I have seemed to gain a deeper appreciation for my director at the preschool. It's not everyday that I take the time to reflect on others, and the responsibilities and stresses they face daily. I have always known that the role of a director was important; filled with meetings, travel, phone calls, and much more. This chapter touched quite a bit on finding balance as a director. This chapter pretty much defined balance as having mental and psychological stability, and remaining calm and harmonious when faced with opposition or other influences. I would consider this the definition of the director of our program. Every time I see my director, she is calm, cool, and collected. She always has her planner on hand (filled with writing), she gleams with positivity, and appears and communicates in a way which comes across so nonchalant!
The expectation of having a year without a hitch, let alone a day, as an early childhood educational director is unrealistic. I have personally had to make multiple phone calls in one day to my director concerning a pressing issue at the site which needed authoritative direction and decision making. Not only was I depending on my director at that time, but she was also at a meeting in Oahu which was also requiring her attention. Being a director is taking on the role of balancing things as a whole. It is important to address specific issues in a timely manner, as well as train, meet with and update the teaching staff on concerns or upcoming events or issues, etc. The site needs to be looked at as a whole, or a machine; in which all the parts must be in good condition and maintained, so that it may work properly and run smoothly. Sometimes there will be minor leaks (which can be spot fixed) or maybe major breakdowns (which can sometimes be prevented by regular maintenance). But at the end of the day, once on thing is not working properly in the machine, it puts the rest of the machine in jeopardy. This is an example of what I view a program directors' mentality to look like. But when it comes to what to fix first, or put first in the day's to do list, what takes priority? Issues concerning teachers, children, the programs site, meetings, etc.? Should one be viewed as more important than another?
Hi Elena,
ReplyDeleteAn awareness of the role Directors play int he program helps us to be appreciative of their contribution and leadership. We need their support all the time and for them to be accessible for emergencies and pressing issues. It's not an easy job to do but they seem to do it effortlessly (my opinion). Having the triangle framework will guide us in addressing concerns and issues appropriately. Can teachers use the triangle framework? Is it just for Directors? How can the framework address the issue of priorities and what would come first?
Hi Elena,
ReplyDeleteWhat priority comes first? This is an interesting perspective on balance. Are priorities defined through the vision and touchstone of the director? Or does the early childhood center community (children, families, teachers, staff) contribute to how the vision and touchstone are constructed and determined? And how will this influence implementation and continuation?
Learning about being a director offers teachers something to reflect on -- this is noted by you at the beginning of your blog. Can this change your view of the director? Could this influence how you might come to understand the perspective of the children, families, colleagues, staff?
Jeanne
Elena,
ReplyDeleteIt seems like you are working with a great director and you feel comfortable to work with her. I assume that your work place is somewhere people trust the director and have good relationship between coworkers. I am grad that you can work with those people. You mentioned that your director is calm, cool and collected. How do you think she became such a cool director now? From your perspective, when it comes to fixing things, what are the things that she puts as her priority? Do you agree with that?
Miwa ;)
Hi Elena,
ReplyDeleteI totally get you about a director. How can you as a director be as harmonious as the directors you encounter? How do they pull off such a harmonious personality while their entire day is full of chaos? I look up to those directors, even though you know how hectic their day is, they still have a smile on their face and they make their job seem so easy and in place, but look at the reality. How are we supposed to deal with it, what are these harmonious directors secrets? I just have to know. I can barely juggle the four classes that I am taking this semester, how do you suppose a director juggles all of her responsibilities plus more yearly?
Hello Elena,
ReplyDeleteI feel that a director chooses what takes priority based on what his or her vision for the program. Have you ever sat down and really talked to your director about her vision for the preschool? Her schedule must be packed tight but may be just ask how she does it. How does her position now compare to the first year she became a director?
Jenna