Evaluating Impacts on Professional Practice

Children learn from their environment. This includes how they view others in terms of race, gender, socioeconomic status. As a educator it is important to be aware of the differences among children and respond to their actions concerning different -isms. I also have to be aware and prepared to face my own personal challenges as a educator. I come from a racially divided town that is still separated by an invisible "track". Within the black sections, their are subsections that have their own unique characteristics. I was raised in "eastgate." It is known for poverty, crime, dropouts, and high birth rates. As an educator, I must be ready to face those predetermined stereotypes about my community and show how not all people fit the mold that society placed on that section of the town. I have to be prepared to handle my personal issues and not let them affect the way I interact with my students or parents. some parents may have questions or concerns that htey feel they could not address with me. I have to keep the lines of communication open so that they are able to talk to me and see me as an educator. This may not always be easy but I think educating not only the children but even the parents about the effects of discrimination and stereotyping could help with some of the assumptions of my neighborhood.