Background

Personal Background
My journey to becoming an early childhood educator began a long time ago. It all started
without a thought in my head. I was just 12 years old. One day, my mother’s best friend asked
me to babysit for her. The family had two young daughters. At the time, the only experience I
had was caring for my little sister. Right away, I felt awkward, shy, and didn’t speak much. After
a few short hours hanging out with the girls, we became quick buddies. Some years later, I even
asked one of them to be my flower girl. From this experience came more babysitting
opportunities. As it turns out, I had a knack for it and actually liked playing and interacting with
children.
As the years passed, I grew in knowledge in caring for children. This was modeled by my
mother. She had a small daycare and also taught Bible lessons to small groups of children. I sat
in her classes often and learned from watching her. I eventually grew enough courage and agreed
to teach my own group. To my surprise, the children responded positively. I saw them enjoying
our time together and grow in knowledge. This brought me satisfaction.
When my son reached school-age, I was at a cross-road; to homeschool or register him in
a private center. You see, I was working full-time in my career, and was not going to easily give
it up. However, his care provider used to be a preschool teacher, and spent time in the day
teaching the children their letters and numbers. This was one of the reasons I placed him in her
daycare. As it turned out, my son thrived and demonstrated competent learning abilities. It
surprised me at his very young age of two. With her encouragement, I began sitting down with
him at home to support his learning. I was pleasantly surprised at how well we worked together.
As he approached kindergarten age, I decided to work part-time and homeschool him.

For the next 12 years, I devoted my time to homeschooling both my children full-time up
until they entered high school. It was the best decision we ever made. Looking back, through it
all, I sacrificed my career, finances, and delayed my personal goals, but in the end, the time spent
was priceless. My kids’ education is definitely better off and that was worth it. Personally, I
gained so much — in confidence, responsibility, dependability, time management, structure,
education, knowledge, and the list goes on.
All along I kept volunteering, leading and assisting in the children’s department at my
church, and taking leadership roles my children’s sporting activities. The experiences kept piling
up and I was becoming more and more comfortable working with children and families.
About six years ago, there was another hurdle. I was working part-time as the early
childhood coordinator and assistant for the children’s pastor at my church. When she and her
family decided to move, my role quickly changed and my confidence began to wane. We had an
amazing relationship, and I still miss her to this day. I was full of doubt for the future and wanted
to quit my work. I spent time seeking advice. I was inspired one night while attending my son’s
college graduation. It was then I made the big decision to go back and finish my degree.
Unbeknownst to me, making the decision to take an early childhood class one semester would
change my life. Because I was already working in the field, it made sense. In the class, I began
to learn about the formation of children’s brains. This was incredible information. I saw young
children differently and started applying it in my work. From then on, I continued to take more
early childhood classes. Eventually, I made the decision to get my degree in early childhood
education.
Through it all, I’ve gained the confidence necessary and experience from my role as early
childhood director. I’m glad I didn’t quit that day. I now know what is best for young children’s
growing development and how to support their families. With all the child development
knowledge I truly believe early exposure is valuable for children’s academic future success.
It helps that my disposition lent to this career path. Having an outgoing personality is to
my advantage. Funny, I used to only feel comfortable behind the scene in an administrative
capacity, but now I love being up front and teaching. Of course, I was nervous at first, but now
trust in my abilities and skills to create meaningful hands-on experiences and preparing inquiry-
based lesson plans. I didn’t realize, but I love it when I am reading stories and see children light
up when they are learning something new. I am a good rule follower, hold high standards of care,
extremely friendly and talkative, and make friendships quickly. I call myself a people-person.
These are good qualities in a teacher. My outlook in life is always adventurous and playful. I’ve
also learned working with children and supporting families you need to be flexible and reflective
all the time. Being of this professional mindset will serve me well as I journey further into my
career as an early childhood educator.

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Personal Background

our time together and grow in knowledge. This brought me satisfaction.

When my son reached school-age, I was at a cross-road; to homeschool or register him in

As he approached kindergarten age, I decided to work part-time and homeschool him.

gained so much — in confidence, responsibility, dependability, time management, structure,

education, knowledge, and the list goes on.

career as an early childhood educator.

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