1.
We
shall support professionals new to the field by mentoring them in the practice
of evidence and ethically based services.
I feel that peer based
learning through mentoring is one of the most effective and meaningful ways for
anyone to learn a new skill. If we take the time to mentor and collaborate we
provide the opportunity for those with little or no experience to gain
knowledge through hands-on methods that are not possible through “formal”
education alone. When we base our mentoring practices on evidence based knowledge
we ensure that the experience gained is good experience.
As we know, not all
experience is equal and so I would go further than this statement to say that
mentoring those who are not new to the field but lack an understanding of
evidence and ethically based services is equally important. In my own work as I
coach I often find that those who have many years of experience in environments
that do not fit into the realm of best practice often need the coaching and
mentoring as much as (or even more than) those who are new to our field.
2.
We
shall strive for the highest level of personal and professional competence by
seeking and using new evidence based information to improve our practices while
also responding openly to the suggestions of others.
This is significant to my
professional life because I believe that I am a life-long learner and I hope I
can encourage others to be, as well. When
we strive for competence, based on new evidence or suggestions from our peers, we
continue to develop a growth mindset and avoid the pitfalls of stagnancy. As I
mentioned above, it is often those who have become complacent who fail to
provide the best possible opportunities for children.
In addition, my coaching
role involves helping others to see the importance of being open to change,
learning, and suggestion. I can do some of this by leading through my example.
I aim to be open to suggestions from fellow coaches but also from providers
(teachers, directors, etc.). By doing so,
I am able to continue to grow alongside them on the journey to improved
quality.
3.
To
accord co-workers due recognition of professional achievement.
The work we do in this field
is complicated and at times difficult and exhausting. It is imperative that we
continue to build our resiliency so that we can continue to provide exceptional
services. Celebrating successes and achievements is one way that we can
continue to build resilience in ourselves and our co-workers. It is also an
unfortunate fact that most early childhood education professionals are not
recognized by the “outside” world for their accomplishments. Therefore, it is
crucial that we celebrate each other in the interest of encouraging each other
to forge on and take on the challenges that will lead to more professional achievements.
When we do this and we focus on positive mindsets we filter that out to those
we serve and to our colleagues.
Optional:
What I want to remind myself of here is that although the
optional portion of this assignment said to wrap up my introspective process I
do not see this as a wrap-up. I see this as the beginning of a different
journey in my learning process. I hope
that I will always be introspective and that my professional goals will
continue to morph as I continue to be self-reflective and use the ideals above
(along with many others) as a map to where and how I want to continue to grow as a
professional, leader, and advocate in our field.
References
Division for
Early Childhood. (2000, August). Code of ethics. Retrieved from
http://www.dec-sped.org/
http://www.dec-sped.org/
NAEYC. (2005,
April). Code of ethical conduct and statement of commitment.
Retrieved from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/PSETH05.pdf
Hi Wendy,
ReplyDeleteSupporting new professionals in the field is very meaningful to me too . Working as a team, sharing knowledge, and resources with them will make better professionals. I also agree that using new evidence-based information and lessening with respect to the suggestions of others even if we don't agree with it.
Wendy,
DeleteI worry about becoming stagnant in my activities and resources and have recently begun to search for new ideas for my classroom again. I'm trying to not become complacent in what I do as an educator and really strive to do more. Thank you for your ideals!
Wendy,
ReplyDeleteI agree that mentoring is a vital role of experienced early childhood educators. I personally did not have a mentor, and the co-teacher in my classroom with 20 years experience did not take me under her wing like I wish she had. I had to go out and find my own mentor within the center, and it became a mish-mash of the ideas of many people. A couple years ago a local community college student asked me to help her achieve her CDA, and the work that we did together through that situation allowed me to learn more about her, more about teaching, and more about myself as an educator. We still have a close relationship and she recently took a position as a support teacher in a toddler room at my center. She struggles, because she is new to toddlers and misses the environment she was in with the preschool children, but I am there for her to bounce ideas off of, and I know I can do the same with her. Accepting the role as a mentor allowed me to grow both personally and professionally and opened up the door for me to follow my passion in early childhood by working toward my Master's degree.
I also really like your third listed ethical code, because it is true that early childhood gets very little recognition in the education arena. As caregivers, we often give so much of ourselves that it can be very draining. Committing to celebrate and encourage one another is a very positive way to maintain our own motivation and bolster those around us.
~Mary Grace
Wendy,
ReplyDeleteI think you've made a terrific point about the needs for professional collaboration as early childhood professionals! I think what struck me most, was that you see the importance of leading by example. I think it is easy to assume we have all the answers, but in truth, of course we cannot see the world from all places at once or experience it as all the ways that humans have been made manifest. Everyone has something to contribute, and they will be more apt to contribute, and also accept OUR contributions, if they know it is valued. I believe that this will be my hardest task, as I am an independent type of person, but I truly believe that it is hubris for me to imagine that I could know everything. Thanks for your beautifully articulated thoughts!
-Colby