BEST WISHES!!

To my instructor and colleagues,

I feel as if I am living what we have all learned throughout the past eight weeks. We are here at the "Adjourning Phase" of our collaboration!! I am so excited for all of us to be moving forward on our journey towards our Master's Degree. However, I will miss each of you so much! I wish each of you the very best and I look forward to seeing you all at graduation because we are one step closer to our destiny. Keep up the wonderful work and I will see you soon.

Kindest Regards,

Berdetta Clark

IT'S SO HARD TO SAY GOODBYE!!

Saying, "Goodbye" is always so very difficult for me. I can remember how difficult is was to say to my Comrades when leaving Basic Training, and just recently when we relocated to North Carolina from Virginia and I had to leave my team from the Child Development Center and Academy I managed for six years. Our team had gone through the forming, storming, norming and performing stages and now the adjourning stage was upon us. I can remember when I was first hired as the Director. I came into a situation that was very volatile. There was a high turnover rate and many of the staff members didn't take pride in their work. Then there were those with very strong personalities that almost took on a dictator role in the center. They felt since they had worked there for so long, they were in charge. I must admit, the forming stage was very difficult because I had to evaluate the team's current performance and decide if a new team was necessary or if we could continue with the current team. Depending upon how you look at the process, we had to form a "new" team which meant keeping some of the current team members but changing their mindset and hiring new staff members. The storming stage where, "They have different opinions on what should be done and how it should be done - which causes conflict within the team. As they go progress through this stage, with the guidance of the team leader, they learn how to solve problems together, function both independently and together as a team, and settle into roles and responsibilities on the team (Abudi, 2010)." was especially difficult for those who were very opinionated. I can remember having to have several one on one conversations with individuals in order to curtail the intimidation of others their strong personalities caused. In the end the norming and performing stages were very successful. The employee turnover rate decreased tremendously which caused the enrollment to increase. During our adjourning stage, there were a lot of tears. I felt as if I was leaving my family. When I go back to visit, many of the same team members are still there and I can proudly say that they had learned so much from my leadership style because in essence, they had moved on to their various areas and appreciated how I made the vision clear, managed very difficult situations and was never afraid to model expected behavior for them. I miss them so much but it is like a reunion when we all get together. I can honestly say this team was one of the most challenging but most rewarding teams I have every worked on.

When I think about my team at Walden University, I have had a wonderful experience with this group of wonderful people. I think those of us who will meet face to face for the first time at our graduation will be super excited and experience a new level of unity. I never thought I would feel such a closeness from attending an online University because I am a face-to-face person however, I was so wrong. This has been a very unique experience for me.

Adjourning is a very important stage of a team because at some point the individuals must branch out and put what they have built to work. We must learn from one another and move out to teach others. Also, adjourning is important because sometimes we must be careful not to establish cliques and splinter groups that will deter others from appreciating the teams contributions to the project.


References:

Abudi, G. (2010). The five stages of team development: A case study. Retrieved from http://www.projectsmart.co.uk/the-five-stages-of-team-development-a-case-study.html

Non Violent Communication

This week we are learning about nonviolent communication. As I thought about my week, I realized I am experiencing a very unusual conflict in my personal life. I must admit, I was perfectly content with severing ties with this person simply because I feel as if I have been struggling to have a meaningful relationship for many years. I have tried many strategies, to no avail. So, I had finally resolved to just severing ties. Realistically, this would certainly be one to the hardest things to do because this person is my mother. Yes, my mother. For so many years I have been in conflict with my mother concerning how she enables my older brother. I personally believe it to be a generational habit that has been passed on through our family. For some strange reason, the women in my family have enabled the men in my family. They deemed it necessary to take care of them well into their adult lives which, has made it impossible for the men to take the role as the head of a household. Therefore, there are men in my family who are well into their forties and fifties who have never been married and although they have moved in with several women, have quickly moved back in with their mothers simply because they did not want the responsibilities. I find this to be very unfair to the health and well being of my mother because of the stress that she is constantly under as well as the stress it puts my sister and I under due to the fact that she wants us to “understand” why she continues to bail him out even to detriment of herself.

I honestly thought I just needed to give up on ever having a “normal” relationship with her until this week. “It is important that we do something because whether we like it or not, conflicts demand our energy. In fact, an unresolved conflict can call on tremendous amounts of our attention. We all know how exhausting an unresolved conflict can be. It is not always easy to fix the problem but a great energy boost can come when we do (Conflict Resolution Network, n.d.).” I decided to resolve the conflict by calling and talking with my mother after five months. I decided to use these two strategies:

1. Win/Win which states: “I want to win and I want you to win too (Conflict Resolution Network, n.d.).” I decided to take this approach and in the end, we both felt so much better about the decisions we made to make life much better for ourselves.

2. Go back to needs states: “The most important win/win maneuver you can make is to change course by beginning to discuss underlying needs, rather than only looking at solutions (Conflict Resolution Network, n.d.).” I understand that my children want and need their grandmother in their lives. I also realize that I want and need to have a relationship with my mother. Her feelings were mutual and she realized that she needed to allow my brother to stand on his own two feet so that she will have the time and energy to do exactly what she should be doing at this phase of her life which is enjoying herself and her grandchildren.

I am so thankful for this course and I am excited about the start of a new journey in our lives.


Reference:
Conflict Resolution Network. (n.d.). CR kit. Retrieved from http://www.crnhq.org/pages.php?pID=12#skill_3

WHO AM I AS A COMMUNICATOR?

This portrait is called, "The Confident Woman". My desire is to be as confident as the woman in the this portrait.
As I reflect on myself as a Communicator, I see a woman who is a strong communicator. Although, I tend to get very anxious before speaking in public, the adrenaline really kicks in when I speak. I have been told that I have a really unique way of delivering messages. I am very much a people person and I enjoy talking with others while having a good time in the process.

My husband was one of the people I asked to evaluate me as a communicator. His evaluation was very similar to mine in many areas which of course is no surprise to me. However, on the Communications Anxiety Inventory, his perception of me is that I do not experience any anxiety when asked to speak in public. My mentor was the other person I asked to evaluate me as a communicator. Her perception of me as a communicator is that I experience mild anxiety. After giving that perception some thought, she was correct because I share those thoughts with her as my mentor because of the context of our relationship whereas I tend to shut down communication with my husband.

