First Conference Reflection

From: Anne Mead
Email: annemead@eceti.com
Date: May 21, 2008

Comments

Hi. my name is Anne Mead and I am from CT. I am the Executive Director of the Early Care & Education training Institue in Western CT. It was my first time at Leadership Connections and I can't wait for next year. It was really great to feel appreciated during the conference, to hear the sharing among participants and feel encouraged that how we think about the field of early childhood is taken into consideration. This came through clearly in the public policy session on Thursday afternoon. The seminar that made the largest impression on me was the one of Collaborative Supervision by Bev Engel. She stressed through out her presentation that directors should be able to work colaboratively with their staff so everyone develops into productive teachers or directors and that not all directors need to be putting out fires if systems are put into place and followed through on. Her 4 step plan is really doable adn manageable by directors if a culture is so developed in the center. If the board of directors or management take this approach, then the center benefits and mostly children benefit as the teachers are clear on their expectations, are encouraged to grow (as they have a professional development plan in place that is followed through on) and teachers feel supported in their role by the director. Throughout her presentation she shared other resources to help directors and shared her enthusiasm for early care and education. Anne