Category E: Professional Development Reflection & Planning

By: Shannon Bridges

1. What excites you MOST about your job?
What excites me most about my job is, hard to remember when I am burned out, but its also easy
to remind myself of why I chose a teaching career. Loving what I do, not only will I make a
difference in my childrens lives, but I will make a difference in my own as well. Teaching keeps
me on my toes and keeps me young at heart. It allows me to use my brain and continue learning
each day, sometimes through a variety of professional development methods. Its a profession that
allows me to be creative, and work with awesome children. Each day brings a new beginning.
When I am going through a little burnout, I remember the following to give myself a little pick me
up:
Its a never ending professional development journey that teaching is something that never ends. I
learn new strategies, ideas, and skills. I learn a lot about myself, not only as a teacher but as a
person. I learn how to best communicate it with my children.
I am making a difference that my work has a purpose. I get the opportunity to touch the lives of
my children and contribute to making their future one that is bright and productive.
It keeps me on my toes as a teacher, every day is a new day, I never get bored. There is always
something going on, from lesson plans to field trips.
2. What challenges are you currently facing in your work?
Challenges Im currently facing at work starting with huge paperwork requirements. It can
sometimes be difficult to balance the administration time with the opportunities to spend quality
time with the children. One challenge that I really had to pray and conquer, was trusting staff and
starting the interviewing process. Going on vacation was a challenge, not trusting staff enough to
leave for a week, so I had to close during my vacation. Luckily, my parents understood my
concern for their children. I have conquered that challenge and put trust in hiring staff even while
Im on vacation and turning over responsibilities, so I dont get burnt out. I have such a demand
for my services that Ive had a waiting list for months at a time. I thought about getting a small
building but, I love the home away from home feeling the children enjoy.
3. What would you CHANGE about your current position? If more than one, please prioritize.
If I could change something about my current position, I wish I could clone myself. I dont want to
really change anything about my position. I love the position I hold, I am the proud owner and
daycare provider of a family daycare for the past 18 years. Watching children learn, grow, and
become more engaged and social with other children can be an enormous boost, knowing that the
work I do is helping not only the kids, but also the parents while theyre at work.
4. List three job related areas you would like more information on
1. Starting a Preschool Program
2.

3.
5. Which Professional Organizations are you currently involved in?
a. ___X___National Association for the Education of Young Children
b. ___X___Wisconsin Early Childhood Association
c. _______ Local AEYC Affiliate
d. ___X__ Wisconsin Family Child Care Association
e. ___X__ Wisconsin Child Care Administrators Association
f. _______ Local Family Child Care Support Group
j. _______ Other, please specify

Of the topics listed below, reflect on the areas that you do well and what areas would like to experience
growth in?
Child-Care Giver Relationships
Having a positive relationship with children is essential to their emotional and social growth. I
promote develop and maintain a positive relationship with the children by providing them with
opportunities, letting them know I care, keeping them safe and treating them with respect. Being a
teacher is a tough job, and maintaining close relationships and open communications helps to
ensure parents and their children stay connected through all ages. Other ways I build
relationships with children is by letting them help me, allowing the child to explore, and by
refraining from favoritism.
Observation and Planning
Our curriculum planning identifies and focuses on the important developmental process of the
children, which is individualized using assessments and parent input. When necessary, activities
are modified to ensure that all children can share in the experiences. These independent plans will
be integrated into the following classroom goals for each child:
Social/ Emotional
To develop strong bonds with people in their daily lives
To develop respect for people and things in their environment
To develop a strong sense of self-worth and self confidence
To learn to identify a variety of emotions and express them pro-socially
To learn and practice successful conflict resolution skills
Cognitive
To observe the world around them and make discoveries
To build a foundation for academic success through continuous exploration of basic concepts
To acquire learning skills such as the ability to solve problems, ask questions, and use words to
describe their thoughts and feelings
Physical
Continuous increased coordination
Refinement of large and small muscle motor planning
Spatial awareness of their body in relation to objects and to others