I gained insight about my listening style as a communicator being that I tend to show empathy towards those I communicate with which could possibly cloud my judgment in some ways. This is an area that I feel I need to work on the most. I feel that empathy is necessary in most areas of communication when used in the appropriate context. However, we must be careful not to allow it to cloud our judgment especially when tough decisions need to be made as educators and administrators.

Communication and Culture

The Crayon Box Talked
Wouldn't it be terrible? Wouldn't it be sad?
If just one single color was the color that we had?
If everything was purple? Or red? Or blue? Or green?
If yellow, pink, or orange was all that could be seen?
Can you just imagine how dull world would be
If just one single color was all we got to see?

Communication is like a rainbow, a bag of M&M's, a box of crayons or a bowl of Skittles. It comes in so many colors and flavors. I enjoy looking at a rainbow in the sky and admiring the many different colors after a wonderful rain shower. The many different flavors of M&M's and Skittles entice my taste buds. I enjoy the many colors in a box of crayons because they remind me of the many different cultures and personalities that make up this world. This is the way I feel about communication.

I enjoy talking to people from all walks of life. Learning about the cultures represented around me is very intriguing to me. I must admit that I do communicate differently with people from different groups and cultures than those within my culture. I am very confident in my culture because there are strong similarities and common interests of those within my culture such as the foods we eat, the holidays we celebrate as well as the places we frequent.

When I am communicating with people from a different group or culture, I take a step back in order to take in the many facets of that culture. I enjoy observing their culture and experiencing it from an observer's perspective. I ask questions and participate in their activities as much as possible. I really have no problem being myself in any environment but I am more reserved when within a different culture. As far as my dialect when verbally communicating with others from a different culture, I find myself being very cautious of the words I use and the tone in which I use them. It is very different than talking to those within my culture because I am able to use phrases and certain slang and be easily understood. I am more relaxed when within my own culture but tend to be slightly guarded when interacting with those from other cultures until I get to know them and feel more comfortable around them.

Moreover, I enjoy all people. It does not matter what culture a person is from. we are all just like that box of crayons. We make a statement alone but scream diversity when put together. I enjoy sampling each color as I paint my picture of life.

That Was NOT What I Thought They Said!!

My favorite show...MONK!

This week's Blog assignment was so much fun! I have a long list of recorded shows already on my DVR so I chose to watch an episode of Monk. Now this show is very difficult to watch even with the volume turned up however, when you watch it with the volume turned down, the facial expressions and body language tell one story but when I turned the volume up and watched the show again, the verbal communication changed my perception of the story all together.

The episode I watched was showed a party scene where men and women were having a party. A couple seemed to be having a good conversation from the looks of their facial expressions and body language with the volume turned down, however, when I watched the episode again with they were actually arguing and the woman (to my surprise) was threatening to kill the man. In the end, she was found to be guilty of that murder however, she played the part as the grieving wife throughout the episode. Of course Monk solved the case but even he was deceived throughout most of the episode.

I learned through this exercise that nonverbal cues alone, can lead to misinterpretations of the message someone is trying to send. However, nonverbal cues coupled with verbal communication gives a more clear and effective message to the receiver of the message.

I have found that I pay very close attention to not only what a person is saying but also to the nonverbal messages the person sends when talking to me. Sometimes that is the true message and not so much the words that are coming out of the person's mouth. "Women usually pay more attention to both verbal and nonverbal cues when evaluating their partners and deciding how much of themselves they should reveal to those partners, whereas men attend more to the verbal information alone(O'Hair & Wiemann, 2012)."

Being able to read a person's nonverbal cues is a great tool to use when working in the field of early childhood education because many times a child will not open up to you unless you are able to read their nonverbal cues and ask more open-ended questions that will help the child feel more comfortable about sharing.

Communication is very intriguing and it has been a very interesting journey so far learning about the many different ways to do so both verbally and nonverbally.

My Communication SHE-RO

I must admit that I am super excited about this Communication and Collaboration course. My absolute favorite communicator is Oprah Winfrey. She is simply amazing at anything she puts herself into. I particularly appreciate the fact that the Oprah Winfrey Show gave her a platform from which she was able to impact so many peoples' lives. This influence allowed her to cross racial lines and because of this she is loved by people from all walks of life. Oprah is a Master Communicator and is able the difficult questions in a non-threatening way which provokes the interviewees to be very candid in their answers. I was always amazed how she is able to capture the essence of the subject at hand.

Oprah inspires me to set my sights on a goal and persevere until I accomplish them. I am so encourage by the school she opened in South Africa which is called the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls. I am so excited about one day opening a Child Development Center/Youth Activity Center where I will be able to mentor young children and make a difference in my community.

I strive to continue to grow in the area of communication, not only through written communication but also verbal communication with others. I enjoy the art of communication and I enjoy interacting with others in positive ways.

Professional Hopes and Goals-Week 8

The one hope that I hope to have when working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds is to make them feel welcomed into a new environment. I believe that makes all of the difference in the world when moving from one environment to another so it is my goal to make a child and their family's transition as seamless as possible. Most education systems here in the U.S. are responding to this need by implementing the Common Core Curriculum across the country where no matter where a child moves to across forty-eight of the states, they will encounter very similar learning units so that fewer gaps are encountered in their education.
The one goal I would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity and social justice is to offer more training opportunities addressing diversity issues. I believe that sometimes educators are so enthralled in the four corners of their classrooms, centers and in a way set in their ways of doing things that they become less resistant to changing their views regarding the ever changing world around them. We must become more accepting of others and put forth a "meaningful" effort to impact their lives as they enter a new environment.

To some of the most wonderful colleagues: I am so very thankful for your transparency, candidness and thoughtful comments throughout this course. My life has truly been changed and each one of you share a part of that change. I sincerely thank all of you for being a part of the growth I have experienced throughout this course. I wish all of you the very best in your continued educational journey and I hope our paths will cross again really soon.

To Dr. Tuthill, I would like to thank you for being one of the most amazing professors I have encountered in my educational career. You have allowed me to share some of my innermost feelings which has allowed some of my shortcomings to be recognized and faced head-on and you did it so eloquently. Your kind feedback helped me to grow so much and I can't thank you enough for being a part of that growth. Teaching Diversity is certainly a special gift that you have and I am forever grateful for you. Best wishes to you.

