Early Childhood at A Glance
In this Assignment, you will address, in more detail, the topics about which you are passionate, why you have decided to pursue an advanced graduate degree, and what you hope to accomplish with your degree.
Consider the information you shared with your colleagues and reflect on what your colleagues shared with you in the Discussion posts and responses. Ask yourself what impact you would like to make in the areas about which you are passionate and what changes you would like to implement. Think about how advancing your education might contribute to you making a difference in the areas about which you are passionate.
Write a 3- to 4-page paper that includes the following:
- A description of the experiences and motivations that have led you to pursue an advanced graduate degree.
- An explanation of how the three topics you addressed in the Discussion relate to issues in education.
- A description of a problem related to each issue—a problem you would want to help solve.
- At least two goals you hope to accomplish as a result of obtaining your degree.
- An explanation of how your pursuit of the topics you identified can enable you to become a transformational agent of positive change. Provide specific examples.
Use the attachments below to complete the assignment or for assistance.
I am an Early Childhood Educator who works in the field of Head Start. My professional practice includes working in the classroom as a teacher serving families and working with children ages 3-5. However, my passion for working with children is to keep them engaged at all time but have fun. I learn as each day go by that each child I come in contact with are unique, but are eager to learn something new each day. As I started my journey back in 2017 to complete my studies in early childhood education, it was my goal to become the best Early Childhood Professor I can be. I wanted to be a professor who teach abroad the ways of teaching children through play by hands on learning. Three topics of interest that relates to early childhood that ignite my passion is creating positive relationships, Creative Activities, and Meeting the needs of all children I teach. All of these interest in the field of early childhood are important to me . For me working as a Head Start Teacher, by creating positive relationships it helps me to build a connection with the parents and children I serve. It allows me to express myself by creating a welcoming and safe learning environment for their children. In my classroom I enjoy creating fun activities for the children I serve. For example, since Covid we have been teaching the children virtually. Each day I reach my children through engagement by having fun at-home activities. Science is their favorite, but I enjoy them all. Lastly, Meeting the needs of the children I teach is the most important of them all. It is my duty to make sure no child is left behind or singled out. It is also my goal to include all children and plan activities to meet the children who may have specific disabilities. To keep all the interest in order I have to keep a well-organized mind frame and classroom, encourage them, but most of all provide support to the parent and child.
Assignment 1:
“Transformative Agents of Positive Change”
In the Discussion, you identified three topics in the field of education that ignite your passion and that may inform your end product in your program of study.
In this Assignment, you will address, in more detail, the topics about which you are passionate, why you have decided to pursue an advanced graduate degree, and what you hope to accomplish with your degree.
Consider the information you shared with your colleagues and reflect on what your colleagues shared with you in the Discussion posts and responses. Ask yourself what impact you would like to make in the areas about which you are passionate and what changes you would like to implement. Think about how advancing your education might contribute to you making a difference in the areas about which you are passionate.
Write a 3- to 4-page paper that includes the following:
· A description of the experiences and motivations that have led you to pursue an advanced graduate degree.
· An explanation of how the three topics you addressed in the Discussion relate to issues in education.
· A description of a problem related to each issue—a problem you would want to help solve.
· At least two goals you hope to accomplish as a result of obtaining your degree.
· An explanation of how your pursuit of the topics you identified can enable you to become a transformational agent of positive change. Provide specific examples.
Colleague #1
When I tell people that I am an educator, I often receive the same response which is, “I could never do that.”
Not until recently, I questioned the person and asked them to explain to me, why they could never teach. Interestingly, I did not receive the answer I was expecting. The gentleman that I was talking with expressed to me that he did not want the responsibilities that came with the profession. I appreciate the recognition from this man, as we do wear a multitude of hats, every day.
I am currently working for a private international academy, and my assignment spans from grades 3 to 7. In my short 8 years as an educator, I have a wide range of experience, having taken on assignments that most would not. Last school year, I taught a Behavioral Improvement program, teaching 8 of the most challenging students in that district. The district was desperate to fill the position, as most feared the worst from these students. I took on this challenge, to prove to others that these students were capable of regulating and experiencing their own successes; ultimately becoming positive contributors to their community and the world. When COVID shut down our schools, our learning environment shifted from the classroom to a virtual classroom. My saving grace was the hard work and dedication that I had developing strong relationships with these students. This allowed the majority of them to finish the school year on a positive note.
