Final Blog (week 15)

How can we help to improve Early Childhood Education in Hawaii?

                While reading the afterword there are many “projects” that were created to help Early Childhood Education. How can we help ECE in Hawaii? The main concept that I learned from this book is balance. To balance the three sides of the triangle will take time and practice. This will be something that I will work on throughout my career as an early childhood educator. I’m inspired by this text to make my visions a reality and make the needed changes in myself and my classroom. I thought to myself how can I make a difference? I bet most of you choose this job to make a difference in children’s lives.  These children that we are teaching are our future. I can make a difference by standing up for what I believe is best for my children just as the directors in this text did. They didn’t conform to the norms, they made their vision a reality and I hope to create my own vision one day. 

Specific blog assignment #12 (week 13 &14)

What happens if a director goes against the norms?

            Roberto inspired me to be a stronger leader and feel self – empowerment by showing me that we don’t have to follow the norms. Directors are pushed to get so much paperwork done and keep the staff, board members, and families happy. Roberto did what her thought was best for the school and the children. He went against the board and pushed his vision forward. He saw what needed to be changed to instill his vision. He worked on his professional development as well as his staff and families to get everyone on board. When becoming the director he stood up for what he believed in to improve his school and bring forth his vision.

            I would adopt a few of his practices. His practices are different, but they work. I would form work teams for different accreditation focus areas and also curriculum areas. I would use un – timing the curriculum.

            My next steps would be to put these practices into play. I have used the un – timing the curriculum practice with my children before. I have a daily routine but many times I’m flexible with the times because I go by the feel of the children. If they are engaged indoors then we’ll stay in longer. If they are restless and full of energy I would take them out sooner. Many times I gauge my daily routine by the children’s behaviors. I would like to form work teams. My site is a larger site and I feel that I would be able to get other staff involved with this and see where it goes from there. 

Specific blog assignment #11 (week 13 & 14)

How do we get children interested in nature?

            We are lucky that we live in Hawaii one of the most beautiful places in the world. We have the ocean, volcanoes, forestry, and even snow at times.  Living in Hawaii we are connected to the island and that connection is passed down to the next generation.

            In my program the children make a connection with nature because my site is so close to the ocean. The children constantly talk about their experiences at the beach and about the animals that they see. In our playground we have plastic climbing structures but we have plants such as ti leaf, papayas, and flowers. We have two gardens one located close to the playground and another in the front of the school entrance.

            I would use some of the practices that Sarah used such as creating a field guide for the center as a way to get the families and children interested in nature. I would set – up field trips to the beach, or botanical gardens, or the volcano. I would take the children to learn about farms and garden in the community to build a bond with nature and the community. 

Specific Blog Assignment #10

What dispositions do you see Michelle bringing to leadership?

Michelle was all about high standards for her site. She wanted teachers that made good impressions during the interview. She found out later that the turn over rate was too high and needed to change her tactics. She looked at a more mentoring and coaching disposition to see how individuals would work with the staff and if they fit into her vision of her site. She really focused on group development and professional growth.

How are your dispositions similar to or different from Michelle’s?

          

  My disposition is similar to Michelle’s when it comes to professional growth. I believe that no matter how experiences a person maybe they still have something to learn. I like working with my group at my site and working together and learn from one another. I’m also like her in mentoring other. I want a site where we all get along and have a great relationship.

What aspects of her vision appeal to you?

            

“Develop teachers as thinkers, not technicians.” I like this practice because teachers are professionals and I feel the directors forget that at times. There is so much to learn from the professionals in your staff. By having group discussions or asking other co – workers about a problem at the site teachers will learn from each other and build a relationship and also self – esteem.

What could you imagine yourself doing that is inspired by this story of Michelle’s work?

          

  I could imagine myself creating “clear accountability systems.” When I started at my site I was blind – sided with all the work expected of me. I was thrown into a new classroom with a new teacher and hadn’t a clue of my responsibilities. My partner is really helpful but I feel that if I went in knowing what was expected I wouldn’t have felt so unsecure at my new site. I would put into action a plan to help new hires and also experiences workers so that they would know exactly what was expected by having staff meetings and also individual conferences with teachers. 

Specific Blog Assignment #9 (week 13&14)

How is it possible to make your vision a reality?

How did Lettie integrate her leadership work from each side of the triangle?

Lettie was a director, she was the boss. She oversaw everything from paperwork to her staff. She worked with her staff to create her vision by asking more of her staff and giving them extra time to complete the added assignments and being flexible at times. Lettie was all about building and supporting relationships. She worked to involve staff and families to support the preschool.

If you were to put relationships center stage in your management, coaching, and community – building routines, what routine or system might you want to start revamping?

          

  If I were to put relationships center stage, I would want to revamp arrival and pick – up times. This is the two main times we see the families, but most times I’m so busy in trying to get everything ready for the day or managing other children that it’s a simple “hi” and “bye” conversations. I would like to revamp this very important transitions.

How would you describe Lettie’s disposition?

