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Early Childhood Heroes

  • 1.  Early Childhood Heroes

    Posted 03-24-2020 09:51 PM
    Dear early childhood educators and leaders in our child care programs,

    You are seen. You are heard. In a matter of 24 hours you were slapped in the face with unprecedented circumstances and decisions you were not prepared to make. You were told to practice social distancing. You were told we need your care. You were not told how those two things coincide.

    You are the backbone of the economy. Yet, no one ever tells you that. You show up each day, you give love, you give learning.

    For those of you leading child care programs, you probably never thought you would be facing a decision on who's health is most important. You were being asked to choose. Yourself? Your family? Your staff? Your students? Their families? The people in the community that your families may serve? Everyone who comes in contact with any of them?

    On top of health decisions, let's throw in the threat of losing your livelihood. Maybe if you are lucky, you have had 48 hours to figure this all out.

    Somewhere amidst the pressure, you made hard decisions. Decisions that tore at your heart. Decisions that made people feel scared. Decisions that made people feel angry. Decisions that made people feel relieved. Decisions that will affect people for a long time to come.

    You made the RIGHT decision.

    Whether you are still providing care or not providing care, you made the best decision in a time of crisis where there was little guidance. You contributed to the greater good if you are practicing social distancing and staying home. You contributed to the greater good if you are caring for children of essential workers.

    You CONTRIBUTE to the greater good each day of your life and your efforts can never be measured.

    Love,
    Heather
    MaineAEYC Board President

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    Heather Marden
    Birchwood Day Nursery School
    Raymond ME
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  • 2.  RE: Early Childhood Heroes

    Posted 03-26-2020 07:51 AM
    This was beautifully stated!  I needed that!

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    Elizabeth Weller
    Director
    Park Place Children's Center
    Anderson IN
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  • 3.  RE: Early Childhood Heroes

    Posted 03-26-2020 08:31 AM
    Thank you for these words! I literally had tears running down my face as I read it. I have felt very alone although I know almost half the centers in my state are closed. It was the toughest decision I have ever had to make. I have been frustrated with the lack of guidance and I also understand it, no one was prepared for this.

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    Wanda DiStefano
    Holly Springs Academy
    Canton GA
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  • 4.  RE: Early Childhood Heroes

    Posted 03-26-2020 10:18 AM
    Thank you for your heartfelt message. I am in appreciative tears.
    May it all be for the good.
    Respectfully,
    Carol Bell





  • 5.  RE: Early Childhood Heroes

    Posted 03-26-2020 10:59 AM
    Reading this brought tears to my eyes. Thank you!

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    Maureen Rutkowski
    Swarthmore PA
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  • 6.  RE: Early Childhood Heroes

    Posted 03-26-2020 11:49 AM

    Thank you so much.  I will share your letter with my staff.  

    With love from Iowa.  Thanks for all you do. 



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    Angela Mapes
    Kiddie Karrasel Academy, Inc.
    Le Claire IA
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  • 7.  RE: Early Childhood Heroes

    Posted 03-27-2020 07:12 AM

    This was wonderful, thank you.. thank you, thank you... our state has literally abandoned us, zero guidance (other than wash your hands, social distance the toddlers, and just do your job). 



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    Toni Dickerson

    "Children are not things to be molded, but people to be unfolded." - Jess Lair
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  • 8.  RE: Early Childhood Heroes

    Posted 03-28-2020 02:40 PM
    How in the world can you "social distance" toddlers?

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    Eileen Donahue Brittain
    Adjunct On-Line Instructor
    Johns Hopkins Graduate School of Education
    Baltimore, MD
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  • 9.  RE: Early Childhood Heroes

    Posted 03-28-2020 02:53 PM
    Our point exactly. It's been nauseating to be at the disposal of our state.

