Adjourning

            When I first got my foot in the door for early childhood education, I got a lead teacher job for the toddler classroom. The facility had 8 different classes and had about 12 different ladies working in the building. At first, I felt on the outs, I was the new girl, and many of these teachers were already together for 4-5 years. As we had professional development classes and monthly meetings, I began to open up some more and indeed made some fantastic friendships. I was there for about 4 years before I moved on to become a nanny due to my director having a hard time with me going back to school. I respected my director and had no problems with going to her to discuss any ideas or issues I was having in my classroom. When I told her I was going to go back to school to get a degree in Early Childhood, she said to me that it was unnecessary and a waste of money. What I realized was that she would have to increase my pay due to my higher education and she was not prepared to do so. I had to do what was best for me even though leaving my colleagues killed me.

            We had an incredible bond, we were always there to help one another, and our students gained the education they deserved because of our collaboration. As my last day approached, we had a goodbye party, and I cried as if I was losing a family member, I didn’t realize how all these girls became my work family and how much we all cared about one another. Without the support of these ladies, I probably would not have gone back to school, and I would not have made lifelong friends. Even though many of us have gone our own separate ways, we are still all in the early childhood field, and we all help one another when needed.

            As my colleagues and I are extremely close to finishing our Master’s Degree I know that it will be a great day for all of us. We all had similar goals and as a collective group, we have all helped one another succeed in this program. I am hoping to stay in contact with most and I know Walden’s Facebook group is a great way to do so. As we go our separate ways we all can help one another in the classroom. We know how successful this group was and of course it will be a bittersweet day, but I know that we will continue to support one another in life and as an early childhood professional.