The importance of professional development

As any professional knows, regardless of the industry, being able to have the opportunity to take on some professional development in some shape, way or form, is always a bonus to one's job.  Luckily, my preschool has a set budget each year for both myself and my T.A to use for our own professional development.  And as we all know, the way budget cuts are happening currently, I will take what I can get... privately.

But that's not what this post is about.  It's about the importance of continuing our education from a career standpoint in the early childhood education field.  Quite frankly, it's more than just sitting for a day, transitioning from workshop to workshop, writing notes that you will never read the day after, taking free stuff, and spending money on things for your classroom that you might use but, a year later, it's still sitting in the plastic.  Professional development in the E.C.E field is about observation and reflection.  And here's why.

First and foremost, when you go to these events, the first thing you do is observe.  And when you're observing, it's EVERYTHING - every person that you cross paths with, the environment, the materials, the system in how the conference or workshop is being carried out.. even the clock on the wall.  While you're observing, you may even become judgemental and realize there are people sitting beside you who shouldn't be because they're opinions do not match their profession.  I'm not ashamed to say it because it's true and I've done it.  You also observe the benfits and drawbacks to government spending with initatives and projects.  That can also make you judgemental for obvious reasons.  But most importantly, as you're observing what you see and hear (and possibly smell...), you start reflecting.  You begin reflecting on your observations in both positive and negative forms.

"I would never show up in sweats for a conference", "Oh!  That's a great idea to promote language development through such-and-such rhyme!", "Who the hell runs that daycare and is ACCREDITED!?", "What a great presenter on brain development.. I wish I was with them all day".  At some point or another, thoughts like these ones occur because you are reflecting and deciding on what you're going to take from it.  You're going to think about how your teachings may be altered, how your approach to your profession is professional enough, if you're giving your 100% each and every day you are with those kids.  All these things and more, contribute to your profession and how you plan to develop within it.  Yes, these events are great for new ideas and/or strategies that haven't been tested before.  It's even great for networking as you never know who knows who.  However, I feel the real benefit to it, it allowing yourself the opportunity to submerge in the whole concept as it demonstrates the thought process of "I can always do more".  When you allow yourself to become involved in such opportunities, then it speaks to others of how much you truly care about the professional-you.  And the ripple effect continues.

And this is all because you decided to take on some professional development.  It's more than just sitting with a bunch of strangers listening to other strangers preach about various aspects of our jobs.  It's about developing into something more because YOU can and you believe it.  That's why professional development is key.



On a side note, I know the posts of have been scarce and there have been requests as to an explanation.  I do have a secret to share, but not quite yet.  It'll come in due time.

And no, I'm not pregnant.

And the nominees are..

Coincedently with the Oscars happening this weekend, I have my own nomination to report as well.  Not for an Oscar (obviously) but in the Alberta Child Care Professional Excellence Awards. 

Crazy, right?!  I'm still in shock myself and feel so honoured!

The families of the preschool are nominating me for an award on behalf of the province of Alberta.

 

As the humbling person I am, I really don't think I deserve the award as really, I just love what I do and always feel I can do better for my preschoolers.  But.. as I was told this past week, "people need to know about you and the differences you make". 

This afternoon, I did an interview with one the parents who is organizing the nomination and I do have to say, reflecting on the seven years (offically, unoffically nine) I have been in the field.. it was tough answering some of the questions.  Areas that are judged include how the nominee supports learning in children, involvement with parents, and of course, involvement in the professional world as well.  It wasn't till this morning when I annouced the news to my ELAA group, that we went through a list of things that should be mentioned in the letter and realized, "Holy crap - I've done alot in seven years!". 

With this reflection underway, I realize more of it should be done on life itself.  Seven years ago, I never imagined myself as a preschool teacher in Calgary, Alberta.. being nominated for a provincal award of excellence.  Instead, I envisioned myself working in a private-run daycare in Ontario, barely making ends meet and considering another profession altogether.  I also didn't envision that at the age of 27, I would be gaining a degree in Bachelor of Professional Arts. 

With that said, I am offically done my program this Thursday, February 28th. 

Yep.. lots of reflection needed at this point in life! 

Now that my educational career is finally coming to an end, where should I see myself in another six years?  Where do you see yourself?  Are you happy with the choices you've made, for the most part anyway?  Because we all make choices that were bad.  And somehow, we made it through those bad choices.  But what are you doing now with your life and are you happy with it?  Do you want to do something different?  These are the questions I'm asking myself at this very moment.

I think I do know what I want to do next.

I've always been interested in some form of consultation in the childcare field.  Obviously, licensing is the dream goal but we all know those jobs come only when someone retires.  I've also wanted to open my preschool.  Will that happen?  Not sure.  But its worth exploring..

And so is everything else.