My personal
–ism is not horrible, but it is an –ism that I am facing. I have always looked
younger than my actual age. For instance
when I was in college, I was given a kid’s menu at a restaurant. Although humorous now, I have experienced
ageism in my teaching career. For the
first few years, I constantly had to give a verbal resume about my education
and experience. Even within the last
five years I have had parents come to the initial family meeting and start questioning
my experience. I get questioned a lot about
“for instances.” When families discover that
I have been teaching for sixteen years, there is an embarrassed, “Oh. You look a lot younger.” As a parent now, I can understand the
questions with an unfamiliar adult.
Until
families realize that I have some experience, they question my authority and
sometimes make me seem ignorant.
Honestly, at first, this hampers the relationship with the families. Some are embarrassed while some quit asking
questions and want me to do all the communicating, instead of making
communication a two-way street. Also, I
have to try to put hurtful or ignorant comments behind me. When families realize that we are all working
in the best interest of the child, the relationship gets better.
Hi Kristi,
ReplyDeleteAgeism can hinder the respect that we receive from others. It has to be hard during the times that you have to convience others of who you are before you can work on the relationships that you need in order to provide a safe learning environment that meets the needs of all the children that you work with.
Luci
Very interesting Kristi! I still get some of the that but I believe it comes form parents inexperience or knowledge in education. My degrees hang in my classroom bot for showing off but, to let their parents know I am very well educated and have a lot of knowledge and experience to offer to them as well as their children. The hump usually goes away when their child comes home discussing all that they have learned at school that day. Isn't it great to look young!
ReplyDeleteHi Kristi, I laughed with amzement when I read yor blog. I have always received the same comments even up to now. When I tell people I have five grown up chidren and one grandson,no body seems to take me serious. I guess ageism is something we have to accept as long as what is implied is honest.I take comments on ageism sometimes for a commpliment and sometimes I intepret it differently.
ReplyDeleteHi Kristi,
ReplyDeleteI also looked much younger than I am and constantly have my authority questioned. Because of this, I have learned to always present my ideas to families with paperwork to back it up. I keep a folder full of articles that I can show to a parent when they question me. Although I may be "too young to know what I'm doing" because of these courses I have plenty of research to back me up.
Hello Kristi,
ReplyDeleteI've had the same experience as you almost. I have had some parents question, not only me but also the lead teacher with the education of their child. I think it is a little insulting, it should not matter how old I am, the main goal is, Is your child learning? Thanks for sharing your story, and I hope it gets better.
Kristi,
ReplyDeleteAge-ism in the sense that you have and are experiencing sounds majorly counter-productive in your endeavors. If the family isn't going to trust you, thinking you are too young, etc...that would be hard to get your point across in various topics about their child. My advice to you would be to make sure their bias isn't bringing you down to their level...what I mean is that sometimes no matter how hard you are trying the bias boggs you down and then you begin feeling as if you have no ability or experience. Most parents that I encounter are intrigued by my knowledge of the young child's development and the experience I speak of, but I still have a few who question, but I always remember what my undergrad professor always said, say it with confidence, positive attitude, and respect. Thank you so much for your post!