Week 8: EDUC 6990

Time Well Spent

My thoughts on completing this program is..

Thank you to all my Colleagues and Professors.  I greatly appreciate all of you sharing your wisdom and knowledge with me. I learned a great deal from you all and for that I am forever grateful.   

Three deeply felt learning's from this program

1. The goal for early childhood educators should be to make the most of children’s potential, strengthening and building upon their skills they bring when they enter programs. 

Education, as Cummings states, implies “drawing out children’s potential and making them more than they were” (NAEYC, n.d.). 

Educational programs and practices must recognize the strengths that children possess.

Whatever language children speak, they should be able to 

demonstrate their capabilities and also feel the success of being appreciated and valued. 

Teachers must build upon children’s diversity of gifts and skills and provide young children opportunities to exhibit these skills in early childhood programs” (NAEYC, n.d.).  Reference retrieved October 24, 2017, from: https://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/PSDIV98.PDF

2. A professional manager’s role to creating a positive work environment is to have “effective communication skills, knowledge of group dynamics and techniques for conflict resolution” (NAEYC, 2007).  Reference: Retrieved October, 24, 2017, from:https://www.naeyc.org/academy/files/academy/ProgramAdminDefinitionCompetencies.pdf

 A manager in the field of early childhood should have the ability to work as part of a professional team to support their staff, the children and families in their community. 

The specific things that I believe a manager should do to promote a positive work environment is to strive to be an effective listener and communicator.  

If administrators, directors, and managers connected with their team and colleagues creating connections, establishing trust, and showing appreciation this can promote positive work atmospheres. 

Competent directors are comfortable in their role balancing their responsibilities and overcoming challenges.  They have a better understanding of all aspects of the program and learn to resolve conflict objectively.   

“Confident directors are flexible when accommodating the needs of staff and adept at making expectations for staff clear, and mature directors strive for consistency and are interested in sharing their professional expertise as a mentor and role model”( Freeman, 2017 p.95). References retrieved October 24, 2017, from:Freeman, N. K., Decker, C. A., & Decker, J. R. (2017). Planning and administering early childhood programs (11th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.

3. Our budget plan is established to “serve and act on behalf of the needs, rights and well-being of all young children with primary focus on providing educational and developmental services and resources” (NAEYC, n.d.).  

A financial plan will help to improve professional practices and support early childhood programs by working to achieve a high-quality system of early childhood education.  

With professional staff trainings, we hope to create an organization with groups and individuals who are committed to promoting excellence in early childhood education for all young children.  

Our goal is to promote a safe and welcoming, early childhood program that includes a developmentally age appropriate curriculum with educated and trained staff members to help support the children and families in and around our community. Reference retrieved October 24, 2017,  from:https://oldweb.naeyc.org/about/mission.asp

Long Term Goals

1^st the need to commit myself to staying informed with current information and resources about children and families in the early childhood field.  

2^nd devote my time to become an advocate for families and young children in society.

 3rd to collaborate with colleagues, administrators, directors, and other professionals to help better my knowledge and understanding about early childhood programs in and around my community. 

Farewell

To all my fellow colleagues please keep in touch!  There is no I in the word TEAM! :)  Together we can achieve anything!!  I am only a text, call, or email away;)  Please feel free to contact me by any means necessary.   

Always n Forever Team Early Childhood. NicoleTyson/tysonnicole@yahoo.com