Most early childhood educators are in the profession because they truly care about helping children grow and flourish. They have made it their life purpose to help children succeed and love seeing children grow and thrive into their individual selves. Appreciation for these educators can and should be demonstrated each and every day.
That’s why we’re spotlighting some of the amazing educators in our community from around the world to demonstrate all of the hard work they put in each and every day!
Jessica Pinkney-Gregg, Lead 3-5 w/IT & SN educator at Helew’u’ Childcare Society in Merritt, BC, Canada
How does your role as an educator positively improve the lives of children?
They receive inclusion and learn through play inquiries in every situation in their days at our center.
How does your role as an educator positively represent the early childcare profession?
Encouraging my coworkers to embrace pedagogical observations and mentoring them to capture the children’s learning moments for their families.
What struggles do you face in your day-to-day role as an educator?
Recruiting and retention.
Ranjeeta Prajapati, Academic and Centre Head at Little Millennium Preschool in India, Bangalore
How does your role as an educator positively improve the lives of children?
I as an educator I try to make the kids understand that education is empathy. How to connect their learning to the real world and how to empathize with people and nature.
I do a lot in my class such as active listening activities to make the children understand the importance of listening and also as an essential tool to make the speaker feel their words are valuable.
I am skilled in motivating children and creating daring children who understand when to take steps forward and when to stand still.
What does your community involvement as an educator look like?
Through safeguarding and pastoral care to develop a well-rounded human being.
What struggles do you face in your day-to-day role as an educator?
Helping parents and students meet long-term goals.
Patti Tatum, Full-time KG2 teacher at International School in Doha, Qatar
How does your role as an educator positively improve the lives of children?
I am looking for ways to help them develop and grow. I work to make them as independent as possible.
How does your role as an educator positively represent the early childcare profession?
At my current school, I have tried to add developmentally appropriate practices for the children.
What does your community involvement as an educator look like?
In Qatar, the early childhood area is continuing to grow but there are heads of schools and some principals who do not understand what needs to be done in this area yet. I am trying to advocate for change.
What struggles do you face in your day-to-day role as an educator?
I teach 3 kindergartens 2 classes each day for either 45 minutes or 2 -45 minute sessions. I then do not see the children until the next day which can be hard.
Deborah Mc Almont, Lead Educator at Rising 5’s Early Childhood Development Centre in St. Lucia
How does your role as an educator positively improve the lives of children?
They move on to be positive and productive individuals. Helping young people to become self-sufficient gives me satisfaction!
What does your community involvement as an educator look like?
I often look for young parents who need parenting education and give it to them as a mentor!
What struggles do you face in your day-to-day role as an educator?
Some children attend school with little or nothing to eat.
Maregesi Manyonyi, Director of Eddies Daycare Centre in Dar es salaam, Tanzania
How does your role as an educator positively improve the lives of children?
When a teacher is in a good mood, children learn the most positive things from that educator!
How does your role as an educator positively represent the early childcare profession?
Me interacting with children in a positive way represents how an ECE professional should behave.
What does your community involvement as an educator look like?
It’s good and I do some outreach programs!
What struggles do you face in your day-to-day role as an educator?
Sometimes parents are not very cooperative.
Tirusha Dave, Owner of Ellie’s Academy in New Jersey, US
Tell us more about you:
In 3.5 years I opened up 3 locations. Our first location has been open since 2019 and almost the entirety of my business as an owner has been throughout the pandemic. In 2021, Ellie’s Academy was awarded Emergency Childcare Center of the Year by NJAEYC. We were also featured on national media platforms such as MSNBC and USAToday for the safety precautions we took to remain open for our families.
How does your role as an educator positively improve the lives of children?
My role as an educator positively improves the lives of children because I do what I do for the children. We enter this field because we knowingly understand the difference we want to make in the lives of the children we care for. As an early childhood educator, every day is an opportunity for me (and my team) to make an imprint on the lives of the children within my centers. They start with us as young as six weeks old and from there we have years to watch them learn & grow, ensuring that they not only attain proper care but a strong educational foundation as well.
How does your role as an educator positively represent the early childcare profession?
Not only do I ensure that my children are advocated for, but as a member of NJAEYC, the NJ state chapter of NAEYC, I also look to ensure that we’re advocating for all children under the age of 5 to see that they attain high-quality early education.
What does your community involvement as an educator look like?
Philanthropy is extremely important to me. Not only do we try to teach the children about different ways to help the community, but we get them involved. We’ve hosted toy drives to help underprivileged children and food drives as well. Periodically, we will also host other events to raise money and donate it to nonprofits that are focused on children.
What struggles do you face in your day-to-day role as an educator?
We all face struggles and some of ours are the same, while many of us face different ones. To say that I face no struggles would be a lie. I think in today’s environment, the biggest struggle we face is ensuring that parents can afford the best and high-quality childcare for their little one. That’s why at Ellie’s Academy it is our mission to ensure that our parents can afford the care we provide.
