Respond to this posts.
I am a 44-year-old mother of two daughters who has been in the early childhood field for 28 years. I started here because I felt my daughter was getting mistreated when I had because I was a teen parent. By, being that advocate for her I also wanted to advocate for others. So, I stayed in this field and have worked many jobs in this field, from in the kitchen, to being an Assistant Director, to teaching Pre-k for 9 years. I love what I do that’s why as a graduate student, leader, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) professional I am someone who is engaged in advanced academic studies while also taking on leadership roles and advocating for inclusive practices. Being an individual that is dedicated to their field of study, contributing to scholarly knowledge, and often balancing coursework, research, and teaching responsibilities. As a leader, I demonstrate the ability to inspire, guide, and support others, fostering collaboration and driving initiatives. In their DEI role, I work to promote fairness, respect, and equal opportunities within my community or organization, addressing systemic inequalities and implementing strategies to create more inclusive environments. My multifaceted role requires a commitment to learning, empathy, and the ability to navigate complex social dynamics.
My personal growth I have started to work on empathy and understanding of others. Engaging with diverse students helps in developing empathy and a deeper understanding of different perspectives and backgrounds and navigating various learning styles and challenges enhances patience and compassion. I started crafting my communication skills to regularly explaining complex concepts in simple terms that improves clarity and effectiveness in communication. I have become an active listener to my students’ needs and feedback refines interactive communication abilities.
On a professional growth level, I have expertise and knowledge on continuously updating and deepening subject matter expertise to stay current in the field and engaging in professional development opportunities, such as workshops and conferences, to enhance teaching strategies.
Take on more leadership and mentorship roles taking on mentorship roles, such as Head mentor and helping staff get early childhood education trainings and organizational skills.
The expectation that I have for myself is that I make sure I apply myself and soak in what is being taught in these 6 weeks of class. The expectation that I have for others is the same provide me with feedback to help me build on my learning. Two courses that I excited about is this course and ECE 642 Quality Curriculum of Early Childhood Education. These two courses influence my professional growth by not only making me a strong advocate for children but teaching how to build a quality curriculum for children to learn.