Time Well Spent

Can you believe this journey is complete?!?! When I finished my undergraduate degree, I would sometimes dream (for several years actually) that my degree in fact had NOT been completed and I had to return to school to complete a course, retake a test or write a final paper. I'm sure those dreams are sure to follow--I guess my subconscious can't believe that I completed my degree :). Now that I have completed my master's degree, I would like to share three things I have learned:

• I have the knowledge of the early childhood field! When I first began, I was anxious about the amount of information I was about to obtain. The more in depth my degree became, I realized I actually know this stuff! This course helped me realize that I do have the knowledge and passion in this field.
• I learned about the definition of and the importance of a Community of Practice! I've always known about collaboration, but had never heard the term Community of Practice. This group is a group of individuals who share a passion for a particular topic/issue (my issue being parental involvement and early literacy) and work together to help others understand the importance of the topic/issue. I had fun creating a Community of Practice :).
• I learned about the type of leader I currently am and what type of leader I would like to become! I am a relaxed type of leader and individual and I would like to become less relaxed as a leader. It's something I will continue to work on--every year I will set a goal to become more organized and stronger :).

I have to come up with a long term goal. This is a little difficult because I tend to not focus too much on the future. Of course, I would love to still be able to work in the field of early childhood. Funding is so scary in this field and I worry that my position will be cut. I would love to work with families and their infants and toddlers--I'm not sure in what capacity, but this is my ultimate goal. I would also love to work on early literacy awareness--reading is so important for a young mind!

Thanks to all my peers and my professor this term. You have inspired and motivated me and have given me the knowledge to complete this course. THANKS!!!!!!

I will finish this post with a quote of farewell--always remember:

 "Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world" Harriet Tubman

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/h/harriettub310306.html#we0DHlek62RZZHTC.99

Farewell!!!