Professional Hopes and Goals

I hope that, as I work with children and families from diverse backgrounds, everyone would end the experience, if they did not begin that way, with the point of view that they are better for having been a part of it.  I want everyone to realize that every person and their unique cultures have something wonderful to offer the world and it is important that we see one another's value and provide welcoming atmospheres and opportunities for those gifts, talents and unique qualities to be shared, exchanged, and celebrated.  I hope to achieve that in my classroom and school.  I believe we can all learn from one another in some way!  We are all important!  We are all valuable!

I also hope to continue to learn and grow (personally and professionally) in understanding as I work to establish and maintain diversity, equity, and social justice in my classroom, workplace, and community. 

One goal that I think that is worth pursuing in the field of early childhood is the recruitment of more male teachers.  I believe this is an issue for the primary grades in general as most male teachers work in the upper grades—middle and high school.  Successfully, recruiting more male teachers would further diversify the early childhood workforce.  I think that many of our young students would benefit from the experience of having male teachers earlier in their educational years.  Teacher-Student relationships can be very powerful.  I think that having positive male role models teaching in quality early childhood programs has the potential to impact many students’ lives in significant ways.

I would like to thank my colleagues for sharing so openly about themselves and their lives.  I have learned a great deal from the content of this class and what has been shared by everyone participating.  I wish you all success in your future endeavors!