My current assignment challenges me to be more effective and efficient, as our environment is completely virtual. I am not perfect nor do I possess the secret magical formula to establishing effective virtual environments. I decided to pursue an advanced graduate degree because I believe that with research and practice, virtual environments have the ability for all stakeholders to develop and maintain strong relationships, allowing students to thrive and develop their critical thinking skills. Virtual learning environments is one topic of interest that ignites my passion, as the virtual environment poses many challenges to both the teacher and student. Whether the learning environment is in person or virtual, students have the capability to develop and grow their critical thinking skills. When I approach my planning, I ask myself if my ideas support critical thinking and reflection. I want my students to take ownership of their learning and build a resiliency towards a world that involves “solving problems, formulating inferences, calculating likelihood, and making decisions” (Walsh et al., 2014).
Inclusivity and mental health are my two other topics of interest that ignite my passion. The LGBTQ community in my community is faced with many young individuals dropping out of school and becoming addicted to substances. Mental health plays an important role in our society and too many people are falling through the cracks because they are too afraid or embarrassed to say anything. I am not an expert, but I have experienced the death of my mother and my step-mother, as a result of their struggles with their mental health. I look forward to researching trauma-informed practices so that I can gain a better awareness.
References
Walsh, M. L., Pezalla, A., & Marshall, H. R. (2014). Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing. [Vital Source e-reader].
Colleague #2
In my professional practice, I am currently teaching third grade, virtually. I’ve learned how to do a multitude of things related to technology this year, that as an educator, I never dreamed of having to do. Administering the NWEA virtually, assessing students with the DRA, virtually, creating Jamboards, PearDeck Presentations, using Google Classroom and Moodle to organize my teaching and house resources, are just a few examples. Prior to this year, I taught in a different district, more urban than the one I’m at now. I was the K-2 reading and math interventionist, and behavior support coach. In this position, I was able to observe teachers when they felt they were struggling in a certain area, or with a specific student, behaviorally. I would then give feedback, and we would make an action to plan for the teacher to follow, and schedule time for me to check back and mentor/coach. I loved this model of support for teachers, because while I held an administrative role, the positive relationships built with the staff in an effort to improve teaching/procedures/relationships, all were of benefit to the school as a whole. Prior to that position, I was a Young 5s teacher. We used a play based curriculum, used a structured approach to problem solving with and amongst students, and I truly believe in the benefits of the social/emotional outcomes that come with this approach. During my time teaching Young 5s, I was selected to take part in training for working with students with challenging behaviors. This became my passion. Learning skills and strategies, applying universal supports to my classroom and then seeing the positive impact on my class as a whole, as well as my students who struggled behaviorally. I then went to the advanced training, and was selected to be the building resource coach for teachers of students with challenging behaviors. This role catapulted me to my next journey, which included pursuing my Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, in order to become a positive agent of change in the buildings where I work.
While I absolutely love teaching at the elementary/early childhood level, I’ve always wanted to be a college professor, but within the last few years, I also realized that I want to be an Elementary School Principal. I want to be the type of leader that allows the teachers I work with to grow, take risks, and show up to work every day, dedicated to the students and community. For these reasons, I’ve decided to pursue an advanced graduate degree. Three topics of interest in fields related to education that ignite my passion include: climate and culture within a school/classroom, mental health/ and social/emotional support in early childhood education, and education and motivation in regard to student involvement.
Breakdown of 3-4-page paper….
Type 12 font , Times New Roman, Apa style, double space.
· Discuss the importance of pursing an advanced graduate degree… Do this and include in- text citations)
· A description of the experiences and motivations that have led you to pursue an advanced graduate degree. (It’s the paragraph below)
There are many things that have led me to pursue my advanced graduate degree. One major experience is the laid-back professionalism of professors. However, in this case I came in contact with professor that really didn’t catch my attention. Also, professors who knew I was a hard-working student and worked hard to keep my GPA at a certain level would grade me so hard, therefore it made things so hard for me. I felt this was wrong in so many ways. However, I pushed myself to do my best. This is where the motivation came in on pursuing my advanced graduate degree to become a better Early Childhood Professor. The motivation that has helped me to continue my degree is the great recognition I have received in honors and as well as supportive family to encourage me and push me.
