Overall Conference Reflections

From: Anne Wharff
Email: anne.wharff@illinois.gov
Date: May 22, 2008

Comments

The Leadership Connections conference is one of the best opportunities I have for true renewal of my leadership spirit. This conference helps me remember why I am doing what I am doing, brings me in contact with colleagues and brings me new informtation about Early Care and Education as a field of endeavor.

The keynote addresses touched my heart, gave me the opportunity to reach out to others and reminded us just how very important our work is. I am especially grateful when those professionals who actually work with the children and families are told that their work is important. Watching the tape of Mr. Rogers testify before a Senate committee was amazing, he was so quietly precise that he won over the Committee Chairman. Both were inspirational but I was especially glad to hear their messages surrounded by friends and colleagues.

Another aspect of the conference that is so important to my professional growth is the time spent with my colleagues. The conversations are about vacations, work, children and families--those we live with and those we work with, hobbies, milestones, and how glad we are to see each other again. Leadership Connections does just that, it strengthens those connections that make our work so rewarding and meaningful.