Did you really just say THAT?

Going through our assignments this week, I felt that it was urgent that I get this off my chest! This happened this evening when I was leaving work. 
Here is a little bit of background information:
I work in a public school with a pre-k class of Head Start students.  When I returned from winter break, my assistant had quit and I have been working by myself the last week and a half.  Last week went great, did not mind being by myself.  I could regain the control that I had lost previously, but this week all the students came back as if summer break had just taken place.  Today I had kids running in the room, screaming at their friends, I had a student cry because he unfortunately for no reason was the last to wash his hands.  Chaos was in full force.
So, at the end of the day I am talking with the after school teacher who has some of my students, and a handful of students from the other room.  Ever night when I leave I tell her have a good evening and today she said " With Head Start you know there is no structure, they just like to learn through play and stuff, so I have to work with this ( as she pointed to the children wrestling on the floor) at the end of the day".
These words cut me to the core!  If my students do not have structure, then I am not a teacher, I am a babysitter.  I responded " I am sorry you see it that way, my students have been like this since this morning, and all they have had today is structure and a routine, so I have no idea why they are doing what they are doing." So I continued on my way out the door and repeated my "good night" and added "good luck". 
That small comment made me feel like I was a horrible person, because there was no way that I could be a teacher and just let my students play all day long. She made me feel that what I do is insignificant to what she does with them.  As I continue to write this, I keep wanting to explain myself and what I do, and how I teach my students, and I should not have to. 
Such simple words can have such a profound impact with someone!

Is Individuality Lost?

The responses that I received from friends and family members were not what I was expecting.  I asked a diverse population of friends, all from different backgrounds and histories. 

Here are the definitions of culture that I received:
     * A persons upbringing and or background
     * Culture is simply our way of life
     * Distinctive traditions and beliefs of a group of people
     * What people believe in such as: the arts, things people appreciate


Here are the definitions of diversity I received:
     * The economic status of people
     * Diversity encompasses ALL ways of life
     * When one thing is not like another
     * People of a variety of beliefs, color and background and experience all living in a community

As a society we are a diverse population dealing with different cultures of people.  Our culture can encompass our simple way of life down to the food we eat, the music we listen to, the places we go.  For the most part our economic status is also defined within our culture.  " The roots of our current dominant culture were planted by those with the power-that is, White, English-speaking, male landowners, political leaders, and Christian religious leaders".  Diversity is the uniqueness within everyone that brings together our sense of culture. 

It is interesting that a persons' heritage was left out, yes they can be incorporated into distinctive traditions and beliefs, but I expected some mention of some respondents heritage.  I think that is one thing that has been list along the way, or it is just overly assumed that we choose not to verbally recognize it anymore.  Are we loosing our sense of individuality to a society that has just assumed the obvious?

Decisions Decisions...

This took some time to think about what I would actually bring.  The first thing that I would bring is my family genealogy.  The second thing that I would bring is a blanket with my family tartan on it, and the third thing that I would bring is a photo album. 

Bringing my genealogy book with me would allow me search through my history and retrace the roots of my family.  You never know where they came from, or what type of people they were until you do the research.  I just might be stranded in a country where my family has been, and it might allow me to make a connection with them.

I have been making quilts since I was in high school, and having one made out of my families’ tartan would hold significant memories for me.  It would bring the memories of spending time with my grandparents, and great grandparents.  I love the time that I have spent with my family, and this would remind me of those times.

The third thing that I would bring is my photo album.  My family photo album would bring to life the memories and stories that my genealogy could not.  It would show the diversity of my family, and the many walks of life that they have led. 

I would feel sad having to give up two of the items, but I would keep my photo album.  Photos explain a story that sometimes words cannot, and I would have those stories forever.  I have gained a deeper appreciation for the family trinkets that I do have.  There are so many things that hold different meanings to me, and it is difficult to try and think of giving those up.  It makes me think of the thousands of families that came through Ellis Island to start a better lives for their families, and left everything behind in search of a better future.  It takes amazing courage and strength to be able to do something like that.  There are still families today that leave their home country and come to the United States in search of a better life.  I am very appreciative for what I have, and the memories that I have been able to create without significant struggles in my life.