I can sincerely relate with the Chapter 5 reading this week. Our program experienced a series of staff shortages for approximately two years. It felt like staff were entering and leaving through a revolving door. The current economic situation has changed this for many programs that struggled with staff retention. We welcomed three new staff to our roster for the 2009-2010 program year - one was a newly created position. All other staff (approximately 55) are returning staff. This is phenomenal!! When new staff transition into the program, managers need to allow time for a the individual to acclimate into the Head Start world of policies, procedures, and federal paperwork. Returning staff means that managers can now work on other aspects of staff development, fine tuning various areas specific to quality interactions, environment and setting, parent involvement, working with children with special needs, etc.
Head Start programs are required to conduct a wage comparative study that reflect local programs within the service area. I'm in the process of collecting data right now to complete this process. Once the data is collected, I work closely with my agency's HR Director to determine what the salary scale will look like for my program. My goal is to identify the highest paid program, the lowest paid program, and those in between. Head Start wants to offer competitive wages, so I gear our salaries to fall in between the highest and lowest. Many directors are not comfortable to share the information of staff wages. This can create a barrier to reach my goal of creating an accurate study. This year, I collaborated with the Maui County Early Childhood Resource Coordinator to create a wage study for Maui County. The report, which reflects wages that were averaged, and does not list program names to maintain confidentiality, supported my effort to complete this task. The bonus is that I obtained by-in from the programs, and we were able to share the report with other programs to implement for their own use. Win-win - makes for great partnerships in the community. So important!!!
November 2009 will mark my year four of being a director. According to our text, the "Stages Given by Anthony" on page 91 indicate that I'm in "Stage 3: Leading and Balancing". Learning how to lead is a process. If you're too soft and compassionate, sometimes staff will walk all over you. If you're too strict, sometimes staff will consider you unapproachable. Balancing is key - I use my practice that I implemented in the classroom as a teacher - firm and loving. Staff, like children, thrive on routine. I want my staff to be able to approach me with any topic, issue, concern, and know that I'm always available to listen. My goal is to encourage staff to become independent thinkers, and to feel confident in their abilities. I want their voices to be heard, and for them to know what a tremendous impact they have in the lives of young children. I have learned SO MUCH during my first three years, and I will continue to grow and learn as an administrator of an early childhood program. Some days are easier than others - but everyday is completely rewarding!
Regarding the benefits for staff, I am concerned with the lack of a well designed retirement plan. My agency offers great benefits for staff - we have a 401K plan. This is fine, however I'm wondering if it's enough for individuals to plan for a comfortable retirement. As for the present time, even the state is beginning to dissect the retirement benefits for union workers. As it stands, the state provides a great retirement benefit package - however it's currently in scrutiny due to the economic situation.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Reply to Jeanne's comment
Reply to Jeanne's comment: Rules and regulations are black and white. In program administration, there has to be gray areas that allow for flexibility. Situations will present itself that require additional consideration. The limitations of set rules and regulations are helpful in the way that it offers guidelines for administrators to have as a baseline. It's important for administrators to have experience as teachers to anticipate what the gray areas might look like. It is also a recommendation to have a committee of teachers involved in this process to add ideas, experiences, and other pertinent knowledge to the overall planning.
Regarding the political arena, I sincerely wish that education was not linked to this aspect of bureaucracy,but it definitely is strongly attached. One major frustration is what you stated in your comment/question: policymakers are directing laws and practices without any consideration to include professional input. Programs are helpless and fall victim to these decisions. Right now, the furlough situation with teachers is causing chaos for working families. The affect of Gov. Lingle's decision is impacting a larger group of people. One decision has a way of compounding so much more as time progresses. In the longrun, the cost might be more than the deficit itself.
I am totally supportive of my staff speaking out on behalf of issues. The only critical piece is that the message they are advocating for it in alignment with what the agency or the program is focused on. It would be uncomfortable for the teachers to be airing their thoughts opposite of the program. I've seen it happen with union division and it can cause a great deal of dysfunction between teachers and administration. In my experience as an administrator, the voice of reason has been collectively similar with regards to teachers and administrators. Before taking any sides, it's important for teachers and administrators to discuss issues to share thoughts, facts, and conclusions. From that point, staff hopefully can reach a shared vision to focus on and advocate as one voice. Historically, this seems to be the best way of approaching lawmakers. Being separate in our efforts has proven to be unsuccessful.