          

Lettie knew her vision and wanted to make it a reality. She had to rethink her own work ethics and think of new ways to build a connection with children and their families. She focused on the people that she cared for rather than the paperwork that came with the job to make meaningful connections with families.

What disposition do you want to strengthen in yourself to begin your revamping work?

           

I would like to strengthen my work style. I say this because I’m someone that will do as I’m told by my director and at times I feel stuck having to do certain assignments and activities. I want to think outside the box more and that is something that I have to work on for myself in order to have a classroom of my vision. 

Initial Blog week 11 & 12

How is it possible to manage all aspects of a preschool setting?

Reading this chapter the same questions come to mind as previous chapters. How do directors balance their roles. The triangle is a great tool to help keep the directors on track and see their strengths and weaknesses, but to have to balance all these things are such a great task. For directors I feel that its really important to involve all staff, working as a team can make a huge effect in any preschool. Directors should lead and mange but also connect with their co - workers and children. Planning and evaluation is a strategy that stuck to me. I always try to plan things and evaluate how I could do something better. This is something that could be done in any preschool. I'm sure that most preschool directors evaluate their staff annually. Do we evaluate ourselves regularly. This way we can see strengths and weaknesses and know where to improve on.
I really enjoyed reading about the "five ingredients." When reading about the five ingredients as it says we see all these things in children but in adults we have lost these abilities over time.  I personally will start to work these "ingredients," back into my way of thinking.

Specific Blog #8

Becky

What goals do Becky and Yolanda seem to have for their programs (for curriculum, for children and families, for staff development)?

Becky goals seem to be focused on academics and performance standards. She wants the children to succeed and meet the requirements pushed on her and the staff. Becky’s communication strategy is using a newsletter that is sent out to the parents in a timely order.

What strategies and approaches are they each using to reach their goals?

What goals do Becky and Yolanda seem to have for their programs (for curriculum, for children and families, for staff development)?·         Managing and overseeing

How do Becky and Yolanda’s approaches encourage or undermine reflective practice and teacher dispositions needed for a caring, learning community?

Becky praises Juanita on her ideas and many different finger plays which are shown on the paperwork. It seems that Becky wants to keep a dominant position over Juanita. There’s no personal connection in their conversation. There is little response by the teacher and questions to the teacher from the director. Becky undermines Juanita’s abilities by constantly reminding her of the deadlines for assignments that she has yet to complete, such as the individual planning. Becky also undermines Juanita’s decision on the curriculum by having chosen the monthly themes and activities to go with it. Instead of asking Juanita and the children what they would be interested to learn about.

Yolanda

Yolanda’s curriculum focused on adding community and families. She takes into consideration on what interests the children. She talks and communicated with the staff formally and informally.

What strategies and approaches are they each using to reach their goals?

·         Plan for a nurturing environment for adults

·         Provide time and resources

·         Compare your view with their view

·         Practice active listening informally and formally

How do Becky and Yolanda’s approaches encourage or undermine reflective practice and teacher dispositions needed for a caring, learning community?

Yolanda’s approaches encourage reflective practice and teacher dispositions. She allows the staff to collaborate and make a curriculum involving families and communities. Making sure that it also complies with their programs standards. The director went into the classroom and engaged with the children to see how they learn and what they are being taught.

As you spent time examining the approaches Becky and Yolanda take in directing their programs, did you see yourself in one of them?

As I spent time examining these two directors approaches I see myself in both of them. I’m like Becky because I like to be able to see what is going in my classroom on paper. I like to use checklists and also I do tend to look at my own and others weaknesses. I’m like Becky because I like to have children – led activities. I try to find out what interests them and add it into my curriculum.  I like to stay positive and encourage others and the children to help to keep a positive environment

Initial Blog #4

While reading about coaching vs. managing in chapter 4 I came up with this question. Many times there are teachers be it that they are new or have many years of experience that are fixed to their teaching styles and may not want change. As a director I would find this challenging.

What I got out of this chapter is that as a director you have to know how to handle a situation. This chapter has many strategies on how to make a connection with your staff. I like that many strategies help to encourage the staff to improve their abilities and their children’s abilities. It is also about respecting your staff. The director may have the dominant position over the staff in the “hire or fire” situation but when working in a school setting the director and staff are all professionals and there should be a mutual respect between both sides.

At my site we go to many workshops, trainings, and meetings. I may have to take time out of my day to attend these, but I do feel that they are necessary for professional growth. I’ll admit I didn’t find all very interesting, but I did learn something new from all those events. I recently went to two workshops and the first one I went to was very professional. This person read from a power point and asked questions as the staff sat in front of the stage and listened. The second workshop was in a little room very individualized and personable. The staff sat around a table with the instructor and not only listened to the instructor but participated in the discussions about the topics that were covered. I learned many great things from both workshops. I enjoyed the second one more because the instructor made not only the staff but our bosses come together and communicate and generate ideas in a way that we haven’t done so before. 

Specific Blog #7

What am I?