Week 7: Welcoming Families From Around the World

I am a Social Service Worker and the family I have been assigned is from the country of Nigeria. In preparation to serve this family I will do the following five things:
1. Research the country of Nigeria to gain a better understanding of their surface culture so that once I meet with them I can begin to build a relationship with them. Parents are more responsive when there is a common thread on which they can build trust and relationships.
2. Living conditions is very important in the field of social work. So, I must research so that I can better understand their family structure and the way they are accustomed to living in their country so that I help them to compare things within their country and how they relate to things in the United States.
3. Learning words in their native language will also help to put my clients at ease with me and because I have always been interested in learning different languages, I could also ask them to help me with learning different words in their language.
4. Home visit will also help to build a good relationship with my family. This is a small thing that means a lot to families. Taking a few minutes to visit a family within their environment shows that you care and that, in itself, is the foundation for building relationships.
5. Making the family feel comfortable in a new environment is very helpful in easing their transition to a new country. By this I mean sharing information about the local area through magazines, brochures and even maps will help them navigate their new environment.
I hope the five things I have shared will benefit my Nigerian family by helping them gain new insight on their new home as well as gaining a new friend in me. I believe everyone desires to feel a sense of belonging especially when new to a place. I enjoy meeting new people and learning about their deep culture as well as teaching them about mine so I believe those common threads will benefit both myself and my clients.

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

On of the most profound books pertaining to Biases, Prejudice and Oppression I have read was The Help by Kathryn Stockett. I can remember reading this book and then going to see the movie was a sense of anger and frustration of how African Americans were treated.

The treatment of African Americans in this book was very degrading. Being referred to as diseased, unintelligent, animal-like beings who were trained to obey the orders of White individuals to cook their food, clean their homes and even raise their children while being paid such a low income they could hardly afford food from day to day for their own families.

There was one particular incident in the book that I felt was really humiliating which was when Ms. Hilly (President of a Woman's Society/Bridge Club)wanted Ms. Skeeter (Editor of the newspaper) to write an article for their newspaper called the "Sanitation Plan" discussing why it was important for all homes to have separate bathrooms for the Help because they felt that Black people were diseased and dirty. Ms. Abilene (Ms. Leefolt's "Help")was present was serving the ladies while this conversation was taking place. The look on her face in the movie matched the way I felt in the pit of my stomach as I read the book. What provokes my feelings are the thoughts that as far back as slavery and even in the minds of some today; Black people are supposed to be so ignorant, dirty and unworthy of being treated equitable however, Black people were trusted to do the cooking, cleaning and even caring for the children of their White Masters. What an oxymoron!

The unwarranted acts of racism, oppression, classism, and intentional microagressions towards the African American race in this book was a tragedy. However, the way the "Help" banned together to collaborate on the book that was published by Ms. Skeeter who went totally against her own race and class of peers was encouraging and I enjoyed watching how the tables were turned when some of their deepest and darkest secrets were revealed because of the people who they deemed "invisible" witnessed more than they thought and was willing to share it all in the end.

Although, society has progressed in many ways, the book The Help is a reminder of why we should all people should be treated equitable. I thought this book was a great example of the racism, classism, sexism, microaggressive behaviors as well as oppression that once existed in our society and although we have made strides over the years, there is still work to be done.

This book is a GREAT read! I recommend reading the book before watching the movie but either way, your life and perspective will certainly be changed all while your are thoroughly entertained.

Week 4 - Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

Microaggressions is a new term for me however, my experiences with microaggressions are not at all new for me. There are so many instances of this type of behavior in my life that I could probably write a book about them and have a Best Seller as a result! As I thought about a particular instance of Microaggressions that I have recently experienced I remember an instance that could have been considered a stereotype microaggression it has led to great things in my life over the last year. As a full time student, I decided to work part time as a Substitute Teacher so that I could accommodate my class schedule and daughters' school schedules. After graduating in 2012 I began to work more and after establishing a great relationship with one of the teachers I subbed for, she asked me if I would be interested in a long term assignment working for her while she went out on maternity leave. I gladly accepted the challenge and in doing so, I began working full time and was given all of the responsibilities of a teacher which also included lesson planning, meetings and classroom management. Being that this school is a Title 1 school, located in a low income area, there are some challenging dynamics that come with this kind of environment that are not uncommon. The population is predominantly minority where behavior issues are prevalent as well as low parent participation. One day, the Principal of the school came into my classroom and asked to speak with me. When I stepped outside of the door, she began to tell me how impressed she was with the work I was doing with the children and many other great comments about my work ethics and the positive way the students respond to me as a person. The one comment that now sticks out in my mind was this: "You know it takes a special kind of person to work with these type of children." Now, I know for a fact that her statement was coming from a great place within her being that she is also an African American woman however, in thinking more deeply about the statement I can now see that there were some hidden stereotype microagressions in her statement which begs the questions: What "kind" of person is required to work with these "type" of children? Does this means because the children respond to me in a positive manner that she views my character as one that can "relate" to those "type" of children? I know that her intentions were meant to be complimentary because she encouraged me to go in pursuit of a career in teaching Middle School Language Arts and I did just that by receiving my Licensure and she has since hired me on as a teacher! I felt empowered and encouraged to pursue a career that I never thought I was capable of acquiring and to have the Principal see things within me that I didn't see within myself gave me a since of pride. However, I am now more aware of how our statements can have hidden messages of stereotype microaggressions even within our own cultural settings.

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture-Interviews

Shirl Golightly was the first person interviewed and here are her answers: Question: What is your definition of culture? Answer: Culture is your lifestyle, beliefs, race and your religion. Question: What is your definition of diversity? Answer: Diversity is being a part of different things; being flexible in various environments. Zy'ale Clark was the second person interviewed and here are her answers: Question: What is your definition of culture? Answer: I believe culture is who you are (your race, gender, your beliefs), where you come from and how you live your life. Question: What is your definition of diversity? Answer: To me, diversity means thinking outside of the box, accepting others for who they are and embracing their differences. Ananiah Clark was the third person interviewed and here are his answers: Question: What is your definition of culture? Answer: My definition of culture is a pre-determined of beliefs or standards within a race of people based on historical factors. Question: What is your definition of diversity? Answer: Recognizing and accepting the differences in people, religion, things and opinions without pre-judging. Just because you disagree with one's opinion, religion or way of living does not mean you can not respect them for who they are or their lifestyle. In conducting the interviews, I noticed that all three of the people I interviewed included race and religion in their definition of what culture means to them. I did notice that traditions were omitted in all of their answers which is an example of one's deep culture. I found that like many other people, most of the opinions shared was more from a surface culture perspective or knowledge that could be gained without really getting to know someone at a deeper level. I found Ananiah's statement very interesting pertaining to his definition of diversity. I must agree that just because you disagree with one's opinion, religion or way of living does not mean you can not respect them for who they are or their lifestyle. I have learned that just because one's lifestyle may not be patterned the way mine is does not mean they are bad people so, I that should not interfere with my getting to know that person for who they are.