Regarding the political arena, I sincerely wish that education was not linked to this aspect of bureaucracy,but it definitely is strongly attached. One major frustration is what you stated in your comment/question: policymakers are directing laws and practices without any consideration to include professional input. Programs are helpless and fall victim to these decisions. Right now, the furlough situation with teachers is causing chaos for working families. The affect of Gov. Lingle's decision is impacting a larger group of people. One decision has a way of compounding so much more as time progresses. In the longrun, the cost might be more than the deficit itself.
I am totally supportive of my staff speaking out on behalf of issues. The only critical piece is that the message they are advocating for it in alignment with what the agency or the program is focused on. It would be uncomfortable for the teachers to be airing their thoughts opposite of the program. I've seen it happen with union division and it can cause a great deal of dysfunction between teachers and administration. In my experience as an administrator, the voice of reason has been collectively similar with regards to teachers and administrators. Before taking any sides, it's important for teachers and administrators to discuss issues to share thoughts, facts, and conclusions. From that point, staff hopefully can reach a shared vision to focus on and advocate as one voice. Historically, this seems to be the best way of approaching lawmakers. Being separate in our efforts has proven to be unsuccessful.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Week of September 21, 2009
Aloha Friends,
It was a crazy Monday - which is usually the case, no matter how well I plan. It's usually the unplanned that stirs up situations that require my undivided attention. One of my staff (a lead teacher) needed to stay one hour after ending her workday due to a parent that over-slept and did not pick up her children (2 siblings). After several attempts to contact others on her authorized pick-up list, which were unsuccessful, the only resort left to contemplate was to contact police due to abandonment. In my heart, I was equally concerned about mom - where the heck was the woman and why is she not responding to her cell phone calls?? The situation grew in frustration on so many levels. I think that most impacting was the uncertainty of what would happen to the children in her absence. I did not want the police to remove the children, however my options were limited.
Mom finally showed up after one hour of missing in action. She was quite apologetic, especially to the teacher. I anticipate contacting her tomorrow to reiterate how important it is to add more individuals onto her pick-up list...and another lesson learned - make sure to have a street address just in case you need to ask police to check on a mom that may have overslept at home. A director has hundreds of "balls" to juggle, trying hard to not allow any of them to drop. Decisions, considerations, ethical or not...every single move requires a process of weighing options. Decker's "clean and sequential ideas of administration" may not cover what to do in situations like the one I experienced today. Would you have contacted the police or just waited until mom woke up? This is a tough call and one that I don't take lightly. My own personal goal is to assess each family through their actions. This is not a judgment, but a means to determine if a child is safe at home with the parent, or if an intervention support is needed. As a Head Start program, we cannot (I cannot) turn my head in another direction when situations like this are presented. Parents need to be held accountable for their actions, and their responsibility as parents require being present. If a parent cannot be present, they need to have a plan "B" in place as back-up. The consequence impacts their child's sense of security - a hefty price to pay. My role as director is to insure that each child has a safe home. I have called Child Protective Services to make reports in the past. This is not an easy task and can leave a person feeling sick. When I weigh my options, I always visit my inner gut feeling - that quite voice that talks you through the toughest of times. When my intuition says to call, I move on that thought. At this point, I would have already considered all facts presented before me. My goal is not to remove the child from the home - it's to bring light to a situation that is dark; to hopefully be the catalyst to guide a family to be present and attentive to the needs of their children.
The Head Start program is GREAT! I love the way systems help to support families and children. There is a frustrating side to Head Start - in my opinion, it's the fact that the program is directly embedded with political connections. I always felt that early childhood and politics do not mix - and I still feel that way. For those of you involved in the ELC (Early Learning Council) process, you are fully aware of how politics and early childhood can impact the whole. In my opinion, adults - namely lawmakers, each have their own personal focus on where funds are earmarked to be spent. Programs designed for children and families should not be placed in a position to justify itself, yet it is - time after time - despite all the research, reports, data, and statistics available. Early childhood professionals have been battling this message for years, and we are still in a position to prove the importance of quality education for birth to 8.
