1- Diversity is a strength for any group. This realization was perspective changing for me and I will hold on to it for my whole life. I used to think that diversity might mean only conflict but now I can see that differing perspectives can be an asset and can make a group stronger.
2 - Anything that requires a sacrifice will be worth it in the end. Whether it is earning a master's degree, losing weight or hiking a mountain, all are rewarding but all require sacrifice. Actually, I would venture to say that the most rewarding things in life come as a result of a sacrifice made by someone.
3 - SET THE BAR HIGH.
As a preschool teacher, I am constantly raising the bar for my students. I want them to continuously grow and achieve new accomplishments. As soon as they master something, I raise the bar. We need to do the same thing for ourselves as adults. We need to never be satisfied with what we know or have already mastered because there are always more things to learn. If we do not set the bar high for ourselves, we will not grow in our understanding. I hope to be a life-long learner. I hope that each and every opportunity that arises before me will result in me expanding my knowledge in some way.
A Goal For the Future
The only goal I feel I can share is that I hope to always follow my passion. I want to work in an area where my passion lies. I want to be excited everyday when I wake up to go to work because I know I will make a difference and I am passionate about my job. I do not know where my next place of employment will be or when I will change jobs, but I know that when I do change jobs, it will be because I find something that I love to do.
My Colleagues
To those of you who have gone through this process with me. We did it. It has been rewarding, challenging, at times frustrating and exhausting. We have all made sacrifices and gone through difficult times but we made it. We now have the tools to go from here and to make a real difference in the field of early childhood.
I hope you are proud of yourselves!!
It has been quite a journey and now that it is coming to an end, a new journey begins.
Good luck to you all and remember:
Stay focused on your passion and your job won't feel like work! :)
Cari,
ReplyDeleteI also learned a lot about diversity during this program. It has made a positive impact on the way I view and work with others. Like you, I am still unsure about where I will work in the future. But, I know that I have more opportunities avaliable to me because of the education I have received at Walden.
Good luck,
Krista
Good Luck to you too Krista! Thank you for your comment :) Take care.
DeleteCari,
ReplyDeleteIt has been a pleasure studying with you through our journey here at Walden! I too look forward to having more time with my family. A holiday not spent writing a paper will be great! The sacrifice was well worth it and this knowledge will allow me to influence the EC field.
Congratulation!
Michele,
DeleteWe did it!! It has not sunk in yet but I am so looking forward to feeling done! Thank you for your words of encouragement throughout the past two years. Let's definitely stay in touch. Good luck!
Cari
Yours is THE BEST GOAL EVER! May you always achieve it!
ReplyDeleteThank you Greg! Good luck to you!
DeleteCari,
ReplyDeleteYou said, “We did it”, you can say that again. Yes, it’s been challenging, many a times frustrating and one gets exhausted, but highly rewarding! No doubt, sacrifices were made, but we survived! It’s now time to put all we learned into practice. It is our turn to change the world for better!
Cari-
ReplyDeleteYou should be proud of yourself as well! Best wishes to you on this never-ending journey. The field is always changing! Can't believe the end is so close :) thank you for inspiration on this pathway to advocating for change in our field.