Emma's Core Competencies

Emma’s Core Competencies

For each of the courses you have taken as a part of your YDEV degree (FNED 346, SPED 300, PSYC 230/215, CEP 315, YDEV 352, SWK 240, SWK 320, SWK 324, SWK 325, SWK 326, NPST courses, all concentration courses), how and what have you learned about these Core Competencies?  Be specific about the ideas, theories, texts, and concepts that help you feel knowledgeable in each of these areas.  In what areas do you need more preparation?

Domain #1:

Family, School and Community Relationships (p. 6)

In thinking about family, it is quite important to know the roles of each family member. You need a guardian or parent to give you guidance and siblings act as support systems

This depends on the child, they may need a significant amount of aid so parent or guardian must speak with school professionals

The child receiving services must speak up for when things may not be working or when another approach does work successfully

When relationships such as family ties are positive there can allow for openness that allow communication

Confidentiality can be seen as a social worker assisting a client and keeping names private as it is right to the client

Domain #2:  

Youth Development Curriculum and Program Design (p. 8)

My own childhood allows me to place myself in these youth I am working with so I can attempt to help them in their time of need

Going through my own childhood reminds me that we never grow up in on the inside because of this I enjoy to bring in fun youth oriented activities such as coloring.

Being a learner who is visual I can understand how visuals and hands on activities can aid in learning

Due to my style of learning I can comprehend that not all students learn the same way

Creation of an play or dance or music is a great example to let the students be interactive in the creation. When they are involved they are more motivated.

Domain #3:

Health, Safety and Wellness (p. 12)

Hold awareness of society we live in, such as being aware of social stratification with the “Inequality for All” documentary

The National Association of Social Workers: Code of Ethics: service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence

Dancing helps to improve your mental functioning

Dancing aids in improving your social skills

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/dance-health-benefits

Movement allows for illness like Parkinson's disease to occur less or much later on in life as moving throughout the body keeps chemical, dopamine in balance.

http://neuro.hms.harvard.edu/harvard-mahoney-neuroscience-institute/brain-newsletter/and-brain-series/dancing-and-brain

Danc 215, 216, 110, 112, 114 have all taught me the importance of conditioning your body if dancing is a career you want to pursue; the importance of continuing your dance studies as you grow from all level classes

These classes have a way of putting your body into a healthy physical state that is hard to dedicate to as a student

Domain #4:

Professional Growth and Leadership (p. 14)

Respectful to advisors/ professors

Analytical

Dresses appropriately in more professional events

Works to respect others in their life experiences

Capable of speaking in a child’s level

My level of patience grows each experience of working with children

My sense of voice with young children such as when reading books to them

Other skills you have mastered that don’t fit these categories??  Note them below!

My ability to strike up a conversation at moment’s notice

Organizational skills

Accepting perspective of all kind of learners

My sympathy for other’s situations

Event # 2! Come support the Arts

On the 2nd and 3rd of December the State Ballet of Rhode Island will be performing Coppelia at the Park Theatre in Cranston.  Come support the Arts! 

Performing on stage within this production was amazing. The State Ballet has been in operation for 57 years. The artistic director, Herci Marsden created this ballet company. Ms. Marsden has been teaching for over 45 years. She use to share her craft of teaching at the Unversity of Rhode Island. Alongside Ms. Marsden, is her daughter, Ana Fox. She works as an instructor as well. 

The overall experience of being a part of this production was so worthwhile. I learned choreography in two months, a character style type dancing that I have never been exposed to. It really pushed me to try, to make each moment strong and defined. I do admit I made mistakes but simply breaking that studio door open changed my life for the better. I simply walked in, I did not doubt myself. I just walked in and danced as myself. Exposing myself, being vulnerable was not easy but it was so overwhelming to read the positive response from Ms. Ana Fox. 

While I learned about this new studio and choreography, it gave me the opportunity to help in teach children about a ballet performance. Some children are not blessed with the chance to take a ballet class. The 10am performance was for students from surrounding elementary schools, this performance was for educational purposes. Now these children learned about Coppelia, a humorous story about a whimsical doll. Now it may peak their interest in looking for other stories to learn about. For example, there are stories such as "princess and the pea."

Resilience

Resilience means to have a sense of elasticity or holding a sense of stretch with an ability to revert to its original size. 

When I think of the word resilient, I think of having the ability to keep moving on in life regardless of  the exterior influences; negative or positive. In this perspective I think resilient can relate to the word perseverance which means to never give upon yourself. 

As for the Center For Resilience, I did not know this place existed. 

While viewing these videos on Center for Resilience I had difficulty with loading them. However, I did see the quotes of the people who were assisted by Center for Resilience. The quotes all had a common factor of positivity. 

For example, one said "It makes it a positive classroom culture, where students are learning to care for themselves and care for others." and "It calms me down and relaxes me."

I love what the director envisioned for this center because it went beyond learning in the classroom. She said she wanted to assist student's growth in their character, personalty and well being. I find this to be so respectable because she wants students to do well in school but she also holds an understanding for what a child needs to do well in school. 

A counselor Polanco spoke on behalf student that was exposed to a group of mean girls who influenced her to act like another mean girl. Polanco also saw this student suffer from emotional stress and anxiety. Polanco said that once these mindfulness activities were taught in the classroom, she saw a huge improvement in this student. One mindful activity that was utilized was deep breathing. I thought how simple that is and it made me question its effectiveness. However, I forget to breathe sometimes and when I am stressed and I take myself out of the anxiety provoking equation I take a second to breathe. It makes all the difference. 

