Influential Communicator

I work at the local hospital in Patient Business Services an truly enjoy helping people everyday either understanding their bill or with options for payment including patient assistance which allows us to write off 0-100% of the patients bill based on their  income.  Our director would have to be the one person that exemplifies the communication skills I hope to utilize during my career both in the hospital and in early childhood education.  Our director maintains an open door policy with a welcoming non judgmental attitude that makes those that for her comfortable to talk, ask questions, and address issues that or causing them distress. When I personally have something I need help with are concern she makes time to speak with me and encourages honesty.  She communicates with patients in a similar manner.  She believes that we as a department need to focus on  showing for our patients and treating everyone with the same compassion and concern and never discriminating based on the patients ethnicity, background, or situation.  Her communication style is aimed at providing the information in the best form for the patient to understand.  Regularly using letters, phone calls, and face to face as the main ways of communicating with patients.  Her approach to communication is one that I want to strive for and would happily model my own based on her example.  I have seen first hand how patients warm up to her when they are approached as an individual and not just another customer or monetary addition to the organization. 

Professional Hopes and Goals

When working with children and there families my goal is to learn and grow so that my knowledge of diversity.  Learning a families background will allow me to be aware of possible beliefs and customs that could be conflicted with the lesson plans.  Caring for each child and their families is important in order for children to feel special and that being different is ok and should be thought of as a down fall rather a unique trait that makes them the special individual they are.  A goal I plan to accomplish each and everyday I am working with children is to look at each child as an individual and not judge them or their families prior to getting know them.  Assumptions can hinder the building of a strong relationship and in order to teach children that diversity is a natural part of of communities and the world around us.  A sincere thank you to my classmates for teaching me so much that I didn't know.  I truly believe that learning from another persons experience can provide knowledge that otherwise my be missed within a curriculum.   

Welcoming Families from the United Kingdom

 

Basics
Area: 243,000 sq. km. (93,000 sq. mi.); slightly smaller than Oregon.
Capital: London
Climate: Generally mild and temperate
Nationality: British
Population : 62.2 million.
Major Ethnic Groups: British, Irish, West Indian, South Asian.
Major Religions: Church of England (Anglican), Roman Catholic, Church of Scotland (Presbyterian), Muslim.
Major Languages: English, Welsh, Irish Gaelic, Scottish Gaelic.
Education: Years compulsory--12. Attendance--nearly 100%. Literacy--99%.
Health: Infant mortality rate--4.85/1,000.
Life Expectancy --Males 76.5 yrs.; Females 81.6 yrs.; total 79.0 years.
http://www.state.gov/outofdate/bgn/unitedkingdom/153114.htm

Based on the information retrieved from the United States Government Website.  A family moving from the United Kingdom face many challenges especially if they have children.  Moving to a country that their majority speaks English may seem familiar to some yet far from normal for others depending on their families primary language.  In regards to accommodating a families religious beliefs it is important to remember that the British population practice Anglican, Roman Catholic, or Presbyterian which are not unknown to those in the United States.  Education is very important the the British citizens and that is reflective in the high attendance and literacy rate.  There will be adjustments on the families part because it will not be familiar to them.

                                                             

Ways that we can make it easier is by
1.  Welcoming them and showing them the willingness to help them adjust
2.  Giving the children an opportunity voice their concerns and giving them adequate time to adjust. 
3.  Ask their children's' parents if there are food considerations that need to be considered when it   comes to teaching the children about holidays etc.
4.  Take the time to get to know the families
5.  Working close with families and other staff members to make the transition as smooth as possible for all involved.

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

• Learning from our Countries Mistakes                                                                                                                                                                                            I was told by a classmate that one of her professors at the University of Phoenix once made a comment in the public forum that in his opinion women would never be able to compete with men in the same profession and it didn't matter what profession.  In hi opinion women should not waste the time and just stay home where they belong.  Personally it just makes me want to learn more and prove that we can anything men can do and sometimes better. As a mother it is important for my children to grow up without thinking they entitled and that it is necessary to give everyone an opportunity to learn and grow in order to better themselves and environment around them.  This made me wonder if we ever truly got past the thought that women were the lesser sex.  Even in this day in age it seems that children could grow up feeling equal.  It is going to be important that the educators teaching the children show them in the lessons we teach and by example that this is not necessary to be successful. Children follow the examples they see from their family and those in the classroom.  Teach them about our history is important but making sure that the children realize that that is what it is history.