Time Well Spent

This week my post marks the end of my journey.  The past 20 months have been challenging but the time has been well spent.  I started on this journey afraid of the challenge of earning a Master’s degree-just hearing the term caused me to feel unsure about my abilities to complete the coursework.  However, each week I went farther on my journey and I could not have made it through without the encouragement of my colleagues and instructors.  It has been your support that has encouraged me to keep going and complete this educational journey. 

The course work for the Master of Science degree in Early Childhood Studies have helped me to understand more about a child’s culture and how we as educators should take more time and effort in learning about diversity.  Every child comes to us eager to learn but if we have not dealt with our biases-we can do more harm to the child then good. 

 The course work has also helped me to realize that I can be an advocate for early childhood concerns.  Children and families depend on us as educators to speak for them in the areas in which they need assistance.  Just by showing support and guiding them with resources can make a difference in how they receive resources and the help that will make their struggles easier.  My Capstone challenge was involving developmentally appropriate practices in Infant & Toddler classrooms.  All of the coursework completed at Walden University prepared me to complete a plan to conquer the challenge.

 The course work has also taught me that child care administrators have various jobs that equally require their attention.  My degree specialty is Administration, Leadership and Management.  The specialty courses taught me a lot about the business side of center-based childcare.  The job of an administrator is very challenging but it also rewarding and achievable now that I have received exceptional training in the field. I feel better prepared to accomplish my goal of managing an educational program that serves children during the early childhood years.  My program will focus on providing continuity of care to children during the first 3 years of life with a goal of continually offering quality education until they finish grade 3. The course work provided at Walden has prepared me to enter the field of Early Childhood Education prepared to be an effective administrator.  I recently had an interview and the questions asked to me were answered with well-prepared answers because I was able to reflect back on my studies and answer them with intelligent answers. 

I would like to thank all of my colleagues for their support and excellent discussion and blog posts you have made throughout this time period.  Many times I depended on your contributions to help me to understand the coursework and you have never let me down.  I feel bittersweet because I know this might be the last time I communicate with you but I am also proud of what we have accomplished together.  To Chere’e and Berdetta; you have been in the most of my classes and it has been a definite pleasure to realize that we have made it to the end together.  I remember seeing your names in my first course at Walden and it is so special to know that we are completing our journey together.  I wish all of my colleagues the best of luck and I pray that all of your dreams and goals become realities.

To Dr. Darragh-it has been a pleasure having you as an instructor.  You are very insightful and an excellent source of encouragement.  I wish you all the best in your future classes and all that you inspire to do.

I pray that everyone advances further in their education and realizes all the goals you have set for your professional careers.

Janine Campbell

janineecampbell@gmail.com

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