Every child deserves a champion: an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists on the possibility of success.
– Rita Pierson, Ed. D., American educator

In the article, “Five Key Lessons from 25 Years of ECE Leadership,” Kristen M. Waterfield shares these five valuable lessons:

1. Adapt to a Changing World
“The experiences of childhood have changed dramatically due in large part to our increasingly digital world. While technology allows children to more easily connect with loved ones, explore the world and visit far away places, it has also made our global society more isolating and divisive. Shifts like this need to be factored into how we nurture our students.”

2. Evaluate Before Adopting New Trends
“It is important to take the time to thoroughly evaluate these concepts or resources before adopting them. Beyond making sure they are rooted in appropriate research, carefully consider how they will advance your mission and if they should take priority over something else that could have a bigger or more meaningful impact on your school community.”

3. Embrace Change
“Encouraging ourselves to keep an open mind when it comes to change. Programs such as Teaching Strategies GOLD help our teachers track developmental milestones and apps like Tadpoles allow us to communicate with families in real time.”

4. Hire and Support Qualified Staff
“The quality of early learning experiences starts and ends with the quality of teachers and staff. That quality is synonymous with proper education and qualifications that enable teachers to meet each of their students where they are and fully develop the whole child.”

5. Seek Help from Peers
“It is amazing what information can be shared among people who are facing or have faced similar challenges. Prioritizing collaboration over competition, we have been on the giving end and the receiving end of assistance numerous times, from initially securing COVID-19 vaccines for staff and procuring supplies in the midst of supply chain shortages, to evaluating virtual learning delivery methods and managing the industry-wide teacher shortage.”

We invite you to share your insights and experiences as you embark on or continue your ECE journey. What lessons have you learned? What challenges do you currently face?

Let’s cultivate a community of support and growth together. We’ll share your responses in an upcoming ExchangeEveryDay.