as it would continue to permit me to work in the field, but without the stresses of staffing, enrollment, and budgets.

My journey for a position with a national agency took me to the Association for Early Learning Leaders. I had never heard of this agency prior to this research. This agency exists to bring early learning leaders together in our pursuit for quality by collaborating with other national agencies (Association for Early Learning Leaders, n.d.). Under their "Professional Development" tab, there is a link for careers which sends users to a brief survey. I did find that this agency is not recognized by the state of Pennsylvania for accreditation, but did find that a preschool teaching position in Illinois was available for candidates with a Bachelor's in ECE. I would have preferred to find something more administrative but felt this site would have amazing resources to assist in my professional growth as a leader.

My final stop was at the National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA) site. Here I found the opportunity to become a verifier. While specific education requirements were not listed, it was evident, candidates must possess a knowledge and passion for the early learning field and be willing to travel consecutive days. Candidates can apply online and if approved in the first phase, will receive an study pack that the candidate must become fluent in. Once mastered, applicants complete three site visits with a lead verifier (NECPA, 2013). I find this position appealing because I could travel and observe a variety of programs. I find it so rewarding to be a part of the continued growth of a center. In this position, I could provide resources to ensure they were on their path to quality and provide the feedback needed to improve practices.

References:
Association for Early Learning Leaders, (n.d.). Career Center. Retrieved from http://www.earlylearningleaders.org/networking/opening_search.asp

National Early Childhood Program Accreditation, (2013). Verifier. Retrieved from http://www.necpa.net/positiondetail.php

National Head Start Association, (2014). Job Board. Retrieved from https://www.nhsa.org/professional_development/job_board

ECE Roles - What I want to be when I grow up...

I feel that I am at a crossroads in my career as I question the business practices of my current employer. Through exploring the possible roles I could potentially see myself in, I have looked into the NW Regional Key which assists in setting the quality rating standards for our state. I actually interviewed for a position with this organization over the summer. Applicants were to possess a BS in ECE or a related field, possess a working knowledge of Pennsylvania child care regulations as well as STARS standards. I was offered the position and felt that I would have exceled in this role, yet the position required a tremendous amount of time away from home and my family.

I also found PACCA (Pennsylvania Child Care Association). This agency is an advocacy agency for child care centers in the state of PA. This membership driven organization is comprised of a board and offers a variety of committees to serve on. It appears that past experience with child care is helpful to serve on committees. While employment information was not listed on the website, I did read that they provide information to determine public policy as well as links to governmental officials.

The final agency I found was the Erie County Co-operative Extension. While this agency has departments that cover everything from farming to 4-H and child care, there is a wide variety of topics that can be covered. Under the early learning area, I found the option to order instructor modules. As a certified instructor for Pennsylvania, I found this option a possibility. As a certified trainer, I need to prove my experience and expertise in particular areas as well as possess a BS in ECE. Better Kid Care is a department under the auspice of the Co-Op Extension. Through ordering their materials, I would ensure a quality training without the stress of planning the coursework.

Continuing the Journey

     This course came in for a prime time for reflection for me and my career. I was displaced from my position as a child care director and upon reflecting about the reasons why, I found it boiled down to communication. Prior to this course, I was less likely to listen to other perspectives if they were not in line with the mission and vision of my center. I have learned to remove the emotion from decision making and ask more questions along the way. I have learned to listen closely and attempt to understand the other's point of view, which I had not done as well previously.I was also able to validate my leadership strengths and ability to collaborate with families and agencies. I am excited to apply these new skills and knowledge to the next journey that awaits me and feeling very excited to delve into the next course on team building.

    In closing, I wanted to share that it has been such a pleasure reading the discussion and blog posts each week. The growth that has occurred in all of us is truly amazing and much of that learning has been through supporting each other.

It's So Hard to Say Good-Bye

One of the most successful groups that I was on involved the planning for our high school reunion. Our class president stepped down from planning after our 5 year reunion and I took over and planned the next 3 reunions with different classmates each time. This last reunion, I worked with a classmate who lived in Michigan while I live in Pennsylvania. We had several face-to-face meetings over the course of a year and numerous online chats via Facebook. We had to work through the last minute cancellation of a DJ as well as last minute questions & reservations by classmates. All in all, the reunion was a success and classmates are still talking about the events three years after the festivities. Stephanie and I became close friends during the planning process despite the distance, but as the need to communicate on a regular basis after the reunion diminished, so did our connections. Gradually more and more time went between phone calls and chat messages to the point where we only see each other twice per year. Looking back, our goal was accomplished so it would be necessary to adjourn that part of our relationship, but our friend connection has continued in a different capacity (O'Hair & Weimann, 2012).

