Welcoming Families

The origin of my family’s last name, Pittman,  is German. It means Peter-Mann. I definitely didn’t not know that my origin last name is German. I am very interested. How did they get the Pitt, from Peter. I now have so many questions.

I would prepare myself to be culturally responsive towards this family by learning more for beginners. After learning more about the origin of the family maybe looking into their culture by seeing their essential race, I would then ask them questions one on one how they feel about the transition to the school. After their transition, I would just pay close attention to the way the child acts in the classroom environment. If I am still unsure of how to respond to the particular family, I would ask my colleagues what kind of information they knew about this particular culture. Finally I would ask the family to come in for a conference type meeting, and just plain ask them what they expected from me as a professional and just evaluate their answers and learn from them what they want and need.

I think these ways will benefit me and the families  because it will establish a trust level. It will also focus on the equalization of power. I want the family to know that they have just as much invested into their child’s education that I do. We should become a partnership and that only works while creating a partnership.