Cultural Competency: A Lesson Learned

I remember quite a few years ago I was speaking with another teacher and I said something about an "Oriental" person and she said, "Debbie, home decor is oriental. People are Asian!" Here I was a teacher, considering myself fair and tolerant, and I was relying on an out-dated term for my very own students. I learned a simple phrase-change that day, but I also learned a great lesson: what you THINK about yourself and what is actual FACT about yourself must match. How does a person keep those two things in line? One must LISTEN more than you TALK (remember, I talk for a living, so this is hard for me!) and embrace the philosophy of being a life-long learner. There are many ways, in addition to listening, to learn about the cultures of the clients you serve. Reading current research in which various cultures are studied is one source. Workshops and seminars are effective. As a teacher I have been able to befriend many adults and students from various cultures, and as I spend time with them they have shown me about their world-view as I in turn shared my American culture. The actual assimilation of various culture norms is more closely aligned to cooking in a crock-pot than a blender. We live in a culturally diverse society, and a counselor's ethical mandate is to be prepared to provide services for anyone within that society. Embracing this fact is the major first step toward sucess.

The web-site below is for the National Center for Cultural Competence. It provides a lot of information as well as resources for the life-long learner desiring to achieve Cultural Competence as a School Counselor.

http://www11.georgetown.edu/research/gucchd/nccc/

My Professional Curriculum Vita

Deborah DeGroot Lamar University Masters in School Counseling CNDV 5382 SU 1 11 SC9000

“Thank you for your passion. Our son came home so excited! He had the whole family listen to several beautiful songs. I appreciate the quality music program you share with the kids...”  Carolyn Dunegan, LCDC   Board Certified Pastoral Therapist and Marion Parent  “Thank you so much for teaching me to be brave and go show the audience what I had! Without your support I would not have gone on stage, and I would have regretted it. Thank you for believing in me!”  Faith Fortney, 5th Grade Student “...not only was I impressed with the beautiful sound you have achieved so early in the school year, but the students’ behavior was excellent. Thank you for being such a positive role model for your students.”  Karen Powell, Assistant Principal “Did I ever tell you how inspiring you are? Thank you for teaching me to play this instrument. I love it!” Mehreen Ahmed, 4th grade student “We are musical geniuses because of you!” Quenlin Blackwell and Hayley Gillespie, 4th grade students “ For always going beyond what is expected for the good of the students. For always displaying a pleasant smile and a warm disposition. For volunteering to serve as President of the Marion PTA. For making music fun and enjoyable for all ages. For taking risks in the classroom to expand the learning experiences of the students in the area of distance learning. For offering up your classes as the testing ground for new statewide testing and new district curricula. For all the wonderful musicals that you have so graciously put on here at Marion. Thanks for begin so outgoing, courteous, supportive and encouraging to the Marion Community.” Presented by Principal Skip Mobley, May 2009

