Getting to Know My International Contacts—Part 3: Professional goals, Hopes and Dreams

This week, we shared some thoughts about excellence and quality in early childhood field. I contacted with my international contacts and asked some questions about their professional goals, hopes and dreams. They shared their own perspectives by answering these questions below:


• What issues regarding quality and early childhood professionals are being discussed where you live and work?
• What opportunities and/or requirements for professional development exist?
• What are some of your professional goals?
• What are some of your professional hopes, dreams, and challenges?


One of my international contact, Karie Sun, she shared her concern regarding quality and early childhood professionals: early childhood professionals can’t provide consistent quality education to children in China. Lots of local early childhood teachers have been found guilty to child abuse but the government doesn’t do anything to protect and support children. She felt lucky that at school they have lots of opportunities for professional development such as inviting professionals to come and present in language, “Third Culture Kid”, technology, etc. All teachers are required to participate in the school-wide professional development so that they all update their knowledge in a regular basis. School also provides them with sufficient professional development fund and a list of workshops they can go to worldwide so that teachers are always being prepared to offer children the best quality education. She shared her professional goal— to to encourage more cultural understanding in the classroom, both for children and the parents. She would like to help them recognize the importance of cultural differences and respect to people’s cultures. Another professional goal that she shared with is to educate parents not to rush children in their growing-up process so that children enjoy their real childhood and learn what are meaningful in their life. Then she talked about her professional dreams—to call for more people to advocate for early childhood education so that people understand what early childhood educators really do and show support and respect to our job. She also hopes for a more equal environment for children and that all children have their rights to live and learn. However, as what she said, “child abuse still happens and we as early childhood educators don’t have enough power to protect them. I really hope for the government to support early childhood and the children in providing them a safe and equal environment to grow up.” (K. Sun, personal conversation, August 11th, 2014)

I feel lucky too as we, Karie and I are working in the same school where teachers can receive funds and opportunities for professional development. However, still as a TA, I have to say that we do not have as many opportunities for PD as teachers do. Therefore, I hope everyone related to the early childhood field deserves to receive more chances for improvement and professional development in this field.