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.