Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 3
The questions were asked to Mrs. Lucy Felix, a pre-school teacher, in Grenada, West Indies.
What issues regarding quality and early childhood professionals are being discussed where you live and work?
· Lack of passion for children and the early childhood profession
To improve the quality of early childhood education (ECE) we need to show passion and enthusiasm to work with children for on-going success.
· Lack of knowledge in the field.
Some teachers may have the experience but lack new and existing skills, practices/knowledge especially those relating to children with disability
What opportunities and/or requirements for professional development exist
· Professional development is an on-going process. It occurs whenever there is a need for enhancement in any developmental domain. However, there is a yearly early childhood educational training focusing on tertiary level nationally. Teachers are not selected to attend. It is made mandatory for all teachers who are not yet qualified in the early childhood field.
What are some of your professional goals?
To complete my Bachelor's degree in early childhood educati
To open my own early childhood center (Long Term)
To be more committed to the profession and to prepare the children
to face the future with resilience, self motivation and discipline.
What are some of your professional hopes, dreams, and challenges?
My hope is that many policy makers and government officials will regard early childhood education as the basic foundation for long life learning. They would establish policies which take into account children and families especially those who are vulnerable and physically challenged thus providing services that will cater for their all round development.
The biggest challenge we face is finding the funding for the program. Some government officials do not agree that early childhood education matters. They do not see the benefits economically and thus may not want to invest in the program.
Theresa,
ReplyDeleteI think it is fantastic you are keeping in contact with your professional, Ms. Lucy Felix. She offers some great insight, and first hand information!
Thank you for sharing this valuable bit of information with us.
Theresa,
ReplyDeleteIt is great to see the point of view of a person in another country. Thank you so much for sharing.
What took my attention is that it does not matter whether we are working in a developed country or a developing country, we are all faced the same issue of funding. The difficult task of trying to help the policymakers understand that the early childhood care and education are economically beneficial should not be a part of an educator. But it seems like it is, in most parts of the world. It does not do the justice for the future of a nation. I believe that the educators are the ones who can make these situations change for the better as well.
Theresa,
ReplyDeleteThe issues are the same regardless of where we reside. Like your international contact, I also believe that greater attention must be given to the quality of services provided for vulnerable groups. They are not treated equally so they are faced with two major setbacks. These are their challenge as well as substandard services which help to further delay their development. More awareness efforts must be occur in order to etch a graphic portray in policy makers mind. Hopefully, they will take decisive actions that will positively impact the lives of the vulnerable and by extension others in the field. Thanks for sharing.
Hello Theresa,
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading information from Mrs. Lucy Felix. She is such a dedicated and inspiring person that truly wants to help her students. All of the goals she stated, I know that she will succeed and continue to be a blessing for young children in her village. She is truly an inspiration and a person I admire. With all of the issues she encounters, she continue to help young children to learn and grow.