Many of us may have experienced some form of
discrimination whether it was a result of our race, socio-economic background,
abilities, gender, sexual orientation, or age. The discrimination we face
denies us many opportunities based on our social identities (Derman-Sparks
& Olsen Edwards, 2010). Throughout my life I have experienced times when I have
been discriminated against due to my abilities, gender, and body type; however,
there is one form of “ism” that I experienced while working as an educator in a
preschool program and this “ism” was ageism. After I graduated from University
I was hired as the head/lead educator in the preschool program and I was very
excited to begin working with the children, families, and the other educators
in the program. I knew I was hired based on my skills, knowledge, abilities,
and my dispositions and I was ready to work! I was the youngest educator in the
program and I could sense that my presence was not embraced with open arms. I
was constantly questioned by the other educators and my ideas were always shut
down. I began to doubt my abilities even
though I knew I was hired based on my skills, knowledge, and dispositions. I
remember one educator telling me that she should talk with the parents as how
could they take me seriously when I was so young, didn’t have my own children,
and didn’t share the same life experiences. This group of educators were
denying me the opportunity to do the work I was hired to do. I began to shy
away and I allowed them to “bully” me. I had to figure out a way to stand up
for myself and not let my age stand in my way of building relationships with
the children and families.
I began to work hard trying to prove to the
families, children, and the other educators that even though I didn’t have
children or the same life experiences that I had lots to offer the children,
families, and the program; however, the educators were not making it easy for
me. I didn’t want my relationships with the children and families to become
undermined, but I knew that they could hear and see how the other educators
treated me.
There were consequences that impacted our
program due to the fact that I was being discriminated against due to my age. I
was becoming frustrated as I wasn’t being respected, listened to, and I did not
feel welcome. I remember one child telling me that he didn’t have to listen to
me because I was just a teenager! Tension lived and breathed within our program
because others felt I was too young to be good and effective educator. I could see that families were becoming
uncomfortable as they could see how I was not being respected.
I don’t know where I got the power or strength
from, but I knew that this environment was not only healthy for myself, but it
was not a good environment for the children and the families. I worked extra
hard to gain respect from the children so they would respond to my expectations
and I began to approach the parents to share information about their child’s
day even though I got the evil eye!! Families
began to make sure that would approach me and share information about their
child before they left for the day. I tried hard not treat anyone differently.....even
the educators who were denying me the opportunities I deserved. It got better
over time, but it was a long ride. I know that if I would have experienced this
today, I would have had the skills needed to communicate more effectively with the educators, children, and families.
References
Derman-Sparks, L., & Olsen Edwards, J.
(2010). Anti-bias education for young
children and ourselves. Washington, D.C.: National Association for the
Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
Hi Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteIt’s unfortunate that due to your age you were discriminated against. People often are afraid of change and the unknown, and instead of trying to taking the time to get to know a person and to have an open mind to adapt or accept another person’s perspective, they in turn retaliate by discrimination or some other means of opposition. I applaud you for not letting giving in or giving up.
Hello Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteI am sorry that you were subjected to ageism. It is unfortunate that your colleagues could not see past your age to give you a chance to demonstrate your skills. They were also doing such a disservice to the children and their families by not were together. I unfortunately experienced a similar situation in my first teaching job after I graduated college.
Great post,
Jamie
Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteHow ironic, I had a similar experience when I first started teaching preschool. I was actually 34 but I looked like I was in my twenties. I was hired at a Head Start program; the parents were rude to me, and sometimes they would ask another teacher the same question I just gave them the answer to as though they did not believe me or they thought I did not know what I was talking about. I even had one parent tell me that I was too young to be teaching her child. I didn't have any problems with the teaching staff or the children they all loved me and appreciated the good job that I was doing with the children. I handled the situation much different than you did; I politely explained that I was hired to do a job and my age should and does not reflect my abilities. After I had that conversation with the one parent I had a parent meeting with all the parents so I would not have to repeat myself more than once; I shared my concerns with the parents and they apologized. I believe most of them understood how I felt and were sincerely sorry for how they treated me. I knew they expected their child’s teacher to be older than I was (ageism) because that’s what they were taught that teachers were a certain age and had a certain look; Old and Crotchety! I never told them how old I was, however, after I had the meeting with the parents I had no problems, and the parents gave me the respect that I deserved.
Stephanie
ReplyDeleteI too have experienced ageism but on the other end. I was a stay at home mom and then got my degree and began working. The other teaching staff at the Head Start school thought I was too old to be teaching or that I didn't know anything. I now realize that they felt I knew more than they did and had more experience since I home schooled my children. Several of my supervisors were very demeaning and talked to me like I was deaf or stupid because of my age. Unfortunately I didn't have the confidence in myself to stand up to it. I applaud you in standing up for your self and succeeding in your position. Good luck as you continue to teach and influence children and families.
Stephanie
ReplyDeleteI too have experienced ageism but on the other end. I was a stay at home mom and then got my degree and began working. The other teaching staff at the Head Start school thought I was too old to be teaching or that I didn't know anything. I now realize that they felt I knew more than they did and had more experience since I home schooled my children. Several of my supervisors were very demeaning and talked to me like I was deaf or stupid because of my age. Unfortunately I didn't have the confidence in myself to stand up to it. I applaud you in standing up for your self and succeeding in your position. Good luck as you continue to teach and influence children and families.
Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteThat is admirable.. that through everything that you had to face, you still kept going strong and did not let it get the best of you. I am very easily discouraged and I would probably get very intimidated. In a way I think that it was a good thing that the family noticed how you were treated and to me that says that you were doing what you were supposed to for the children and families. I think it says a great deal about you, if they were willing to bring it to your attention that there were some things that were not right.