This week was a busy week, but Atica and I was able to Skype each other, which was really nice. The video quality wasn't great, so we ended up chatting on Skype, but it was nice to finally meet my pen-pal.
Atica is really nice and has a lot of experience in the Early Childhood field. I asked her what is her dreams, and she actually wants to move to America. She is currently working on a team where some of her researchers live in the Dominican Republic and some of the them live in Florida, so she gets to visit Florida a lot, and she loves it there. She shared with me that she is currently looking for open positions in Florida as we speak.
Atica asked me what I wanted to do in the future, and I shared with her that as of right now, I am not sure. I have only been a National trainer for nearly 2 months, and I absolutely love my new job. I told Atica to keep my contact information, and ask me the same question in 3 years.
I asked Atica the following questions,
1. What issues regarding quality and early childhood professionals are being discussed where you live and work?
-Atica response: Right now we are working are research to find the link to children's school success based on their parent school success. We have just started the research and still have sometime to go. We know that there is currently research that has made the link. but of course we are linking it to children in the Dominican Republic.
2. What opportunities and/or requirements for professional development exist?
-Atica response: I feel like anytime something is new, we have a training on it. The company is always pushing us to get more education or to attend some seminar,
3.In your opinion what makes a quality teacher?
-Atica response: A quality teacher is someone who can do the job of taking care of children effectively. This person usually has an education in early childhood, experience and knows and does what is takes to be a quality teacher.
Meeting Atica was the highlight of my week. I find it so fascinating that the love for children and how they develop is everywhere!
Cierra
Cierra-
ReplyDeleteThat's so awesome you were able to Skype with Atica and officially "meet' her. I also think it would be neat to meet my contact as I have learned a lot about from her. It's interesting to hear about Atica's work and research, thanks for sharing! I hope you keep in touch with her as she continues on this research project-I'm sure you'll learn a lot from her, as her from you also!
I may have read or asked you before, but can you tell me what you are a national trainer in?
-Keshia
Cierra,
ReplyDeleteHow exciting that you were able to Skype with your contact. That is a wonderful thing. I am happy for you. I think it would be a wonderful thing if she actually e-mailed you in three years and asked what you wanted to do or what you are up to. This may be asking the same kind of question as Atica did but I will try and make it different. You love your current job would you just not want to continue with that or do you think there is something else out there? I have been having this same thought lately. I love my job and where I work! but I have been leaning more towards teaching adults how to become quality teachers but still may want to teach in a classroom too. So I understand what you are saying about not knowing. I wish you luck in figuring it all out.
Cierra,
ReplyDeleteHow very exciting! I bet it was a great experience for you!! I loved the information hat Atica gave you about the research that they are working on. I am interested to see what links they find. Both of my parents and my brother struggled through k-12 school. But school was never a problem for me. I seem to be the odd man out in my family.
Shannon