My Family Culture (Correction)

If I could only keep one item I would keep my family scrapbook because I could definitely find another Bible in the new country being that the Bible is one of the most published book in the world. My family scrapbook is one of the most important items to help carry on my family heritage by educating my children on where they came from.

My Family Culture

If there was a major catastrophe and I had to take three things that represented my culture I would take the following: 1. My Family Bible because it is the foundation of my family's culture stemming all the back to my ancestors. The Bible was the first book many learned to read from in the days of slavery. It's teachings have taught many generations how to treat one another and God's expectations of live a good life. 2. My photo album with pictures of my family because I use this book to share stories about my family to my children and grandchild about our heritage. 3. My IPod because music tells a story and soothes the soul. As an African American, our culture is very rich in the area of music from the old spirituals to the gospel songs of today. Music was something that has been passed down from generation to generation and really gives account to the struggles of our ancestors. If upon arrival I had to leave one thing behind, I would leave behind my IPod because all of the songs that I would are really etched in my heart. I have a love for music and have directed choirs for many years so, I could probably record the words to many of the songs. I have learned through this exercise just how much my faith and heritage means to me. I have a very strong sense of who I am and where I come from and a great respect for those who were here before me to help me become the person that I am today. This exercise difficult in a way because I had to really search within myself and establish what is important to my culture and has helped me become the person I am today which is why my first choice would be my Bible.

When I Think Of Research....

When I think of research I still think...WOW, WOW, WOW! I think of the same expressions but in a very different way. Initially I felt overwhelmed and very intimidated. However, I now feel more knowledgeable in the area of research. I must admit, I still struggle with some aspects of research but I am thankful for the information I have learned about research. The lesson I have learned about planning is the importance of choosing the correct research approach for the desired results. I believe perfecting the research process requires repeated practice and trial and error prior to beginning the actual research. Regardless of the approach taken, at some point in the research process most researchers find that they need to complete the following steps if they want to generate research that is informative, ethical, meaningful, persuasive and significant: -select a topic -search and review the literature -formulate a specific research issue/question -design the research -collect data/information -process/analyze data -draw conclusions -write research reports (Mac Naughton, Rolfe, Siraj-Blatchford, 2010) In designing a research study, it is important to take the time to determine what your goal is for the research. The researcher must determine whether the research will be used to describe, understand or explain what their interests are. There must be a well laid out plan before proceeding with the research. Collaboration is important because I have learned through the discussion topics as well as from the feedback from our instructor the importance of thinking through the research process. In conducting research, I have found that ensuring that one is treated ethically is very important. There are many ways to breach one's rights to being treated ethically. I was particularly enlightened by the subjects of homogeneity and essentialism. Researchers must be very careful not to show biases in research. My biggest challenges were the research simulations. I felt as if I could not grasp the concepts or understand some of the questions being asked. I struggled with meeting the expectations of the instructor and I still feel as if I have not completely grasped all of the concepts of research. My perceptions of early childhood professionals have changed as to the increased level of appreciation for the work we do for the safety and advancement of children's development. I especially appreciate early childhood researchers because their work is very intense and if not carefully planned and conducted, could cause serious concerns especially when children are involved. Overall, I have enjoyed this course especially collaborating with all of my colleagues!! THANK YOU ALL for your insight and feedback which has helped me to face one of the most challenging classes I have taken to date. Your kind words have truly enlightened and encouraged me to stay the course. I wish you all well in your future courses!!

International Research

The International website I chose is Early Childhood Australia: A Voice for Young Children http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/ •What are some of the current international research topics? Some of the current international research topics are best practices in early childhood education and fair, inclusive, quality education every child’s right; Early Childhood peak bodies welcome increased support for children with a disability. These topics seem to be universal because the same issues are being addressed in the United States as are in Australia and other countries. As research is being done on various ways to teach young children and the best way to provide the best learning experience for them. •What surprising facts/insights/new ideas about early childhood did you gain from exploring this international early childhood website? I was really surprised to learn that Australia also practices inclusion in the classroom. Many times other countries would consider children with language/behavior exceptionalities as second citizens and ignore their developmental needs. However, it seems as if Australia has researched and attempts to address this issue. “Where there are barriers to children accessing early education and care services we should be doing everything in our power to overcome them(NAEYC,2013).” •What other noteworthy information did you find on this website? Other noteworthy information I found on this website is that there is a discussion forum where questions are asked/answered and important information is shared.

Tacrolimus Research

At the age of 5 weeks, my oldest daughter was diagnosed with a skin condition called Eczema. She suffered terribly, with sleepless nights and constant crying from the severely itchy skin. Her skin resembled that of a scaly fish and she would scratch until she bled. We tried everything to help her to no avail. I remember taking she and my son to San Diego, California to visit my father and stepmother and before we returned home, my stepmother called me to inform me of a huge research study they were conducting for eczema. I immediately called the Children's Hospital in Washington, D.C. and made an appointment. I took my daughter in and she was accepted into the study, provided with all of the medication. We only had to fill out keep a journal of the results and keep our appointments for a month. The results were absolutely amazing. I don't have any before pictures however, I do have a current picture of my beautiful daughter who once had eczema covering 85% of her body and is now 24 years old and is as beautiful as ever. This is because the miracle drug Tacrolimus (now called Protopic) has changed her life. Tacrolimus is a drug used for renal care patients to help prevent organ rejection but was found to also benefit people who suffered from eczema.

My Personal Research Journey

WOW WOW WOW!!!

I must have been really looking for a challenge!  Although I enjoy learning new things, research seems to be a bit confusing at times.  Research journals and simulations have been a bit confusing for me and it seems to take me a while to process things.  I know it is just because the "formal" processes of research have been really challenging but very interesting at the same time. 

