Your journey toward culturally proficient leadership practices
What are you noticing about your personal and professional journeys toward culturally proficient leadership practices? What's emerging for you as you read about the Tools for Cultural Proficiency?
"It is when one recognizes one's entitlement that he or she has the ability to make choices that benefit the education of children and youth." This statement is provocative. The journey taken in my life has been one of risk taking, desire to travel and experience various cultures, types of education, students and professionals. The opportunities I accepted as jobs allow me to share ideas I learned in "big cities" with the small districts of California and in Japan: districts which may not have access to "big city" resources. My contribution to education has been the ability to share what I learn to support equity of professional development and recognition of the importance of our trade (education) in smaller districts. These districts do not have access to current research in education due to isolation, lack of money and motivation in staff. The courage and strength I have to adventure in this manner is due to my parents. My mother and father sacrificed for their children's education. Each of us is a self-assured, strong, disciplined individual. We have confidence due to the support, opportunities and discipline our parents established for us as we grew. I do not feel entitled to my existence, instead I am humbled consistently by the awareness of the sacrifices our parents made for us. Others may view my confidence as entitlement - they are mistaken. I am aware of the discipline, sacrifice, agony, distress, emotional pain and hard work endured by others as well as myself to create this being.
Rebekah, as you reflect on your journey you see a path begun for you by your parents' support, discipline, and opportunities. You have continued on that journey by helping prepare the path for students and their families who have not had access nor opportunity to the education you have gained through your travels.
I need to speak up more about injustice and inequity; I can never do this enough. "The culturally proficient educator has internalized advocacy as a means of social justice for those historically underserved in our schools and related agencies." (p.117) I am saddened to see that we are still struggling with equity. This was an issue in the school district I attended in Cleveland K-12 and it seems like we haven't come too far. I see and hear so much hatred and resentment, especially against Latino students. I know there are a lot of educators working with our children who do not want to teach them, and I imagine how it feels to be a student in that situation.
I think the journey towards culturally proficient leadership is an iterative one. I've been hearing, reading, learning about diversity and equity since I started my journey as an educator and, yet, I feel like I'm still on the early stages on the continuum. Not becuase I dont believe in it, but because I cant advocate as clearly/concisely/proficiently as i would like. Dr. Lindsey, your comment on Wednesday night about wishing to ask "How long have you been a racist?" (or something to that effect) is exactly how I want to express thoughts. We all know that wont go over well...
I guess this fear of not having the right words is what has held me back from saying more. I dont want to do more damage. I don't want to be divise and have people that need to be engaged in the "courageous conversations" tune out.
What I espcecially appreciate about the reading the text is the gradual steps of the journey. I like format of reading/reflecting... It is gradual powerful!
I have been on the journey of becoming culturally proficient since I started my master degree with administrative credential at CSUSM about six years ago!
I remember in the beginning, every time I shared my thoughts with one of my colleagues, I got a negative reaction from him! Back then, I was not sure how to respond! However, now I feel more courageous to have a discussion with the same teacher and help him to understand another perspective on the issue.
Now that I have gained more knowledge on the issues around cultural proficiency, I feel more confident to start a conversation with my peers and I know I still have a long way to go on this journey.
"It is when one recognizes one's entitlement that he or she has the ability to make choices that benefit the education of children and youth." This statement is provocative. The journey taken in my life has been one of risk taking, desire to travel and experience various cultures, types of education, students and professionals. The opportunities I accepted as jobs allow me to share ideas I learned in "big cities" with the small districts of California and in Japan: districts which may not have access to "big city" resources. My contribution to education has been the ability to share what I learn to support equity of professional development and recognition of the importance of our trade (education) in smaller districts. These districts do not have access to current research in education due to isolation, lack of money and motivation in staff.
ReplyDeleteThe courage and strength I have to adventure in this manner is due to my parents. My mother and father sacrificed for their children's education. Each of us is a self-assured, strong, disciplined individual. We have confidence due to the support, opportunities and discipline our parents established for us as we grew. I do not feel entitled to my existence, instead I am humbled consistently by the awareness of the sacrifices our parents made for us. Others may view my confidence as entitlement - they are mistaken. I am aware of the discipline, sacrifice, agony, distress, emotional pain and hard work endured by others as well as myself to create this being.
Rebekah, as you reflect on your journey you see a path begun for you by your parents' support, discipline, and opportunities. You have continued on that journey by helping prepare the path for students and their families who have not had access nor opportunity to the education you have gained through your travels.
ReplyDeleteI need to speak up more about injustice and inequity; I can never do this enough. "The culturally proficient educator has internalized advocacy as a means of social justice for those historically underserved in our schools and related agencies." (p.117) I am saddened to see that we are still struggling with equity. This was an issue in the school district I attended in Cleveland K-12 and it seems like we haven't come too far. I see and hear so much hatred and resentment, especially against Latino students. I know there are a lot of educators working with our children who do not want to teach them, and I imagine how it feels to be a student in that situation.
ReplyDeleteI think the journey towards culturally proficient leadership is an iterative one. I've been hearing, reading, learning about diversity and equity since I started my journey as an educator and, yet, I feel like I'm still on the early stages on the continuum. Not becuase I dont believe in it, but because I cant advocate as clearly/concisely/proficiently as i would like. Dr. Lindsey, your comment on Wednesday night about wishing to ask "How long have you been a racist?" (or something to that effect) is exactly how I want to express thoughts. We all know that wont go over well...
ReplyDeleteI guess this fear of not having the right words is what has held me back from saying more. I dont want to do more damage. I don't want to be divise and have people that need to be engaged in the "courageous conversations" tune out.
What I espcecially appreciate about the reading the text is the gradual steps of the journey. I like format of reading/reflecting... It is gradual powerful!
I have been on the journey of becoming culturally proficient since I started my master degree with administrative credential at CSUSM about six years ago!
ReplyDeleteI remember in the beginning, every time I shared my thoughts with one of my colleagues, I got a negative reaction from him! Back then, I was not sure how to respond! However, now I feel more courageous to have a discussion with the same teacher and help him to understand another perspective on the issue.
Now that I have gained more knowledge on the issues around cultural proficiency, I feel more confident to start a conversation with my peers and I know I still have a long way to go on this journey.