I've worked in other successful group projects at work and have found the same conclusion that while the work is done, it is difficult to transition to a different form of relationship. I also worked on a planning committee for an early learning expo where I had continual contact with other directors. During our planning process, we would talk about issues and successes at work while serving as a sounding board for one another. Once the expo ended, that personal connection also ended. I wish we would have set up further meeting dates just to connect with other administrators who "get it". This team was the hardest to leave as I felt that I would be returning to the role of director with no one to talk things through with.

There have been several names that I see continually in each of the groups I have worked in throughout my studies here. It is a pleasure to learn about their experiences and know that I am not alone in struggles. While graduation is not too terribly far away, I believe we will all need a sense of closure but also the ability to connect again if needed.

Adjourning brings closure to the team. There have been times where adjourning has been the only positive effect of the team as in the results being less than stellar. Other times adjourning can be emotional, either because the team has done so well and there is excitement about the accomplishment or because close bonds have formed and the team may not have the option to work together again.

Reference:

O'Hair, D., & Wiemann, M. (2012). Real communication. New York: Bedford/St. Martin's

Conflict & Reflection

I believe that this week's lesson has come at an amazing time for reflection. I have recently moved on in my role as a child care director as managing people has proven difficult for me. A recent disagreement that sticks out regarded a person who was a long time employee. She was on leave for her protected time and needed additional time which was granted, but we also let her know that we were looking at applicants. Towards the end of her leave, she resigned and we hired her replacement. Her best friend approached me to talk about her feelings on the situation. She did not appreciate that I could so easily let a long time staff person go so easily and shared how much she brought to the program. She continued to question the management decisions that were made. I validated her feelings and shared that it was difficult to make the decision as I valued this person as a person as well. I shared some of the reasons I was close with this person as well. We then went on to discuss that this was purely a business decision. We needed to move the team forward and regroup as the team has suffered a high rate of turnover. She inquired why I never called the teacher and I explained that I was scared she wouldn't talk. I was also afraid I might say something that would violate HR laws and be perceived differently than intended so I avoided the conversation and let HR handle it. After the friend left the office, I needed a moment to collect myself and took her comments personally. I saw that this was a personal decision for her, yet for me it was a business decision. I talked with the Employee Assistance Counselor to walk me through these feelings and she explained I just needed to email myself to remind that it was for the better and the benefits of moving on. I would be curious to know what I could have done differently. I have facilitated an environment of the staff not trusting me which has resulted in my change in jobs. I felt I shared openly as best I could (without violating any other person's rights) and I listened. I asked probing questions and offered suggestions, yet I was painted as the bad guy and lost my job.

As part of the reflection process, I see that I could have been more open with all the staff in the process. With the many rules and laws that govern a person's rights, I find it hard to strike a balance. Everything I have learned about in leadership courses is to be transparent with staff. How do I be transparent yet protect confidentiality? What could I have done differently? I miss my role, my families, and the majority of the staff. I understand I need to work through these issues before I can take on another position.

Communication Perceptions

I must admit I was a little uncomfortable completing the exercise for this week as I communicate in vastly different ways depending upon my audience. I felt like I chose "sometimes" too often because of this. I am also in a transition with jobs right now and would have loved to have one of my staff or other colleagues complete the surveys to get a true picture of my professional side. Instead, I used my husband and my mother. My husband showed anxiety in completing it as well as he did not the results to cause hard feelings. I ensured him I would be fine.

For the most part we all agreed on all of the surveys which was enlightening as I know which ones I struggle with. It was confirmed that I am an emotional listener and this often clouds my judgement. This is very true as I internalize other people's problems. The surprising result came from my mother's result on verbal aggression. I felt I tend to listen, but will defend myself or a situation when needed, but not attack a person's character. Both my husband and I scored this test as "moderate". My mother's result came back as "significant". I was a little offended by that, but also remember that she usually hears me venting about situations instead of observing me in action so I can justify that score.

The two insights I gleamed this week included the profound impact our schemas have on our ability to communicate whether intentional or not. I am aware of my feelings, but struggle with how to be more conscious of it prior to judging. Personally and professionally, everyone deserves a fair chance and I should not critique them based on my own biases. The other insight that hit close to home was the topic of self-esteem. I have been recently displaced from my position and instead of crawling under a rock, I am choosing to be proactive and perceive this as a
new opportunity. I know I made a difference with the standards I brought to the program and I am going to use those experiences, both good and bad, to pursue new opportunities. In talking with colleagues about the situation, many have commented that they are surprised at my positive outlook. Conversely, a close friend of mine has gone through the same ordeal and has suffered from depression. She expressed that she will never find a job and almost defeats herself before trying. They say attitudes are contagious and I hope that mine is worth catching.

