Friday, September 12, 2014
How important is it to have a vision?
When it comes to early childhood education it is important to have a personal vision and also a common vision in which staff views the children's learning experience. The reading talks about the importance of self reflection and determining your vision and mission statement for your classroom. I also think that it is important for you to examine your reasons for becoming a teacher and what it is that you want to accomplish because regardless of what you do in life if you wander blindly you will not be successful. For me the reason that I am getting into early childhood education is because over the past five years while working in the special education department I have had the opportunity to work with children of all ages. During this time I have seen the result of early intervention and the lack there of. These experiences have really shaped my vision and mission in a sense that I have a real conviction to work in early child hood to provide meaningful and appropriate experiences for young children.
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Hi Jonathan,
ReplyDeleteI agree that early intervention can do so much in a child's life. Your motivation to enter the field of Early Childhood Education is commendable I feel very fortunate to work in inclusion programs and to interact with teachers in the sped program. It is a rewarding, but very challenging career. Have you met teachers or directors that are wandering blindly?
Hi Maika,
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think encompasses a meaningful learning experience? Can/should learning experiences be driven by outside forces/expectations like standards or accountability? Are meaningful learning experiences different when children are viewed as capable? How? (If at all?) Can standards and prescribed practices of accountability exist in the view of children as capable? What is the director's role in ensuirng children and families are viewed as capable and competent and how does this relate to visions and actions surrounding that vision?
Cheers,
Jeanne
Hi Jonathan,
ReplyDeleteDo you work with other teachers in the DOE or do you work by yourself? If you do work with other teachers have you found that your vision is different from others? You stated you have a "real conviction to provide meaningful and appropriate experiences for young children." This is very important for young children as they learn through interacting with their environment. Do you feel the DOE provides meaningful and appropriate experiences for young children?
Johnathan,
ReplyDeleteThere are times after a long day of work, I ask myself "Is this what I really want to do?" but then I remember something that happened that day, or something that a child says that makes me realize that it is what I want to do. For instance, when one of my children, who is a bit on the aggressive side, told his friend "Thank you for having fun with me today." It just made me think about the little steps that I am taking to helping him learn to use his words and grow.
All teachers should have a mission for their class after getting to know the children better, because all children are at different stages in their development, there should also be individual missions for each child. Some people just do not realize what it is like to be an ECE caregiver because they think that we just babysit children all day. But it is simply more than that, it is the foundation to their basic life skills that we are teaching them!
I always wanted to be a teacher, at first I thought that elementary would be great, but when I was in the ECE program during my senior year in high school, I realized that preschool was where I wanted to be, it just felt right to be there. Do you think that happens often? Where people just know that they belong in the field and what position they want to be?
Aloha Johnathan,
ReplyDeleteWhat were some of your experiences that developed this conviction? When I reflected on specific events and moments I began to build my motivation. I am curious to learn your vision as you lean towards early childhood. What age group do you feel most drawn to? My Aunty works with special needs children so I appreciate your commitment to special education. I am looking forward to what I can learn from you in this area.
Chloe