· An explanation of how the three topics you addressed in the Discussion relate to issues in education. (It’s the paragraph below)
Three topics of interest that relates to Education that ignite my passion are: creating positive relationships, Creative Activities, and Meeting the needs of all children I teach. For me working as a Head Start Teacher, by creating positive relationships it helps me to build a connection with the parents and children I serve. It allows me to express myself by creating a welcoming and safe learning environment for their children. In my classroom I enjoy creating fun activities for the children I serve. For example, since Covid we have been teaching the children virtually. Each day I reach my children through engagement by having fun at-home activities. Science is their favorite, but I enjoy them all. Lastly, Meeting the needs of the children I teach is the most important of them all. It is my duty to make sure no child is left behind or singled out. It is also my goal to include all children and plan activities to meet the children who may have specific disabilities. To keep all the interest in order I have to keep a well-organized mind frame and classroom, encourage them, but most of all provide support to the parent and child
· A description of a problem related to each issue—a problem you would want to help solve. (Do this and include in- text citations)
· At least two goals you hope to accomplish as a result of obtaining your degree. (Do this and include in-text citations)
· An explanation of how your pursuit of the topics you identified can enable you to become a transformational agent of positive change. Provide 2 specific examples. (Do this and include In-text citations)
· Please include reference page for all in- text citations
· Discuss the importance of pursing an advanced graduate degree… Do this and include in- text citations)
· A description of the experiences and motivations that have led you to pursue an advanced graduate degree. (It’s the paragraph below)
There are many things that have led me to pursue my advanced graduate degree. One major experience is the laid-back professionalism of professors. However, in this case I came in contact with professor that really didn’t catch my attention. Also, professors who knew I was a hard-working student and worked hard to keep my GPA at a certain level would grade me so hard, therefore it made things so hard for me. I felt this was wrong in so many ways. However, I pushed myself to do my best. This is where the motivation came in on pursuing my advanced graduate degree to become a better Early Childhood Professor. The motivation that has helped me to continue my degree is the great recognition I have received in honors and as well as supportive family to encourage me and push me.
· An explanation of how the three topics you addressed in the Discussion relate to issues in education. (It’s the paragraph below)
Three topics of interest that relates to Education that ignite my passion are: creating positive relationships, Creative Activities, and Meeting the needs of all children I teach. For me working as a Head Start Teacher, by creating positive relationships it helps me to build a connection with the parents and children I serve. It allows me to express myself by creating a welcoming and safe learning environment for their children. In my classroom I enjoy creating fun activities for the children I serve. For example, since Covid we have been teaching the children virtually. Each day I reach my children through engagement by having fun at-home activities. Science is their favorite, but I enjoy them all. Lastly, Meeting the needs of the children I teach is the most important of them all. It is my duty to make sure no child is left behind or singled out. It is also my goal to include all children and plan activities to meet the children who may have specific disabilities. To keep all the interest in order I have to keep a well-organized mind frame and classroom, encourage them, but most of all provide support to the parent and child
· A description of a problem related to each issue—a problem you would want to help solve. (Do this and include in- text citations)
· At least two goals you hope to accomplish as a result of obtaining your degree. (Do this and include in-text citations)
· An explanation of how your pursuit of the topics you identified can enable you to become a transformational agent of positive change. Provide 2 specific examples. (Do this and include In-text citations)
· Please include reference page for all in- text citations
The importance of pursing an advanced graduate degree is to open up additional job opportunities to help pursue in your field of career. During this time, it may be challenging but it’s all well worth it. Along with more job opportunities, the benefits of pursing an advanced graduate degree include boosting your financial area as well as personal growth. To grow as a professional, prepares you for life in the real world. It as gives you a broad aspect of the competitive job market.
There are many things that have led me to pursue my advanced graduate degree. One major experience is the laid-back professionalism of professors. However, in this case I came in contact with professor that really didn’t catch my attention. Also, professors who knew I was a hard-working student and worked hard to keep my GPA at a certain level would grade me so hard, therefore it made things so hard for me. I felt this was wrong in so many ways. However, I pushed myself to do my best. This is where the motivation came in on pursuing my advanced graduate degree to become a better Early Childhood Professor. The motivation that has helped me to continue my degree is the great recognition I have received in honors and as well as supportive family to encourage me and push me.
Three topics of interest that relates to Education that ignite my passion are: creating positive relationships, Creative Activities, and Meeting the needs of all children I teach. For me working as a Head Start Teacher, by creating positive relationships it helps me to build a connection with the parents and children I serve. It allows me to express myself by creating a welcoming and safe learning environment for their children. In my classroom I enjoy creating fun activities for the children I serve. For example, since Covid we have been teaching the children virtually. Each day I reach my children through engagement by having fun at-home activities. Science is their favorite, but I enjoy them all. Lastly, Meeting the needs of the children I teach is the most important of them all. It is my duty to make sure no child is left behind or singled out. It is also my goal to include all children and plan activities to meet the children who may have specific disabilities. To keep all the interest in order I have to keep a well-organized mind frame and classroom, encourage them, but most of all provide support to the parent and child
· A description of a problem related to each issue—a problem you would want to help solve. (Do this and include in- text citations)
· At least two goals you hope to accomplish as a result of obtaining your degree. (Do this and include in-text citations)
· An explanation of how your pursuit of the topics you identified can enable you to become a transformational agent of positive change. Provide 2 specific examples. (Do this and include In-text citations)
· Please include reference page for all in- text citations