Going back to Head Start, we do have a large following of staff across the United States. Head Start operates on a grassroots approach. Parents are encouraged to become advocates for their child and for the program. Parents are recognized as their child's first teacher, therefore respected to offer a great deal of knowledge to teachers and to the overall program. When an effort requires attention, parents are utilized as a means to get the point across. I have seen this process work time and time again. In the case of the NRS (National Reporting System) testing, I saw staff and administrators speaking out. Piece by piece, the message grows in energy and takes on a life of its own. It turns into a living, breathing entity, determined to interject change. The NRS situation was successful, however this outcome is not always the case. In several circumstances, the last say remains with the "Secretary", which in Head Start terms is the President of the United States, or the law as written as the Head Start Act of 2007. This lengthy document (you almost need a degree in law to understand the language) details the most recent re-authorization of the Head Start program.
As complex as the Head Start program can be, I still feel a sense of pride to be part of this amazing effort. Several factors remain intact, including parent involvement and child focus. When my intent is channeled towards these particular areas, I gain a renewed sense of dedication as an administrator. I realize that my role is greater than the political inconveniences and vow to work through any barriers presented. What I receive in the end is a means to operate a program to the best of my abilities. Even days like today are precious - it keeps me in check, accountable to each child and family entrusted to my care.
It was a crazy Monday - which is usually the case, no matter how well I plan. It's usually the unplanned that stirs up situations that require my undivided attention. One of my staff (a lead teacher) needed to stay one hour after ending her workday due to a parent that over-slept and did not pick up her children (2 siblings). After several attempts to contact others on her authorized pick-up list, which were unsuccessful, the only resort left to contemplate was to contact police due to abandonment. In my heart, I was equally concerned about mom - where the heck was the woman and why is she not responding to her cell phone calls?? The situation grew in frustration on so many levels. I think that most impacting was the uncertainty of what would happen to the children in her absence. I did not want the police to remove the children, however my options were limited.
Mom finally showed up after one hour of missing in action. She was quite apologetic, especially to the teacher. I anticipate contacting her tomorrow to reiterate how important it is to add more individuals onto her pick-up list...and another lesson learned - make sure to have a street address just in case you need to ask police to check on a mom that may have overslept at home. A director has hundreds of "balls" to juggle, trying hard to not allow any of them to drop. Decisions, considerations, ethical or not...every single move requires a process of weighing options. Decker's "clean and sequential ideas of administration" may not cover what to do in situations like the one I experienced today. Would you have contacted the police or just waited until mom woke up? This is a tough call and one that I don't take lightly. My own personal goal is to assess each family through their actions. This is not a judgment, but a means to determine if a child is safe at home with the parent, or if an intervention support is needed. As a Head Start program, we cannot (I cannot) turn my head in another direction when situations like this are presented. Parents need to be held accountable for their actions, and their responsibility as parents require being present. If a parent cannot be present, they need to have a plan "B" in place as back-up. The consequence impacts their child's sense of security - a hefty price to pay. My role as director is to insure that each child has a safe home. I have called Child Protective Services to make reports in the past. This is not an easy task and can leave a person feeling sick. When I weigh my options, I always visit my inner gut feeling - that quite voice that talks you through the toughest of times. When my intuition says to call, I move on that thought. At this point, I would have already considered all facts presented before me. My goal is not to remove the child from the home - it's to bring light to a situation that is dark; to hopefully be the catalyst to guide a family to be present and attentive to the needs of their children.
The Head Start program is GREAT! I love the way systems help to support families and children. There is a frustrating side to Head Start - in my opinion, it's the fact that the program is directly embedded with political connections. I always felt that early childhood and politics do not mix - and I still feel that way. For those of you involved in the ELC (Early Learning Council) process, you are fully aware of how politics and early childhood can impact the whole. In my opinion, adults - namely lawmakers, each have their own personal focus on where funds are earmarked to be spent. Programs designed for children and families should not be placed in a position to justify itself, yet it is - time after time - despite all the research, reports, data, and statistics available. Early childhood professionals have been battling this message for years, and we are still in a position to prove the importance of quality education for birth to 8.
