Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.
– Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Exchange Leadership Initiative was developed by Exchange Press Co-Founders Roger and Bonnie Neugebauer to recognize and mobilize outstanding leaders in the ECE field. From time to time in ExchangeEveryDay we will be spotlighting some of these leaders. Today’s featured leader is Francis Wardle, author of many articles for Exchange, as well as the book, Oh Boy! This spotlight was prepared with questions from Ron Grady, answered by Francis.

Please tell us a little about you.
I started working in education/early childhood education in 1970 (55 years ago). I have worked in Head Start, corporate childcare, religious early childhood programs, free schools, and consulting (playgrounds). I have taught in community college – 20 years – and a PhD program (University of Phoenix). Throughout my career I have been a writer (9 books and over 600 articles – many illustrated with my photos, including many for Exchange). Currently I am writing a college textbook for teachers of exceptional children; otherwise, I am retired. I live in Taos, NM.

What’s something you especially like about your work?
I just love the process of writing (I tell people I can write in my sleep)! The process – including researching ideas and solving conceptual problems – is what keeps me going. I write like I paint – I was an artist in school before I could read or write (high school). I also love to challenge the status-quo – including contemporary early childhood orthodoxy.

What does leadership mean to you?
Leadership in ECE is about being honest, courageous, and visionary. It’s about telling the rest of the world both the value of our field, and the desperate need for the field to be recognized and compensated. My style is to honest, disruptive, questioning and sincere. I abhor playing politics!

What is something that left you feeling hopeful lately?
Recently I visited two of my grandchildren in Houston. This is always exhilarating for me. I took them both to the aquarium, and we had lots of fun. It’s also interesting to view them phenotypically: my grandson looks like he could have been plucked from the French countryside (his father is French); my granddaughter as if she came from the Amazon Rainforest (her mother is mixed-race). It affirms my excitement about mixes in genetic backgrounds, and my efforts in deconstructing the artificial concept of single races!

What advice do you have for the ECE field?
Always remember your clients are children, staff, and parents; make sure you continually communicate to your program’s stakeholders the wonderful things your staff and program are doing (and ALWAYS back your staff in communicating with stakeholders). Be very clear with staff and parents regarding your program’s mission and repeat it often.