The topic I have chosen to use for the research simulation is:  How does poverty affect a child’s development?  I chose this topic because although I have worked in Child Development for many years, I find it a challenge to only focus on the child and not the family as a whole.  The centers I have worked in have been set in impoverished neighborhoods.  There were times when the families I served have been either on the brink of being homeless or living in very impoverished conditions.  I am passionate about working with the community and partnering with agencies in the effort to stamp out poverty through the education of the parents and services provided in support of children.

The greatest challenge I have faced with research in the past has been the lack of  understanding when required to read documents such as articles, journals and studies conducted on a particular subject area.  Through this class I have learned how to read these documents and actually understand what I am reading.  I am very excited about that and I know this has really taken much of the challenge out of conducting research. 

I look forward to learning more information about research strategies as well as about the topic I have chosen.

My Final Reflections on International Early Childhood Education

Where do I  start?  I have learned so much from Kaylee and it has been especially enjoyable considering that I have watched her grow from a small child into the wonderful adult she is today. 

The three consequences of learning about the international early childhood field for my professional and personal development has been:
Poverty:  Although we see and even experience poverty here in the United States, poverty is on an entirely different level in some countries.  I couldn't imagine having to wear the same clothes for weeks at a time and having a limited amount of food to eat.  Having a make-shift home and going to school in the middle of a rice field with limited school supplies is heart wrenching. 

Assessments:  The fact that there are no real way of measuring the student's development and growth over in South Korea is also alarming to me.  Early Childhood Education seems to be none existant in many instances and the primitive way they view children as little adults is also a concern I have.

Rote Learning:  Simple memorization is in my opinion, one of the worse facts I learned about the way children are educated in Korea.  I believe rote learning does such a disservice to children because it stiffles their creativity and imagination.  Also, memorizing something does not mean they understand how to apply those things to everyday situations that occur in life. 

I realized through communicating with Kaylee that I don't know enough about what the educational issues and trends are in other countries.  I have challenged myself to learn more about other countries so that I can better understand any ESL students I may come in contact with in my journey as teacher and administrator.  I will be keeping in touch with Kaylee to stay abreast of any new developments that may surface concerning education.

Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 3 (Week 7)

Answers to this week's questions:

What issues regarding quality and early childhood professionals are being discussed where you live and work?

Answer:
Poverty is a big issue here in Korea. It is not unusual to see my students wear the same clothing all week. 

What opportunities and/or requirements for professional development exist?

Answer:
Being that I work through an agency, I am required to take continuing education courses on-line and I really don't mind because I am currently pursuing my Master's Degree.

What are some of your professional goals?

Answer:
My professional goals are to complete my degree, and to continue to teach abroad so that I can learn as much about other countries as possible.  I have bucket list of things I want to accomplish before I retire and I am slowly working my way down that list.

What are some of your professional hopes, dreams, and challenges?

Answer:
My professional hopes and dreams are to learn to speak the Korean language fluently as well as to go into another country to teach and learn their culture.  I am currently researching that possibility; meanwhile my contract has been renewed to teach at my current school for another year.  The challenges I face are trying to help my children learn through scaffolded learning instead of by rote memorization as seems to be the way of teaching hear in Korea.

Additional information from Kaylee:

      Each province in Korea sets their educational standards. Then each school gets to interpret those educational standards and how they'll go about them. So standardization of education doesn't really exist except for national testing which happens in 6th grade, the final year of middle school and in high school (in order to get into college). To my knowledge there is no communication between preschool educator and public school educators. For the most part students stay at home until they are ready for kindergarten. Another option: students can stay in kindergarten for 1-3 years until their ready for 1st grade if they don't stay at home. Babysitting or preschool for students that are younger than kindergarten age is rare.

      For the most part, teachers teach to the test. It's important to note that in American classes, teachers use a more Socratic style of teaching. But in Korea, teachers literally say the information and the students memorize it and apply it the same exact way they learnt it, on their tests and homework. That constitutes "learning" in Korea. There's not much room for creativity or teaching to a student's strong suit (verbal, visual, audio, etc). Additionally, in America there is a strong focus on all subjects, especially writing, history, English. In Korea, the emphasis is more on science and math. Imagine teachers dryly spitting out this information and then students taking tests. They usually do pretty well if they have fantastic memories. But do they really know the material? Do the tests really demonstrate their aptitude and intellectual abilities? Where does critical thinking come in to play?

       In elementary school (prior to the national test in 6th grade) learning is much more lax. A lot of crafts, origami and music classes. It's important to note that a student's acceptance into a particular middle school is based on the results of their 6th grade national test. Students don't go to schools based on the jurisdiction or where they love. National test results come into play. Same goes for the exit test in middle school as it correlates to their high school placement. Then high school to college.

       However, when the prep for the national tests come around, memorization kicks up a notch. So essentially the students are not "learning," they're simply memorizing and regurgitating it. I've had a hard time undoing this type of learning in my own English classroom. The curriculums do not allow much for adapting lessons and materials to student's knowledge base. It is just assumed the student has learned the curriculum that was established for the previous year at their particular school and that they will memorize the information in the current curriculum.

       The Korean education system and education culture is a tricky one especially when kids get to high school. Students spend all day in school (8:30-3 or so) and then go to private academies for English prep, Math prep, music lessons, et cetera and then stay up until 9 or 10pm studying. Then go home and start it all over. However, are they really "learning"? I don't think so. They're memorizing. And simulataneously stressing themselves out. Which in turn results in Koreas high suicide rate, poor work ethics, and socially ineptness.

Sharing Web Resources

In researching the Zero to Three website, I was very excited to find the following information pertaining to trends in the field of Early Childhood Education:

The President’s Budget Proposal: A Groundbreaking Moment for Our Nation’s Babies

“The release of President Obama’s budget today marks a groundbreaking moment for babies and toddlers in this country --especially those who are at risk and may lack the positive early learning experiences they need to succeed in school and life, ” says Matthew Melmed, Executive Director of ZERO TO THREE. “I applaud President Obama for his leadership in emphasizing how important it is as a nation for us to begin where learning begins – at birth."

The President’s Plan for Early Education for All Americans is the roadmap for the early learning components of the budget released today. The budget includes $1.4 billion to expand the comprehensive supports offered to the most vulnerable families through Early Head Start – which for almost 20 years has proven it improves both child and parental outcomes. The plan would provide $200 million in 2014 specifically to create more high-quality child care options for babies and toddlers with working parents, using Early Head Start’s quality benchmarks, expertise, and resources. Looking ahead, the budget proposal provides for $7 billion over 10 years to ensure young children and families have access to high-quality child care.

