Professional Goals, Hopes and Dreams

Professional Development

Professional development opportunities are offered by the Onslow County Partnership for Children. Basic training classes are offered throughout the year such as ITS-SIDS, CPR & First Aid, Fire Safety, Basic School Age Care (BSAC), Playground Safety, and NC Foundations.

Ongoing professional development trainings are scheduled on Wednesdays and PLC meetings are scheduled twice a month. We are currently receiving training on remote teaching, COVID 19, and engagementing with parents remotely. We are being encouraged to make time for ourselves and families. One suggested strategy is reading. "Reading helps you with “real life.” When you read, you see new possibilities, understand different characters’ points of view, and develop empathy. A few minutes every day will ease the frenzy of the month, boost your mind, strengthen your body, and create children who love to read!" (Davis. 2020).

Professional Goal

Recently our licensing evaluator asked our teaching team to host a PLC and present a PowerPoint on classroom enhancement and how to facilitate your theme in each interest are classroom. My new personal goal for professional development is to be able to learn how to collect data and information to be able to host more PLC's and share all the information I have learning with other educators, motivate them to seek higher education, and think out of the box when creating their lesson plans and activities. The ability to be able to speak and share information with others is a stepping stone for me in my goal to be a mentor to novice and seasoned teachers. I think there is always something to share.

Issues Being Discussed at Work

Thinking about the topic of "What issues regarding quality and early childhood professionals are being discussed where you live and work?" brings to mind our current situation. Currently with our county on a mandatory lock-down between 10 pm and 5 am each day, and our program closed due to a COVID 19 case, staff members and myself are fearful of returning to work. Our program had be running on a schedule which is Monday-Tuesday in person learning, Wednesday remote learning, deep cleaning day, and professional development, and Thursday-Friday in person learning. I think the main concern among the members in my facility is the recent decision to return to 5 day a week in class learning starting January 5, 2021 when public school resumes after the holiday break. While we are trying to provide quality child care and educational services to children and their families we face the possibility of endangering our own families and ourselves. With the COVID 19 numbers rising in our county it is of great concern to everyone. Below are a few comments from early childcare educators just like me, who have the same concerns. There are many other comments that you can read on the Zero to Three website (https://www.zerotothree.org/resources/3398-how-covid-19-is-impacting-child-care-providers)

How COVID-19 is Impacting Child Care Providers (Zero to Three, 2020).

Despite the key role child care providers are playing in support of other essential industries during the COVID-19 crisis, the child care system as a whole is at risk of collapse due to the economic impact. Providers and families of infants and toddlers speak to the issues (Zero to Three, 2020).

“Supplies are very limited and I am getting close to running out of daily essentials for cleaning and keeping my home safe and sanitized. I absolutely know that hospitals need the supplies, but I also feel that people working with small children need to have access to a part of the supply “I want Congress and policymakers to know that child care providers have been forgotten as heroes and essential workers. I see support for front line medical staff, and grocery employees, mail carriers and teachers (rightfully so!). But who is thanking the people who open their programs to the children of these people? Who is acknowledging the risk these men and women put themselves and their families in direct contact with by accepting these children, every day? And who is talking about how LITTLE these men and women are compensated for as they continue to teach and address the social-emotional needs of these children? I can afford to pay my child care provider while not attending, but only just. And I know that she is not getting paid what she deserves. I would love for Congress and policymakers to know that child care providers are an abused resource to the communities they serve, and I would love to see them get the spotlight they deserve as they step up (as they’ve ALWAYS done) in this time of crisis.” -– Chelsea, parent from Rochester, NY

“Why is early childhood educators’ work viewed so minimal compared to others? During this crisis, we’re expected to be front-liners - now others see our value in society. How important we are!” – Anita, child care provider from Greensboro, NC

“As a small private child care provider serving few essential workers, we made the difficult decision to close for the protection and safety of our children, families, and staff. Our future is uncertain, and we need fiscal relief for our employees and our ability to sustain this circumstance.” – Michele, child care provider from Tracy, CA

"The risk for COVID-19 spread rises with increased close contact with others. The more people who teachers and staff interact with, and the longer those interactions last, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread" (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020).

My Final Thoughts On COVID 19

While these comments come directly from the CDC our county with is rising COVID 19 numbers chooses to open schools and return to pre-COVID 19 schedules.

My Hopes

I was required to take a COVID 19 test and I am grateful to say that I received my results today which were negative. My hopes are that the vaccines that will be available will be effective, that all the staff members and their families remain healthy and safe from this virus, as as well as all of you.

References

Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, October 21). Strategies for protecting K-12 school staff from COVID-19. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/k-12-staff.html

Davis, L. (2020, December 9). How can you make the most wonderful time of the year even better? Retrieved from https://www.onslowkids.org/

Zero to Three. (2020). How COVID-19 is impacting child care providers. Retrieved from https://www.zerotothree.org/resources/3398-how-covid-19-is-impacting-child-care-providers