1. I discovered that my extreme ability to be organized and a multitasking professional has aided me in this amazing voyage. Throughout this program, I have been a mother of two, devoted wife, and a daughter to disabled parents. I have also been blessed to have had a promotion within my career from a classroom teacher to a center director and early childhood instructor at my local community college where I am able to use my passion for teaching adults in an amazing venue of academic learning. I get to do what I love everyday, and my education has afforded me endless opportunities for professional growth. Personally, I was able to prove to myself that amazingly large goals I set forth on myself can be attainable one piece at a time. I am the first in my family with a Bachelor's degree, and now a Master's degree. I have been able to demonstrate to my own children the importance of education and the power it can hold in your life.
2. Another deeply felt learning form this program is the necessity to utilize resources to accomplish a goal. I am a very private, stubborn person. I do not like to ask for help or place a burden on anyone for my benefit. Throughout Walden, I have learned to utilize my colleagues as a source of knowledge, strength and guidance. I have been involved in professional learning communities through both Walden and in my community, and have realized that reaching out to others is not a burden, but a way of uniting knowledge and passion to make a difference.
3. Perhaps the most amazing thing I have gained from this program is finding my passion and commitment to the field. Going into the early childhood field began as a necessity of a job almost 10 years ago. I was a floater in a private child care center supporting over ten classrooms with breaks and as a substitute teacher when needed. My interested was peaked and I began exploring working towards an Associate degree in Early Childhood Education. This progression of education led to my obtaining a Bachelor's degree in the field and and becoming a noted early childhood educator in my community, landing a job at our local community college NAEYC accredited child development lab preschool and conducting workshops and trainings for the community where I found my passion as an adult educator. I was now vested in the field, but wanted to go further to make a bigger difference. When Walden entered my life, my commitment grew and now sky's the limit on what I can accomplish, on how I can make a difference in lives of young children, and how I can make a differnce to other young professionals.
A link to my center's website:
http://www.johnstoncc.edu/childdevelopmentcenter.aspx
When I consider my long term goals, they include becoming a very public and effective advocate for our field working with NAEYC to make a difference with other educators, politicians, lawmakers, stakeholders, and families.
As this journey closes, I must thank all my instructors for their guidance, pushing, and support. They have all modeled the type of adult educator I am striving to be. To my colleagues, our friendships (both professional and personal) will last a lifetime, we are all forever changed, and I am better for it! I have learned how to ask for help and that I can also be an amazing vehicle for encouragement to others. My heart smiles as this academic journey comes to a close, and I know that my next journey of making positive social changes is just beginning!