The President’s plan also extends and expands home visiting -- which has been warmly embraced by states, communities, and parents -- to reach more families where they live, with information, guidance, and encouragement. The budget proposal released today allocates $15 billion of funding over 10 years to invest in this effort. “Babies don’t come with an instruction manual, and every parent can benefit from reliable information about early learning and a helping hand,” says Melmed. “The President’s plan helps parents utilize what science and evidence-based practice has to offer in order to give babies, toddlers, and young children the best start in life.”

The President’s plan is rooted in brain science, which tells us that babies are born wired to learn. Starting on the first day of a child’s life, positive early experiences establish a strong foundation upon which all later learning and healthy development is built. But infants and toddlers who lack quality early learning experiences can fall quickly behind. Research clearly shows that gaps can appear even before their first birthday.

The President’s plan builds on what we know works: start early with consistent, high-quality,
evidence-based supports that match what parents need and help parents nurture the early development of their babies and toddlers.

“This is a smart plan. We know what quality looks like and what babies need,” concludes Melmed. “By leveraging what we know works to help families, our nation can improve the care for babies and give them a strong start toward future success.”

ZERO TO THREE is a national nonprofit whose mission is to promote the health and development of infants and toddlers.
(Zero to Three, April, 2013)

This article is a great leap into the improvement of the Early Childhood Education field.  I am really encouraged when I see that what i am learning in the courses I am taking directly correlates with what is going on in society!

Additionally, it was very interesting to learn that the President's decision is a result of brain science which states that an infant is born wired to learn. His plan simply builds on what we have know for many years.  I feels good to finally have the attention of people in positions of power and authority to fund much needed programs.

Getting to Know My International Contact - Part 2 (Week 5 Assignment)

In communicating with Kaylee this week, I asked the following questions:
1. Is there Standardized Testing in Korea and if so, what grade level does it start?

Answer:  There is "testing" however, I'm not sure if these tests equate to what we call Standardized in America.  I will get back with you once I do some research in this area.

2. How does the Korean Education system address school readiness from the Preschool level entering into the "public" school system?

Answer:  Being a Kindergarten, English Teacher, I have not witnessed any collaboration between Elementary teachers and the Pre-school teachers since I have been here.  When I met my class for the first time, I had to assess the students on my own to see where they were academically because unlike in the United States, "recordkeeping" is not a common practice here.
 
Also, there are numerous technological advances that could be utilized in the classroom to help with assessments and advancement of education but my school does not have the finances. The school is extremely conservative with any school supplies such as folders and paper, which forces me to buy or create my own supplemental supplies. Korea is an energy conservationist nation which translates to limiting wasteful air-conditioning and heat. However, working outside of Seoul in a small town, it's even worse. Imagine working in minus 0 temperatures without full-heat in your classrooms. Or working in 90 degrees with only fans and open windows. It's a bit frustrating.
3. What are your thoughts on Developmentally Appropriate Practices within the school system there in Korea?

Answer:  In my opinion, I don't think they really understand Developmentally Appropriate Practices here in Korea.  They tend to treat their children like little adults.  Their academic expectations for their children is very stringent and robotic.  I can remember when I first arrived here, I had so many tools that I wanted to use that was met with resistance because the activities looked too much like play which is a no-no at least in the school I work.  I must admit, I am proud to say that I convinced them to observe and needless to say, I am now able to use my method of teaching freely.

Sharing Web Resources

Zero to Three Newsletter
The section that I feel is relevant to my current professional development is: 
Putting Infants and Toddlers on the Path to School Readiness:  An Agenda for the Administration and 113th Congress.

Since we have been discussing the importance of bridging the gap between Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education.  This section gives insight on what we have been discussing in our studies pertaining to the gaps in education and offers a School Readiness Checklist for parent.

The section:  Supporting Early Development is a Wise Investment raises concern with me just as it has earlier this week in our studies.  The statement "Economists estimate that every dollar invested in early childhood programs, savings of $3.78 to $17.07 can be expected in future public expenditures, in part by reducing the occurrence of negative educaitonal and life outcomes (Zero to Three, 2013)".  Although, I believe it is important to place emphasis on the importance of investing in Early Childhood Education, I feel as equating the investment to dollars and cents just doesn't sit well with me as a parent.  I guess this is because I look at an investment as love, time and providing the best experiences possible for a child as opposed to the financial aspect.  However, it did cause me to look at things from a different perspective.

I especially enjoyed the Continuing Education Podcasts offered through this website for Early Childhood Education professionals.  The one thing I know is that the amazing individuals who work in the Early Childhood Education field have very little time to physically attend school so the availability of the podcasts would really help them obtain their continuing education credits which helps us stay abreast of new concepts within our field.

References:
Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families (2013). Retrieved from http://www.zerotothree.org/ .

Getting To Know My International Contacts Part II

Kaylee Robinson

Question:
Would you consider the school you work in one located in a affluent, middle class or lower income area?

Answer:
If looking at it from my United States viewpoint, I would describe it as poverty due to the overcrowding and the way children and grown-ups peddle their wares on the street and their sense of 'fashion' is not of important as mere survival however, it is a very common way of life here in Korea and not viewed as an impoverished condition.  The one thing I have witnessed about the Korean society is that they are very hard workers and it is not uncommon for multiple members of families to occupy the same living spaces which is something that is uncommon in the United States.  There is also a large percentage of homeless people even in a city as big as Seoul.  Orphanages are also prominent in this country.

 

Question:

If you are located in a lower income area, how does it affect the children you teach?

 

Answer:

The children that I teach are eager to learn because not very many of them are able to attend school on a full-time basis because they have to work to help their parents earn money.  I think this is because their parents have not made material possessions priority as sometimes we Americans do.  Their focus is their culture and keeping their beliefs and culture intact from generation to generation.  Their is a strong sense of cultural pride that is displayed by these children as well as their parents.  I think I see this side of the spectrum because education is considered a privilege here.  People in poverty are frowned upon and even ousted in some areas being forced to relocated to other areas in Korea.

 

Question:

How has working in Korea affected your view of the education system in the United States?

 

Answer:

I now have a greater level of appreciation for the United States.  Although, I do know that there are always budget contraints and cuts concerning our school system, the caliber of education is in my opinion, leaps and bounds above that in Korea. 

