I am a teacher at the neighborhood elementary school where I teach 3rd grade. My principal has informed me that next week I will have a new student in my class from Turkey. I am unaware of any of the customs and practices in Turkey, therefore I go home to research information that will prepare me for working with this family and developing a positive relationship.
As I was doing my research, I pin pointed five important pieces of information that will better prepare me for meeting the child and family.
1. When I meet the family I will give each a firm handshake. It is customary to greet the person closest to you and then move counter clockwise. Shaking hands before you leave is also occasionally practiced.
2. If I was ever invited to the family's home, it is important to give a gift. The most common gift is pastries called baklava. It is also important to remember that if they family has children, you bring some expensive sweets or candy.
3. I will maintain eye contact at all times during the conversation with the parents because it is a sign of sincerity. Also, I will remember that often times Turks will stand very close to you during a conversation, and to back away in this situation would be considered unfriendly.
4. When addressing someone from Turkey, it is most common to call a man by his name followed by 'bey' and to call a women by her name followed by 'hanim.'
5. I feel it would also be important to know that many of the primary schools in Turkey hold morning and afternoon sessions because they are so crowded. Primary school also begins at age 6 and continues for 8 uninterrupted years. At the conclusion on these 8 years the child gets a diploma and entered secondary education. Also it will be important to remember that classes in Turkey are usually of greater size (20-40 students)
Knowing this information would be a beginning level as I work towards getting to know the family. My hope is that this will help make the transition a little easier for the family and child. Considering the large change this would be for the child, I hope that this would bring comfort in which we can build a positive relationship.
Jo Ann:
ReplyDeleteThe culturally relevant steps that you will take in order to be culturally responsive to your family is very candid. This assignment was pleasurable for me because it really made me think how my teaching pedagogies could permeate inequity if I only encompassed one pedagogical model instead of encompassing a variety of models. Appreciating a variety of pedagogical models will help my curriculum bend more towards social justice and equity. Thank you for sharing!
The details you shared are amazing. Learning about the possible cultures that we as educators may face is eye opening. Each piece is so important if we ever hope to make a connection with the child and their family.
ReplyDeleteWow, those were very specific ideas. I learned a lot from your blog post, Jo. Thank you so much. I will go back to this post if ever I do get to travel to Turkey or meet a person from Turkey.
ReplyDeleteJo Ann,
ReplyDeleteI love this stuff. The information is practical. It is simple, and it builds a deep connection between teacher and child’s family and culture. I love the fact that you emphasize cultural practices that can help you build a respectful relationship with the family. I wish my son would go to your class. He is going to be in third grade next year. You truly are a culturally responsive educator. Well done!
That means so much to me that you would say that! thank you!
DeleteJo,
ReplyDeleteGood ideas! I love how you researched the specific ways to make the family feel welcome. Thanks for the info!