Running head: Individual Reflective Narrative

Professionalism as an individual
9. Early Childhood Educators recognize that they are role models for children, families,
members of their profession, supervisees and other colleagues and avoid conduct which
could reasonably be perceived as reflecting negatively on the profession of early
childhood education. (College of ECE, 2011)
Artifact: Email to parents/caregivers
What I know about this standard is as an early childhood educator I have a
responsibility to possess different sorts of qualities and present them among co-workers,
children, or families; a role model being one of those virtues. For example,
in Development: Across the Lifespan, we learned about Albert Banduras socio-cultural
theory, and that children will use early childhood educators as well as their own mothers
and fathers to acquire both positive and negative conducts. In addition, we learned that
children often imitate what they see others doing at a young age, therefore if an ECE
were to do something bad such as say an in appropriate word, a child will most likely
repeat that word. This standard of practice is important because a role model is any
individual who supports students to strive to be their best version of themselves. A role
model is also someone we all look up to and can go to for guidance. Essentially, as early
childhood educators we guide learners through each key part of growth since we see
children for up to eight hours a day. Often times more then their own families get to see
them.
In order to put this standard into practice I need to make sure I am mindful of my
actions at all times. For example: not using inappropriate language in front of students.
For families, I can display how we use Canadas food guide to certify that children are
eating healthy in the classroom. To benefit my co-workers I can demonstrate a
professional and polite attitude. Finally, in order to avoid behaviour that could be
perceived as reflecting negatively on the profession of early childhood education, I need
to make sure I comprehend the code of ethics and center policies, use them to guide my
actions, and dress appropriately.
The artifact I have chosen is an email to my cooperating teacher. I chose this
because it shows that I am qualified to take the steps required to present myself in a
positive light while simultaneously displaying that I use professional language when
communicating with my co-workers. By doing so, I will confirm that I do not reflect
undesirable behaviour on the profession of early childhood education.
The artifact contributes to my professional growth because by writing my
objectives in an email, my co-operating teacher, along with myself, will have a clear
understanding of how I will put my goals into action for families, co-workers, and
children. In addition, this gives both of us the opportunity to go back and look at the
email any time as a reference along with coming back the next day with feedback.