Going back to Head Start, we do have a large following of staff across the United States. Head Start operates on a grassroots approach. Parents are encouraged to become advocates for their child and for the program. Parents are recognized as their child's first teacher, therefore respected to offer a great deal of knowledge to teachers and to the overall program. When an effort requires attention, parents are utilized as a means to get the point across. I have seen this process work time and time again. In the case of the NRS (National Reporting System) testing, I saw staff and administrators speaking out. Piece by piece, the message grows in energy and takes on a life of its own. It turns into a living, breathing entity, determined to interject change. The NRS situation was successful, however this outcome is not always the case. In several circumstances, the last say remains with the "Secretary", which in Head Start terms is the President of the United States, or the law as written as the Head Start Act of 2007. This lengthy document (you almost need a degree in law to understand the language) details the most recent re-authorization of the Head Start program.
As complex as the Head Start program can be, I still feel a sense of pride to be part of this amazing effort. Several factors remain intact, including parent involvement and child focus. When my intent is channeled towards these particular areas, I gain a renewed sense of dedication as an administrator. I realize that my role is greater than the political inconveniences and vow to work through any barriers presented. What I receive in the end is a means to operate a program to the best of my abilities. Even days like today are precious - it keeps me in check, accountable to each child and family entrusted to my care.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Reflections for week of Sept. 14, 2009
After reading "Early Childhood Education and Care as a Community Service or Big Business?", I feel extremely blessed to being employed by a non-profit agency dedicated to serving young children and their families. Head Start is a federally funded program focused on serving low income families and young children certified with special needs. The procedure of establishing eligibility has its checks and balances to insure that each application is processed fair and accurately.
The article focused on programs that have a bottom line of seeing our field as a lucrative venture. They have lost sight of the importance that separates quality care from not caring at all (about the children, families, and staff). Working parents can easily fall prey to establishments that provide a service, however it lacks ethical values. I believe, if given a choice, parents would select a program that provides qualified staff, adequate materials for children to explore, and all other factors that make a program one of quality. I honestly believe that having a focus to make money is not a negative thing - it's realistic to want to be successful in a business. What makes me feel uncomfortable about the article is the way corporations are marketing the business to make themselves rich in a selfish way. If funds were reinvested into the program to benefit children, staff, and families - this would create a balance. By cutting services, hours, or stripping the program of essential supplies, this is stealing from the program's potential. It's obvious that these "corporate" individuals never looked in the eyes of a child to know what it's like to be a teacher.
I wanted to comment on the "Pressure-cooker Kindergarten" Exchange message dated 9/8/09. Head Start once had a "test" titled NRS - National Reporting System. This test was administered in the fall to collect a baseline, and again at the end of the program year (Spring) to obtain a measurement of progress. The test was only administered to children transitioning to Kindergarten. The Head Start community despised this test - it was completely inappropriate, asking young children questions that many of them did not know the answer to. Many individuals believed that this was a means to diminish the Head Start program by the Bush Administration - using the information as proof that Head Start was not a successful program; after all - the test was difficult and complex, so how many children would actually answer all questions correctly. There was even a section that resembled a complex math problem regarding a pie cut into wedges. Children were asked how many slices were left if one was given to fictitious children. I remember having children look at me like "what in the world are you talking about?". I felt like I wanted to say - never mind - let's go look for something fun to do together - like getting a real pie and eating it. We can count the pieces for real, instead of playing this unfair game.
The Head Start community voiced their opinion LOUDLY! Community advocates and early childhood professionals spoke out in protest to the NRS. Another thorn in the side of many Head Start administrators was the fact that this project cost an enormous amount of money, which could have been allocated to increase funds for program improvements, staff salaries, expansion of more Head Start programs - the list could go on! In the end, the Head Start community won. In 2007, the NRS was no longer a requirement, producing a sigh of relief throughout the nation.
I have heard from parents and other professionals that Kamehameha Schools has an entry "test" that children complete to qualify for placement. I'm not sure how accurate the information is, however I have been told that parents get themselves so worked out about this process that they pressure their children to pass. This is such a sad state to be in - especially because it's really not that important in comparison to the child's feelings of self worth and competence.
