TIME
WELL SPENT
Encouragement ~ Take
A Stand ~ Bravery ~ Kindness
Care ~ I Can Make It ~ You Can Do It
~ Embrace Culture
~ Speak
Out ~ Success
~ Well-Being of Children ~ Anti-Bias Teaching
& Learning
Through this program I have learned so much new information
and additional lessons to include in my current knowledge.
The three deeply felt learning that resigns with me are:
- · To not be reluctant to learn of others culture, just take a chance and ask.
- · There may be an organization in existence that addresses my concerns, and how to find them, and the importance of getting involved with them.
- · There are a host of pioneers in the field of Early Childhood Education who also have a deep concern for the well-being of children. When I leaned of Louis Derman-Sparks, & Julie Olsen Edwards, I can remember thinking out loud the words, I can’t believe that there is an actual study on the subject of race relations teaching respect and acceptance of who people are and the rich heritages and culture represented, and anti-bias education: and that they are so accurate in what they were saying in there writing. I can remember feeling so happy that someone cared enough to present the truth of how ethnic people actually feel, and what we go through. I gained an extra level of respect and excitement about my studies, and for Walden University.
My long term goals
are to begin to teach adults who have an interest in teaching children, and to see
to that as many children as possible get books in their hands starting with-in my
community. Also, to get involved with as many areas of advocating for children
that I could. To continue to research my field in order that I may always seek
out what more I can do that will continue to add to the well-being of all
children here in our country and abroad.
I leave you with two
strong quotes of encouragement
“No one has yet fully realized the wealth of sympathy,
kindness, and generosity hidden in the soul of a child. The effort of every
true education should be to unlock that treasure.” ~ Emma Goldman, Russian
Canadian Writer.
“Many things we need can wait, the child cannot, now is the
time…...To him we cannot say tomorrow, his name is today.” ~~Gabriela Mistral,
Children Poet, Educator, and Nobel Laureate (Institute of Medicine, 2004).
To my Colleagues and
Instructors,
I could never express strong enough, nor could I find a word
worthy enough to deliver the level of thanks that I feel in my heart and soul
to Walden University for this program of study, and to my instructors, some of
you I had in more than one course, Dr. Lisset Bird-Pickens, Dr. Janet Kien, and
so many more with your excellent suggestions, and comments, as you kept me
encouraged through my learning, and understanding when I was unsure. Each of
you were understanding and supportive even through my times of unexpected
Hospitalization that interrupted my studies. To my colleagues for ALL of your
comments and advice as we collaborated through our study of what just may be
one of the most important professions there is in our world. Also, on that same
level goes my special Thanks to Dr. Johnna Darragh (Dr. Darrt), for all your
help, concern, and encouragement through the Capstone. I was so concerned about
the Capstone, but your newsletter was more than helpful, it was the “Golden
Key”, in my opinion, that walked me and my colleagues step by step through each
part. Although great ideas and more information to input comes to mind
afterwards, I still feel that I did an exceptional job because of your help
through forming it. To Laureate Education, for so many informative videos that
introduced me and my colleagues to so many successful pioneers in the field who
encouraged us through sharing their stories of their life experiences and their
journey into their current positions with-in the field of Early Education.
As I reflect on my time of study in this program, and a few
notes from previous courses taken at the start, I realize how far I’ve come and
the progress made. It all causes me to give myself credit for sticking to it. I
can be proud of myself as I recall studying during travel, and taking my
laptop, books, and note pad and pens with me to most places I went. I can be
proud when I think of the countless times that I went to the library with
stacks of books for my young son while I worked on my assignments. I can be
proud as I recall sitting in Starbucks after Starbucks totaling six different
ones working on assignments, and how I persevered through two different
unexpected lifesaving surgeries that caused interruptions in my studies. I can
be proud of myself, receive my strong finish, and gladly accept my M.S. Degree.
So colleagues, be proud of yourselves and receive, and accept your M.S.
Degrees, because we worked for them. I give to each of You, our Instructors,
and Walden University, a THUNDEROUS APPLAUSE of THANK YOU!!!
Colleagues, lets never forget that, we can read and study
every book and article ever published, but if we don’t have a genuine heart of
compassion for the children and move with the understanding that they need us
to do what we say we’re going to do, then we’re doing them the greatest harm.
As educators we are there to teach the children, to support them, and guide
them through with a constant reminder to them through the words “You can do
this”, and “I believe in you”. Let’s not forget that we are the children’s
voices, and we really hold their future’s in our hands. So let’s sound off for
them.
Keep properly loving, caring, and respecting children and
their families.
Your Colleague,
Darlene Thomas M.S.
