Which classes do you teach online?
ECE 540: From Teacher to Thinker: Pedagogical Leadership
What do you want students to take away from your classes? What do you want them to learn?
It is my hope that students will come eager to find deeper meaning in their own professional work and ready to contribute to thinking and questioning together. I hope that we all walk away with a vision of ourselves as pedagogical companions, a vision that moves beyond just being an administrator or supervisor; one that will ignite the flame of awareness within others. As we boldly face the challenges before us in our industry, it is possible to create a new vision for early childhood education.
How long have you been teaching online courses?
Five years.
Why did you start teaching?
Reseeding the next generation of teachers is one passion that I have. I hope that the next generation of early childhood advocates have even more drive and passion than the current generation. We need you to carry the banner forward.
What is the value of a master's degree in education?
For too long, the field of early childhood education has been disregarded as an effective and vital force in the development of young children and support to families. This lack of regard has created a reduction nationally of necessary training at the college level leaving hiring shortages within the industry of qualified practitioners and future leaders. The need for strong leadership that will hold the pedagogical foundation within our industry cannot be overstated.
What advice would you give to those considering an online MSEd program?
If not you, then who? Who will lead? An online format provides a pathway for a broad and diverse population to come together and wrestle with deep and sometimes emotional issues within our industry.
What is the one book you think everyone should read?
Wild Ideas: Creativity from the Inside Out by Cathy Wild.
Tell us something interesting about yourself that your students might not know.
I was in the fashion industry for over 15 years. I was a hair designer and instructor for a large corporation. After having my own children, I found a new passion as I watched them grow and had many questions about the how and why of a child's thinking.
