Winters – connections in the Peer Mentoring Program

To me, the community of practice means a connection. A place to connect with other educators. A place to just talk about things that we relate to within the field and personally, as in our practice, and just get to know others and get to know just why the why behind what we do. And just giving that refresh as to, you know, this is why we’re in it. This is why we do what we do. But the group has brought out the okay that I’m here for a reason. The children are the reason. I couldn’t imagine leaving the field doing anything else. So, to be able to connect with my peers and just talk together about why we do this and why we continue to stay in the field. And also collaborating ideas as to how we can retain staff. It’s been really helpful and we all kind of come from different backgrounds and different programs. So, hearing about different, ways we can retain staff in group centers or in-home centers has been helpful. And I think the group itself is beneficial to all that are in the ECE field.  

That connection component is really important to me. And I think it’s just changed the way that I view the field in a more positive aspect. I’ve always viewed it in a positive way, but just having that connection, those relationships with other educators has really just been a light in my eyes as an educator and just I’ve grown a lot. I feel personally, as an educator, since being part of the program, and I just feel so comfortable and it’s really just made me happier. 

I believe that early childhood educators are powerful when we come together and being with children, spending our days with children, is one of the most rewarding things that we can do. And even if we touch one child’s life, we have done wonders and we make a difference together. We make a difference even when we’re sole operators. Any way that we’re in the field and making a difference in the life of a child is so beneficial. And I think that being in a group such as the peer mentor program is the best thing for our field.