Walden as a Container - Farewell

As I reflect on the time I have spent as a Walden University student and the pursuit of my Master’s degree in Early Childhood Studies, I know that this experience has allowed me to grow as an early childhood professional in ways I did not entirely imagine.  

I think my most significant personal growth came during my Perspectives on Diversity and Equity course.  Being given the opportunity to consider my personal culture and figure out who I am, what my discomforts are, and what I may have misunderstood before the course, was a true gift that will allow me to be a better member of society. 

Another significant lesson was during the communications course, I came to really understand that communication is not only a two way process, but to be successful it must be respectful, reciprocal, and responsive. This understanding and the 3 Rs are now deeply rooted as part of my personal values and is a way of being for me.  

Finally, I see my capstone project as a gift.  The challenge of advancing leadership capacity at all levels of the early childhood field through leadership development, as a first step toward the internal advocacy and mobilization necessary to “moving the overall field forward as a more viable, coherent, accountable, and respected field of practice” has been on my mind since I read Ready or Not in 2007 (Goffin & Washington) (Goffin, 2009, p.1).  Having the time and focus to tease apart the historical context and the current scope of the challenge as well as setting some real life professional goals to address it, has helped propel me into the next phase of my career. 

In October of 2012 I was asked to state my professional goals.  They were as follows:

• ·      To complete a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Studies with a specialty in Public Policy and Advocacy so that I may have a deeper more formalized understanding of the field of early childhood.
• ·      Once I complete my Master’s, to advance my career as a leader in the field of early childhood and be a voice for young children, their families, and the professionals who care and educate them.
• ·      To be on the 2014 ballot for the National Association for the Education of Young Children Governing Board as a candidate.

As of today, June 26, 2014, I am proud to say I have reached 2 of the 3 goals by completing the last course in the Master’s program and having been on the NAEYC ballot this last year.  I also believe I am well on my way to reaching the third, to advance my career as a leader in the field of early childhood and be a voice for young children, their families, and the professionals who care and educate them, however I know this goal is to broad and must be refined in order for it to be attainable.  As I set out on the next phase of my professional journey my revised goal is to dedicate my career to developing the leadership capacity of the field of early childhood care and education as a way to contribute to the end goal of access to affordable, high quality, early childhood programs for all children and families.

As I close my last blog post as a Walden University Master’s degree student, it is appropriate to say a few good-byes and thank-yous to all my thought partners and loved ones.  First I would like to thank my colleagues from my Capstone class as well as Dr. Dartt for their insight and support.  Your contributions made my project stronger then it would have been if I had been on my own.  Next I would like to acknowledge and thank all the colleagues and instructors I have had during my tenure as a Walden University student, for their contributions to my success.   I have met and worked with some amazing people in the last 21 months.  I would also like to thank my colleagues outside of Walden University for the opportunity to speak about the ideas and experiences I was having as an online student.  Finally, I must thank my family for their support and patience as I completed this program. 

 Just this week someone shared the following quote with me.  I would like to share it with all of you as I say good bye!  I look forward to watching each of you as we lead our field forward, so that one day all children and families have access to affordable, high quality early childhood programs starting them on a path to becoming contributing members of society.

“My life has taught me that good teaching is about creating a container for exploration”

                                                                                                                          David Robinson

Thank you!

Betsy

Goffin, S. G. (2009). Field-wide leadership: Insights from five fields of practice. Retrieved from https://a20f3032-a-62cb3a1a-s-sites.googlegroups.com/site/goffinstrategygroup/docu/Field-WideLeadership_Final.pdf?attachauth=ANoY7cr5PVMgkFjeERwGdT-JlaAVMK3aX5vGfhbRFFxqEQS8q5451FTD6Yv-w29f9vjuexlOoaxKqJWa_0ZTQJTEhQ7JAFFwEW0tM6WxgkIIAjGAAjJQXQ9nAkp_BStsJLU-hIpIgA9FL9GVpdvfAer1q9PQEaKy-rFWXDouNbl-Mnv_3JpnBtpDjv2wAYxSJYWqLY5XR5q9oIkpx6I9_vfBvQoghLL5UJz67k_pOZsDXb_klhAeQ8iDNZGAA-viTVPG_Nyvp0TM&attredirects=0


Goffin, S., & Washington, V., (2007). Ready or not: Leadership choices in early care and education. New York, NY: Teachers College Press.