Getting To Know My International Contacts Part I

I would like to introduce to you my:

KOREAN KONNECTION!!

Kaylee Robinson
 

Kaylee, is a United States citizen who is currently working as an English Teacher in Seoul Korea.  She is a graduate of the College of William & Mary.  I have known Kaylee since she was in Middle School and have enjoyed watching her become the beautiful and adventurous person she is today.

Kaylee's Motivation for Teaching Abroad

One of the primary reasons for teaching in South Korea, is to familiarize myself with another culture and explore a nation besides my own. What better way to learn about a culture than by observing the unfiltered and unadulterated interactions of its children? Additionally, I love to travel and share knowledge with those that are willing to learn. As a teacher, I wish to also impart some of my own culture through teaching of the English language while creating long-lasting fond memories.

Korean Demographics

In 1945, Korea gained its independence from Japan and the city was renamed Seoul. In 1949, the city separated from Gyeonggi Province and it became a "special city." In 1950 however, North Korean troops occupied the city during the Korean War and the entire city was nearly destroyed. On March 14, 1951, United Nations forces took control of Seoul and since then, the city has rebuilt and grown considerably.

Today, Seoul is still considered a special city, or a direct controlled municipality, in that it as a city has a status equal to that of a province. This means that it has no provincial government controlling it; rather the federal government of South Korea controls it directly.

Seoul is located in the northwestern part of South Korea. The city of Seoul itself has an area of 233.7 square miles (605.2 sq km) and it is cut in half by the Han River which was previously used as a trade route to China and helped the city grow throughout its history. The Han River is no longer used for navigation however because its estuary is at the border between North and South Korea. Seoul is surrounded by several mountains but the city itself is relatively flat because it is on the Han River plain. The average elevation of Seoul is 282 feet (86 m).

In comparison to a city in the United States, Korea could be compared to New York City.
Seoul is divided into 25 administrative divisions called gu. Each gu has its own government and each is divided into several neighborhoods called a dong. Each gu in Seoul varies in both size and population and Songpa has the largest population. Seocho is the gu with the largest area in Seoul.

 Kaylee's responses to questions about Poverty in South Korea coming soon.....

Sharing Resources

One of the websites I chose prescribed to was:
Zero To Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families http://www.zerotothree.org/

ZERO TO THREE is a national, nonprofit organization that informs, trains, and supports professionals, policymakers, and parents in their efforts to improve the lives of infants and toddlers.

Their mission is to promote the health and development of infants and toddlers.

I particularly appreciate the new distribution of their newsletter written is Spanish.  It is so necessary to have capabilities to share in multiple languages so that information can be received by all. 

The other website I chose to prescribe to was:
National Black Child Development Institute http://nbcdi.org/
I chose this website because it focuses on initiatives and programs that benefit families in low socio-economic areas and because I am an advocate for children in low-income areas, this website has been a very good source of information.

When I read the newsletter this week, I was excited to see that T.E.A.C.H. DC has received funding for Early Childhood Teachers to receive scholarships to continue their education.  I am so thankful for this program because this is how I funded my Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education and I helped my employees receive scholarships as well for their education.  I am happy to see that so many more people who probably wouldn't be able to afford to go to school will also benefit from this program.

I am also excited to see that other countries are taking the field of Early Childhood Education more seriously.  Dr. DeHaney joined hundreds of early childhood educators, as well as the Governor and First Lady of American Samoa, as the keynote speaker at their first-ever Early Childhood Education (ECE) Summit.  What an exciting time in the field. 

Establishing Professional Contacts & Expanding Resources

Establishing Professional Contacts

This adventure has been so exciting thus far and I am super excited to take it to a new level by meeting and collaborating with early childhood professionals outside of the United States.  When I read the assignment initially I was a little apprehensive, then I became very excited because I love an adventure so HERE WE GO!

I remembered a young lady who is a world traveler and is currently working in Korea teaching English in a Korean school.  Allow me to introduce Kaylee Robinson to you.  She is a very adventurous young lady and I am excited to learn more about her adventures in Korea.  Kaylee is one of my friends on Facebook so, I sent her a message asking if she would be willing to walk this journey with me.  She responded and we will be communicating via e-mail and Facebook messaging.  I hope to share photos of her adventures as well.

For my second professional, I went out to the website:  http://www.naeyc.org/resources/partnership/globalalliance 

Being that my dream is to one day own and operate a Child Development Center & Christian Academy, I was immediately drawn to the following professional in Ghana:

Rev Charles Arko-Nunoo
P.O. Box MK 157
Mankessim
C/R Ghana
Tel: + 233 42 34180
Email: 2kdotcom@ghana.com

I emailed him and I hope to hear from him soon.

Expanding Resources

I have been a subscriber of Zero To Three for a while now and receive their newsletters regularly so I will continue to do so.  I have also subscribed to National Black Child Development Institute in order to receive their newsletters as well because I am very involved with low income families and I want to receive information in order to assist them as best I can and provide parents with as much information as I can pertaining to new research as well as programs. 
 

Zero To Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families
http://www.zerotothree.org/ (May have to use http://www.zerotothree.org/about-us/ )
(Newsletters:
http://zttcfn.pub30.convio.net/child-development/from-baby-to-big-kid/ and
http://capwiz.com/zerotothree/mlm/signup/ )

National Black Child Development Institute
http://nbcdi.org/
(Newsletter: http://nbcdi.org/support/sign-up-for-nbcdi-newsletters/ )

MY SUPPORTS

The five people surrounding me in this picture are my biggest supports.  I don't know what I would do without my husband of 25+ years and four children.  In their own unique ways; they complete me! 

I feel like the wealthiest woman in the world having these five people in my life.  The benefits of being a wife and mother are endless.  It takes courage to bring sacrifice a great portion of your life for the benefit of your children.  It takes true warriors to wage war against the world when trying to protect your children from harm.  Because of this awesome responsibility, I have become bold, determined, confident and ambitious in acheiving my goals.

My husband has supported me in every endeavor I have dared to attempt and is a major reason I am who I am today.  When I wanted to make a career change: he encouraged me.  When I wanted to go back to school for my Associate's Degree, Bachelor's Degree and now my Master's Degree:  he supported me time and time again.  He is the most wonderful provider for our family and an awesome example of what a husband and father should be. 