Another interesting read from Exchange was "Biting Solutions" from 9/10/09. I chuckled to myself when I read the statement, "As directors of early learning programs, we have to deal with a myriad of issues on a daily basis." This lead me to think about one in particular, which is a very sensitive subject for parents and teachers (and directors) - it's masturbation. I have witnessed several children that relax their bodies using a form of rubbing themselves on pillows before falling asleep. It never bothered me personally - I did not want to bring attention to the child that this was "wrong". On several occasions, the child's mother walked into the classroom at the start of rest time and witnessed her child relaxing himself. She was very embarrassed and, after we had a discussion about her son's habit, asked me to help him stop. Although this is a totally separate issue from biting, I wanted to share this in my blog to see if anyone else has experience with this sort of situation. If yes, please share your story and what you did - how did you respond to the parent and what actions (if any) did you take with the child?
In closing, I want to answer a few questions that Jeanne had for me from last week. Head Start was designed (in my opinion) to empower parents. The structure of Head Start is built on the understanding that parents have a voice, and they do. Parents are involved in program design, providing information ranging from curriculum ideas to establishing goals for their child. We promote parents to always ask questions, to be involved in their child's education. We want parents to speak up and know that their voices make a difference. Parents are their child's first teacher - a cliche for many perhaps - but in Head Start, this is respected and practiced as a mantra. Parents are leaders in the program by being on Policy Council (shared decision governing board) or as an officer in the parent committee. So many opportunities to be involved and successful at being involved. As an administrator, I need to monitor activities to insure that parents HAVE a voice. This means no rubber stamping of approvals - parents are at the table providing input, having a say, and not being told how to vote or what to think. Parents can see right through you - they know when a person is sincere and wants to be supportive. I have witnessed parents that started out as shy individuals, grow into confident, strong men and women. So exciting to see the transformation of empowerment!!
The war on poverty was real in 1965, and history has a way of repeating itself...here we are in 2009 and it's still a war we continue to fight. It's so sad that millions of dollars are spent on military defense efforts - when we have so many families and young children that are homeless, without food, and struggling to survive. I know that many people have strong feelings about this statement, so I'll leave it as is in respect to others that might share or disagree in my thought. For many that live in poverty, choices are limited to what you can get based on the resources available. Individuals with money can buy what they want and need to fulfillment, based on the amount of income they have. The more money, the more they can purchase, the more various and options available. The lack of money, the least they can purchase, and options become scarce or nonexistent. Head Start was designed to provide children of low income households a means to obtain a "head start" before kindergarten - to experience an educational setting to gain basic developmental skills in preparation for school success. Parents played a tremendous role in Head Start, and they still do until today. I believe this was done intentionally, to offer families the opportunity to grow as nurturing individuals in support of their child. Head Start is actually a family development program.
In closing, your final inquiry was regarding New Zealand and what the US might learn from them regarding being voted the most peaceful country in the world. It would be highly beneficial to study practices from New Zealand and adopt several into the US. It would mean making changes, it would mean implementing systems that are different and that might make some feel uncomfortable. In the longrun, it would mean a more peaceful place to live and raise communities that help one another. The US is competitive and wants to be recognized as the most powerful. As a nation, seeking peace for the world has to start at home, then resonate outward to others. We have a great deal to learn from New Zealand and change is inevitable in order to promote peace.
The article focused on programs that have a bottom line of seeing our field as a lucrative venture. They have lost sight of the importance that separates quality care from not caring at all (about the children, families, and staff). Working parents can easily fall prey to establishments that provide a service, however it lacks ethical values. I believe, if given a choice, parents would select a program that provides qualified staff, adequate materials for children to explore, and all other factors that make a program one of quality. I honestly believe that having a focus to make money is not a negative thing - it's realistic to want to be successful in a business. What makes me feel uncomfortable about the article is the way corporations are marketing the business to make themselves rich in a selfish way. If funds were reinvested into the program to benefit children, staff, and families - this would create a balance. By cutting services, hours, or stripping the program of essential supplies, this is stealing from the program's potential. It's obvious that these "corporate" individuals never looked in the eyes of a child to know what it's like to be a teacher.