Success with basic loco-motor skills

Language/Communication
To develop a large vocabulary for expression of ideas
To learn to interpret nonverbal communication
To effectively communicate personal needs or wants
To develop conversational skills including expression of ideas, listening, and comprehension
The Power of Portfolios - We want to understand the development of the whole child, observations
about children's growth provide a much more individualized, accurate, and up-to-the-minute
picture. These insights, along with samples of children's work, can be used to create valuable
portfolios. Portfolio assessment offers a variety of benefits, including: A Record of a Child's
Ongoing Development Over Time, Information to Help You Design Instruction, Children's
Involvement in Assessing Their Own Work, and A Method of Communication. Methods of
observations consists of: Narrative - The most popular method of recording child observations is
"narrative recording," or a written description of children's actions. Anecdotal records - A brief
narrative account describing an incident of a child's behavior that is of interest to the observer.
Media Technique - Photographs captured moments and then write notes about what happened,
photo should be dated. Uses of Observations consists of: Subjective: What is impression of what
happened during the time that you observed? Objective: What did you actually observe? What
are the objective behaviors that anyone could observe? What behaviors did you observe that led to
your subjective impression? Assessment: Based on what you observed and your impressions, what
conclusions did your reach? Are further assessments needed?
Planning: Given what you know, what would be an appropriate plan for the student or patient?
What should be done? What would be helpful?
Learning Environment
Creating a positive learning environment in my classroom allow the children to feel comfortable,
safe and engaged. In a classroom where values and roles remain constant and focus is placed on
the positive aspects of learning, children will be more open to actively participating.
Establishing my expectations for the childrens behavior early and keeping them consistent, Im
able to avoid classroom management issues. Laying down the ground rules early in my
relationship with the children is essential to my success as a teacher. I involve my children in this
to be sure that they are aware of the rules and the consequences. I post the rules and always lean
towards positive, rather than negative, and re-enforcement of them.
A quality learning environment should send these messages to children: This is a good place to be,
that they can trust the teacher, you can be independent and do many exciting things that will help
you learn, you can get away and be by yourself or be with friends whenever you want to, this is a
safe place to explore and try out your ideas, everything here is for you and you can use it whenever
you like, you know where things are and they're always in the same place, this is a happy place
that helps you learn new things, and the teacher knows you and know what you like to do.
Well-Planned Child Care Environment Include: Defined play spaces that offer challenging play
opportunities and promote acceptable behavior, defined quiet spaces that allow children to take a
break and refocus their energies, curriculum & activities that are age-appropriate, variety of
equipment and play materials, and childrens artwork and other colorful, realistic pictures and
photographs displayed at children's eye level.

Guiding Children
My program Child Guidance & Philosophy is that each child is unique and should be treated as
unique. Different methods of guidance will be used according to the child needs and cultural
background. Children will be treated with respect and love. The respect will establish a childs
self-image. Children need to perceive themselves as worthwhile, capable and significant. I believe
children learn through imitation, being a positive role model is key. I also believe in effective
praise or encouragement on a regular basis. As a family daycare provider I understand that it is
necessary for me to apply child development knowledge. It will give me information about
appropriate and realistic expectations of what my children are capable of doing. Through positive
guidance and caring I can enhance their self-esteem so they can develop socially, physically,
emotionally, cognitively and creatively. My policy promotes positive behavior and self-esteem.
Your child's self-esteem will be determined by the conditional acceptance that he receives from
others - and the unconditional acceptance that he receives from you.
Your child's self-esteem will be determined by success and progress in four areas:
Social (acceptance, friendships)
Competence (in a skill area)
Physical (clothing, attractiveness)
Character (effort, generosity, etc.)
Strategies for Guiding Children's Behavior
Keep rules simple and easy to understand.
Talk with children not at them.
Give clear, simple choices.
Encourage children to set good examples for each other.
Use play activities to teach social skills.
Teach children how to resolve conflict and solve problems.
Teach children how to correct their misbehavior.
Parent Relationships
I believe wholeheartedly that a childs academic success is greatly enhanced when teachers and
parents are partners in the process. When I need information pertaining to a child or a child is
experiencing a problem, I contact the parents or guardians because they are my #1 resource. I use
a variety of communication methods to build and sustain solid relationships with parents. Good
two-way communication between parents and teacher is necessary for your students' success.
These are some of my tried-and-proven techniques: Parent conferences, family fun picnics, weekly
or monthly folders of student work sent home for parent review and comment, newsletters, phone
calls, e-mail, home visits, and curriculum nights or open houses.
Health and Safety
Staying Healthy - Children frequently carry viruses, and they rarely cover their mouths when they
sneeze or cough. As a result, I have a proactive policy against contagious diseases. I have a
requirement to clean surfaces daily and sanitize toys weekly. Beyond cleaning, I have a clear sick
child policy that specifies when children must stay home.

