Foundations of Early Childhood Studies EDUC-6005-2

In our final week of this course, I would like to thank all of my fellow classmates and our Professor for making this interactive course come alive in my own daily life. We are embarking on such a wonderful journey as professionals in the Early Childhood Field. I will take all of what I have learned as invaluable pieces and use them. The wealth of information we have been provided with is only the beginning, I hope we all continue to share it with those around us. Thank You and all the Best!  Victoria

Code of Ethics

In my Foundations of Early Childhood Studies class, we were asked this week post three ideals contained in the NAEYC and DEC codes of ethics that were meaningful to ourselves, and explain their significance to our professional life. 


The first one I have chosen is under the Professional Development and Preparation section.
1. We shall engage in ongoing and systematic reflective inquiry and self assessment for the purpose of continuous improvement of professional performance and services to young children
-Although the field of education is about others it important to look within, how are we as individuals developing? and are we being self reflective in order to improve and move forward? You can learn alot about yourself when you push yourself to be the best educator in a child's life and you need to be able to ask yourself if you are doing all that you can to help.

The next  two codes are under Professional and Interpersonal Behavior.
1. We shall demonstrate in our behavior and language and respect and appreciation for the unique value and human potential of each child.
- I feel this code resonated with my response to the previous ethical code; Doing all that you can to help in a child's life, and by giving them the resources to achieve their optimal potential as an individual. I also feel that our behavior should always model what we claim to stand for. "Human potential" is such a great statement in truly emphasises the larger scale we are working on.

3. We shall strive for the highest level of personal and professional competence by seeking and using the new evidence based information to improve our practices while also responding openly to the suggestion of others.
- One of major highlighted areas in our course was learning to identify and seek out resources. Collaboration is very helpful in our field as well as learning from others. It helps just to have another persons view and link to information.

Passion, Motivation and Wisdom

Passion is an internal drive that propels you forward to continue, this can present itself in ways such as learning or creating, a want for change. Passion is when you simply cannot get enough of what is right in the present. Scholars, inventors and great movement leaders all have had a passion for what they were known for. My own passion and motivation in the early childhood field began at an early age. I knew I had a love for teaching and working with children, but it is the sacrifices I have made to gain experience in my career so that I can impact the lives of others that has caused me to keep going. When reading Edge Perspectives with John Hagel: Pursuing Passion, I noticed a reoccurring word in each paragraph, drive. However it was when he stated, “Passion is ultimately driven by intrinsic motives rather that extrinsic rewards” that it hit home.

I receive joy and fulfillment everyday that I open the eyes of bright young minds to new things and when you see how excited children are to come in their classroom. This excitement of learning at an early age is in its purest form, external forces do not yet jade it. I know the importance of what a high quality education is but also what a difference it makes in a child’s life to have a strong support system. My view was further inspired when watching the film The Passion for Early Childhood, one of the professionals, Rennata M.Cooper said that education was about civil rights and children were entitled to a “childhood that leaves you ready for optimum life experiences” and “gives you the tools you need to ask questions and investigate.”  The education I wish to provide will give a foundation in which children can scaffold.

When asked to consider the question “did you ever consider passion to be an essential part of professionalism?” my initial reactions was no. There are many professionals that do not have passion in their work they simply do and have knowledge. On a deeper level it is those who continue to have a passion for their work and who want to make a change or find ways in which they can reach others, that succeed which carries out, into other areas of their lives. I find that part of my own passion for teaching has caused me to make my profession a way of life and a part of who I am within my community, so for me it is an essential part.

Childhood Web

My Mom (Victoria Didier)- My mother was the main person I lived with growing up. My parents separated and later divorced when I was 3. Although I care deeply for her, our relationship has not always been the easiest. My mom was raised by her grandparents growing up, her own mother was a dancer who suffered from schizophrenia and was on the road alot. Her side of the family is very much into the arts so I was exposed to and came to  have a deep appreciation for music, dance and art. I think her marrying young and having me when she was only 20 left her not alot of time for her own personal healing and growth so she did the best she could. Soon after my parents split she became a Jehovah's Witness till I was about 13 so I would spend birthdays and holidays with my father. She was always concerned with a  healthy diet and exercise that certainly gave me a wonderful guideline. I also can remember her being very animated when reading stories with me, it is my best memory of my childhood with her. My mom is warm and always told me she loved me so I knew that from a very early age. 


My Dad (Raymond Martin)- My father always stayed near me after my parents divorced and made sure he saw me every week. He let me explore and instilled his love of the outdoors and nature in me. He taught me to take risks to not have fear. I learned how to swim and ride a bike from him and would follow him along at work as a landscaper. I think we share similar taste in music and share new finds. He recently overcame thyroid cancer and I am glad that I have moved back up to the northeast to be close to my family.


