Professional Hopes and Goals

One hope that you have when you think about working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds (any format and any length)

Working with children and families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds poses special challenges to early childhood educators. In order for me to meet the needs of all members of the school community, it is my hope that all educators make an effort to ensure that the school system as a whole and each of its components including individual classrooms strives to achieve cultural competence. The increase in racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity in American schools is reflected in many early childhood classrooms. These classrooms also are receiving increased numbers of children with disabilities or developmental delays. The diverse composition of early childhood classrooms brings many challenges as well as many opportunities to educators. With knowledge of effective practices, and with the support of administrators, colleagues, families, and the local and global community, teachers can create classrooms that are responsive to the diverse needs of all children.

• One goal you would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice (any format and any length).

The dimensions of diversity include race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, language, culture, religion, mental and physical ability, class, and immigration status. While diversity itself is not a value laden term, the way that people react to diversity is driven by values, attitudes, beliefs, and so on. Full acceptance of diversity is a major principle of social justice.  My goal is to raise the achievement of all students while narrowing the gaps between the highest- and lowest-performing students; and eliminating the racial predictability of which student groups occupy the highest and lowest achievement categories. Recognizing that equality and equity are not the same thing, multicultural education attempts to offer all students an equitable educational opportunity, while at the same time, encouraging students to critique society in the interest of social justice.

• A brief note of thanks to your colleagues

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my colleagues for their support during this class. I wish all of you much love and support as you continue your endeavors in your Master’s Degree Program. I wish you all the best and thanks for your support.