I wanted to comment on the "Pressure-cooker Kindergarten" Exchange message dated 9/8/09. Head Start once had a "test" titled NRS - National Reporting System. This test was administered in the fall to collect a baseline, and again at the end of the program year (Spring) to obtain a measurement of progress. The test was only administered to children transitioning to Kindergarten. The Head Start community despised this test - it was completely inappropriate, asking young children questions that many of them did not know the answer to. Many individuals believed that this was a means to diminish the Head Start program by the Bush Administration - using the information as proof that Head Start was not a successful program; after all - the test was difficult and complex, so how many children would actually answer all questions correctly. There was even a section that resembled a complex math problem regarding a pie cut into wedges. Children were asked how many slices were left if one was given to fictitious children. I remember having children look at me like "what in the world are you talking about?". I felt like I wanted to say - never mind - let's go look for something fun to do together - like getting a real pie and eating it. We can count the pieces for real, instead of playing this unfair game.
The Head Start community voiced their opinion LOUDLY! Community advocates and early childhood professionals spoke out in protest to the NRS. Another thorn in the side of many Head Start administrators was the fact that this project cost an enormous amount of money, which could have been allocated to increase funds for program improvements, staff salaries, expansion of more Head Start programs - the list could go on! In the end, the Head Start community won. In 2007, the NRS was no longer a requirement, producing a sigh of relief throughout the nation.
I have heard from parents and other professionals that Kamehameha Schools has an entry "test" that children complete to qualify for placement. I'm not sure how accurate the information is, however I have been told that parents get themselves so worked out about this process that they pressure their children to pass. This is such a sad state to be in - especially because it's really not that important in comparison to the child's feelings of self worth and competence.
Another interesting read from Exchange was "Biting Solutions" from 9/10/09. I chuckled to myself when I read the statement, "As directors of early learning programs, we have to deal with a myriad of issues on a daily basis." This lead me to think about one in particular, which is a very sensitive subject for parents and teachers (and directors) - it's masturbation. I have witnessed several children that relax their bodies using a form of rubbing themselves on pillows before falling asleep. It never bothered me personally - I did not want to bring attention to the child that this was "wrong". On several occasions, the child's mother walked into the classroom at the start of rest time and witnessed her child relaxing himself. She was very embarrassed and, after we had a discussion about her son's habit, asked me to help him stop. Although this is a totally separate issue from biting, I wanted to share this in my blog to see if anyone else has experience with this sort of situation. If yes, please share your story and what you did - how did you respond to the parent and what actions (if any) did you take with the child?
In closing, I want to answer a few questions that Jeanne had for me from last week. Head Start was designed (in my opinion) to empower parents. The structure of Head Start is built on the understanding that parents have a voice, and they do. Parents are involved in program design, providing information ranging from curriculum ideas to establishing goals for their child. We promote parents to always ask questions, to be involved in their child's education. We want parents to speak up and know that their voices make a difference. Parents are their child's first teacher - a cliche for many perhaps - but in Head Start, this is respected and practiced as a mantra. Parents are leaders in the program by being on Policy Council (shared decision governing board) or as an officer in the parent committee. So many opportunities to be involved and successful at being involved. As an administrator, I need to monitor activities to insure that parents HAVE a voice. This means no rubber stamping of approvals - parents are at the table providing input, having a say, and not being told how to vote or what to think. Parents can see right through you - they know when a person is sincere and wants to be supportive. I have witnessed parents that started out as shy individuals, grow into confident, strong men and women. So exciting to see the transformation of empowerment!!
The war on poverty was real in 1965, and history has a way of repeating itself...here we are in 2009 and it's still a war we continue to fight. It's so sad that millions of dollars are spent on military defense efforts - when we have so many families and young children that are homeless, without food, and struggling to survive. I know that many people have strong feelings about this statement, so I'll leave it as is in respect to others that might share or disagree in my thought. For many that live in poverty, choices are limited to what you can get based on the resources available. Individuals with money can buy what they want and need to fulfillment, based on the amount of income they have. The more money, the more they can purchase, the more various and options available. The lack of money, the least they can purchase, and options become scarce or nonexistent. Head Start was designed to provide children of low income households a means to obtain a "head start" before kindergarten - to experience an educational setting to gain basic developmental skills in preparation for school success. Parents played a tremendous role in Head Start, and they still do until today. I believe this was done intentionally, to offer families the opportunity to grow as nurturing individuals in support of their child. Head Start is actually a family development program.