Communication styles

I communicate differently depending upon my audience. The social identities I share with a variety of groups depends upon what information I share. I am much more relaxed with friends and family than my colleagues and strangers. I am more open and honest with friends and can be myself yet when I communicate with other groups, there is a need to filter certain topics and body language. I need to become very introverted when meeting new people yet when I am in a group of colleagues, I am often the advocate for change. I tend to be the one who says what everyone else is thinking. I may exhibit more formal body language with elder family members yet relax with friends and younger family members.


To better communicate with these groups, I need to better understand the human traits they exhibit rather than the social identities that bond us. I must acknowledge that differences are ok instead of feeling defensive if another viewpoint is presented. I acknowledge that I am much more empathetic with my closer family members and friends, but could need to expand that into colleagues and strangers. I struggle with empathy for my staff because I have been perceived to have "favorites". In this instance, I have resorted to being much more black & white and follow the rule book. Finally, I need to be cognizant of the emotions that become involved in the communication. I often take comments personally only to later find that this was not the intention of the other party. Once I feel hurt or belittled in any way, I tend to disengage and not listen as closely. By removing the emotion of the message and focus on the message only, I am able to communicate more effectively with all parties (Vuckovic, 2008).

Reference:

Vuckovic, A. (2008). Inter-cultural communication: A foundation of communicative action. Multicultural Education and Technology Journal, 2(1), 47–59.

What Did You Say?

While there are only a view shows that I watch on a regular basis, I am exposed to a number of other shows that my children and husband watch. I finally settled on "Everybody Hates Chris". I missed the beginning credits of the show so as I watched it on mute, I had no idea there was narration to explain the story. I watched a wife come home and appear to be unhappy about a situation in which she talked to her husband about. Her face showed anger and frustration and her hair looked like she was in a wind storm. Her husband appeared to not want to engage with her as he rolled his eyes and pretended to sleep. Later on she calls her children into the room while continuing to appear upset. The children entered the room with their shoulders down and the looks on their faces made me believe they were in trouble for something. The show then flashed to a school scene in which two middle school children were competing for school president. At first, I believed the first boy would win as the audience was smiling and clapping while nodding their heads. The second boy appeared to be nervous as another classmate smiles at him and pats him on the back. The first candidate then appeared to be a bully as he hit the second candidate in the head as he walked off the stage. I witnessed his confidence build in his speech as his body language went from reserved to comfortable and his arm movements increased. The audience was whispering to each other then moved into clapping with enthusiasm and laughing. The second candidate won and the teachers cheered while the first candidate slumped in his seat.


After watching the show with the volume on, my assumptions were correct with a mother and father role and two children. I found the narration helpful as it explained the backstory and I was unaware of this venue of communication while I watched it on mute. I did learn that the second candidate was also the third child of the family. I was utterly moved by his speech and how he connected with the other students on a person level by talking about things that affected all of them and how he wanted to make a change for the student community instead of a select few. I wanted to vote for him!


I actually enjoyed the show and the comedic theme behind growing up in a diverse neighborhood. I would have liked to watched additional shows and saddened that I missed the run. I do believe that I would have had a deeper insight into the show if I were familiar with the story line prior to watching on mute. I also believe that I would have watched the show on mute as closely as I did if I had known the characters. I struggled with just watching their body language and attempted to lip read most of the story. I wanted to know what they were saying!

Competent Communicator

I chose a very close friend and colleague of mine to reflect upon for communication. We met through a training and couldn't be more opposite from each other. She is quiet and reserved, I tend to voice my opinion and rally the troops. She advocates by asking questions, I advocate by writing letters to newspapers and political offices. Over time we have gotten very close and I can honestly say that I trust her with my life. She has been my rock when things go crazy and I feel I can't keep up any more.


There are so many things that make her a competent communicator. First and foremost, she listens. Truly listens. Once she listens, she then empathizes and acknowledges feelings. I have watched in awe as I knew she was battling her own demons when we went out with a friend who was going through a divorce. Our friend shared her heartbreak and how difficult it is to move on and even get out of bed. Susan worked her magic and brought a smile to her face by the end of the conversation. I sat there dumbfounded and not a clue what to say.


I wish that I could find the words like Susan does and be able to make a connection like she does verbally. I never know what to say, but will listen. I am much better at writing to express my thoughts as I can take my time to formulate my point of view and consider my audience. My verbal communication has gotten me into trouble in more ways than I can count. I have learned the lesson that once it is said, it cannot be taken back. If I were Susan, my words wouldn't need to be taken back.

