Connect Work to Purpose

"There are so many reasons people join the early childhood field. Some pursue early childhood education as an intentional career path, while others stumble into the field unsure if they will stay or if they will even like the work. Regardless of why a teacher is here, the fact remains that she is here. Knowing what we know about the significant impact a teacher can have on a young child’s life and the incredible value of high-quality early education, it’s essential we give new teachers the opportunity to think about why they are teaching and who they want to be as teachers."

This is the challenge presented by Rachel Robertson in her article, "A Teacher's Promise: Recapturing Passion Amidst Paperwork, Pressure, and Academic Priorities," in the July/August 2016 issue of Exchange. She offers these strategies for connecting teachers' work to purpose:

• Ask new teachers to write a letter to themselves articulating what kind of teacher they hope to be. Have them read it to themselves a year later.
• Challenge teachers to write a list of promises to children. Ask them to define what experience they want children to have in their classrooms.
• Share articles and information about current research in early childhood. Host a book club, article discussion, or even blog about current early childhood events.
• Connect teachers’ daily work with new findings in ECE research or government policy or societal focus.
• Identify your own purpose and share that with others; passion can inspire.

For more information about Exchange's magazine, books, and other products pertaining to ECE, go to www.ccie.com.

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