I am a Learner like Children

My name is Erin Earley and I have been an Early Childhood Educator for 12 years.  I am currently a Toddler Teacher in an Early Head Start Program.  My journey as a teacher has been a full ride with wonderful experiences.  I started teaching children in High School and I was certified by the Department of EEC in Massachusetts.  Then I went to college and studied engineering.  After two years I switched my major and attended NECCo, where I received my Associates Degree.  I also worked at a day care that was on campus throughout my schooling.  I was a one-on-one aide with a child who was handicapped in a wheelchair.  I then moved onto to another center to work with preschool age children at a few other days cares along the way.  I also received my Bachelor’s Degree from Lesley University.   I then had the opportunity to become an Assistant Director in a small day care center.  The goal was to be trained to become the Director but do to certain situations I changed my mind regarding the position.  I am now working for a Head Start Program which is called Early Head Start which is a brand new program that started four years ago.  I have worked there for three years and I am finally where I want to be.

Some of my interests are martial arts (karate) and gardening with the children, as well as at my home.  I enjoy reading and writing stories during my free time.  The challenges I face are trying to work with another co-worker with different ideas and has a hard time communicating with others.  I am trying to support her the best way I can to make her comfortable.  Some of my qualities are that I am a team player, offer suggestions and ideas to team members, and offer advice when I can to help strengthen my team members.  The strengthens I will bring to this community is my variety of professional experiences as an Early Childhood Educator, offer support and suggestions to others to help them grow professionally, and to share ideas they have as a challenge to help them see it in a different light.  Some challenges I may face will be my changing work schedule of multiple meetings and trainings I need to attend throughout the week.