WHO RUNS THIS BLOG!?



So, a bit about me...

I'm an Ottawa girl who graduated university with a bachelor degree (English and Psychology) then early childhood education; the second cohort of what was then the new intensive ECE program.  After, I graduated the ECE Resource Teachers program before it closed.

My first job after graduation was an assistant supervisor at a built for purpose school age program with the school board.  My second position was the supervisor at a newly built school age program.  Once I had children, I opened my own school age program; a licensed creative arts and homework program.  

As a 'side hustle' I worked as a part time adult education teacher and placement advisor ECE department of my local college, which evolved into coordinating the program for many years.  

Right now, I'm still a part time teacher and placement advisor in the college's online program.


HOW DID I START IN SOCIAL MEDIA?

In 2013, as my centre was closing, I wanted to continue and expand my creative arts programming.  Social media was fairly new, but on the rise and I needed an ongoing accessible resource for my graduating ECE students.  Most of my students had mastered Facebook, so I started the college's ECE FB page for graduating students to stay connected to the college.

During this time I also started my own platform (blog, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest): 100 Days of Child Care Programming which had 100 new programming ideas, tips and tricks for ECEs working in the field. 

While doing my online research of available ECE resources; there was nothing out there at the time, I started the ECE Connection Group on FB. Back then I was able to welcome every new member until we hit 100 members.  Now there are 2k plus members in the group!

In 2018, while doing my CPL (Continuous Professional Learning) goal planning, I noticed a recurring theme in my platform posts; slowing things down for children and getting back to the basics of childhood. 

I rebranded my body of work to Mindfulness and Purpose in Early Childhood Education. 



HOW DO ECES BENEFIT FROM MY PLATFORM?

I hope ECEs get a bunch of new ideas and inspirations when perusing my platform, and also the chance to network with other ECEs; especially in the FB Group.  

HOW DO CHILDREN BENEFIT FROM MINDFUL PROGRAMMING?

I like to think all children benefit from a calm, slower paced environment that returns to the basics of childhood.  I find school age programs are now so fast paced and flurried with large groups of children and teachers having to scurry in order to address an ever growing list of needs; something gets lost.  

Gone are the days when you could simply sit with a small group and engage in expressive arts while listening to the teacher read out loud; two things we did daily in the Social Learning Centre.

WHERE ELSE AM I IN THE COMMUNITY?

I'm pretty easy to find in the Ottawa area.  I often work as a supply teacher in EDP programs.  I find my classroom adult teaching has more integrity when I continue to work on the floor with children.  


WHERE ELSE YOU CAN FIND ME ONLINE


FACEBOOK PAGES


#hyggechidcare #cpl4eces


                                                                                                                                                                    Chat soon!


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