Time Well Spent

Important Lessons I have Learned in my Early Childhood Education Masters Program at Walden University

Leadership

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jarretjackson/2020/08/05/do-you-have-a-leadership-strategy/?sh=3496e9b71ab3

By taking this course I learned that their are different types of leaders and different leadership styles. You need to know your group members and tasks that need to be done in order to figure out what type or combination of styles needed. “Leadership is not a "one size fits all" thing; often, you must adapt your approach to fit the situation” (Mind Tools Ltd. 2020). 

 I learned that the type of leader I aspire to be a magnetic leader, "magnetic leadership stems from a deeper concept of connectiveness–where all beings are inter-related on an energy level, beyond the connections of a social system, or by proximity, or even by values system... Magnetic leadership is based on the understanding of co-creation: you and I are here as co-creators of our shared experience" (Routh 2010).  I wish to improve the type of energy I am putting out into the world and to those whom I work with and spend time within my life. 

Self-Reflection and Self-Awareness

                                        https://www.notebookmentor.com/what-is-self-reflection/

    Throughout this course, I have been doing much self-reflection such as learning and uncovering hidden biases, privileges, and characteristics I possess to be an influential role model to the students and families under my care. I have learned what makes me fit into the dominant American culture and what makes me an outsider. I've learned that there are many different communication styles and what may seem a "normal" communication style and tradition for me may differ from people are used to using different customs and forms of communication. Having this awareness of the self helps improve the teachings of anti-bias education. Looking through a new point of view and through new lenses can help teach a diverse group of students and allow for all to be welcomed and included in the classroom environment. 

Collaboration

https://pro.harman.com/insights/enterprise/education/practical-collaboration-how-to-actually-achieve-collaboration-in-an-organization/

    In any field that you are a part of the concept of togetherness is an important characteristic to help achieve goals and come up with new ideas to better the group of people or causes that you are working towards. It is important for educators to team up and collaborate with other educators and family members of the students under their care to create a nurturing and dual partnership of learning for children. We must all come together and share a similar idea and concept of what we want our children to learn, rules to foster, and ideas to understand and learn. There is a shared connection between a child's school life and culture along with their family culture. Educators should look to caregivers for the guidance of the way the child is being raised at home and incorporate those lessons and ideas with the classroom culture.

Advocacy  

https://slideplayer.com/slide/6534905/

Advocacy is the ability to find your voice, stand up and speak on what you believe is right, fair, and just in society and the world. It is up to educators to help children define what is fair, speak up when things are not fair, and know what social justice is (Derman-Sparks & Edwards).

                                                   

                                         Future Plans

    For the future, I plan on continuing to stay up to date on current issues and trends in the Early Childhood Education field. I also plan on embarking on my new journey of learning more about social and emotional learning because I believe this will help me with my goal of impacting the way empathy, diversity and inclusion are taught and incorporated into the ECE curriculum.

                                            Thank You

I would like to end by saying thank you so much to all my colleagues and professors here at Walden University. I have learned so much from all of you and you have all shaped and formed the direction I wish to go in my professional field. Feel free to keep in touch with me at kirsten.manley@yahoo.com. I wish you all the best of luck with your future endeavors and hope to work with you in the future.

References

Derman-Sparks, L., & Olsen Edwards, J. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, D.C.: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Mind Tools, Ltd. 2020. Authentic Leadership: Becoming a leader people want to follow. https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newLDR_43.htm

Mind Tools, Ltd. 2020. Leadership styles: Using the right ones for the situation. https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newLDR_84.htm

Routh, Z. 2010. The magnetic leader as crucible- How to create a transformative space without scorching people. Integral Leadership Review, 10(3), 1-3.