When
families seek the help of early childhood programs to provide care for their
children, I am certain that they are in hopes that they are looking for a child
care center, kindergarten, or preschool that they consider to be the best. As
an early childhood professional and a master’s student in an early childhood
program, I receive the challenge to ensure that every child has access to an inclusive
and viable education as a participant in early childhood programs that I am a
part of. My professional goal, hope and dream is to provide an excellent early
childhood program that offers every child a strong foundation for learning, healthy
development, and long term school and life success. Providing a quality earl
childhood program is not just a slogan for me. From being a participant in this
masters’ program at Walden
University
Where I
live, Redondo Beach , California California
Professional
development opportunities do exist. However, as I researched how to obtain
them, I found that those opportunities are afforded through and to early
childhood education and care programs that are a part of school districts.
My
professional goals are to complete my Masters Program and open my own early childhood
education and care center in honor of my beautiful mother. She was an early
childhood professional and she recently passed away unexpectedly.
I can
honestly say that she upheld the three characteristics of a professional
(Castle, 2009):
1. An extensive understanding of the body of knowledge that
composes the area
of professional expertise,
2. A high level of competence in the practice of the skills
identified as
essential for effective professional performance,
and
3. A conscious commitment to the ethical standards embraced
by the group of
professionals who comprise the field.
My
professional goal, hope and dream is to provide an excellent early childhood
program that offers every child a strong foundation for learning, healthy development,
and long term school and life success.
Reference
Castle, K. (2009). What do early childhood professionals
do? Dimensions of Early Childhood, 37(3), 4–9. Retrieved from the
Walden Library databases.
LaNeisha,
ReplyDeleteI think opening up your own child care center in honor of your mother is a beautiful tribute to her. I am sure she is very proud of all your accomplishments thus far. I, too, hope to offer an excellent early childhood program that offers every child a strong foundation to start learning and to continue to have life long success. Great blog post, thank you for sharing!
Jennifer
Hi LaNeisha,
ReplyDeleteWhat an inspiring post, thank you for sharing. I hope the love, respect, and admiration you hold for your mother is forever solidified within you as your goals, hopes, and dreams are realized. Opening a site was one of the most rewarding moments in my life and a time I will hold forever close to my heart but I will say, at the time, it was the most difficult, self-sacrificing adventures of my life. I learned to overcome huge obstacles, never take no for an answer, and I was much stronger than I ever though possible. I will also share, my first year's salary was $8,000. Yes, I made $600.00 a month, the rest of the profits went back into the center, a choice I willing made. Now, my husband did make a modest income but our family did sacrifice. Was it worth it? Every minute! But there will come a time when you will begin to make a much larger profit, this is the moment that defines us. Will you pocket that profit or reinvest in the staff, families, and children who believe in you? My dilemma, my two business partners wanted that money for themselves and I wanted to put that profit back into the business. I don't believe any of use were wrong, we just never took the time in the beginning to address our deepest desires and purpose.
Thanks, again for share,
Lynnette
LaNeisha,
ReplyDeleteYour post is excellent and I truly believe you embody what an early childhood professional should represent in regard to steering children to the path to success. It sounds like you are a great child advocate and I wish you the best of luck with finishing your degree and opening your own child care center. I am sorry to hear of your mother's passing but this would be such a wonderful way to honor her. I really agree with Castle's characteristics of a early childhood professional and am glad to see that there are others who live by it!
I am so sorry to hear about your mother. My condolences. I can see clearly You are passionate about what you do and care about how much quality education programs affect children of all backgrounds. Having your own center will be a phenomenal step towards bridging those educational gaps while also enforcing quality strategies that assist towards the development of children. I really enjoyed your post and look forward to seeing the miraculous dreams of yours come true.
ReplyDeleteLaNeisha,
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to hear about your mother, I am sure that she would be very proud of you for pursuing your dreams. When you open your own early childcare center, what ages of young children will it be for? What kinds of cool ideas do you have for it thus far? Also, I like your third goal of having a conscious commitment to the ethical standards of the field.