My precious Zy'ale has blessed me in so many ways however, she gives me the ultimate challenge of striving to be the best mother, friend and mentor that I could be to and for her.  She and I have a bond that I never thought I would have with my child.  She keeps me grounded and helps me to keep an open mind as I continue to raise my other two daughters.  She presents new approaches to parenting and helps me fill the gaps that I may have left as she was growing up. 

My son, Devin challenges my innermost level of patience and discipline.  It is so challenging raising a son because he is so very different than my daughters and although he is strong willed and very stubborn at times, he has helped me to develop a new level of restraint as well as a stronger level of faith!  Let's just say, I am truly thankful for my husband's support!!

Iyanah, Iyanah, Iyanah..."What Miss Iyanah wants, Miss Iyanah gets!"  That was my husband's motto when she was born.  She possesses the strongest level of determination I have ever seen in a 12 year old.  She is so supportive of my creative side.  She encourages me to express myself through designing. 

My Keyanla gives me peace of mind.  She is my biggest fan and encourages me to be strong and always affirms that I am the best mommy everrrrrrr!!  She is the wisest 10 year old I know and I am encouraged by her prediction that she is going to become the "doctor who delivers the babies".  She is always genuinely supportive of me and all of my achievements and encourages me to do my very best in all I do.

If I were blind, I would have 10 eyes to see for me.  They would enlighten my darkened path with laughter.  They would paint a beautiful masterpiece in my mind by the way they live their lives.  My life would be worth living as they guide me through it with their love.

MY CONNECTIONS TO PLAY

MY CONNECTIONS TO PLAY

QUOTES:

The following quote speaks to how we all have a little bit of play inside of all of us.  When we play, we are really revealing who we really are on the inside.  Play tends to bring out inner feelings that demonstrate the type of person we are.  I can remember going on team building outings in my professional career, during certain activities that we were asked to participate in really gave a humble view of the people I worked with.  During play, people tend to let down their guards, speak more freely and share interesting details about themselves which oftentimes helps to understand people better.  

You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.

Plato
Greek philosopher
427–347 BC


The following quote reminds me most of my childhood because I can remember my first exposure to a sewing machine at a very young age.  I was so amazed as to how a piece of fabric could be used to create beautiful garments.  I was so excited about learning how to sew that I wanted to sew chance I got.  I would create garments for family and friends!  I can remember being persistent with my designs by taking them apart and putting them back together if I wasn't satisfied with it.

Creative people are curious, flexible, persistent, and independent with a tremendous spirit of adventure and a love of play.

Henri Matisse
French painter
1869–1954

Toys I Enjoyed During My Childhood 



Playing Jacks was my favorite game as a child!



Sewing had such a powerful impact on 

my life that I still enjoy creating fun outfits                         

for my children!

Kick Ball was one of my

favorite games to play outside!



When I was a little girl my mother would always tell us to go outside and play.  Play equipment was not readily available so we often only had a ball and maybe a set of jacks.  We would go out in the yard with our neighbors, form teams and play kick ball until we were all tired.  Then we would sit on the porch and play jacks until we rested and then we would play dodge ball or volleyball using an imaginary net.  We enjoyed playing outside and some of the friendships that were formed have lasted throughout my life.

Today, society doesn't value outside play and because of all of the crimes that occur involving children's safety, parents are afraid to allow their children to go out and play so, they invest in many forms of inside entertainment such as video games, computers, Ipads, Ipods and other electronic devices in order to compensate for not allowing children to play outside.  In my opinion this has really stunted the growth of creativity and has cultivated laziness and promoted anti-social behaviors among our children due to lack of interaction with other children that would occur during play.  Play helps us problem solve and communicate effectively with others.  It also helps children develop patience with others and themselves.  It is also an outlet for the child and promotes physical fitness.  Society is experiencing an increase in childhood obesity because parents have dismissed the idea of including play in their child's everyday home life and the children are becoming less physically fit because even the schools have minimized the children's physical activities.

As an educator, I would love to see society recapture the desire to allow children to play outside more often.  A safe community is essential in play.  We should be able to trust one another again as neighbors in order to bring back a safe environment in which children feel safe to play.  Our schools should embrace the thought of recess even in middle and high schools in order to give children an opportunity to play within a safe environment because ironically, I don't believe the use electronic devices will ever go away in our homes nor will parents release their children to freely go on adventures around the neighborhood.  We must continue to emphasize the importance of a little play throughout childhood and even in our adult lives.     
                                                                                                                               

Relationship Reflections

RELATIONSHIP REFLECTIONS
     I don't think I could make it without my 4 babies! They are simply amazing and I am so proud to be called their Mommy! Love, encouragement, and their very diverse personalities have kept me on my toes as well as continued to give me the drive I need to be the best I can be.
     Having 3 daughters has truly tapped into my very core because I strive to be an example to them as to what a woman should be. I adore them and have had the awesome opportunity to see my 24 year old daughter grow into an amazing young lady. She is such a great role model for her little sisters and an inspiration to me. We are both currently working towards our Master's Degree and we keep each other sane throughout the process.
     My son is 21 years old and I must say...totally a unique individual. A rebel to say the least. He keeps me on my knees praying but I love him very much. He is now a father and I must say, my little grandson is simply adorable. Our relationship is very different because we often times don't see eye-to-eye but I have learned to just step back and let Dad handle difficult situations while I just love him unconditionally which in itself is a real challenge because I am a very straightforward person. I am still a work in progress in that area.
     My last 2 daughters are 12 and 10. They are some very special little girls who has been my "sidekicks" since birth. I have been blessed to be with them majority of their early years and we have a very special bond as well as the bond they both share with one another.
     My husband and I have been married for 25 wonderful years!! He is truly my soulmate and my biggest supporter. He has encouraged me to strive for excellence in everything I do. Together we have raised our 4 children and although it has not always been an easy road; together; we can conquer the world!! He is a wonderful provider and an amazing example of a Godly man!
These are the 5 most important people in my life outside of God! I wouldn't trade my life for anything. I have very few friends but the ones that I I have are very near and dear to my heart.
     Having been a Director as well as an owner of a child development center, I understand the importance of cultivating very strong relationships with the people I work with. This means being willing to listen, give constructive criticism and alot of encouragement to employees. I have had to make very tough decisions however, I have gained many wonderful relationships along the way. My family and other wonderful relationships have helped me to be the woman I am today and I am so very thankful for them all.