Our staff strive to create a safe environment for children in the classroom. This is done by
following safety practices and by preparing staff and parents for emergencies: First aid supplies
are readily available in the center and staff are trained and certified in First Aid and CPR.
Procedures for handling emergencies are posted; as well as a schedule of practice drills to prepare
children and staff for an emergency. Staff practice good hygiene, such as proper hand-washing
technique, to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. Children are also encouraged to use
basic hygiene practices. Since illnesses pose a risk to the health of others, the programs illness
policy provides guidelines for child attendance at the center. Our programs meet licensing rules
and regulations for child care centers as required by the State of Wisconsin.
Community Involvement
A regular part of many early childhood education programs is a visit from someone in the
community, be it a firefighter, a farmer, a parent or a dental hygienist, to talk to the children about
what they do. For many families early childhood settings often provide their first contact with a
wider community beyond the home. Because of this, early childhood services can act as an
important point of connection for families. They can foster supportive relationships between
families as well as connecting families to other organizations and services in the local community.
Strong links with the local community also provide educators with invaluable information and
resources.
Advocacy
Child advocacy refers to a range of individuals, professionals and mothers, fathers, family and
teachers all advocate on behalf of children. Parents and teachers are childrens best education
advocateuntil theyre old enough and informed enough to speak up for themselves. Knowing
childrens strengths and challenges, we can help identify and push for the resources children need
to succeed. Advocacy is one of the most powerful and effective ways I can use my voice to raise
awareness about the needs of vulnerable children and put positive pressure on our leaders to act.
Ensuring access to and funding for high-quality early learning experiences for children.

Professional Planning
Develop a professional plan with one or two goals and steps to achieve those goals for:

1 year from now

Im in the process of preparing for my Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale (FCCERS),
Im shooting to earn 4 Stars.
FCCERS-R family child care programs conducted in a provider's home for children from infancy
through school-age.
Scale consists of 37 items organized into 7 subscales:
Space and Furnishings
Personal Care Routines
Listening and Talking
Activities
Interaction
Program Structure
Parents and Provider
I have spent months considering new practices and policies to improve quality and now its time
for the Family Child Care Environment Rating. Im ready but nervous! Having a stranger come
into my program and follow me around for a few hours can be nerve-racking. I know its
important for everyone to do their best to perform as usual and understand the assessor is there to
provide information related to the strides the program has made, as well as areas that can assist
the program in being even stronger.

3 years from now

Im in the process of completing my Preschool Credential. I will be working on completing my
Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education, I start in September 2016 I will attend
Northwestern Technical College.
The Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education degree is my next step in building a
foundation for success in the world of childcare. I want to focus on important topics in early
childhood, such as: development, learning assessment, special learners, and instructional strategy.
I am here to help children to learn in a fun environment using play and creative activities to teach
language, reading, and social skills.
Qualities I feel are needed to be an early childhood educator:
Communication: You listen and talk through situations with students, teachers, and
parents.
Cooperation: You are pleasant and a good mediator.
Sociability: Spending time with others is fun and rewarding.
Creativity: Teachers often need to think outside the box to engage young children.
Compassion: You care about the health and well-being of others.