As a professional educator and agent of social change, I strive to ensure that there is equity for all students. The diversity, culture, and emotional state of each child must be considered. As an early childhood educator, I strive to assist in helping students become the best that they can be. I will stimulate the academic and emotional well-being of all children (National Association of Educators, 2015). This practice means that I will respect each child and provide them with tools needed to achieve their individual success. I will also take special care in the handling of each individual child. As a practitioner-scholar¸ I must possess the appropriate values and goals that will enable me to be a respected agent for change.
The aim of early childhood education prior to the 19th century was to nurture children and teach manners and religion (Nutbrown & Clough). Toward the middle of the 19th century, socially and politically conscious people thought that education could be used to develop a more intelligent society. Later, Pestalozzi, Froebel, and Montessori introduced ideas of curriculum development in the regulations of teaching young children. The introduction of curriculum is an excellent example of social change. This social change helps children advocates realize ways to improve the families and world through the betterment in the education of young children. In the early years of education, it was centered on reading, math, and learning through play (Nutbrown & Clough). Play is a necessary and critical part in the early lives of children. As we learned, play not only provides a freedom for children, it also arouses their learning and executive abilities. Play provides a learning environment that enables the child to act out and rehearse what it would be like to be a doctor, fireman, nurse or scientist. With research into this area we are aware that play increases the child’s cognitive ability. This type of play encourages a young child’s ability to be independent and take initiatives (Lahey, 2014).
Some research based practices that have affected social change could include how Finland changed their entire education system. Finland changed their testing, pre-k, and the way that educators were perceived. This was done in 40 years to become one the best educational systems in the world. Another practice based on research in the perception of literacy and how it increases academic skills in math and reading of early childhood students (Lahey, 2014). There has also been extensive research done in the area of inclusion and how it has increased the skill and knowledge level of exceptional children. We learned about a program situated in the Nickerson projects in California was very instrumental in education of at-risk children. The Nickerson program was extremely effective in its implementation of program and practices. In the teaching and learning area, what made them successful was its implementation of teaching the whole child and it was also focused on its afterschool program. It worked with the nearby elementary schools to support them in their academic and social needs of the children. It was student directed with modified developmentally appropriate practices
The quality of education and care can be improved by using current research to guide instruction. Educational practitioners adhere to the strict and fair professional codes and practices. The practices dictate the goals and ideals that guide the educator to the success of their students and also for the success of the educators NAEYC (n.d.). The codes and practices guide the professional in ways to govern the treatment of students, parents, colleagues, and the community at large. They also govern the character, integrity, and ethics of educators. These practices ultimately work for the success of the entire educational community. There is also a need to address teacher preparation programs. Families need to be engaged and take stock and ownership of their child education.
As an early childhood educator, I strive to assist in helping students become the best that they can be. I work to stimulate the academic and emotional well-being of all children (National Association of Educators, 2015). This practice means that I will respect each child and provide them with tools needed to achieve their individual success. I will also take special care in the handling of each individual child. I plan on improving the quality of ECE education by staying abreast of the most recent research in education. I can design an action plan that is unique to my school that would address a correctable issue. I would also promote positive outcomes for young children and families by addressing academic problems in my community. As an educator, I can improve my field by continuing to be a practitioner¬-scholar. It is my duty to find areas in education that need improvement and work toward resolving problems that would help enhance the lives of children and their families.
Areas that I would improve in education would be to work toward universal pre-k. Locally this would improve the test score in Georgia. Currently about 60% of Georgia’s 4 year olds attend preschool. This total does not include students of low income parents (Sidney & Rauschenberg, 2013). Making pre-k available to all 4 year olds nationally would bring about a social change in the way that the US would become globally. Providing universal pre-k would prepare young children for a successful learning career. I must also be committed to the profession. This practice allows me to honor the regulations, and policies that govern the profession. As an educator, I must endeavor to fulfill my requirements to respect it, as well as be deliberate in the representation of my profession (American Association of Educators, 2015).
In order to maintain the respect of my profession, I must follow all of the ethical codes and practices. I should maintain the dignity of my profession by respecting these codes. I am accountable for my conduct toward practices and codes. All of these issues must be respected as integral components that are needed in order to produce 21st century students. Various methods are incorporated to ensure that the physical, emotional, social, and cognitive needs of all early childhood education children are met to ensure that social change can occur. These practices impact me because they make me aware of what is expected of me as an Educator in the early childhood education field and how I might impact my area of expertise. These global guidelines provide a roadmap of with which to base my ideas and behaviors. These practices will guide me so that I may become a greater educator, colleague, and social change agent. It impacts how I treat my students and parents by making me more cognizant of their needs and how to interact effectively with them. It impacts me because by following these practices and I can become a skill practitioner-scholar resolving to work for social change in all areas of education.
Reference
Association
of American Educators. (2015). Code of ethics for educators. Retrieved from http://www.aaeteachers.org/index.php/aboutusa¬code-of-ethics.
Lahey,
J. (2014) Why free play is the best summer school. The Atlantic Monthly Group. Retrieved from
http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2014/06/for-better-schools-Results-clear-the-schools-and-let-kid-play/373194
National
Association for the Education of Young Children. (n.d.). Position statements on
ethical conduct. Retrieved from
http://www.naeyc.org/positionstatements/ethical_conduct
National
Educators Association. (2015). Code of ethics. Retrieved from
http://www.nea.org/Home/304htm
Nutbrown,
C., & Clough, P. (2014). Early childhood education: History, philosophy
and experience. Sage.
Sidney, S. & Rauschenberg, S. (2013). Georgia pre-k: Investing in Georgia’s four-year-old- students. The Governor’s Office of Student Achievement. Retrieved from http://gosa.georgia.gov/georgia-pre-k-investing-goeogia-four-year-old-student