 As an Architect I would use their designing skills to build my indoor and outdoor area. Being able to visualize something and making it real. As a weaver I would make be very creative and good with my hands. As a sculptor I would also have to visualize what I’m modeling. As a mediator I would take their patience and knowledge. As a horticulturist I would take their skills to take something small and help it grow to its full potential. I choose each skill to help me as a director. As a director we must take on different roles and aquire different skills. Being able to design my environment to its maximum potential as a architect builds a building. Creating new works of art as the weaver and sculptor will do with their art. It’ll take patience and a clear mind as a meditator to teach others. A horticulturist using their ability to care for something as flower (child) and help them reach their full potential.

Specific Blog #6

Do we look at daily routines as a teaching strategy?

Getting ready in the morning is as stressful to the parents as it is to a child. Parents have to get themselves and their child(ren) ready for the day. To have a center that allows parents to come in and help their children transition into school will work out well for those who need the extra help. I like the idea of turning daily routines into a transition from home to school. It puts less stress on both the parent and child. Using “transition times as opportunities for connection and community” is a great idea. Teachers tend to limit transitions in the classroom because the stress it causes on children. By using dally routines as transitions we can make transitions as a teaching strategy.

Specific Blog #5

What is seen first: the child or the problem?

In Michael's case working with a special needs child the "professionals" were having a staff meeting. Where they looking at the problem or the child? I don't know. When I look into my professional life as a teacher when I'm faced with a child that needs extra help do look at the child or the problem first. Many times teachers will focus on the problem and not the strengths of a child. Teachers feel that they must focus on the problem and find a solution. In Michael's case his family is "honoring" the child. The child comes first. 

I recently attended a workshop on challenging behaviors. The first exercise we had to look at a picture of a child smiling with a birthday crown on and were asked a few questions. One question was very basic “What do we see?” I answered a happy child who looks as if he’s celebrating his birthday. The next question was, “What is his challenging behavior?” From a picture we couldn’t answer that question. This child had autism. By looking at the picture we were able to see the child first. When watching a video with a child showing his challenging behavior we all focused on what the problem was. This workshop helped me to realize that in order to help the child with a challenging behavior we must focus on the child first and then work on the problem. In Michael’s case he learned to “honor” the child because of the boy’s family.

Why is it  so hard to bring our community in the classroom?

While reading this chapter I thought to myself we living in a community, yet there is no sense of the community in the program that I work for. Why not bring our part of our daily lives into the classroom to make it more meaningful to the children.  I thought about my own center and thought why not open up the classes and let them mingle and see what happens. I’m an extended day teacher and work with three year olds. The site I work at has two three year old classes and two four year old classes. The three and four year olds have separate buildings. In each building there are two classes (same age group) which are separated by a sliding door. I would like to see it opened now that I have read this chapter.

I was captivated by the scenes in the beginning of this chapter. All scenes made even the reader feel welcomed because I could feel how the characters would’ve felt knowing that they are welcomed in their children’s school. I wished that would be the feeling when the parents picked up the their children are the end of the day. It made me start thinking of what I do to welcome the parents when they pick up their children. I noticed that the parents are more willing to talk in the afternoons because most have to rush out in the mornings to get the work or drop off other siblings. My partner and I try to talk with the parents and most times they want to know if their child had a good day in school. I find myself distracted because we do have to supervise the rest of the children in the classroom. This also made me think about our rules in my preschool and we have a strict policy which allows the parents a 10 minute window to pick up their children from extended day and leave. If we wanted to make a time for parents to connect with their children and the teachers I don’t know how that would be possible at my particular site. It is something that I’m going to look into.  

Specific blog assignment #2

As teachers we assess children, but do we assess ourselves?

What is my professional identity? I asked myself this question in another class. Everyone has different roles in life be it a mother, a father, an employee, a neighbor etc. Professional who am I?
I'm not a risk taker. I'm not a visionary. I'm a realist! I enjoy working in my program and am satisfied with the way things are going. Will I want to change things over time? Probably. I'm I satisfied in my profession? Yes. I love what I'm doing. I enjoy the working with children and teaching the future generations. I'm not satisfied with society at large. I feel that teachers and schools get the short end of the stick. State resources are limited when giving back to schools and teachers. Schools are lacking funds and teachers are being paid less. I have dreams, but I'm not a visionary. I have realistic dreams and although they are not fillfulled I'm in the beginning steps of making my dream come true. The statement that I choose is "When I feel something really needs changing, I'm willing to stick my neck out." I choose this statement because I may not be one to speak up everytime I see something not working. If I feel that its important to change than I will do what it takes to get those changes.

Specific Blog Assignment

Are men and women treated as equals in the workforce?

This paragraph adresses the problems that ECE professionals face. Women in the ECE field are "expected" to care for children. Teachers are seen as babysitters instead of professionals. Teachers are not getting the "recognition" that they deserve. The turn over rate is high caused by low pay and plenty of unpaid hours that teachers go through to set up there classrooms and lesson plans. I see my co - workers who have been in the field for decades and they still put in extra hours and long days staying over time to set up a classroom. Every child care professional that I have met be it male or female are ECE professionals because they love their job. Many teachers have to take on a second job to stay above water with their bills. Why are teachers not seen in socity as professionals? Could it be because we live in a male dominant society?