Today, on October 24, 2024, the 吃瓜黑料网 will celebrate the 24th Annual Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day. This is an opportunity to recognize and acknowledge the commitment and dedication of the Child Care Workers and Early Childhood Educators who work with young children and their families within our school communities.
The 吃瓜黑料网 recognizes the early years of a child's life have a profound and enduring impact on their future learning and development. Child Care Workers, Parent Workers, and Early Childhood Educators provide enriched, age-appropriate learning experiences for children in onsite Child Care Programs, EarlyON Parent and Family Centres, and 吃瓜黑料网 operated Kindergarten classrooms and Extended Day Programs.
With their vast knowledge of child development, these invaluable Educators are dedicated to supporting the intellectual, emotional, social, and physical well-being of all children. The contributions they make to our school communities are meaningful, and important to the development and overall success of young learners. In honor of this day, we invite you to join us in celebrating these dedicated professionals. Please consider sharing your appreciation via social media using #ECEAppreciation.
Thank you for helping us acknowledge the outstanding efforts of our Early Childhood Educators and Child Care workers.
This year, we recognise three ECEs from each of our dynamic early years programs (Kindergarten, EarlyON Child and Family Centres, and our third-party Child Care Programs). We accepted nominations in each of these programs, and the winners were chosen at random. Please help us celebrate this year's winners!
Inna Kuzina, Early Childhood Educator at Blake Street Junior PS
Meet Inna Kuzina, this year’s Kindergarten DECE winner for the 24th Annual Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Appreciation Day.
What does being an Early Childhood Educator mean to you?
Being an ECE for me means being responsive and helpful to children and meeting all their needs. I try to create a welcoming and safe environment for all of them. I do believe that children learn better with adult's support, so my positive guidance helps them develop their social, emotional, cognitive and pro-social skills. And of course, being an ECE is about being able to reflect on challenges and learn from them.
How have you impacted the lives of our youngest learners?
I think working with the youngest learners impacts all areas of their development : from problem solving and being engaged in social interaction with others to ability to control their feelings. Every day they learn something new and I assist them in their learning journey. I hope that during daily interactions with the children I teach them some valuable life skills such as compassion, problem solving, and independent thinking. I also hope I just make their day better.
What advice would you provide a new ECE, who is now starting their professional journey?
My advice to a new ECE is to be respectful of children and their families, their culture and customs, and to build relationships with parents. The new ECE should also be a good listener who tries to get to know every child, take initiative and learn from others.
What do you hope to achieve in the next 5 years?
In the next 5 years I hope I will get more experience and knowledge that I will be able to share with others and implement in my work from which everyone can benefit.
Knowing all that you know now, what advice would you give your younger self?
To my younger self I would say: Choose a goal that you want to reach, be patient, but work hard and you will get it.
Claudia Ohannessian, Early Childhood Educator at Chester Le EarlyON
Meet Claudia Ohannessian, this year’s EarlyON Parent Worker winner for the 24th Annual Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Appreciation Day.
What does being an Early Childhood Educator mean to you?
Since I was 10 years old, I knew I wanted to become a kindergarten teacher.During our summer family vacations, everyday after coming back from the beach, all the little children from our neighborhood would come over to sing, play and color in our garage. At the end of the summer, parents were invited to our End-of-Summer party that my cousin and I would host with home made cake, treats and kids performing using loose parts as instruments and showing their artwork.
Being an ECE is being that person who will touch those little hearts, making them feel loved, respected, secure to express their emotions, cope with stressors, and reach their maximum potential in a happy, safe environment through play based fun activities and achieving a strong foundation that will last a lifetime.
How have you impacted the lives of our youngest learners?
I feel the impact in their lives, when those “little ones” have now grown and come back for a visit to give me a hug, to share their achievements, express how they felt during those early years and receive beautiful messages of gratitude. Creating a lifelong foundation built on trust, making them feel valued and building a strong connection becomes admiration, gratitude, genuine respect, knowing that you are engraved in those memories forever!
What advice would you provide a new ECE who is now starting their professional journey?
I would advise them to be grateful of having the opportunity and privilege to be amongst the most precious, pure and unique little people and discover the uniqueness in each of them. Everything that you do will impact their lives, seeing you as a role model and constructing a strong connection and trust. We have a very big responsibility for these little one’s emotional well being and that is a blessing we have to embrace everyday.
