This week I am going to share the reflections from our 2024 Appreciation Event in a 3-part blog post. You will find Part 1 today, Part 2 on Wednesday and Part 3 on Friday. Be sure to come back and read the wonderful responses to the reflective questions I received from educators in our community.
On Saturday, November 2, 2024 we gathered at Celebrations with educators from our local community. We had a day planned that included a workshop with Darci Lang (more on that in part 2) in the morning, lunch together and then our afternoon included creating a terrarium with succulents and Bingo (more on this in part 3). We also celebrated our annual Shining Stars (there will be a separate blog post about this next month).
As we started our day together, I invited the educators to notice the reflection questions on their table and if they felt like sharing their responses, they could leave them with me at the end of the day.
This 3-part blog post will not only share some photo highlights from our 20204 Appreciation Event, but it will also share these reflection responses.
Here is the first reflective question and responses received: Why did you choose to work in the Early Childhood Education profession?
- I wanted to help others in the most challenging way. To be there for a child when they feel alone.
Every child, young, old, disabled, adult, baby. Each human being deserves to be seen, loved, and nurtured. I wish to provide this, …in which I did not always receive. - I knew from a young age I wanted to work with children either as a social worker or ECE.
- I chose this profession because I love to see the world through children’s eyes and to watch them grow and develop.
- I truly love the connections that are created by learning with and from children and families.
- I chose this profession because I wanted to work with children and be a part of their development in the early years. I wanted to be a part of the education of the child before they enter into the school years.
- I choose to work in childcare because it’s rewarding. Helping teach everyday tasks. The smiles, hugs, and laughter. Being the person the kids can count on.
- I chose to work in the ECE profession because I love watching children achieve their goals.
- The kids keep me young. Meaningful work.
- I just knew that is where my heart was. I started babysitting at age 11 (when I said I would work with children), however, I had always known children brought me such joy. There was no other choice for me.
- I chose to work in the profession after years of volunteering and working with family that were in the field. Started with another path and then followed my heart.
- Make a difference – be children’s safe place.
- I have worked with children in the community since I was 10 years old when my sister was born. It started with a babysitter’s course and turned into a passion for responsibility and caring for the younger community.
- It was a calling
- I have always wanted to work with children but didn’t know much about early childhood education and thought that teaching was the only way to go. When I graduated from teachers college I didn’t feel ready to teach despite the clear vision I had of the classroom and relationships with children that I would one day have. I tried working as a tutor for a time, but it wasn’t the right fit. I ended up starting in childcare almost by accident. I’d moved back home because my dad was sick. My nephew attended our local daycare and my mom told K. I was a teacher. K. needed teachers so my mom guilted me into applying. I thought that I would only work there until I was ready to apply to the school board. But I fell in love with childcare, it was everything I had ever dreamed of about teaching, but better. I love the whole child-focused, interest-driven, relationship-based programming. Childcare and early childhood education is so much more than traditional teaching and I love it!
- I knew since the age of 12 that I wanted to work with young children; teach them and watch them learn and grow.
As you look at these photos from the beginning of the day as we were set up and ready to welcome educators, I invite you to think about this same question: Why did you choose to work in the Early Childhood Education profession? Click on the first photo to look through the gallery of enlarged pictures.
Early Learning Quality Initiative 