Early Childhood Competencies

6. Using Content Knowledge to Build Meaningful Curriculum.

6.4 Integrates knowledgeable, reflective, and critical perspectives on early education.

Evidence 1:

Individual Professional Development Plan, 2016, IPDP Paperwork

Description:

My Individual Professional Development Plan (IPDP) is my professional development plan that is designed to help guide my future goals in the field of education. This plan covers self-assessment, goals, strategies, and concludes with a timeline.

Analysis/Reflection:

I have used an individual professional development plan (IPDP) for over 6 years. It is important to my professional education to document where I was, where I want to be, and where I plan to go in the field of early childhood education. IPDP forms are required by licensing, STARS, and for level certificates/grants. I like to look back at my progress over the years and see how far I have come, and where I need to focus to achieve my goals.

6.4

6.4

6.4

6.4

Evidence 2:

Using Your Outdoor Classroom, , 3 hours, March 2, 2013, Julie Rose, Professional Development Certificate

Description:

This three hour long training session focused on innovative techniques for using outdoor classrooms as an integral part of children’s daily learning. We learned who Nature Explore is, their goal for educators, and how they guide educators to incorporate a well-designed outdoor space for children birth to grade school.

Analysis/Reflection:

On June 2, 2013, I traveled to New Hampshire to participate in a three hour training to gain a better understanding on natural play spaces in the early childhood classroom. During my senior year at Johnson State College, my senior seminar project was on creating a Certified Outdoor Classroom through Nature Explore in my own program. This training gave me the tools and guidance to create that project. I truly believe learning experiences that take place in the natural world are more authentic in teaching children about nature, animals and life sciences.

In the Fall of 2013 I became the first and only Certified Outdoor Classroom in Vermont. I take special pride in my outdoor classroom and present workshops all over Vermont to help guide other educators in incorporating natural play spaces into their programs.

6.4

6.4

Evidence 3:

Affiliate 1 Instructor Certificate, 11/2014, Vermont Northern Lights Career Development Center, Certificate

Description:

This certificate verifies that I am an Affiliate 1 Instructor through Vermont Northern Lights Career Development Center.

Analysis/Reflection:

I became an instructor through the Vermont Northern Lights Career Development Center to present workshops on Natural Outdoor Play Spaces throughout Vermont. This came about when the president of the Vermont Child Care Providers Association came to me and asked if I would present a workshop at their mini conference. Since my program gained attention for becoming the only certified outdoor classroom, other educators across Vermont wanted to know more about nature and outdoor play spaces. I have presented many workshops on my outdoor classroom, tailoring each workshop on the specific needs of each group of participants in each workshop. In the workshops I focused on certain areas, such as incorporating more natural elements into an outdoor play space, creating a Certified Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom, and creating a outdoor classroom with the new state regulations in effect.