What do you hope to achieve in the next 5 years?
In the next 5 years and taking into consideration my age, most likely I will be retiring from my profession but not from my passion. My best achievement will always be the love for my career, the strong relationships with parents and caregivers over the years, supporting children in their cognitive, social, emotional and physical development, the respect of my co-workers and colleagues and to continue growing as a mentor.
Knowing all that you know now, what advice would you give your younger self.
I will advise her to follow her dreams, to choose the path that will give her the opportunities and the joy to impact and touch the lives of young learners treating them with love, respect their uniqueness and celebrate their successes and to be grateful of the opportunity to serve that purpose. Thank you so much for this acknowledgement!
Jennifer Rios Early Childhood Educator from our third-party Before- and After-School program at FH Miller Public School
Meet Jennifer Rios this year’s 3rd Party Child Care/Before-and after-School Program Early Childhood Educator winner for the 24th Annual Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Appreciation Day.
What does being an Early Childhood Educator mean to you?
Being an Early Childhood Educator means being a crucial part of a child's journey during their most formative years. It’s about fostering a love for learning and creating a safe space where children can explore their interests and develop essential skills. It involves patience, creativity, and a deep understanding of each child's unique needs. For me, it’s incredibly rewarding to witness their growth, support their emotional and social development, and help them build a foundation for lifelong learning.
How have you impacted the lives of our youngest learners?
I’ve impacted the lives of our youngest learners by creating a nurturing and engaging environment that promotes curiosity, exploration, and emotional growth. I strive to build strong, trusting relationships with each child, helping them feel safe and valued. Through tailored activities, I encourage their individual strengths and interests, fostering their creativity and confidence.
In addition to promoting social skills, I place a strong emphasis on emotional skills. I help children identify and express their feelings, manage their emotions, and develop empathy for others. By providing positive reinforcement and guidance, I’ve seen children overcome challenges, build resilience, and celebrate their achievements. Ultimately, my goal is to instill a love for learning and emotional intelligence that will stay with them as they grow.
What advice would you provide a new ECE who is now starting their professional journey?
For a new Early Childhood Educator starting their professional journey, I would offer the following advice:
1. Build Relationships: Focus on creating strong connections with your students, their families, and your colleagues. Trust and open communication are key to a supportive learning environment.
2. Stay Curious and Reflective: Always be open to learning—about child development, new teaching strategies, and your own practices. Reflecting on your experiences will help you grow and improve.
3. Embrace Flexibility: Children are unpredictable, and plans may need to change. Be adaptable and ready to adjust your approach based on their needs and interests.
4. Foster Emotional Skills: Pay attention to emotional development. Help children identify and express their feelings, and model empathy and understanding.
5. Create a Safe and Stimulating Environment: Ensure your space is welcoming and encourages exploration. Provide diverse materials and activities that cater to various learning styles.
6. Seek Support and Mentorship: Don’t hesitate to reach out for help or guidance. Building a network of fellow educators can provide valuable insights and encouragement.
7.Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge and celebrate progress, both for yourself and your students. Every small step counts in their development and your journey as an educator.
Remember, you’re making a meaningful impact on young lives—embrace the journey!
What do you hope to achieve in the next 5 years?
In the next five years, I hope to travel to various countries to visit foster care systems and early childhood education programs, gaining insights into different approaches and sharing best practices. I plan to enhance my business skills, focusing on areas like program management, budgeting, and marketing. This knowledge will help me effectively manage educational initiatives and possibly lead to entrepreneurial ventures in early childhood education and Lash business. Overall, my goal is to make a lasting, positive impact on children’s lives while continuing to grow and evolve as a professional in the field.
Knowing all that you know now, what advice would you give your younger self?
Knowing what I know now, I would give my younger self the following advice; Trust Your Instincts: Don’t second-guess your intuition. You have a natural ability to connect with children—trust that. Embrace Challenges: See obstacles as opportunities for growth. Each challenge will teach you valuable lessons that shape your skills and resilience. Seek Support: Don’t hesitate to ask for help or guidance from mentors and colleagues. Building a strong support network is essential in this field. Be Patient with Yourself: Growth takes time. Don’t rush your journey; allow yourself to develop at your own pace. Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge and celebrate your progress, no matter how small. Each step forward is significant in your journey.