This week's blog assignment called for us to view and ponder about the DEC and NAEYC Code's of Ethics and choose three or more ideals that resonate with us and our professional ideals and careers. After reading and reviewing both documents, it occurred to me that many more than three ideals were important to me and my beliefs and my goals for my professional career. I decided to choose the top ideals that I felt were most interesting and important to me and list them below, in no particular order of importance.
1. "We shall serve as advocates for children with disabilities and their families and for the professionals who serve them by supporting both policy and programmatic decisions enhance the quality of their lives." (The Division for Early Childhood [DEC], 2009).
This ideal speaks to and sparks interest within my special education background. I am a passionate and firm believer in providing appropriate services for children with disabilities. To me, this is a no brainer and ranks high with importance.
2. "We shall advocate for equal access to high quality services and supports for all children and families to enhance their quality of lives." (DEC, 2009).
This ideal felt important to me because our nation is making a push to promote and support early education. In order to successfully do so, we need to provide high quality programs across the country to ALL children and families. This is our biggest challenge.
3. "We shall respect, value, promote, and encourage the active participation of ALL families by engaging families in meaningful ways in the assessment and intervention processes," (DEC, 2009).
This ideal is something I want to become more conscious of in this coming year, even in fourth grade. I feel it is extremely important, regardless of age or grade level, to keep parents as involved as possible. They need to be educated and involved as much as we do in their child's learning and development. We need to encourage positive participation by providing them with opportunities to do so.
4. "I-1.3--To recognize and respect the unique qualities, abilities, and potential of each child," (The National Association for the Education of Young Children [NAEYC], 2005).
This ideal is something I have always believed. Every child is different, unique, and equally important. We need to get to know each child and adapt the curriculum and learning so that it is tailored to them to help them find success and promote development specific to their abilities. Based on what I am learning from my colleagues in class, I think we all share this belief and treat each child we encounter with the same dosage of love, respect, and energy to help them as best as we can.
5. "I-1.8--To support the right of each child to play and learn in an inclusive environment that meets the needs of children with and without disabilities," (NAEYC, 2005).
This ideal once again speaks to my special education side. Every child should be given an equal opportunity for a positive learning experience. Beginning in the early years, this inclusive environment should support all types of learners and encourage their strengths and abilities to help them grow and progress.
6. "I-1.9--To advocate for and ensure that all children, including those with special needs, have access to the support services needed to be successful," (NAEYC, 2005).
I see a pattern. Yet another ideal that is special education related. It is crucial that children with special needs be given access to the appropriate services and supports needed for them to have a successful learning experience as any other student would be given.
7. "I-2.9--To participate in building support networks for families by providing them with opportunities to interact with program staff, other families, community resources, and professional services," (NAEYC, 2005).
This ideal spoke to me because my district currently has a Family Liaison committee. I plan on joining this committee this year to help support and encourage parent and family involvement and to bring new ideas to the table to encourage a positive and inclusive environment for families, as well.
8. "I-3A.1--To establish and maintain relationships of respect, trust, confidentiality, collaboration, and cooperation with co-workers," (NAEYC, 2005).
This final ideal that I have listed was extremely important to me based on my experiences in my few years in my district full time. I have seen that negativity and cattiness can take over. It can be difficult to see who you can actually trust. In my opinion, this is the opposite of how it should be. We need to work together to follow this ideal exactly to promote positive relationships and problem solving skills for the children, as we are very important role models in their lives. How we handle ourselves and our own relationships with our peers and colleagues is reflected on our students and how they will handle the situations they encounter. Despite negativity that I have encountered, I try my best to find the silver lining and be a positive change. It can be challenging but I believe whole-heartedly in the words of this last ideal and its importance within a building. Following these guidelines will boost a positive morale and an overall positive working environment, which will be contagious to the children and families, as well!
There were SEVERAL more ideals that I had highlighted within the reading, but the eight I mentioned above felt the most important to me and stood out the most for various reasons, as mentioned below each ideal.
