I'm an Early Childhood Educator, looks like there are a few of us around here! I prefer working with toddlers or kindergarteners but can work with any age, I'm qualified up til 12. I've worked in a variety of kinders and childcare centres, including as a one-on-one inclusion support educator for a child with additional needs, as well as doing private "nanny" work. When I'm cleared to work again (I'm having surgery for health issues), I'll be looking for a job at a not-for-profit childcare centre so I can work with a range of ages again. I can't wait!
I've always wanted to be a teacher or involved in education in some way. Back in high school I was planning to go to uni and help fix our education system from an academic angle. Life happened and I was lucky enough to find I adore working with children and families, and am well-suited to doing so. I work on improving things from the ground-up - and in the ten years since I first began studying, the EC sector has seen an incredible amount of development and positive change. We still have a lot to work on, but we're getting there step by step. At some point I'll return to study to get my degree and possibly a Masters, but for now I'm satisfied with my diploma. I've already got years of experience but I want to spend a few more years consolidating my current knowledge and working in a leadership role before I go back to uni. This is a field where on-the-floor work goes hand-in-hand with theory and I refuse to be one those people who rushes through a teaching degree only to find they have no idea how to run a room, those people don't last long lol.
Wow it sounds like you have had an interesting career! I'm sorry to hear about your health issues and hope you are on the mend! Working with a range of ages seems like it would be fun!
My sister did daycare work for a while, and went to school to be a teacher. She taught 2nd and 3rd grade for 3 years, but they treat teachers so horribly in NC that she couldn't take it. She went back to school to get her masters and is now a school psychologist, and she loves it! ^-^ Good luck on your future education plans! No need to rush back. ^-^
- - - Post Merge - - -
I'm sorry to hear that. :C I hope the nature of your disability isn't excessively painful! That would be terrible. It would be wonderful to go back to school! I hope you get the chance to do it if that is what you want! ^-^
- - - Post Merge - - -
Sorry to hear that. :C It took me a full year out of college to find a decent job, so I can understand. I will keep my fingers crossed that you find something soon! ^-^
- - - Post Merge - - -
I work at IBM in automation (Computer Science related field) but my work is confidential.
Oh! How cool! Too bad you can't say what you do, but it must be pretty awesome/important! ^-^
- - - Post Merge - - -
Cool! What kind of things do you work on at the studio? ^-^
