Reference no: EM133734665

During an elementary school assembly, you share slides about this month's school-­ wide volunteer event at "Casa de Ayuda." Among your slides are pictures of the families who are helped by the volunteer event where your students will pack sandwiches and read books to younger children. The third and fourth-grade students seem excited to participate. You ask the group if anyone has any questions.

A third-grade student raises their hand and asks why the slides only show black people when the event is for Latinos. Some of the other children laugh at the student's remarks. The teachers and administrators smile at you, encouraging your response. Reflection As the school counselor, you are routinely involved in moments that require you to be clever, knowledgeable, and responsive. The school is watching; the counselor is leading, the faculty is expecting an appropriate and immediate response, and you are under a lot of pressure.

This is precisely the reason we are engaging you in thoughtful reflection about interrupting racism. Children say the "darndest" things because they are looking to us to provide them with the information they need to be contributing citizens, and to make the world a better place for everyone.

Reflect on the following questions:

Question 1. How does your racial and ethnic identity fit amongst the school body? How does your membership or non-­ membership influence your response?

Question 2. What has been the historical context of your racial and ethnic identity in contrast to the school body? Is it a positive part of the community? At a historical power advantage (Do students' home countries have a history of conflict)? Evaluate that history and dynamic using your reflection from Chapter 4.

Question 3. What has your student body already learned about skin color and race? If nothing, comments such as this may be an indicator that students want to learn more. What do you already know about skin color and the many Spanish-­ speaking and/or Latino countries? Developmentally, how can you incorporate this lesson into the community service event?

With practice comes improvement; this is an opportunity to teach children and model behavior, and lead by example. In the Discussion post, craft a response to this scenario, 4-5 sentences This scenario is challenging because you are required to self-­ regulate while under pressure and while providing accurate and relevant information.

After your initial post, you will reach the responses to the scenario from 2 other peers; as you read their posts, reflect on how your responses are similar and how they differ; there is no right or wrong answer to the scenario; there are always opportunities for gaining knowledge from varying perspectives.