Her Story
About Elizabeth
I've been in the field of early care and education since 2009, working for close to 14 years now. Currently, I provide trainings and technical assistance, along with coaching, both for child care centers and family child care providers in the state of Connecticut. I just moved to Connecticut actually, and have been staying at my parents' for the past 3 months until I found a place. My most notable professional achievement has been being able to guide providers, whether center-based or family child care, to improve their quality, and at the same time, improving their quality improves the outcomes for the children that they serve. I tend to work with providers that have the most vulnerable population, so it is important to have that in mind always, the benefit of the children. I have a bachelor's degree in elementary education K-6 from 2005, and a master's degree in curriculum and instruction in early childhood education. I've also taken training courses in adult learning theory and coaching, and even some of the assessments like CLASS, and I am very well-versed in the certification processes for both family child care and center-based programs. Previously, I worked in Virginia for the State Department of Education, and I also directed a program where I had the opportunity to work with knowledgeable colleagues.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Elizabeth
01What do you attribute your success to?
I think I attribute my success to the passion and love for what I do. First of all, the children, because the job that I do reflects, at the end, on the quality of services and care and education that the children receive. Most of the time, I tend to work with providers that have the most vulnerable population, so it is important to have that in mind always, the benefit of the children. But I would also say something that inspired me always was my dad's work ethic, and how hard-working he was.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I would say to let my light shine. This was back when I was in Virginia working for the State Department of Education, and the person that hired me told me this. At first, I tend to be a little bit quiet, just to get to know people and see how things are and whatnot. But I had good ideas and things that I wanted to bring to the table, and she's like, don't worry about stepping on anyone's toes, let your light shine.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Right now, in our field, there is a lot of turnaround in regards to teachers and educators. The pay, unfortunately for early childhood educators, it's not the best, and it's not where it should be. Especially because taking care of and educating children so young, from the age of birth to the age of five, which is where their brain develops most, and they're more fragile and everything, it's a lot of responsibility. I think the biggest challenges right now in the field, aside from not having enough information, I would say courses, trainings, and things like that in other languages than English.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
To be kind, caring for others. This is a profession where, when you're working with little children, the social-emotional part is always the foundation for the rest of the learning. I think that applies also when I'm working with adults, with the data and the family child care. Because being able to create those connections, being able to create a rapport with the providers, the teachers, and letting them know, I was there, I know how you feel, because I was there, I was a teacher. And I'm not here to judge you or to criticize your work. I'm just here to guide you and help you to be where you want to be.
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