My International contacts’ views on excellence and quality in educators, their goals, hopes and dreams

This was a very insightful exercises that I find most enjoyable.  Frankie in Holland is away on a course and was unable to send any input this week.  Here is what Julie in Indonesia sent me.

What issues regarding quality and early childhood professionals are being discussed where you live and work?

In the International Schools circuit, the issue is to always hire specialists in their fields, especially for Early Childhood, and not just fill these positions with under qualified, inexperienced hires. It seems that Early childhood teacher positions are sometimes left to be filled last and by local, non-English speakers without the required experience or qualification to teach a quality program.

Because most companies only pay tuition starting in Kindergarten, the enrollments for pre-school classrooms are low, thus not generating money for the school, which means some schools don't want to invest back in the program. What they need to consider is that if parents are happy with the program in preschool, there is more chance of them keeping their children in that school for Kinder and up.

What opportunities and/or requirements for professional development exist?

In international schools, most teachers each get a certain amount for their PD each year. They can use if for online class or to attend workshops. Each teacher is required to set goals for the year regarding their professional development and that might entail going to a class, or studying online. Most schools also invite guests to hold conferences or workshops in the school, teachers also exchange their knowledge via PD sessions. You are encouraged, not required to attend professional development sessions. But you are required to work towards meeting your goals.  

What are some of your professional goals?

-Acquiring my Masters degree in Early Childhood Education

-integrating technology in the class more efficiently

-planning comprehensive units with goals, activities, assessments and essential questions

-seeking responsibilities and administrative duties whenever possible

-integrating play and projects in early childhood education

What are some of your professional hopes, dreams, and challenges?

-My hope and dream is to attend a Reggio Emilia workshop in Italy

-My hopes are always that a workshop will be meaningful and easily applicable in my practise

-My challenge is that my goals do not rely always on only me, they also involve other people, which means I depend on them for their achievement. For example, I depend on the technology integration specialist to teach and help me integrate technology in my class. 

It still surprises me to read how in some places Early Childhood is viewed as less important and the teacher hired has less qualifications and experience than those of school teachers.  International schools value professional development and support their staff with generous opportunities for further knowledge and remaining current - something I feel is very important. 

I share the same dream as Julie to attend a Reggio Emilia workshop in Italy.