Discussion Board-p 30 #1 Oprah, systems and Sustainability-204

As I grew up there were three significant changes related to my Moms marriages. My biological
father and my Mom were married 10 years. He was a returned LDS missionary, and supposed
to be a great catch. However, he did not live by LDS standards, in fact completely tossed them
out the window. I was only 3 when they divorced. I know from my sister that it was difficult, but
the right move for us. He was not a kind man, did not treat us well. We moved out of Utah and
to Alaska which was a big change. Moms second husband was an LDS man who was
supposed to be really good for us. Turned out to be a bad idea, he had some personal issues
with his late wife. It was a huge upheaval. There in Alaska we had older step-siblings that were
nice to us, but still never felt like family. I only have vague memories but they are good. We
moved around a bit after Moms second divorce. We landed in Jerome Id and 6 years later she
met Dad. Our life changed significantly. We moved to Twin Falls, and bigger schools, house and
family. I had a Dad and was very happy, though my sister (16 at the time) wasnt so happy
about it. There was a lot of adjusting for her. Mom finally had support, emotionally and financial.
I had more opportunities, for example I got to take piano and voice lessons. A privilege I
wouldnt have had on my Moms salary. I now had a step-sister closer to my age who became
one of my best friends.
Changes in school started in Hawaii. I was enrolled in Kindergarten over there. It was difficult as
a shy little white girl, to them I was a Haole. Not something a kid over there wants to be. Lots of
cultural differences. When we came back to the mainland, Mom decided my kindergarten
experience was not effective so I was enrolled again in Jerome. As Mom was a kinder teacher I
had my regular morning kinder class, then went to Moms afternoon class too. I have good
memories of that. The other change I remember well is the first year in a Twin Falls school. I
started 5th grade at Harrison with a 1st year teacher. Mrs. Crow was a super fun teacher,
though not very task oriented. When my family moved into Sawtooth school boundaries midyear
(March) I was put in a class of upper middle class students way far ahead of me. I was really
behind in math, not my favorite subject. Ms. Gunning had already started her class into
fractions, they were well into them. I hadnt even started them. Math is a step by step kind of
subject, if you miss one it doesn't work. At least not for me. I remained behind and pitifully lost
all through Junior/High school. I loved Ms. Gunning even though I had lousy math skills. I finally
figured out Algebra with Cindy Dickson at CSI, she took the time to really explain in a way I
could finally get it.
Peer Groups have always been a mine field for me. As I said I was super shy as a kid. Didnt
speak unless spoken to. My peers scared me. I made friends only with those who approached
me. Then only a few. In Jr High and High School I did come out a bit, had some good friends,
but not the best at times. I was easily led by stronger personalities. Being LDS I should have
had fellow young women in the church to hang with but I didnt fit in with them either. Oddly, I
did maintain acquaintances with most of my class in both Jr/High school because although I
was shy, I did love to sing. I had voice lessons and joined school choirs all the way through
school. I interacted and got to know kids in various peer groups. I avoided ugly or uncomfortable
issues because of choir. I still didnt like school, mostly because of the social aspects. I could
fake it, but was more comfortable on my own.
I would like to contribute to my community with my teaching. When Im through school I want to
be the kind of teacher who kids know loves them. I want my room to be a safe, fun, stimulating,
comfortable place to be. Id like to get involved with my schools activities and encourage
interaction between parents and teachers in small communities. I love music, singing and
listening to it, dancing etc. I dont play the piano anymore, being a punk teen I didnt stick with it
(big mistake). I think keeping music in the everyday classroom culture is important. When my
Mom taught she had her classes learn little plays and skits. They would then turn around and
share with other classes and parents. I think that is a great example of sustainability. Getting the


students involved in fun learning, then other classes, and onto families. I was surprised and
impressed by Oprahs story. Im not sure Ill ever be up to her level, but I think I can and will
contribute where and how Im able to.

The four ecosystems interact in significant ways beginning with the small system that includes
family, schools, peer groups and some of the community. As a child grows he is exposed to his
familys culture and life style. He learns to walk, speak, and understand from his parents,
siblings and if hes lucky extended families and friends. When school and peers are introduced
there is a plethora of new information to assimilate. New ideas are formed layering his
foundations. These childhood microsystems will eventually interact creating a mesosystem. This
will give the child more new information to figure out how to navigate his world, for better or
worse. A little 4 year old boy I knew had no particular interest in shoes, until he went to
preschool. There he met a few boys who wore Skechers shoes. They had formed a Skechers
Boys Club (at 4 years old, oy). Cal wanted to be a member so insisted his Mom get him
Skechers, she did and he was delighted. That seemed to me at the time, a great deal of
pressure for a 4 year old.

Depending on his familys situation, there are various ways for the an exosystem to affect the
childs microsystem that hes come to know. Exosystems can include the type of career a parent
has, and how that career influences the parents behavior and interactions with the child. I think
of my brother-in-law. He is essentially a scientist. He works with and helps design computer
programs and technology for scientists to use to study different substances. I cant really explain
all of it, but he is super smart. What I noticed as I was with them for 5 years, is that Bob isnt a
touchy feely kind of person. My family is loud, open and silly sometimes. We tell each other
everything and are really close. His family isnt like that at all. What I noticed with his interaction
with Roro was he was never as warm and didnt understand some of the feelings his own son
has. He loved Ro so much but didnt always express it well. Several years of being a Dad and
hes way better, but still really strict. He has very high expectations for his kids, because thats
what is expected of him at work and how he was raised.
Society has a large system that effects the micro, called the Macrosystem. In this system the
child is affected by the type of society he lives in. I grew up in more urban areas as a young
child, and rural as an older child/teen. I didnt live in big cities again until adulthood. Which made
the transition more difficult. I was used to open roads and areas. I learned to drive with what I
considered normal traffic flows. When I first moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania I was
overwhelmed by the sheer number of cars on the roads. I got lost almost every time I ventured
out for the first few months. I did adapt to it and now would not be so nervous driving through a
big city (New York not included, since that was a once in a nightmare drive). I think of Roro
again. He has always lived in big cities, urban areas, and thats what he knows. He came to visit
us here in Twin last summer. He kept commenting on all the space and asked why there
werent any trees along the freeway. It was interesting to hear that because I remember being
dazzled by all the trees lining the freeways out east. We each had different macrosystems as a
norm.

Sustainability is a great concept! I love the idea of members of a community digging in and
making it more efficient and nurturing. Perhaps its because I grew up with educators that were
always in need of community support. We, as a whole, need to support each other. More
importantly support our children as they are, quite frankly, our future. If they dont have firm
foundations what kind of future do we have to look forward to? Families need support. I feel this
every time I talk to my sister who is so far from her extended family. Moms and Dads are vital to
kids well being. Extended family is the icing on a very good cake. They add flavor and color to a
family. I have wished so many times Kristin and her family were closer so I could be there for


them. To help, just help in any way I could. Families far from that support need the community
to step up and support those children so they can succeed. We need a culture of sustainability
to keep our communities strong. That is my firm belief! Thanks for listening-Jen