My Supports

I consider myself lucky to have multiple layers of support from many different sources in my life. My mother and father have been a huge positive influence on me with regards to my higher educational aspirations. They are only a phone call away when I am feeling discouraged or overwhelmed; just talking to them always makes me feel better. They also provide support in form of good advice and frequent encouragement. Without the consistent support from my parents, I probably would not have achieved as much as I have at this point in my life. 

At work, I enjoy receiving constant feedback from not only the parents of the children in my care, but also from the Pastor of the church that my center is affiliated with. By listening to and incorporating this feedback, I can better refine and enhance my directing style and this provides me with a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. I feel that without this type of support structure at my job I would not be as comfortable implementing what I need to do without knowing how my performance was impacting the business. On the other end of the spectrum, this same system of support provides me with feedback on issues that I need to review in order to make the appropriate corrections or changes.  Being a daycare director means that my job cannot successfully be executed in a vacuum, I must have the support and cooperation of my staff. 

As a member of the Early Childhood Directors Organization, the concept of support and togetherness is also understood and respected between myself and peers. We support each other for the greater good of learning and sharing knowledge about being effective early childhood leaders. The support structure from this organization is unparalleled in our field.  Without support from my peers I feel that my knowledge and skills would stagnate and my capabilities would be hindered. Having the support of a group of like-minded professionals is essential to me. 

One challenge that I would anticipate would be explaining to parents why my staff and I do what we do concerning their child. I know that my education and longevity in the early childhood field will help tremulously as I communicate my opinions, and I would have the support from my staff and the Pastor from the church.