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Professional Goals, Hopes and Dreams


     I live in the city of San Diego. Here in San Diego, one of the many discussions regarding the quality of an early childhood educator is the academic knowledge of the teacher. Therefore, there is a big emphasis in early childhood centers for staff to have a bachelor's or master's in early childhood or child development. In addition, due to Covid-19, cleanliness and sanitation are a big deal in our area.

    One of the blessings of where I live is that there are many convention centers and "I live where people vacation," as the saying goes. So lots of big events happen in the city. In addition to the occasional EC conference, accessing webinars from NAEYC is a wonderful option for me. Usually, my work will also host professional development opportunities so that I have opportunities to grow. This week I read an article from NAEYC regarding equity. It was a great refresher on NAEYC's stance on equity, as well as what it means to be an equity leader. I am so thankful for each of these opportunities and I make sure to utilize each to its fullest. 

    Because I am able to see and have access to such amazing professional development resources, I have developed a goal to host my own presentation or webinar relating to early childhood development. Though I currently have no idea what I would talk about. Another goal I have is to co-write a blog or article or co-host a podcast in which I can discuss realistic solutions to current problems in the early childhood field.

    Like many individuals, I have big hopes and dreams professionally. One of my biggest dreams is to be considered a formidable figure in the early childhood field. If there were no limits, I would aim to be in a textbook. However, I would also be content with being considered a great early childhood resource at any place I work at. This is important for me because I am not always seen as a credible resource as a young adult without any children of my own. I am hoping that as I get older, this becomes less prevalent.



Comments

  1. Myrna ShakirJune 27, 2021 at 6:36 AM

    It’s amazing to read that staff having a bachelor’s or master’s degree in early childhood or child development is of upmost importance. The goals you have set for yourself will happen. As they saying goes, “the sky is the limit”. You can achieve whatever you set before yourself. I love that there are conferences and accessibility to resources in the field for continuous development through the community and your employer.

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  2. Kathleen MontoyaJune 27, 2021 at 8:14 AM

    You are absolutely correct. Cleanliness is a big issue right now in childcare settings. Especially if you are a vacation spot for many families. at my center in shaker Ohio, we still do not use our large Jim area or combined the classrooms outside of the playground. We also do not combine to classrooms in the afternoon for teachers to be relieved. We try and keep all classes separate in their own rooms because of COVID-19. We are still all wearing our masks to work as well. The children do not have to but the families in teaching staff must wear their masks inside. We still have air purifiers in every classroom and still wipe down all the surfaces at the end of the night and deep clean have a deep cleaning company come in once a month. Most centers are not screening the families and children for temperatures in the morning but are still doing that.
    I agree that people look down on younger teaching staff even if they are educated. Maybe not look down on them, but do not take their opinion as a credible resource. No matter how long you have been in the field if you do not have children of your own some families and some programs do look down on you. Because you do not know exactly what they are going through, and you have not had that life experience yet to understand them fully. I actually said that was one of my weaknesses in a job interview; that I have not been a mother myself. But I look at it as a strength as well because I try so hard to understand where parents are coming from and understand everyone's perspective and how they are living and things they have to go through even though they're different than my own.

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  3. Channette's Early Childhood Studies BlogJune 27, 2021 at 5:09 PM

    Thank you for sharing your experience as a childcare professional. I like that you mentioned you take advantage of the opportunities provided to you and that you utilize them. It is essential that we learn and put into action what we learn. I agree that I hope to become a resource for others. By being a resource I hope to mentor my colleagues to follow their dreams as a childcare professional. I like that you are able to attend conventions in your city related to early childhood. I have never been to an convention relate to early childhood. I will defiantly look into attend one when I return back to the United States.

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