Thank you

October 26, 2011
To all my colleagues,
 As my first course toward my MSECS comes to an end, I want to thank my colleagues for all the support you provided throughout the past seven weeks.  I must admit, I was a bit overwhelmed with all the technolgy those first couple weeks. Thank you for helping me through it.  Also, thank you for sharing your personal philosophies, your personal web, favorite book and quote.  I really feel as though I have gained a new circle of professional colleagues in addition to all the new knowledge.  I look forward to moving forward with all of you.
      Judi

Meaningful Elements of the NAEYC and DEC Code of Ethics

October 20, 2011
     As I reviewed the NAEYC and DEC Code of Ethics, the statements that were most meaningful  to me  focused on  accepting the uniqueness of each child and family and building on that uniqueness to encourage success, partnering with families to understand the needs of the child and working collaboratively with colleagues to best meet the needs of the children and families we serve.  An ideal from the NAEYC Code (I-1.3) states "To recognize and respect the unique qualities, abilities and potential of each child." Applying this to the work we do is very important.  Our world is diverse in many ways.  Each child brings to our classroom an individual gift of their traditions, values and accepted behaviors.  As early childhood professionals , it is our job to embrace this gift. The DEC Code has a very similar statement that also addresses our behavior toward this diversity stating that we shall be respectful and appreciate " the unique value and human potential of each child." Incorporating this in every relevant decision I make as an administrator is crucial.
     The second statement (I-2.4) that was meaningfull to me related to families,  The NAEYC Code very specifically addresses  our responsibility " to listen to families, acknowledge and build upon their strengths and learn from families as we support them in their task of nurturing children."  I believe  this is the foundation for building a relationship with parents that is an important component in the success of the child.  The DEC Code also addresses the importance of family engagement. From its beginning, Head Start has placed a strong importance on family involvement. It is a key element of the program that prepares the parents to be an advocate for their child as they enter the school system.
     The third statement (I-4.2) I hold in high regard addresses our ability cooperate with our colleagues  to move forward on issues directly related to the children and families we serve- "To promote cooperation among professionals and agencies and interdisciplinary collaboration among professionals concerned with addressing issues in the health, education and well-being of young children, their families and their early childhood educators."  The DEC Code also stresses the importance of respectful collaboration. I truly believe it is the combined efforts of many that are necessary to accomplish the work to be done for children and families in our complex world. 
      I feel that following the standards established in both the NAEYC Code and the DEC Code is not an option but rather a requirement to maintain the high level of professionalism that all that all early childhood professionals should strive for.

So Many Resources

October 4, 2011
As I began to research what is really out there in terms of Early Childhood resources it became clear to me that the list  was  almost never ending!  I created a new section on my blog to begin developing a useful list.  In addition to the  resources I used for the Week 5 assignment, I included several resources I use on a regular basis.  The Office of Head Start is very generous in providing  publications and books on a regular basis. A comprehensive web site is kept up to date and is a good way to remain current with information specific to Head Start.  I find the following resources very helpful:

  NHSA Dialogue- A Research to Practice Journal for  the Early Intervention Field
 Early Childhood learning and knowledge Center  web site-                                  http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc
  Exchange- The Early Childhood Leaders Magazine.

  In our ever changing field, having access to  up to date research  is critical.  Building a comprehensive list of a variety of sources of information  will certainly make it easier to be informed. 

Words of Inspriation and Motivation

September 28, 2011
This week as I thought about words of inspiration and motivation, several things came to mind .  As I thought about it more, I began to sense a deeper meaning and connection in everything I was thinking about related to inspiration and motivation. In the video, "The Passion for Early Childhood" we viewed during week 2, the words of Louise Derman-Sparks resonated with me. When she talked about why she ended up in Early Childhood she stated " I knew I wanted to make a real contribution in the world and fix all the in justices in the world.  Teaching would allow me to do that."  Renatta Cooper states " Early Childhood Education as a civil rights issue.  It is equity work."  In aditional research on another major contributor the the field of Early Childhood, Dr. Edward Zigler  is quoted " I have  a built-in empathy for poor children as well as a deep belief based on my own life, that just because you're poor that doesn't mean you're inadequate." How powerful these words are. For me  it is the essence of the work I want to be involved in. We help make a difference not only for the children in our classrooms today but also for children in the future. It really is about contributing to the great good when we have a positive impact through our work on children and families.

