Evaluating Impacts on Professional Pratice

As an educator I would assume that we will all end up dealing with some very difficult points in our lives. Family and work can sometimes bring out some very stressful situations but we learn how to deal with issues and keep moving forward. When outside issues from society present themselves at your front door, how do you react? Family you can chose to ignore or face but society is something totally different. You don't have a personal connection with society like you do with family and work. In my years within my career the most difficult time I had ever faced was when my race and job title was questioned. I am an African American woman with a college degree and I supervise a group of 7 individuals. In my mind 7 is not a huge number but it was the race and sex of the 7 that I was questioned on. I had a relative of a client of mine become offended when he realized what position I held. Now mind you my client is an adult but she is was in need of family support so I asked her if there was someone close to her that she could call on if she needed anything. The next time we met she brought in her relative to meet me that way he could have a face when he heard my name. He was a nice gentleman, well dressed, and educated. To break the ice I informed him where I was originally from and where I went to school. He asked how long I had been with the agency and if I liked my line of work. As the conversation continued I spoke of my title and his faced changed immediately. He stated, "Wait a minute, so you supervise white men?" I was puzzled but answered "Yes I do". Before I could continue he chuckled to himself that he didn't think that I would be able to hold a position like this. When I asked why he thought that way he stated, "No offense I know that you have the educational background but a woman being the boss over a man seems backwards" My client's eyes were wide as she looked at me as if she was so embarassed. I tried not to become upset but I did and I had to excuse myself from the room for a minute.

If a parent would feel this way about you as a teacher than I am sure it would make it difficult to keep a straight face and level head. Children can sense tension and will often respond to situations like their parents or caregivers. If this would happen while working with a child I would more than likely ask the parents to meet for a conference where their concerns can be expressed and I can answer any questions they might have. Prejudice of any kind usually occurs when there is not enough information shared. Although this prejudices won't change over night or through one meeting I would hope to change their perception over the coming weeks.