Assignment 2

Throughout my observes I have talked to many. I was talking to a social worker that floats around the elementary schools on our district. I asked her how she felt about the bullying that seems to be spreading like wide fires. She told me that was a great expression to use when it comes to bullying. She told me that children are experiencing all different types of bullying and they are not able to handle it at the ages in elementary. She said at any age it is hard to handle but in the early years they tend to become more venerable to the bully's.
She told me one story about a child that she worked with when she lived in Florida who was bullied everyday. He was tormented by so many children and finally he came to her to talk. He was a sweet  child that was very timid and quiet. He kept to himself and never bothered anyone. He would ask her why they would pick on him and she would tell him because deep down inside they are not happy with themselves. Then he told her when he went home he would get yelled at by his parents and his siblings. In a nutshell the boy was never given a break and he was ready to give him until she told him that she was important and he was going to be someone someday. She started building his confidence daily and she slowly but surely began to see changes in him. He began to stick up for himself and the children were not use to that. Finally the bullying stopped and he become a little bit more confident day but day.
I was glad to hear this story but it doesn't always end up like that, many children are taking their lives because of this issue. I wonder where the teachers were when this was happening and why it wasn't handled sooner. She told me that you don't see it sometimes and you never really know until they come to you or someone else. I want to make sure that EVERYONE is looking out for this because like this story not all children will get the courage to say something or when they do it might be to late.
I also spoke to the nurse to see what she thought about bullying and she didn't really have much to say about it. She said that  she doesn't think that the children should get away with bullying and that they need to make the consequences more severe so the children are afraid to bully. She did say that a lot of children are on anti-depressants now compared to when she started 14 years. ago but she isn't sure why.
I think some of the challenges about bullying is you are not always going to be their when it happens. Another challenging thing would be the consequences of bullying. You are not in control of that and I too feel that the consequences should be so severe that the children are afraid to bully!

Interview

I interviewed to teachers that work in public schools. The first one that I interviewed was a first grade teacher. She has been working with children for 8 years. Currently in her class she has many ELL learners and special needs children. I asked her how she felt about the wide variety of students in her class. She said that it can be very challenging but rewarding at the same time. I asked her if the children bully in her class and she told me that she does have trouble with that from time to time. I asked her how she addresses the situation and she told me that they talk abotu how we are all different in many ways. It is something that she talks about everyday in her class. Her school is in a voluntary bully program right now. I don't remember what it is called. I will ask her and post that as well. It seems like a great program.
The second interview that I did was a teacher in a head start room. She told me that she loves what she does and she wouldn't go back to anything else she has done. I asked her what is one thing that has changed since she first started and she said teh number for child coming in that are not english speakers. I asked her how that affected what she does as far as teaching, she said that she contiues to teach the was she always has. She does more one on one with these student by doing flashcards and saying the name of what is on the flashcard. She said it can be a slow process but the other children are a huige help as well. I think that is great how involved everyone is in the class as far as helping each other. She also has a speech teacher come in to work with these children. She will pull them out of the room for 30 mins 3 times a week to help them with english. I asked her if she had to deal with bullying and she said she has but not for a long time now. It wasnt when she was working in head start!

Insights gained from your interviews regarding current advocacy efforts and needs in your area of interest within the field of early childhood

I have gained a better understanding of the difference in oublic schools comepared to a head start program. In the public schools they are at a more fast pace when it comes to teaching because everything has to be done in a certain time frame. In head start they are more laid back because they are not pressed for time.
The first grade teacher has delt with bullying in her class and throughout the school but the head start teacher that I interviewed has not delt with it in her school. Thats makes me think that maybe it starts once they enter kindergarten. I am windering if that is where it starts.

How these interviews may have influenced your decision about which area of interest and topics to choose for your research paper

I think it has influenced my topic by figuring out where the bullying starts. I know that it can start at any age but I would like to find out where it starts to affect the children that are being bullied. That way you can address the situation at an earlier age to try to stop it from happening.

Which area of interest you are thinking of focusing on for your paper as well as the related three specific topics

I would like to focus on Bullying
Cyberbullying
Bullying in primary grades
Bullying in early learning centers

Questions you have for your colleagues related to your area of interest and/or three topics 

I would like to know if they have to deal with bullying in thier line of work. If they have delt with it what was the situation about and how was it handled.

Test

Can you please let me know if this is getting to you. If so please reply! Thanks Amber

HELP

I don't know what I am doing and I think I just created another new account!!