Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 3

The most pertinent issues that have emerged in my area related to the early childhood professional involve how to enhance parent partnerships and how to access more funding for early childhood educational services. In my local area, it is evident that in order to work in the field a person is required to obtain certain level of education/certifications. Likewise in order to remain in the field a professional must complete continued trainings and/or obtain an associates, bachelors or master degree; especially if one is interested in obtaining higher professional employment opportunities in field.

About 6 months ago I was a licensed Family Child Care Provider. I provided quality in-home child care services to a maximum of 8 children inside my licensed home. During my first month attending Walden University I aspired to own a Child Care Center of my own. I am presently a Child Care Center Director for a private Christian based center. I believed that the position I hold now has afforded me the opportunity to grow professionally in the field in general. My center has the capacity to serve 55 children and their families. I have also gained experience in supervising staff and working with a Board of Directors. The memberships that I hold in my local early childhood community, has allowed me to network with other professionals in the field. Although I do not actually own the child care center I work at, I strongly believe that I am heading in the right direction in terms of gathering the proper skills and tools. A major professional goal that I have is to obtain my master Degree with honors. To see the proud look on my mother’s face would bring me great joy. I believe that once I obtain my master’s degree in early childhood education with a specialization in leadership, administration and management, I will be better equipped to expand my professional growth in the field, which includes owning my own child care center.

One of my professional hopes not only for myself, but for other professionals in the field is to one day be appreciated at the level warranted by policymakers and other important stakeholders. Moreover, I dream of a day that would reveal children no matter their abilities, socieconomical status, ethnicity or religious belief all having the same access to high quality education and educational opportunities.