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    Toni Dickerson

    "Children are not things to be molded, but people to be unfolded." - Jess Lair
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  • 10.  RE: Early Childhood Heroes

    Posted 06-02-2020 04:19 PM
    I am the principal of an early childhood public school and as our district begins to plan our reopening I keep wondering how our youngest learners can be expected to socially distance, keep a mask on, and not share materials in a center area.   Any guidance, feedback, etc would be appreciated.  

    Sally Sherman
    Killingly Public Schools
    Killingly, CT

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    Sally Sherman
    Principal
    Goodyear Early Childhood Center
    Rogers CT
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  • 11.  RE: Early Childhood Heroes

    Posted 03-27-2020 09:46 AM
    Thank you for that, very much needed at this time. :)

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    Andrea Cox
    Bridgeport CT
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  • 12.  RE: Early Childhood Heroes

    Posted 03-27-2020 11:54 AM
    YES. Thank you for validating all of our feelings right now, and the pressure we are under. It has been such a struggle to know what the best thing is to do, and it is so helpful to know that you and others like us are together in this.

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    Julianna Kiecker
    Director
    Precious Lambs Early Learning Center
    Raleigh NC
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  • 13.  RE: Early Childhood Heroes

    Posted 03-27-2020 04:51 PM

    Heather,

    Your letter has brought me to tears.  Tears that I was holding for all our unsung heroes!
    With all my respect, I have posted your letter in my Facebook page because I want all our ece community to know how important they are. Our ec community deserves praise and recognition for the fabulous work they are doing in the mist of this crisis.  
    Thanks for your beautiful message.

    I truly appreciate it. 

    Vilma M. Williams



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    Vilma Williams
    Council for Professional Recognition
    Washington DC
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  • 14.  RE: Early Childhood Heroes

    Posted 03-29-2020 11:25 AM

    Heather,

    Thank you kindly for your powerfully consoling words.

    we, @ S.M.A.R.T. Preschool Learning Center were on the fence related to closing or staying open. Interestingly enough, we found ourselves at the 50 yard line related to reasons for closure versus reasons to stay open.

    As the Coronavirus continued to spread through the Northeast, we found it best to close, although we secured a waiver through the Commonwealth of PA. We had to co sided so many factors. Although, my team is saddened by the sudden closure, we ultimately feel it was the best decision for all. We found the best defense in this case was no offense. We decided, "Don't Move". 

    We've stayed in constant touch with families through the Brightwheel app, video chat, and have uploaded fun family activities and lesson plans. 


    my team thanks you and NAEYC for keeping us, as providers informed. This helps us communicate accurate  information to our families. 


    Dr Eric Waters
    S.M.A.R.T. Preschool Learning Center
    Harrisburg, PA 



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    Eric Waters
    Owner
    S.M.A.R.T. Preschool Learning Center
    Harrisburg PA
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  • 15.  RE: Early Childhood Heroes

    Posted 03-29-2020 09:25 PM
    Hi Eric, 
    Thank you for all you do and I hope you are staying well.  Such hard times and decisions, but we are all in this together.  It is also great to see the commitment of the early childhood field to stay connected with families through apps, conferencing platforms, etc.   I have two classes that I have been holding Zoom circle times on as well as using Seesaw for sharing information, resources, and fun things for families to do together.  It is evident how much educators care for their students and families through this regardless of open and closures.  Please take care and I wish you well!

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    Heather Marden
    Birchwood Day Nursery School
    Raymond ME
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  • 16.  RE: Early Childhood Heroes

    Posted 04-28-2020 10:08 PM
    Hello all. I work for essential employees child care. These are nurses and phlebotomists and other health care workers. We wear masks wearing for children! These children know about the virus because their parents talk about it. We cant let the parents in because we don't want them to bring germs from the hospital. Temperatures at the door.  No more than 10 people including staff allowed in a classroom at a time. Lick ugly they love to wash their hands.  
    Good night all.  Hopefully this will be over soon.
    Cecelia

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    Cecelia Donovan
    Red Bank NJ
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  • 17.  RE: Early Childhood Heroes

    Posted 04-30-2020 06:17 AM
    Sent from my iPhone