I firstly would like to thank all of you, my colleagues, for all of your advice and support throughout this entire process. This program for me has been a wonderful journey for me. Early childhood is dear to my heart, and this program has completely prepared me for my role and mission in this field. There is truly something special about this field. Being an educator is the most rewarding and challenging career one could choose. Through out this course, I have felt so supported by my professors and colleagues.
In this program, I have learned how to research, how to network, and how to implement my studies into my field. I learned that research is the foundation of academic, professional, and personal growth. I was given books on drive and determination. I was taught how to implement my readings into plans on how I would invoke change in my community and myself.
Networking is the framework of this program. In it, I learned the importance of building a support system, or a community of practice. To me it has become a place of comfort. I understand that this where fellow educators find their comfort, support, and advice. I,now, also understand the true importance of building professional relationships with community leaders, parents, and politicians.
This course has birthed a dream that I have had for a very long time, but I did not quite know how to format and plan it. A piece of this dream was realized through each course I took, and because of this I am going to be a business owner. This program gave me the courage to go for my dreams , and to not just see it when I'm asleep. I needed that push, ad this program has given me it and then some.
My long term goal is to create an environment of early childhood advocacy in my community. I want to build an organization whose entire purpose is to train parents how to advocate for their children, children how to advocate for themselves, and community leaders to advocate for the city.
In this program, I have learned about so many organizations and people here are just a few.....
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My favorite quotes
To sum it up into words, see below at my wonderful Wordle...lol
SUPER THANK YOU!!!
To all of my professors that are responsible for most of my growth in this program. Thank you. You all have no idea how much of a difference you have made in my life. Thank does not seem like enough to explain the amount of gratitude I have towards you all. I only hope to inspire someone to do and be better as you have for me.
To my colleagues, WE MADE IT!!!!!!! Thank you all for your discussions, support, advice, and questions. All of which have helped me to fine tune who I wish to become now and in the future. I wish you all nothing but success,and I can't wait to meet you all at graduation in July!!!
I look forward to hearing wonderful things. Please leave your email as well.
Ashley Wilkins-Miller
Wilkinsa3@gmail.com
Networking is definitely an important skill that Walden taught me as well, Ashley. When I began I was very hesitant to be doing an online degree. I was worried that I would feel isolated because I was so used to brick and mortar learning and had little experience with online education. What I found was a wonderful network of diverse classmates! There has been no other place where I've been able to meet so many people who are interested in the same thing yet come from so many different geographic locations. It's been great!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing all the quotes and pictures at the end of your post. I loved the quote that children are like wet cement and that everything that falls on them makes an impression. We do important work and need to remember that little ones soak up all that we say and do. We need to be sure it's meaningful and that we are setting a good example!
Good luck and Congratulations!
Ashley,
ReplyDeleteWe made it!!! I keep pinching myself because it does not seem real. I think back on all the times I wanted to throw in the towel or just take a little time off. I am so glad that I stuck it out!! I wish you all the best in your career, and I will see you in July!
Keli
Ashley,
ReplyDeleteI really appreciated your incorporation of images in your blog post. I believe that they were representative of your personal views and aspects that we have learned in our class work. Also, I want to take the time to personally thank you for your support and comments throughout this course. The time in this program seemed to go by so fast. I cannot believe that we are now at the end; however, it is also a beginning of a new journey for all of us.
Again thank you and good luck in the future,
Amanda
Hello Ashley,
ReplyDeleteIt still does not seem real but we have finally completed our journey. Your goal is inspiring and is somewhat familiar to mine. I believe advocating is so important for everyone it will not only help children and their families but help bring awareness to our field. Good luck on your future endeavors and thank you for your post, discussions, and feedback. It has been a pleasure learning from you.
Crystal