Colleague’s definitions of Culture and Diversity

In this week’s readings Derman-Sparks and Edwards refers to culture as to how particular groups of people live. The way we eat, sleep, talk, play, care for our sick, relate to one another and our work, organize our homes, etc. Everything we do in a particular group refers to one’s culture.

I found this information interesting and related it to how my colleague’s responses as follows:

Assistant Principal: Gender: male Ethnicity: Anglo-Saxton (Caucasian)
Diversity definition: One’s beliefs and certain values
Culture Definition: The whole process as what they see as important. Distinguishing themselves from others and not just skin color.
This conversation continued I and learned that he was born in Cuba to a missionary family, so to him he had always been with people of many different colors of skin and socioeconomics. He continued to discuss how our school is mostly of the white race. We discussed my new position and how in the Special Education Dept. the families were very dedicated to what’s best for their child. We have some Hispanic children and since he is bilingual he addresses parents’ concerns. He said they respect his suggestions and consider him the expert for the child’s educational needs.

Unfortunately, in an American culture for example often the parent does not respect the educator’s opinions or suggestions. They seem to know what’s best, and we can’t tell them they are wrong.

Resource Intervention Teacher: Gender: Female Ethnicity: African-American
Diversity definition: Colors that blend not just skin colors. But all colors together. In relation to the classroom: mixing it up for their needs, something outside the four walls. She also said we all hear a different beat to a drum.
Culture definition: Things that you do. Like traditions for example going to church on Sunday and Sunday dinner with collards and black eye peas. Music, the way you dress, your rituals and holiday traditions.

Special Education Teacher: Gender: Female Ethnicity: Indian
Diversity definition: Different races, socioeconomics, and abilities.
Culture: Different family beliefs and values
Mrs. Anew came to America as an adult to study and live. She said that a culture shock for her is how children here have very little respect for their teachers. In India where she grew up the students were expected to hold a very high opinion and respect for the teacher. She said they would never talk back or talk when a teacher was talking and here in America the students are very disrespectful to teachers.

Each colleague had their own story to tell in relation to culture and diversity. The assistant principal had his cultural identities being raised in another country as a child, while the resource teacher had her family traditions being a part of her identity and family traditions. Mrs. Anew still wears her cultural dress and shared the differences in her cultures beliefs about children versus the children we teach in our classroom daily.

After talking with my colleagues I realized we all have our own family culture and daily lives, but at the same time we all accept one another for who we are and respect each other’s diversity.

Resource
Derman-Sparks, L., & Edwards, J.O. (2011). Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children.