In closing, your final inquiry was regarding New Zealand and what the US might learn from them regarding being voted the most peaceful country in the world. It would be highly beneficial to study practices from New Zealand and adopt several into the US. It would mean making changes, it would mean implementing systems that are different and that might make some feel uncomfortable. In the longrun, it would mean a more peaceful place to live and raise communities that help one another. The US is competitive and wants to be recognized as the most powerful. As a nation, seeking peace for the world has to start at home, then resonate outward to others. We have a great deal to learn from New Zealand and change is inevitable in order to promote peace.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Reflections based on Exchange Every Day (Week of 9/7/09)
Aloha fellow early childhood educators!
I sincerely enjoy reading the daily email messages from Exchange. I especially appreciate the quotes - I use them as a tool of motivation for my staff.
A little about me - I'm a director of Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc (MEO) Head Start. The program is funded for 298 children, and the agency is a non-profit community action program. I plan to design a more comprehensive blog (with photos and a narrative to share more about my life) once I return back from a vacation. I'm current in Las Vegas - I experienced my first full-blown concert with pyrotechnics - I saw Nickelback in concert at the MGM. Amazing!! I return tomorrow and will use this weekend to design, or better yet - individualize, my blog.
Getting back to the various readings from Exchange, I want to comment on several items that cause my attention.
I was not surprised to read that New Zealand (8/27/09) received recognition as the most peaceful country in the world. It is an extremely beautiful place - it's picturesque views remind me of Hawaii. I have never been there, however I know that it's one location that I long to visit. I have a past employee that was a nanny for a family several years ago. She accompanied the family on a two-week trip to New Zealand and brought back photos of her time there. It was absolutely breathtaking! Prior to seeing the photos, I had no idea that this could is a place that I would long to visit. One day....
My heart sank as I reviewed the list of least peaceful countries, especially as I thought about the families that reside in these locations. For the majority of these individuals, they lack the resources to make changes in their environment, therefore are "stuck" in a place that fails to provide a sense of security for children, elderly, adults - basically every single human being. Children are exposed to a stressful lifestyle on a daily basis. Although part of their everyday life, one cannot help by wish for something better. Walking in a neighborhood safely, playing at a local playground, going shopping at an open market - all these simple acts of recreation is not so easily accessible for those that live in these countries. I need to keep these thoughts are the forefront of my mind to lack taking these activities for granted.
Another thought is that the United States did not make the top nine list. I failed to conduct a search to see where we fall on the list, however I do know that our country is not the most and not the least. I will do my best to encouraging peace in hopes that it will make a difference. I believe it does, which fuels my passion to respect human rights and resolve conflict without violence.
Another message I want to comment on is the one titled "Disparities in Development Persist" (9/2/09). As a director of a Head Start program, I am dedicated to providing a quality child development program for children of lower-income families. The Head Start program was designed specifically to create a system to support families to increase protective factors that leverage disparities.
Head Start supports families to obtain a medical home for their child, meaning that the family has a pediatrician that they can access on a regular basis for medical attention. Immunizations, physicals, and dental exams with oral health treatments are monitored for completion.
The program links parents up with various community resources to design a plan for those that want to continue their education. Many parents have not completed high school, so obtaining a GED may be a first step. For others, creating a link to Maui Community College to determine a possible starting point to returning back to school may provide a means of increasing income to achieve self-sufficiency. Another goal attached to this factor is an increased awareness of how important education can be to an individual - especially to this parent's child. Adults that appreciate education are role models for their children, and also hold a higher value of promoting education for their child.
All elements contribute to parents building a secure and nurturing attachment to their children.
In my work as a Head Start director, I recently had an "aha" moment regarding how important our program is to many families. I already had a grounded sense of understanding, which is most logical, that being the fact that parents that qualify for services will receive preschool care for their child free of charge. While considering the many options offered to families that can pay for services, I realized that families can elect to send their child to a Montessori program, a Christian based program, a Hawaiian language immersion program, etc. Families that apply for Head Start do not have a choice of what kind of program they are shopping for, meaning that the program needs to resemble a "one size fits all" program. The significance to me is that the program needs to meet the various needs of each family, that the staff working for my program has to remain open minded, and that families need to have a voice in the program - and we need to have compassionate understanding to listen with respect.