This reminds me of working with children who deal with autism. One boy in particular would immediately scream, kick, and cry when something went inaccurately in his mind. Sometimes he needed lunch but he did not want to go inside because he was having so much fun outside. I would have to remind him that he needed food to keep playing and sometimes he would lose his composure and I would help him breathe deeply. I would have to say that I always felt better when I took a deep breathe because that would heightens the chances of him taking a deep breathe. What I remember most is the change in his facial appearance, it would go from terrified like he was being chased by a monster form his closet to a smiley, dimpled relaxed expression. 

These moments were so small in retrospect to life. Yet to my time working with him, they were so huge. Watching his terror was alarming and when I was successful in calming him down, it felt like I won first place in a competition as I felt a huge sense of relief. 

Veterans Day Event 

My grandfather from my dad's side of the family spent time in the war during the second World War. My dad told me that Grampy had dropped out of high school  so he could fight for his country. My mom told me that he was not of the age to even enlist in the war. I remember my mom said, how she could not believe that he left school and then had to go back to graduate. Coming back must have been strange because everything in the world I am sure looked different. I cannot imagine how my grandfather was able feel and function like an average american citizen.

  One day I was given the opportunity to look at photos while I was with family. These pictures were of my grandfather in his Army threads. He looked so serious and somber. I thought about how little I knew about his time in war. Almost four years ago I found out that my other grandfather had been in the war, I was 19 when I learned this. My mom did know that my grandfather was in the service for a little while. However, I discovered he was given an honorable discharge. He looked just like my other grandfather, very somber. I could not believe it, I knew this two men for my whole existence. I thought about how I did not know this until now. There were pictures and documents among the array of his belongings that were placed around the table. In growing up, I thought about how unless I ask I will not find out. My dad said that my grandfather was not one to talk about it and my mom had said the same. I was not as surprised because my grandfather, Grampy D was on the quieter side. 

I thought of this a few days ago, and I found my way to the Social Work Veterans Days thank you. I talked to this really friendly man who said he spent 10 years in the army. He said that all of his recognitions towards his dedication to this country are in a box. He mentioned that because I had said how my grandfather always would joke that his recognitions would be put behind the toilet. This man, who teaches within the Social Work project said that felt his work of helping others by teaching social work. It was so refreshing to hear this even though this conversation lasted only five minutes. He gave ten years of his own time to fight for our country, making sure others were safe. This man was brave enough to share his physical and mental being. 

This conversation reminded me of the book, The Things They Carried as it reminded me of the emotional issues they faced during war, such as worry about losing a fellow army solider and the effects of losing that person post war. They had to worry about living to the next day, it was saddening. They could risk their life for safety of the country yet I could not even imagine enlisting in the army or any other reserves. Some of these men had to deal with PTSD, something that hurt them and would affect others that are around them. Some men could not even sleep because of nightmares that would never go away. At this event put on by the BSW students, many veterans were homeless. It is so frustrating to know that a group of people assisted our country were not given aid by non veterans. If someone helps another person who is in need, this group of people should be given some such of appreciation. 

2016 Political Campgain

 











To be honest I cannot stand either of the presidential candidates. Hilary Clinton may be the first women president but after Bill Clinton's time as president I do not trust author Clinton. My mom has always spoke negatively of the Clintons; I hold respect for what she has said because it holds such value. 


Trump is not someone who I imagined to run for president. However, one statement that has stayed with me was something my mom said. Trump is not a politician, he is business man. 

When I filling out my absentee ballot, I had bit of a difficult time. Trump or Clinton? What I really wanted to do was a write in. I do not believe that Hillary Clinton would be the right first woman. Nor do I care for the negative comments and beliefs about women are fair. Women are equal to men so they deserve the same kind of respect.

Trump has called some women slobs, fat pigs and a bimbo. He also has said "That women are essentially aesctheically pleasing objects." "That a woman must be hot to be a journalist."
These statements are ludicrous. I personally am not a fat pig or a bimbo, I am an intelligent young woman with career intentions. Trump is wrong to say this because woman are more than exterior, for example, Christine Amanpour who is an anchor and chief international correspondent for CNN. She has traveled the world reporting on global issues. Christine Amanpour is not a slob, she is brilliant and successful. 

Hillary Clinton is not perfect as Trump lacks the essence of being perfect. While holding her position as secretary of state, she pretended to have brain damage so she would not have to testify in front of a congressional hearing regarding the assult by militants on the US diplomatic compound in Benghazi and Libya. In this event four Americans were killed. When holding a position from any organization, lying is not a good judge of character. How can someone who lies can be trusted? Politicians do lie, yet this does not help people acquire a new position in politics. In learning her lie in this situation makes my dislike for her quite stronger. 

My question is that, "why can't Michele Obama run for president." I have seen her start such amazing inaitives, such as the importance of physical activity. This is something the nation needs help with. Michele may not be perfect. Despite that, I can see she would have a good sense of character to run our nation. 


The questions I hold for this election are:

1) How will healthcare change?
2) Will women still have their rights, such as the right to vote?
3) Will there still be a high number of illegal immigrants in our country?
4) Will people actually leave America if Trump is elected president?
5)Will Hillary become just the face of nation while Bill Clinton takes the work into his hands?