“My Own Capacity”

     The issues impacting young children and their families and/or the early childhood field that fuel my passion are providing high quality early childhood programs for all children ages 3-5.  I truly believe if we are going to turn around our failing education system in the United States that we have to reach children at younger ages.  With the current state of our economy, there are going to be more at-risk children that will be in need of services in the future.  I am also passionate about these high quality programs identifying children with learning or other developmental disabilities at early ages so that they can receive services that may improve their abilities and their rate of success in school in later years.

     The skills that I have that contribute to advocacy efforts are that I am a people person, therefore I love to talk to and listen to people, I also am willing to devote time working with organizations and committees to improve the circumstances for children, I am a patient person and finally I have great communication skills.  All of these skills can help me as an advocate because you have to be able to listen to people and determine how you can best help them, you have to have the patience to work through an issue by meeting smaller obstacles and achieving them in order to make the path for your goal to be accomplished, and you have to be able to communicate your thoughts and ideals effectively with everyone that you meet and those that can assist you with accomplishing your goal.

     I also believe that I have experience working with professional organizations that will help me when necessary to make contact with different organizations.  Past experiences and relationships are always learning experiences but also are a valuable way to expand your support for an issue. 

     In order to be a more effective advocate I hope that I will continue to learn strategies, procedures and policies that will help me to know the best way to accomplish the objective or issue that I choose to pursue.  As a professional I am aware that there is always room for growth and improvement and I seek daily to improve myself in all areas.