The thing that I am most passionate about when it
comes to my future as an early childhood educator and for the children and
families with whom I will work with is that I would like children and their
families to be treated fairly and equally. As early childhood educators, I
would like all of us to continue
advocating for ALL children ,especially the
ones and their families with varying abilities. These are the ones that are
closest to my heart.
I want to say THANK YOU to first of all the instructor,
for conducting a very interesting course, your advice and knowledge of the
subject was truly appreciated. To my
classmates, you all once again proved to be a vast source of information. All
your expertise will be a definite resource to me as I continue on my last lap of
this academic race. It has been a joy being part of this learning community with
you and I wish you all the best as you continue on this academic journey.
After reading your passion, I would like to share with you what I shared with Caroline... I encourage you to become a teacher of adults as well as children - sharing your learning with other ECE professionals.
ReplyDeleteI had a visit with a family just this past Thursday. When their middle child was 2 1/2, I had worked to advocate for his continued enrollment in a highly regarded and truly excellent program. The child had some challenges. He walked with the aid of a walker. He was eventually found to have low muscle tone and was identified on the Autism Spectrum. Despite the efforts of the agency I worked for and the hard work by the parents, the child was excluded. Every once in a while, I sent the Mom an e-mail to check up on Mason. He's 6 now. He loves watching airplanes. He is quite talkative and is fascinated with ears. He walks and runs now, needing only some supports in his shoes. He hates the sound of vacuum cleaners. He's 60% mainstreamed.
I told the Mom that I spoke often of her son. That when I presented trainings to other teachers on anti-bias - I mentioned him. I told her how important his story is. She welcomed me to share about him and even gave me permission to mention him by name.
I say all this because we have a responsibility to use our knowledge to make a difference, to share with other teachers and to advocate for families and children.
May we all find a child like Mason - someone that forces us to confront ourselves and to better ourselves and to speak up publicly.
You have always had something pleasant to say to me and your word of experience will be a part of my journal.
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