Professional Hopes and Goals

As I look to the future, my hope for children and families is that each person is recognized and celebrated for their differences. Each family provides a learning opportunity that can easily be missed in managing the daily hustle. I will strive to not only take the time with families and colleagues, but to listen....truly listen to their hopes, desires, expectations, and needs. My purpose will be to assist them in the acclimation to their new surroundings without sacrificing who they are.


My goal for the field of early learning is that we move beyond the token classroom diversity items to truly welcome our families. A welcoming environment needs to be more than a handful books with various races, multicultural dolls and play food. We need to share beliefs, traditions, recipes, and culture. Let the past help drive us to a new positive future. We need to make our classrooms meaningful and a 2nd home to all.


I would like to thank all of my colleagues who have read my posts and left comments. Your positive feedback in this journey has been astounding. A special thank you to Susan who's posts are always so articulate on the discussion boards and her blog. I commend you for your passion in striving for equality for all. You are a role model and I have learned so much from you.

Bosnia

     For this week's assignment, I chose the country of Bosnia. We have many families from Bosnia in our city yet none of them have transitioned to my facility as of yet. I would begin my researching the country to learn more about the general culture of Bosnia such as what languages are spoken and what religions are practiced prior to them enrolling. I would talk with the family and utilize an interpreter if needed to expand upon these topics and gain insight into their family beliefs and expectations of my program. In doing internet research, I have learned that most Bosnian families are Muslim and they live in larger communities. I recognize that I would need to put my biases aside and value the family as one with different experiences that we can all learn from. I envision myself meeting with the local Multicultural Resource Center to obtain more information and look for ways to ensure the family felt valued in our program. I would be looking for activities or practices that we could incorporate into our day as well as triggers for unintentional biased messages. I believe that I would incorporate the lead teacher if not the entire team into this planning and be as open in communication as possible. We would need to consider the learning and socialization styles of the child and family. If they are reserved and preferred to play alone, how can we support them where they are without trivializing their beliefs.


     Overall, I believe that these preparations would be meaningful to the family and my center by providing a peace of mind. My goal would be to have at least a small part of home in their surroundings. In the process, the awareness of differences and likenesses would be expanded.

Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

During my high school and college years, I worked at a local mom and pop type grocery store/deli. We did a booming business and funneled through many customers throughout the day. In working with people, many opportunities arise to observe interactions amongst parties. I had worked with a great guy who was very upbeat and sang while he worked. Everyone loved working with him and many of our customers came in to see him "perform". One day we had an elderly gentleman who appeared to be in a bad mood and wanted some items from the deli. My coworker called his number and cheerfully asked what he could get for him. The man looked at him and rolled his eyes then told him that he would wait for me to wait on him as he didn't want a black man touching his lunchmeat. I was mortified and didn't know how to respond to such ignorance. Here was a man who loved his job and loved serving people. Not many people come to work with a smile on their face especially with a job that barely pays above minimum wage. I saw his shoulders drop and spring briefly leave his step. My coworker's demeanor changed, but only briefly. It was like he swallowed a bad pill then looked at the man and asked again what he could get for him. I informed that man that I could not wait on him but that my coworker would be happy to assist him. The customer muttered something under his breath and walked out of the store. The surrounding customers began to comment on the man's ignorance and support my coworker. After the man left, my coworker excused himself to the break room and cried.


I see that the bias the man had cut my coworker like a knife. I often wonder what the response would be if he came back into the store. I feel I should have spoke up and said something more supportive of my coworker, but I was honestly in shock. We both do the same jobs and his color has nothing to do with the service he provides. I worked through the remaining customers and then gave him a hug. He explained that in the past he may have gotten funny looks from people, but has never had someone be so brazen to make a comment like that to his face. I understand I may have bias as the customer was older and I assume that when he was younger that race mattered in some degree. I believe we need to change the mindset of the public and look at the service provided. I believe the customer's attitude and acceptance would need changed to provide greater equity.

Microaggressions

Prior to this course, I would take comments about others in passing and not pay too much attention to them. This week I have reflected upon a couple examples of things I have overheard and have been said to me.






The Canadian
I overheard several people talking in a break room. One of the girls was sharing an incident of meeting a new guy who apparently was also interested in her friend but didn't realize the girls knew each other. The girl telling the story laughed about the situation and follows up with, "What do you expect? He's from Canada. They're just not that smart up there."






