Quality where I live…
In the area in which I live, there are many early childhood centers, there are many curricula they use, and there are many different types of centers.
Locally we have Montessori, Waldorf, Project-Based Approach, Reggio-Amelia, Religious, High Scope, and home centers that choose their own, as well as some centers that don’t claim to use a curriculum. As for the quality, I for one have never been into many of the area centers. I teach in a High Scope center, and I have heard the goods and the bads of the curriculum. We this year in our center have become very involved with the mood meter.
Other resources – One of my favorite books to read to kids in my classroom as it relates to young children’s variations of moods in “Sometimes I’m Bombaloo” by Rachel Vail.
We believe that children that have emotional intelligence can further themselves academically if they use the RULER, they can name it and tame it. I can say that using this religiously in my classroom this year, I have seen a huge spike in COR results with emotions, and along with that goes conflict resolution and empathy.
- Safety
- Family encouragement
- Family support and Parent Participation Encouraged
- Positive, nurturing environment
- State Licensed
- NAEYC Accreditation
- Communication with Parents
Are just a few of the quality pieces I think of when I think of quality. In this week’s multi-media Ms. Vasques talked about early childhood as being a life investment. Early childhood is a connection for parents, children and early childhood professionals to work together. As a quality early childhood professional, she discusses the importance of expanding our early childhood, and thinking it as a part of society, a part of the community, and comparing ourselves with other early childhood professionals, shining and protecting our profession.
Opportunities and requirements for professional development where I live…
There are many colleges that support and educate early childhood in Oakland County Michigan. Luckily in our area, we also have the head of all 38 districts, they offer many pieces of training including High Scope, you can check out the early childhood department here. They also have a resource library and lend out early childhood resources. If you are in-district, you can use the inner mail system to return them 🙂 Oakland Schools.
My professional goals…
- Never stop learning. As an educator, I believe that being on top of new early childhood studies and news is important. Understanding what is happening is important, not only will this help me as an educator in the classroom, but as a professional, that may answer questions that parents have.
- Never stop collaborating. Just as the old saying goes, it takes a village. Once in a classroom, it is easy to go in, close the door, and feel isolated. My goal is to leave my door open (so to say because of safety measures 😉 collaborate with others, stay open with parents, unifying the school so that great ideas don’t end. Goal: Be a continent, not an island.
- Get out before I burn out. When I become unmotivated, crabby, and unwilling to better myself and the people I come in contact with, I want to move onto the next thing. Because I always want to stay positive.
Professional hopes, dreams, and challenges…
Some of my professional hopes are to make an impact on children, I want to build a love of learning, instill a positive educational adventure for the children I am able to have the opportunity to spend time with. I want the same for their parents, I want to support, educate, and pat them on the back. I want them to know what little gifts they have. In my 7 years in the classroom, I have come across many challenges, finding good support, encouraging great parents that they are great parents. I feel that I am able to give what I once took. As a former head start parent, I feel that encouraging others to stay positive, stay focused and look to the future is an easy job for me.
References:
Laureate Education, Inc. (2011). Issues and trends in the early childhood field: Excellence and equity of care and education for children and families-Part 3. Baltimore, MD: Executive Producer.
Sophia Chang
Hi Jennifer,
Thank you for sharing your professional goals and a glimpse of what your county has to offer in early education. One goal that stood out to me was the “get out before you get burnt out.” This is important self-reflection since so many times I see teachers who need to retire or get out of the field. At our center, we do annual surveys with the parents and sometimes parents will share similar feedback. Teachers take this as a criticism, but in reality, it is a reflection on how we portray ourselves amongst the parents and how we are doing amazing work in shaping children’s mind, but if the stress, no enthusiasm, and low-pay are getting to the teachers. I also enjoyed learning about the RULER too.