Professional Profile Compassionate professional educator with teaching experience K-12, prepared to provide school administration with counseling support in a culturally competent school environment. ·         Hold Masters Degree in School Counseling and Bachelors Degree in Education ·         Certified in ESL, Elementary Classroom, HS English and Theater Arts, and K-12 Music with teaching experience in each field ·         Experienced in use of the Internet, educational software and office applications ·         Dedicated to enthusiastic and dynamic whole group guidance counseling as a means of developing age-appropriate coping skills and self-analysis methods in order to render students capable in: §   Academic Development §   Career Development §   Personal/social Development ·         Committed to providing Individual and Group Counseling environments which meet the needs of an eclectic student body Education, Honors, and Certifications Masters in School Counseling Lamar University,  expected completion September, 2012 B.S. in Education Baylor University, 1982 Professional Certifications, Texas 9-12 English, 1982 (Lifetime) 9-12 Theater Arts, 1982 (Lifetime) K-12 Music, 1982 (Lifetime) Elementary Classroom, 2001 (Provisional) ESL, 2009 Key Qualifications Certified and experienced working with students K-12 Design and implement creative and relative Guidance Counseling lessons, using a wide variety of teaching aids and motivational strategies to engage students in active learning Individual and Group Counseling experience Maintain vital affiliations with recognized counseling professional organizations Well-read and current with professional counseling literature Employment Allen Independent School District, 2002 to present ·         Professional Music Educator, 2006 to present ·         Elementary Self-Contained Classroom, 2002 to 2006 ·         Team Leader, 2003-2004, 2004-2005, 2008-2009, 2009-2010, 2010-2011, 2011-2012 ·         Grant Recipient o   Developed program for study of Producers and Consumers, aligned with TEKS, 2003 o   Developed Independent Reading Program with comprehension and assessment elements, as well as organizational method for implementation, 2005 o   Musical Mobility Plan for organization of musical instruments for student body of 885, 2008 o   Drumming Workshop for Upper Elementary students, 2009 ·         Honorary Life Membership, Texas PTA, March, 2009 ·         Employee Volunteer of the Year, 2009 to 2010 ·         Teacher of the Week, December 2004, September 2006, May, 2010 ·         Sole Elementary Music Program chosen by City of Allen for the following citywide events o   Annual Veteran’s Day Celebration, 2008, 2009, 2010 o   Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, 2009, 2010 Substitute Teacher, 1997 to 2001, Cherokee County Schools, Canton, Georgia Home School Educator, 1992 to 1997 ·           Kindergarten through Third Grade to my four children ·           Eclectic curriculum ·           All qualified for Gifted Program upon entering public education  Tinseltown Video, Owner, 1999 to 2001 Professional Vocalist, Kathy and Debbie Ministries, 1993 to 2001 ·         Conceived, wrote, recorded and performed comedic shows for various audiences, touring North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and Texas   Civic/Community Service ·         Soloist,  City of Allen/Cabella’s Grand Opening; Allen Americans Hockey, 2011 ·         PTA President, Marion Elementary School, 2009 to 2010 ·         Soloist, First Baptist Church, Allen, Texas 2002 to present Professional Affiliations Texas Music Educators Association

I TALK for a living - and I'm not alone!

I recently completed an assignment for my class in which I designed a Family Genogram. It was sort of like a Family Tree - only the focus of the information was the WORK that my family members had pursued.  The purpose was to then look for patterns, mistakes, and trends within my family.

What did I discover?  MY FAMILY TALKS FOR A LIVING!! We are generations of preachers, teachers, and musicians. It is amazing that so many of us have managed to find a career that pays us to talk! It caused me to wonder where my own children would take their future careers.

My oldest son is an Insurance Agent - he talks for a living! My other children are still preparing for their futures. My daughter says she wants to be a Lawyer. They TALK for a living, too! My younger son is unsure. But I do remember one story about my second son.  As a child he loved to talk - constantly.  Once we said, "Austin. Who are you talking to? No one is listening to you right now." He responded with, "That's okay. I just need to talk."

My children's finding another way to make a living?  It doesn't look good.....

My Daughter

Last week my daughter came home from her first year of college.  It has been a huge eye-opener for her, and most of her perceptions about 'college life' have changed.  What has also changed is her perspective on her own future.  Like most college freshmen, she has changed her major at least once this year, and may change again before all is said and done.

What I am noticing is that she is not bound by traditional male/female career choices when she is discussing her future. Yesterday she was ready to be a lawyer, but today she mentioned becoming a detective and maybe later trying to join the FBI.  That's different!

Perhaps television has helped our young people to envision themselves in varying careers.  On TV men are nurses, women are policemen - anything goes. I think this is good!  The older I have become the more I realize that in order to be happy, what you choose to do every working day has to be connected to your personal passion. Our passions may align with traditional roles, similar careers as our parents or family members, or may just match with our favorite television character.  The key: find your passion and follow it.

As a Career Counselor, I would love the opportunity to help you discover yours!