In this example, I wonder what the man would have felt if he had overheard this comment or if there were any other people in the break room who were of Canadian descent.






Age and Wisdom
I had a teacher who brought in excellent play based learning experiences and different projects with the kids. Our center has moved to individualized plans written by all staff including the assistants. In trying to work through this change, she shared with me how she has raised six children and they all have done well. She commented on her age and how paperwork wasn't her forte'. She explained that the paperwork was for the younger staff. All she wanted to do was play.






In this example, the judgment is made that only young staff can keep up with the demands of the paperwork. I also saw the correlation that her experience as a mother inadvertently made her a better teacher than the teachers without children. Both assumptions are untrue.






I do see that our society tends to find ways to share how they are better than others. There appears to be a limelight obsession with how great an individual is rather than celebrating the differences that make us who we are.

Diversity and Equity Interviews

I found this week's assignment very insightful and in the process, realized I needed to avoid some touchy items due to my cultural beliefs. I interviewed three of my staff this week on what their ideas of diversity and culture meant to them and the differences. While two of the people I interviewed were newer to the field, one was a veteran teacher who is compassionate about diversity and equity. The veteran teacher shared everything we have learned so far about the differences in surface culture and deep culture. She shared that culture is "everything we are and everything we aren't". To her, diversity is comprised of the differences amongst our characteristics, but she did not feel that special needs traits were included in diversity. I did not understand why she felt this way as a special need could also be considered a social identity. I knew I needed to acknowledge that we felt differently, but also needed to respect her thought process.


Interestingly, the newer staff members I interviewed focused more on the surface traits of culture such as food, clothing, ethnicity, and skin color.  Each of them talked of the differences we possess in socio-economic levels, relationships, and beliefs, but equated that more to the term of diversity.


I had a lengthy conversation with my veteran teacher on the terms which caused me to reflect on some of my own beliefs. She shared with me how she is agnostic and wrote a senior paper on why God should be removed from the Pledge of Allegiance. I am a Christian and believe that the government rests upon His shoulders. I wanted to understand why she felt that way and she explained that she learned that God was added to the Pledge to help differentiate children and people on their religious beliefs. It was believed that if they did not say God, they were Communists and would be killed. I had not considered that this was a possibility. We also went on to discuss our country's foundational beliefs. She believes that America is the land of opportunity and freedom and that anyone from any country should be able to make a better life for themselves here. I see her point, but also see the strain that this puts onto our system. I shared that we cannot financially take care of the people who currently live here, but she retorted what if America felt that way when our ancestors came over? We wouldn't be here either. This exercise has made me question my own belief system. I was once the person who thought that culture was only what you can see. I am beginning to understand who much deeper culture actually is.

Three Items

      In all honesty, I struggled with what to chose to bring with me to my fictitious new country. I have read about families who have left their worldly possessions behind to begin a new life in the United States and only had their clothes on their backs. At first, I thought about bring my genealogical research with me as I worked on this project for years and have my roots traced back to the 1700s. I wouldn't want to lose that, but does that represent our family? I was absolutely sure I would take my computer, but with not knowing about electricity and chargers, it may be obsolete in no time.






 I then reflected upon what our daily routines are and life in general and came up with these three items:






1. My Bible - Not knowing what would lie ahead in the new country and what belief system would be instilled, I would find comfort in knowing that God is with us and will help us make sense of the new surroundings. We have recently began attending church on a regular basis and have learned so much over these last few months. I want to continue in our faith walk.




2. Our dog Zoey - We have had her in our family for 4 years. She has had some anxiety issues and we are her rock. She is like having a fourth child. My children believe the sun rises and sets with her and we could never leave her behind. I would hope no one would attempt to eat her.




3. A soccer ball - My husband is an avid fan of soccer and has instilled the love of the game into all of our children. Many nights we head outside just to kick it around.






If I were told I needed to give up 2 items upon arrival, I would be devastated. I do not know how I would chose as each of these items have a huge significance to who my family has become. I'm sure we could improvise with something to make a soccer ball, but giving up my Bible and my dog are out of the question. I sound like a country song!






The exercise this week truly hit home. I felt the connection and loss of identity in reflecting upon what to take and how I would feel if I were forced to give items up. I felt protective of my items as this would be all I would have left of a life once lived. Even now that I have chosen 3 items, I feel anxious about that decision and wonder if something else would have been better. How can we equate our lives to three items? The panelists in our video this week were right....culture is everything of who we are and what we represent (Laureate Educ., Inc., n.d.).


Reference
Laureate Educ., Inc. (n.d.). Family cultures: Dynamic interactions. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_4210478_1%26url%3D