Kohl McCormick Early Childhood Teaching Awards
Meredith Chambers
Chinese American Service League
Chicago
Meredith Chambers, a head teacher and literacy specialist at the Chinese American Service League, works to develop and implement literacy and second language activities in English for three- to five-year-old Chinese children. "I went into this job with an open mind and heart; I thought it would be an adventure," says Chambers.
For the past seven years, it has been a rewarding adventure. One of the only English speaking teachers at the site, and the only African American, she has been able to bring developmentally appropriate early childhood practices and her knowledge of bilingual education to her Chinese colleagues. While not yet fluent in Cantonese, Chambers strives to gain familiarity with the language. "As soon as she learned to say 'hello' in Cantonese, she immediately shortened the distance between herself and the children and parents in her classroom," relate colleagues Wei Lian Xin and Brenda Chock Arksey.
Chambers feels that her presence helps provide the children with an important cultural "starting point." "I truly believe I am helping them learn how to deal with people of different cultures," explains Chambers. She hopes to convey her life experiences to the students to help them deal with and avoid prejudice. Together, Chambers and her students break down biases as they learn about each other's cultures.
Exchanging information about both cultures has been rewarding for Chambers and all of the other teachers at the site. They've helped her to better understand Chinese language and customs, while she has shared ways in which to enhance development through creative play.
In addition to working in her classroom, Chambers' job as language literacy specialist includes helping 60 children in the program select appropriate books to take home and read with family members or friends. The lending library provides books in both English and Chinese. This helps families take an active part in their children's English as a Second Language experience.
Chambers counts herself as lucky. "My professional life is indeed richly textured. It provides me the opportunity to touch and be touched by the lives of others and as a result, grow in mind and spirit."