The New Early Childhood Professional

For today’s early childhood educator, change is a non-negotiable reality. While the size, force, and direction of change can often seem overwhelming, this book shows the way toward overcoming these gigantic odds or “Goliaths.” The New Early Childhood Professional presents some of the heroic experiences and strategic approaches used by early childhood educators (participants in the CAYL Institute Fellowship programs) to deal with change. The authors share a specific framework with concrete steps to help educators become positive change-makers in the field of early care and education. Complete with resources, tools, and questions for reflection, this handbook takes readers through four progressive paths toward becoming an architect of change:

• Analysis—When confronting seemingly insurmountable situations, instead of being overwhelmed, think and reflect about the situation and discover hidden insights.
• Advance—Better understand the nature of problems while also strengthening your vision and identity through planning and preparation.
• Act—Begin with everyday challenges and use what you know from every situation, in every interaction with a child, parent, peer, or administrator.
• Accelerate—Focus on what you want to change, gather allies, document, and communicate.

Visit the book's website at www.newearlychildhoodprofessional.com.

Valora Washington is chief executive officer of the Council for Professional Recognition and the founder of the CAYL Institute in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts. She is the coauthor (with Stacie G. Goffin) of Ready or Not: Leadership Choices in Early Care and Education. Brenda Gadson specializes in working with community-based nonprofits and is the owner/operator of BMG Consulting in Ocoee, Florida. Kathryn L. Amel is associate manager of programs and operations with CAYL Institute.

" The New Early Childhood Professional is a necessary read for a wide range of professionals in the early care and education field including teachers, center/program directors, advocates, public policy makers, and administrators."

—Teachers College Record

"Informative, well written, exceptionally accessible in both organization and presentation, The New Early Childhood Professional is unreservedly recommended for school district, college, and university library Early Childhood Teacher instructional resource collections and supplemental studies lists."

—Midwest Book Review

“A talented leader is required to pull all the building blocks of quality together into a harmonious community. For this reason, The New Early Childhood Professional is a vital resource for both new and experienced early childhood leaders…. Readers, be prepared to be jolted out of your comfort zone. This book will challenge, inform, provoke, and inspire you.”

—From the Foreword by Roger and Bonnie Neugebauer, publishers of Exchange Magazine

"In this book, Washington, Gadson, and Amel lay out a proven, intentional, strategic, and clear approach to effect change collectively and individually. A definite must-read!"

—Marta T. Rosa, senior executive director, Department of Government & External Affairs, and Community Impact/chief diversity officer, Wheelock College

"At a pivotal moment in early childhood education, the authors give us the tools to become agents of change on behalf of young children. This highly readable discussion leaves us with no more excuses."

—Jacqueline Jones, executive director of the Foundation for Child Development in New York