Time Well Spent

“Creative people are curious, flexible, persistent, and independent with a tremendous spirit of adventure and a love of play.”

--Henri Matisse

When I first began the program, I was uncertain as to where I would end up when all was said and done.  I remember choosing diversity studies because I was suddenly working in a community that was diverse on all fronts, race, culture, language, socio-economic status and gender.  I was excited to be serving my new community, but I also knew in the back of my mind I was a novice when it came to knowing about other people.  What I thought I knew really turned out to be very little with regard to differences.  I really was an outsider and although I too grew up in a culturally diverse family and environment, I was sheltered from other cultures and people.   Different than most of my peers, what I did understand however was the importance of my family in my life and the influence they played in shaping me and to some degree shaping some of my ideas.  The course work has taught me the following –

-Children need to be honored and valued for more than their academic strengths, they need to be valued as individuals with a background, a culture and a way of life.  “All children have a home culture” and when “…programs foster comfort and respect with regard to differences, they create a foundation for children’s ability to thrive in our culturally complex world” (Derman-Sparks,  & Olsen Edwards, 2010, pg.66). 

“Without culture, and the relative freedom it implies, society, even when perfect, is but a jungle. This is why any authentic creation is a gift to the future.” 

--Albert Camus

-Children are not born with bias and prejudice.  They learn bias and prejudice from their family and educators need to understand and be more open minded when children are asking questions that may seem inappropriate. Adults must not place adult thoughts and values to what children are saying rather view their comments as a “…desire to make sense of the world” (Derman-Sparks, et al., 2010, pg. 33).  

“Let us all hope that the dark clouds of racial prejudice will soon pass away and the deep fog of misunderstanding will be lifted from our fear drenched communities and in some not too distant tomorrow the radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty. “

-- Marin Luther King, JR.

We are all capable of being leaders, however in order to be good leaders who truly lead, coach and model appropriate practice, we must be willing to collaborate with others who have both similar and differing opinions.  In addition, as leaders we must clearly state the goals and vision we have for particular projects and undertakings. 

“To lead people, walk beside them … As for the best leaders, the people do not notice their existence. The next best, the people honor and praise. The next, the people fear; and the next, the people hate … When the best leader’s work is done the people say, ‘we did it ourselves!”
--Lao-Tsu

A long-term goal that I have for myself is to work with impoverished mothers and children, volunteering my time to help make their life more manageable and livable.  I would like to provide them resources for empowerment, work counseling, parental counseling, and relationship counseling.  Another long-term goal I have for myself is to continue my education by pursuing a doctorate program in human development.  Learning has always been important to me and I feel there are still things I want to learn.  “Knowledge is power…knowledge gives you tools to act powerfully” (Derman-Sparks, & Olsen Edwards, 2010). 

It has been quite a journey!  I find it hard to believe so many of us started this program about 2 years ago and we have finally arrived at our destination.  Thank you to all of you for making the road so easy to travel on, and not once did I feel lost or alone in this journey of self-discovery—all of you were right beside.  I wish all of you the very best in all that comes your way.  Thank you for contributing to who I am; I will carry with me all that I have learned from all of you.  

A very special thank you to Dr. Davis—you have been extremely supportive of me during these last 8 weeks and I thank you for being so understanding as I enter a new phase of my life—launching my youngest child into the world of higher education!  Just as you have taught us what we give young children is important and acts a as a base for all future experiences, I too must believe I have given my own son that same strong base as he begins his college career. 

“In every real man a child is hidden that wants to play.”

--Friedrich Nietzsche

“Do not…keep children to their studies by compulsion but by play.”

Plato

References

Derman-Sparks, L., Olsen Edwards, J. (2010).  Anit-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves.  NAEYC, Washington, D.C.