Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/directors-mentoring-directors/5021808/
Eleven years ago I started in my role as the assistant director at a campus-based child care center/lab school. The challenges I faced were highly unpredictable, multifaceted, and, at times, overwhelming. I recall worrying about how I would report back to the director on the complex issues of high staff turnover; low enrollment; budget discrepancies; unreliable, unmotivated, and insufficiently trained staff; lack of vision; parent complaints; infectious diseases; disorganized and uninspired curriculum; ‘broken’ communication; among other concerns. Despite my fears, the director was always very encouraging, supportive, positive, and resourceful.Reflecting back on my first administrative position, I realize that it wasn’t my college education that helped me survive; it was the director’s guidance, leadership, inspiration, and support. Having by my side the right director at the right time was a major stepping stone for my growth in the early childhood field!
Directors Mentoring Directors
As a Director Mentor for California’s Early Childhood Mentor program for nine years now, learning from other early childhood programs has been the best ‘school’ for me. Through these experiences, I have identified two categories of issues that directors at all levels face.
In the first category of issues are Head Start enrollment eligibility paperwork, accounting practices, ...