My Own Capacity

As I consider my own abilities I reflect on why it is I am in this profession. I have always wanted to make a difference in the life of a child so I became an early childhood teacher. When I first began teaching I did not, and am still not sure, I truly understand the capacity I have within my reach to make a difference. Thinking about topics and how I could make a difference I looked at my own personal situation. What I have found is there is not a set curriculum or skills to be acquired in Pre-Kindergarten in my current state. While there are teaching and learning standards, I do not believe all programs follow them or use them. I have learned this through the different programs I have worked in over the last six years. So one topic I am interested in is developing a set of standards and curriculum to follow for Pre-Kindergarten so that each child ,not just in the state of New Jersey but the nation, who attends a Pre-Kindergarten program enters Kindergarten on a level playing field. Additionally, if a child for whatever reason does not attend a Pre-Kindergarten program the set standards for skills children must have for Kindergarten should be made available to parents in order for families to equally prepare.

Another issue I have come across is how private centers would like, and sometimes require, teachers to have Bachelor's degrees but only want to pay an hourly rate. Insurance benefits and retirement have to be paid in large part, or in whole, by the employee. On the other hand, public systems have a minimum of a Bachelor's degree with certification requirement and pay a salary to teachers. In addition to salaries, public systems offer benefits and retirement paid for by the state.

I would hope that my personal experiences with both of these issues would give me the opportunity to have an adequate footing to stand upon for these issues. My sincere love of children and priceless enjoyment over watching the 'light bulb moments' when they learn new things drives me to continue in this field. I want to grow as an effective educator to continue to influence the lives of the children I come in contact with but also I want to learn and grow in order to change the field of early childhood for generations to come.