Head Start has a heavy focus on parent involvement. Parents assist to design lesson plans, curriculum planning, and individual plans for their child. This is how the program can be morphed into one that reflects currently enrolled families. This is what makes Head Start uniquely different than other programs. Every option is valuable, important, and has a place in our community and world.
I sincerely enjoy reading the daily email messages from Exchange. I especially appreciate the quotes - I use them as a tool of motivation for my staff.
A little about me - I'm a director of Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc (MEO) Head Start. The program is funded for 298 children, and the agency is a non-profit community action program. I plan to design a more comprehensive blog (with photos and a narrative to share more about my life) once I return back from a vacation. I'm current in Las Vegas - I experienced my first full-blown concert with pyrotechnics - I saw Nickelback in concert at the MGM. Amazing!! I return tomorrow and will use this weekend to design, or better yet - individualize, my blog.
Getting back to the various readings from Exchange, I want to comment on several items that cause my attention.
I was not surprised to read that New Zealand (8/27/09) received recognition as the most peaceful country in the world. It is an extremely beautiful place - it's picturesque views remind me of Hawaii. I have never been there, however I know that it's one location that I long to visit. I have a past employee that was a nanny for a family several years ago. She accompanied the family on a two-week trip to New Zealand and brought back photos of her time there. It was absolutely breathtaking! Prior to seeing the photos, I had no idea that this could is a place that I would long to visit. One day....
My heart sank as I reviewed the list of least peaceful countries, especially as I thought about the families that reside in these locations. For the majority of these individuals, they lack the resources to make changes in their environment, therefore are "stuck" in a place that fails to provide a sense of security for children, elderly, adults - basically every single human being. Children are exposed to a stressful lifestyle on a daily basis. Although part of their everyday life, one cannot help by wish for something better. Walking in a neighborhood safely, playing at a local playground, going shopping at an open market - all these simple acts of recreation is not so easily accessible for those that live in these countries. I need to keep these thoughts are the forefront of my mind to lack taking these activities for granted.
Another thought is that the United States did not make the top nine list. I failed to conduct a search to see where we fall on the list, however I do know that our country is not the most and not the least. I will do my best to encouraging peace in hopes that it will make a difference. I believe it does, which fuels my passion to respect human rights and resolve conflict without violence.
Another message I want to comment on is the one titled "Disparities in Development Persist" (9/2/09). As a director of a Head Start program, I am dedicated to providing a quality child development program for children of lower-income families. The Head Start program was designed specifically to create a system to support families to increase protective factors that leverage disparities.
Head Start supports families to obtain a medical home for their child, meaning that the family has a pediatrician that they can access on a regular basis for medical attention. Immunizations, physicals, and dental exams with oral health treatments are monitored for completion.
The program links parents up with various community resources to design a plan for those that want to continue their education. Many parents have not completed high school, so obtaining a GED may be a first step. For others, creating a link to Maui Community College to determine a possible starting point to returning back to school may provide a means of increasing income to achieve self-sufficiency. Another goal attached to this factor is an increased awareness of how important education can be to an individual - especially to this parent's child. Adults that appreciate education are role models for their children, and also hold a higher value of promoting education for their child.
All elements contribute to parents building a secure and nurturing attachment to their children.
In my work as a Head Start director, I recently had an "aha" moment regarding how important our program is to many families. I already had a grounded sense of understanding, which is most logical, that being the fact that parents that qualify for services will receive preschool care for their child free of charge. While considering the many options offered to families that can pay for services, I realized that families can elect to send their child to a Montessori program, a Christian based program, a Hawaiian language immersion program, etc. Families that apply for Head Start do not have a choice of what kind of program they are shopping for, meaning that the program needs to resemble a "one size fits all" program. The significance to me is that the program needs to meet the various needs of each family, that the staff working for my program has to remain open minded, and that families need to have a voice in the program - and we need to have compassionate understanding to listen with respect.
Head Start has a heavy focus on parent involvement. Parents assist to design lesson plans, curriculum planning, and individual plans for their child. This is how the program can be morphed into one that reflects currently enrolled families. This is what makes Head Start uniquely different than other programs. Every option is valuable, important, and has a place in our community and world.
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