Different Perspective Views on Diversity and Culture

I choose to ask three professionals from my working environment. Kai Summors is an African American women, who has spent the last 17 years as an early childhood teacher. Maria Vega is a American with Puerto Rican heritage, she has been working in the field for over 13 years, as a babysitter, tutor and now a full time teacher. Marie Arbeeny, is also American with Irish/Italian heritage. She has been teaching for 22 years as an infant toddler head teacher. Marie is a devoted Catholic and celebrate all her important days by going to church.  I choose these three individuals because they are different from me as they were all born here, but what I liked is that they maintain their culture as a part of their every day life. 

Kai Summors

I define culture as a person’s beliefs, traditions and values. For example in my culture it is a tradition for the family to make a quilt to tell the story of our history.

My definition of diversity is acceptance, respect and openness for all people such as women, men, various ethnic groups and people with disabilities.

Maria Vega

Culture to me is the distinct ways in which a particular group of people live. Some of the aspects of culture are language, food, music, religion and holiday traditions.
Diversity is the differences between individuals or groups, whether it be race, color, language, gender, culture or social and economic status and our acceptance of them.

Marie Arbeeny

Culture is a particular form or way of life to which one is born into. Knowing one’s own culture helps with understanding those who are of the same heritage, beliefs, way of life and religion.

Diversity is different forms or ways of life in which people live. Knowing and understanding how people live will help me at work and in life in general. To be aware of our surrounding will help me to understand people.

After reviewing my colleagues responses, I am amazed of how they see culture and diversity. They all define culture as being personal to how they live their own lives. When reading through their definition it is obviously they are aware of the differences and how important it is to accept people. Learning about new cultures provides all of us with more knowledge about our surrounding. One important thing that I learned that relates to my course, is the definition of culture and diversity has its own meaning to everyone. We all know that their are differences out their, but we still value what is unique about us. 

Working in a field with such diversity individuals, allows me to see how everyone values and traditions can be applied in the classroom to benefit our children. I they have encompass all the course work that I have completed so far. They all have their own identities and their culture has helped in defining their identity. After reading through their definitions, my ideas and thoughts are re-enforced about the important of culture and diversity in the world especially when it comes to teaching children. 

I have realized that being open to other's definition gives me more knowledge to experience the world and have a greater impact in the field of early childhood education.