Reflection Blog #11

Reflection #11:

• Reflect on challenges that can come from teachers taking on the role of the “expert”. How does that impact the child and the family? What are the advantages of supporting a child and families competence? 

Teachers can be "experts" in their field, much like any other person can be in their career of choice, however that doesn't mean they know 100% what's right for the child.  It can get really difficult when a teacher has one way of doing things and that's all they know how or will do.  Students learn in different ways and are also different in the way they communicate their needs.  This can impact the teacher/student and teacher/parent relationship greatly.  Parents will feel like the teacher isn't being understanding to their child so it can cause some animosity between them.  The students will feel like the teacher just doesn't like them for whatever reason because they aren't willing to change how they are teaching.  I can relate to this currently because my oldest is struggling with is teacher on Distance Learning.  We are hearing one thing from our son but something completely different from his teacher.  Sometimes it's a big misunderstanding, but other times we are only getting what they want to tell us.  Some advantages of supporting a child and families competence would be making sure their goals are clear, having open communication with them, and less chance of miscommunication.  We can join them in their aspirations for their child.

• Share an example of when a supervisor supported you and focused on your strengths - what impact did it have on your job performance? 

When a supervisor focuses on my strengths, it boosts my self-confidence and makes me feel appreciated.  Last year, I created a door covering at the beginning of the school year for the office door.  It was welcoming and I got lots of compliments on it. My boss knows that I can be super artistic and let me take the reins on that project.  It made me want to do a good job too because I felt appreciated and wanted at my job.  

• Or on the opposite end, share an example of when a supervisor focused on your negative attributes or “weaknesses” - what impact did in have on your job performance?

This isn't a job example but an example that I can relate to this.  When I was in High School, I was on the flag team in the marching band.  My coach would always yell at me for not doing things right in front of everyone which was 200 something people.  It was embarrassing and I would get defensive so then she would make a bigger scene.  Her criticism was less than helpful and made me feel like I wasn't even wanted on the team.  It affected my performance in a negative way.

Reflection Blog #10

• Which of the 5 protective factors were present in your childhood? Which of the 5 are present in your family today? How do you think they have helped you build resilience?

As I reflect on my childhood, all of the protective factors were present in my childhood.  I had a really good childhood that didn't have any major issues.  Whenever something would happen, my parents taught us to be resilient and seek counsel if we needed it.  We were connected in the community and at church so we had that support from many people in not only the peaks of our lives but also the valleys too.  My parents made our home a safe place for us where we could bring any issue to them.  They would provide emotional support for us.  My sisters and I didn't have to worry about not having a concrete support system like some of our peers.  My parents taught us how to regulate our emotions whenever we are feeling upset or angry.  Sure, there were times when we would lose our cool, but most of the time we could talk through why we are feeling upset or angry.

When I think about my family with my husband and sons, I think we have all of them covered.  Much like how I grew up, we have a stable home for our boys.  They know they can come to us with any issue they are having.  We want them to feel comfortable with us because if they didn't feel like they could talk to us then we would have some serious issues.  Sometimes, however, they don't because they might be scared of what we will say about whatever it is, but once they do, we reassure them that it's ok.  I think the strongest protective factor in our house is the one about knowledge of parenting and child development because I have taken so many classes now about it that I can understand what my children are feeling a lot better than my husband can.  Whenever any of my kids are upset, I can usually trace their feelings to a reason and justify that reasoning because I have learned a lot about child development whereas my husband doesn't really look at the reasoning.  Sometimes he just tells them to stop without wanting to know the reason of their tears and tantrums.

I think that both my childhood and my current family have helped me build resilience because no matter what happens in my life, good or bad, you have to get up and do better.  You have to learn hard lessons but you will be better for it at the end of it all.  Be open and honest with people you love and care for so you can work it all out.

Reflection Blog #9

 Reflection Blog #9

Then reflect on some of the strategies in the article for breaking down barriers to parent-teacher relationships. Write about 3 of the suggested strategies that you have used in your personal life with others to create better relationships with them.

~Two-way communication: Both in my professional life as a preschool teacher and as a parent too, I make it very clear that I was open and honest two-way communication.  For being a preschool teacher, I let my parents know that they can message me anytime throughout the afternoon or if something happens, I let them know in a very detailed but professional way.  As far as my personal life goes, I expect weekly if not daily communication with the teacher.  If I am not getting that, which has happened before, it makes me very upset because I want to know what is going on inside the classroom.  Some may say that I'm a little bit of a helicopter mom, but if there are issues, I would rather nip it in the bud before it's too late.

~Embracing Differences Among Families: In my career so far as a preschool teacher, I have had some differences between certain families and my own personal opinions on things.  I oblige to their requests and differences because they are a paying customer.  As a teacher, you have to remain professional even when you don't agree.  You never know what someone else's way of living could teach you.  Once I get past my own opinion, I learn about the family and the way they are.

~Opportunities for family members to be a part of the classroom: In my personal life, we always had room moms/parents growing up in elementary school.  It was important for parents to be involved and help with holiday parties, art class or coming as a speaker on career day. My mom and dad always worked but sometimes they would take the day or afternoon off to be a part of the class.  It was really special to me!  It's important to get parents and family members inside the classroom so that they have an inside look at how the class is run.  Also, they will have better relationships with the teacher because they are involved.