Beware of sessions timing out!!!!

September 26, 2011
Dear Classmates,
BEWARE of sessions timing out!  After working on my discussion post all evening, I was unable to save or submit it because my session timed out.  I tried to get help from the online chat help but was told that classroom sessions only are active 10 to 15 minute will then time out...typing does not count ??????  and there was no way to retieve it.  I honestly didn't remember that being explained in the orientation activities. So dear classmates....I share my experience :-(  now I get to start all over again to discuss major contributors in the Early Childhood field...... this time it will be done in Word and pasted in the box!

Week 4, already

September 25, 2011
Week number 4- already !!!!! As I begin to jump into week 4 of my first online Master's level course, I am awe struck by where I've come in such a short amount of time. In addition to feeling like I have made some new professional colleagues, I feel like I'm actually beginning to understand the power of technology !  As I began researching the major contributors in our field of Early Childhood, I thought about what this work was like when I was working on my undergrad degree fifteen years ago.  It meant actually going to the library either on campus or in the community which was always tricky since I was operating my family child care back then and raising a very active family. My how technology would have simplified my life.  A lap top and 3G network , and I could have accomplished all sorts of things waiting for a soccer game to begin or at an all day band cavalcade.  Amazing what I am learning after all these years........

My Personal Childhood Web

I was experiementing with my blog and posted this to a new area.  I wasn't sure  my followers could see it so....I thought it best to post it again.  I'm still trying to master this !!!

 

My Personal Childhood Web

As I think about those special pepolple that have been part of my life ,I have very fond memories. There were three influencial women in my life growing up.The first person to come to mind is my mother. Marge or Margaret to others or Maggie as my husband would call her, Nana to my children but to me she was Momma. She was a remarkable women. As a first generation born in America Italian, she made the best of what she was given in life. Raised in a family with 10 brothers and sisters during the depression, she grew up placing a great deal of value 0n family. She often told my sister and I stories about all that my Grandfather did to provide for his family. She only had an eighth grade education because when she was growing up, girls didn't need to go beyond that. She was needed at home to help my Grandmother with the other children. She often shared that not having the opportunity for an education was her only regret in life. She encouraged my sister and I to be what we wanted to be.

Next I think of my maternal Grandmother. She was a remarkable women. In the early 1900's, my Grandfather came to America to make a better way for his family. Leaving my Grandmother and two sons in Italy while he worked in New york City helping to build the subways. When he had enough money , he sent for my Grandmother and the two boys. Several of the men from their town did the same thing so all the women traveled to America by boat to join their husbands. She arrived knowing no English. According to my Mother, she adapted quickly to America. The families lived in the same neighborhood so everyone supported each other.
She learned English as best she could and did not read or write in either language ,yet she manged to ride the train and bus and be self sufficient. My Grandmother was an inspiration to me . When I think about the courage it took to leave her parents and travel to a new country with two babies in tow, I realize the sacrafices she made to benefit the family.

Another important woman in my life growing up was my Aunt Jane. She was my Father's youngest sister. Truly , she was a woman ahead of her time. She was the first one in the family to attend college. She was the first one in the family to have a career in a non-traditional field . She was the first one to extensively travel and she accomplished all of this on her own.

She was a role model for me. I learned through her women could do whatever they wanted to and not be held back by gender. This was all happening in the 1950's. Aunt Jane inspired me to think outside the box and be creative and courageous. She taught me to follow my dreams.

These incredible women have passed on but the memories I have will stay with me forever . Their courage, drive and love of family have been the basis of how I live my life. I have worked diligently at sharing with my children , what these special family members gave me.