Diversity and Equity: Professional Hopes and Goals

The hopes that I have when thinking about working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds is that every early learning professional will:

·   Have a dog eared and highlighted copy of NAEYC’s publication titled Anti-Bias Education and they are implementing anti-bias practices in all the classrooms they work in;

·   On an annual basis, participate in a professional development opportunity that will enhance their work to support social justice and equity;

·  Have the self-esteem and knowledge to feel secure enough to defend any opposition to social justice and equity; and

·  All early learning professionals will be passionate in their role to advocate for a more just society; supporting all children and families to feel whole.

One goal I would like to see accomplished in the field of early childhood is that training and/or discussion of implementing anti-bias curriculum is constant in all early learning programs.  Just as our individual diversity is complex, implementation of anti-bias curriculum is complex.  For early learning professionals to support big outcomes related to social justice and equity for all, anti-bias curriculum implementation needs to be a topic on every training and staff meeting agenda.

This may be the last week of my Perspectives on Diversity and Equity college class but the knowledge shared by my colleagues in these last eight weeks will influence my work with children and families far into the future.  I would like to extend my gratitude to each of you for adding so much value to my professional and personal life; I have become a much better person because of your contribution to my education.