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What issues regarding quality and early childhood professionals
are being discussed where you live and work?
One of the issues that I constantly discuss with my peers is their
need to continue their education. Staff
members who have no experience working with children are required to complete
child development modules, specific to the age groups that they work with. A set of completed modules counts as 15 hours
toward higher education at Ohio State University. Or, if that individual is not interested in
pursing a degree, they can apply for their CDA (or for staff members that work
with school age children, the MSA).
Another issue we discuss is the need for staff members to execute
high-yield learning activities. This
doesn’t necessarily require higher education, but it definitely requires a
certain level of enthusiasm.
·
What opportunities and/or requirements for professional
development exist?
In addition to staff members completing their modules, they also
have learning opportunities through Boys and Girls Club of America and Spillett
Leadership University (affiliated with BGCA).
Staff members must be trained annually on a variety of topics, from
Positive Guidance /Appropriate Touch, Child Abuse and Developmentally
Appropriate Practices to ServSafe Foodhandlers and CPR/First Aid to Age
Appropriate Environments.
·
What are some of your professional goals?
One of my professional goals is to continue my education in order
to ensure that I am current with the changing world of child development. Another goal is to mentor staff and help them
realize their value to the program so they understand how important they are.
·
What are some of your professional hopes, dreams, and challenges? One of the challenges that we face is that we
work in a military community and a good amount of staff membes are military
spouses. Sometimes, they end up laving
the program before they are fully developed.
I would love to have a program that places a bigger emphasis STEM
concepts!
Hi Alivia,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your post this week. I too set my professional goal stay current with the early childhood world also. I believe that with that is to also know when you are no longer an asset to the early childhood community. I know many teachers that get "comfortable" and feel that they way they have always done things in the classroom is the best way. I, just like yourself want to stay on the cutting edge of children's development, encouraging others to do the same. Keep up the awesome work!