Time Well Spent

    The last two and a half years in this program have been a busy and challenging time for me. At times it has been a real struggle to juggle all that life threw at me with my career, my young children, and this master's program. If I'm being honest, there were many times that I didn't know that I would make it through it. However, now that I'm almost done (yay!) with this program, I think back on all of the classes I've taken, ideas learned, discussions had, and assignments completed and I know that I walk away from this a stronger professional, better leader, and more diverse learner. The biggest takeaways that are really resonating with me right now from this program are the following:

1. Communication is everything. Literally everything. But beyond communication, it's about being an effective communicator which entails so much more than I ever imagined. 

2. Equity and equality are two very different things. I always knew what the words meant, but I guess I never really stopped to think about what that looks like in an educational setting and how this plays into my role as a leader and educator. Equity acknowledges that each person has a different set of circumstances and allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome. Equality means each individual is given the same resources and/or opportunities. This is so important in the daily work that we are doing for our children, families, and staff. 

3. A leader will make a break a program. Leaders have such a huge responsibility to lead their team and it is crucial that they have the right character traits, intention, goals, and leadership style to lead effectively. Leaders have to find the balance of giving directives but not micromanaging. They have to set high goals, expectations, and accountability of their staff, without causing a negative and toxic environment. They have to allow teachers to feel like they have buy in and a voice without losing the vision and mission of the program. It is a daily and constant balancing act. 

Some long terms goals that I have for myself:

• I want to advocate more for the field overall. I want to become active on boards and begin the work to make a positive difference in the field and in the lives of the children, staff, and families that I serve. 
• I'd like to teach college courses in early childhood. I have a diverse background in the field and I think that I could offer valuable insight to others going into this field. I love leading others, and I'd love the opportunity to teach adults wanting to learning more in this field. 
• Big goal... I want to be involved in bringing big change to this field. I want to work to bridge the pay and funding gap between early childhood and elementary education. I want to work to bring cohesiveness to early childhood goals and objectives to Kindergarten skills. I want to be a part of that, so so bad. 

A few of my favorite quotes relating to early childhood...

“If you’re going to equalize the academic playing field, you’ve got to get the kids in early childhood programs.”

– Paul Vallas

“Children must be taught how to think, not what to think.”

– Margaret Meade

“This state has put a lot of concentration on reforming the K-12 system, but we’ve done very little with early childhood education. We can’t wait until they get to kindergarten because then we’re just playing catch-up.”

– Evelyn Keating

I want to take a minute and say thank you to each peer and professor that I have interacted with in this program over the last two and a half years. I have learned so much from each and everyone of you and you've all inspired me in ways I could never imagine. Each of you bring so much experience, perspective, and passion into this field and I can honestly say that THAT has been the best part of this program for me. It has renewed my faith in the future of early childhood and many days it has been what has kept me going on the days that were hard and tiring and I questioned everything I was doing. Best of luck to each and every one of you. On the good days, always remember to encourage others... they likely need it. On the hard days, remember WHY we do this and hold onto that until the days get a little easier. Thank you all, you've impacted my journey in so many positive ways for me and for that I am so grateful. 

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

UNICEF-

The first thing that I noticed on this website was this very simple but SO meaning statement..."UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child". Honestly, as I read that sentence, I got chills. This company is working throughout the world to protect the rights of every child. That work is so important and something that inspires me more than words can say. I decided to dig a bit deeper to truly learn how they complete this work in the day to day. According to their website they go to work in the world’s toughest places to reach the most disadvantaged children and adolescents. They do whatever it takes to help children survive, thrive and fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence. They are also the world's largest provider of vaccines to children and help to support health and nutrition by providing safe water, education, skill building, and work to protect children from violence and exploitation.  https://www.unicef.org/

Save the Children-

Save the Children is an organization that works in 100 countries to help provide children what they need. Their website says, "As the world's leading expert on childhood, we believe that every child deserves a future. This belief is at the heart of everything we do".  The website goes onto say the following...

"We are global leaders in child  health, education and protection.

We have a proven track record of using donations efficiently and effectively to change children's lives. 

We’re transforming the way emergency care is delivered, putting world-class health professionals to work for children in crisis anywhere in the world within 72 hours. 

We champion gender equality, recently earning the first nonprofit Gender Fair certification. 

We work in the United States, helping more children get ready for kindergarten than any other nonprofit and as the national leader in protecting children in emergencies".

They are doing so much good work for children across the world. I love the diverse range of work that they do for the lives of children worldwide. https://www.savethechildren.org/

Children International-

Children International is a wonderful nonprofit organization that helps children worldwide. Their website states, "they are a humanitarian organization that works to help children in poverty. To overcome living in poverty, Children International focuses on early intervention for kids. It provides health services, nutritional needs, counseling, and other avenues of care. The organization also offers training programs so that children and youths can learn skills to earn employment". What I really like about them, is that in additional to helping give young children what they need to be healthy and happy, they focus on early intervention as well as providing them the skills needed to be successful later in life to get a job. They are giving real like skills needed that I think we so often take for granted. Without those skills, they have a very limited future. With those skills the potential is endless and really gives them a chance to get on their feet and have a happy future. https://www.children.org/

As I read through these difference websites, I had an overwhelming urge to want to be a part of their work internationally. I have a passion for helping young children and families and love the opportunities that I am given each day to do that. But I hope that at some point in my life and career that I'll be able to do some work overseas with young children in great need. I want to be there to love and support and help them. I want to be given that perspective, and I think that opportunity would strengthen me as a professional but also as a human. Being able to help those in such great need, is a privilege and it's such important work. Work that I know would break my heart in many ways, but would also fill it in ways I've yet to experience... and that excites me and gives me a new passion.