My Stepmom (Patou)- My dad met my stepmom when I was 4 so I have grown up with her as a parent figure for most of my life. Patou is from France and was an aupair when she first met my father. She came from a small village with very strict parents and seemed to carry many European traditions over with her. Some of the things I did not always understand growing up. but I have learned to love her gourmet cuisine and appreciate that I was able to travel.


My Brother Brandon- My brother and I are 10 years apart, he is my half brother but I never really considered him that. I was very excited to have a sibling when he was born although our age gap and different households still made it feel like I  was an only child growing up. We recently have become more close as he has gotten older but we are pretty different personality wise. We love to go skiing together (well he snowboards, I ski) and share similar cravings for sushi.


My Grandmother (Gramnee)- My grandmother (father's mother) is one of my best friends and she has always been my biggest supporter. I do not think I could have over come as much if it wasn't for her. She is my fathers mother and lives down in Savannah, Georgia. I would spend my part of my summers with her and every Christmas, she made holidays magical in my eyes. She taught me that what ever you are doing can not be as important if a child asks for time to show you something. When I graduated high school I was at a rough point and did not have a home to live in, she had me come down to live with her and told me I would always have a place there. I talked to her every couple of days and she knows me better than anyone.


My Grandmother Marie (Nana Rei)- Nana Rei (mother's mom) disappeared when I was three. She left a note on the door saying she was going on a long walk and we never found her again until I was 13. For years when I would say my prayers before bed I would pray that we would find her...after years of searching we received news that she had been living homeless in New York City for some time and it was starting to take its toll on her. She was brought into Belleview hospitals psychiatric ward and this is where I met her again. Nana Rei was the sweetest person and very funny. She had much sense in her madness and was very savy. Growing up I didn't always understand her quirky ways of tilting pictures or wearing her shoes on the wrong feet (tricking her bunions) but it made me appreciate her and find a greater sense of acceptance in life. She passed away the day after Mother's Day last year from a short hard battle with pancreatic cancer. She never wanted treatment and didn't even take pain relievers until her final days. My mother cared for her at home and I feel watching her strength in doing so healed many of our own wounds.


My Aunt Su and Uncle Chris- My uncle Chris is my fathers younger brother and the youngest of 6. When I was 15 my mom kicked me out of the house after many arguments and my aunt Su and uncle Chris had me come live with them for a year. My uncle Chris had just finished earning his college degree as an adult and was very much a promoter of higher education. He knew math was my worst subject and found a tutor and evn college text books to help me out. Living with them set me back on the right path in school and allowed me to join the swim team and be involved in sports because they made sure I had rides to practice.


My Godmother Alanna and My Cousin Antonio- Alanna is actually my Nana Rei's first cousin and only a few years older than my mom, they grew up like sisters. Alanna was the one to get my mom to get out and do things, we spent many weekends with her and her son Antonio who I grew up with like a brother. She is colorful and gypsy like and our family get togethers were always a blast. There is was always laughter and comedy skits when the two of them are around. She brought out the fun side in my mom.


I think there are many people in my life that helped me grow into the person I am today these are only a few. However I think their stories impacted me the most and they were the ones who have been constant figures in my life. I have a deep love of life and have found that I am happiest on my current path. My childhood memories both good and bad have made me want to give whatever nurture I have, to the children in my life. I remember what it was like to experience certain things and I think that makes me sensitive to the feelings of those around me.

As an author Arnold Lobel wrote numerous stories animating the lives of various anmials. My favorite of his stories were those of "Frog and and Toad," as a child my mother would read them to me before bed with the most wonderful voices. Today I enjoy reading them to the children in my own classes, with their whimsical stories and dry humor there are always wholesome lessons to be learned. I still laugh at the story of "A Swim" in Frog and Toad are Friends where Toad does not want to be seen in his swimsuit.

Anthropologist Turned Teacher Seeks Higher Degree

In January of 2009 I graduated with my Bachelors in Anthropology. I knew I had always wanted to be a teacher after working with children and having been a swim instructor for the past 10 years, but I found that I had an immense interest in people and cultures and wanted to study this part of anthropology more. I did a public health field study in Guatemala as part of my internship, by submersing myself in the syncratic Mayan/ Catholic lifestyle in today's society. It was here that I observed local customs, beliefs, assessed living conditions and visited orphanages and schools. I was able to experience first hand the joy of children welcoming a guest into their classroom.

While finishing up my degree I applied my goal of one day becoming a teacher, by working as an assistant after school teacher and daily sub. Upon graduation I landed my first job as an assistant teacher in a private school setting. I also recently became the after school site director for the Y in a local public school. My day is split between the two jobs and I have found my daily challenges include transitioning between the two settings and working with children from a variety of backgrounds. I have recognized the need to further my education so that I can incorporate my own love of diversity into my own classroom.