“Children are the
world's most valuable resource and its best hope for the future”
John F. Kennedy
I was so scared when I started this program
and now I am excited and nervous in completing this program. I want to say
"Thank you" to all of the Professors at Walden University for their
continued guidance and support throughout this time. I want to say "Thank you”
all of the classmates that I have shared this time with over the past two
years. I look forward to the next chapter of my life looking forward to giving
the same support and guidance to early childhood professionals that I have
received.
This project has been a lifelong journey. In
the past few weeks, it is the end of this chapter of my journey and the
beginning of a new. There are many issues of concern in early childhood. In
trying to meet the challenges, my focus is on professional development. In
preparing educators to meet the needs of the children, will influence child
outcomes in the future. A well-trained, knowledgeable workforce is an essential
part of quality early care and education (ECE) program. Most state and local
policies require minimal credentials, and the in-service training provided to
teachers may do little to advance their knowledge and practice at any point in
their careers (National Institute Early Education, n.d.).
I am drawn to
professional preparation and ongoing professional development (PD) in the early
childhood education it is essential to providing high-quality services to
children and families. Professional
Development is the continued learning and support activities designed to
prepare individuals for work with young children and their families. It is
ongoing experiences to enhance early childhood professionals in their work.
These experiences lead to growth and improvements in the knowledge, skills,
practices, and dispositions of professionals. Professional development
encompasses education, training, and technical assistance (NAEYC, 2011).
My professional short term goal is to take the
information and knowledge gained from my capstone project and implement it this
fall with staff. My long term goal is to retire.
“Often when you think you're at the end of something, you're
at the beginning of something else” Fred
Rogers
National Association Education Young Children (2011) Early childhood education professional development: training and technical assistance glossary. http://www.naeyc.org/. Retrieved May 10, 2014, from http://www.naeyc.org/GlossaryTraining_TA.pdf
National Institute for Early Childhood Research (n.d.) Critical Issues in Early Childhood Professional Development. Retrieved from http://nieer.org/publications/critical-issues-early-childhood-professional-development
