Holly Elissa Bruno & Janet Gonzalez-Mena 
Learning from the Bumps in the Road [EPUB ebook] 
Insights from Early Childhood Leaders

Introduction

Our Way to Sincerity: Affirming Civility and Tolerance in Our Daily Work

Janet Gonzalez-Mena writing the intro.

Our profession challenges us with diverse human temperaments, cultures, and situations that hinge on the expression of sincerity and authenticity. The intent of this conversation is to consider the appropriate next steps, based on healthy individual attitudes that lead to dynamic social and emotional relationships. Let’s learn to cultivate trust and possibilities.

Intentionality for the Well-Intended

Debra R. Sullivan writing the intro.

Intentionality is the power of minds to be about, to represent, or to stand for, things, properties and states of affairs. We examine intent and having the mind and will focused on a specific purpose, intention and what one has in mind to do or bring about, and good intention that can result in a negative outcome.

Technology: Reflecting On Resistance and Habits on the Way to Dynamic Change

Debra R. Sullivan writing the intro.

A discussion on what technology is doing to us instead of doing for us. This includes a reflection on the impact of technology on personal and professional growth and its implication on social/emotional development; an analysis of the uses and abuses of technology on daily life, specifically on future leadership development; a discussion on how technology can transform teacher and staff preparation; and ideas on how to control the information clutter and install selective and meaningful uses.

Social/Emotional Competence: Are You Smarter Than A 2-Year-Old?

Janet Gonzalez-Mena writing the intro.

We need good emotional health to learn and to learn how to learn. This is an opportunity for you to discuss the three main models of Emotional Intelligence, reflect on the impact and influence emotions have had on you, learn what every 2-year-old knows about emotions, and develop strategies to increase your EI.

Creating the Village: Building Relationships That Support Children

Debra R. Sullivan writing the intro.

It takes a village to raise a child, but what does it take to create a village? Every grown-up has a valued, understood role in the education, health, welfare, growth, and development of the children who live there. Creating the village in early childhood care and education happens when you create relationships, interactions, and activities that turn parents, teachers, and the community into a team that is effective and efficient at meeting the needs of the children and families they serve.

C.A.T. Spells Success: Curriculum, Assessment, and Teaching for Quality Learning Environments

Luis A. Hernandez writing the intro.

What you teach matters, but how you teach it matters more. What you do counts, but how do you count what you do? Learning environments influence children’s success, but how do your values influence the learning environment? Let’s focus on the intersection of curriculum, assessment, and learning and strategies for making sure you’re accomplishing what you set out to do.

Reflecting on our Bumps in the Road

Holly Elissa Bruno writing the intro.

Michael Jordan, reflecting on his career, observed: “I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times I’ve been trusted to take the game’s winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed.” When children stumble, have difficulty learning, or can’t make friends easily, we support them. We teach children how to learn from their mistakes. Why are we, then, so hard on ourselves for making mistakes? Imagine if we could learn from the bumps in our road, let go and move on?

From the Universal to the Uniform: Considering Cultural and Diversity Standards Across Our Personal and Professional Connections

Luis A. Hernandez writing the intro.

Playing for Keeps

Holly Elissa Bruno writing the intro.

Power: Teaching What We (un)Learn About Sharing and Withholding Power

Holly Elissa Bruno writing the intro.

We have all been schooled in the unwritten rules of dominance and subordinance in organizations. Here, we identify what we need to unlearn about traditional power dynamics, and envision ways to share power with those different from us and across differences. Together, we will create strategies on how to lead the way to equitable learning communities for all.

Tomorrow’s Children Today: A Self-Assessment Approach To Multicultural Readiness

Janet Gonzalez-Mena writing the intro.

A code of ethical conduct holds us all to the standard of mutual respect and empowerment. We seek through anti-bias curricula to create respectful, open environments where children are empowered to become their freest and best. Yet, we adults often experience or witness the disempowerment of those who are “different” because of race, gender, ethnicity, orientation, class, belief system, ability, and originality. This discussion is about naming the dynamics of power that we learned, visioning the dynamics of truly shared power, and creating strategies together on how to lead the way to equitable learning communities for all.

The Great Imposter: Unmasking the Burden of Self Doubts in Our Professional Lives

Luis A. Hernandez writing the intro.

Most teachers and professionals in early childhood are competent people who can have moments of doubts as to their skills and competence. The discussion will affirm that while we may have certain weaknesses, it is imperative that improvement and constant learning be part of a professional process. It is imperative to focus on strengths, claim credit for small and big success stories, recognized tasks that are accomplished, and reflection on positive engagement and relationships.

Holly Elissa Bruno: Holly Elissa Bruno, MA, JD, is an author, attorney, professor, acclaimed keynote speaker, and host of an online radio program. She is an alumna of Harvard University’s Institute for Educational Management, teaches leadership courses for The Mc Cormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership and Wheelock College, and is a frequent contributor to
Child Care Information Exchange and the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s
Young Children publication. Previously, Holly Elissa served as Assistant Attorney General for the state of Maine and Assistant Dean at the University of Maine School of Law. Holly Elissa’s books include
What You Need to Lead an Early Childhood Program: Emotional Intelligence in Practice and
Managing Legal Risks in Early Childhood Programs.

Janet Gonzalez-Mena: Janet Gonzalez-Mena, MA, is a highly respected early childhood consultant, trainer, infant specialist, diversity specialist, and writer. She taught in the California community college system for more than thirty years and is currently part of the faculty for West Ed’s Program for Infant Toddler Care (PITC) and Beginning Together, a training program for adults working with children with special needs. She is the author of
Diversity in Early Care and Education: Honoring Differences; 50 Strategies for Working with and Communicating with Diverse Families; Infants, Toddlers, and Caregivers, Ninth Edition; and
Basics of Developmentally Appropriate Practice: An Introduction for Teachers of Infants and Toddlers. Janet has a master in arts degree in human development from Pacific Oaks College.

Luis A. Hernandez: Luis A. Hernandez, MA, T/TAS Early Childhood Education Specialist, is an active member of many professional organizations that support children and family interests. He is active in the accreditation process with the National Association for the Education of Young Children, where he is also creating professional and leadership development opportunities. He serves on the Board of the Parent Services Project in California, the Advisory Board of the Mc Cormick Tribune Center for Early Childhood Leadership, and the United Way’s Center for Excellence in Early Childhood. Luis writes for
Child Care Information Exchange and is a frequent keynote speaker at national, state, and local conferences. He holds a master of arts degree in bilingual/multicultural education.

Debra Ren-Etta Sullivan: Debra R. Sullivan, Ed D, is the cofounder and president of Praxis Institute for Early Childhood Education. She has more than twenty-five years of experience in higher education as a teacher, researcher, and administrator. Debra holds a doctorate in educational leadership, and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. She is the author of
Learning to Lead: Effective Leadership Skills for Teachers of Young Children, Second Edition.