Early childhood educators are accustomed to the perception that their work is joyous and therefore laid-back: \u201cI\u2019m the \u2018fun daycare lady,\u2019\u201d as one group family provider put it at a recent Early Childhood Career Development Center event. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
So it was fitting that Institute career advisors from several regions hosted a Career Conversation on the topic of professionalism in early childhood. What does it look like and feel like to be \u201cprofessional\u201d in an early learning environment? How can early care and learning providers strengthen their sense of professionalism in the field?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Educators and providers who attended the conversation on Zoom had the opportunity to reflect on their own perceptions of what professionalism looks like in early childhood. They also learned about what the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) defines as the \u201csix key competencies for professionalism as an early childhood educator<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n When Christine Duffy-Webb, the Career Development Center\u2019s regional coordinator for the Southern Tier, invited participants to define professionalism at the start of the conversation, responses included \u201crespecting yourself, your profession and your co-workers\u201d and \u201cbeing an example of best practice.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Duffy-Webb then introduced \u201cfour keys to your professional identity\u201d:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cUnderstanding our profession\u2019s code of ethics is vital,\u201d said Duffy-Webb. \u201cWhen I was making decisions, I would look at the NAEYC principles and ask, what\u2019s the right thing to do? They can help guide us and make decisions in challenging moments.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n