Reflective Analysis of Portfolio Artifact

Rationale/Reflection
NAEYC Standard:
STANDARD 6. BECOMING A PROFESSIONAL
Candidates prepared in early childhood degree programs identify and
conduct themselves as members of the early childhood profession. They know and use
ethical guidelines and other professional standards related to early childhood practice.
They are continuous, collaborative learners who demonstrate knowledgeable, reflective
and critical perspectives on their work, making informed decisions that integrate
knowledge from a variety of sources. They are informed advocates for sound educational
practices and policies (NAEYC, 2010).

Brief Description of Evidence:

Throughout my educational program I have completed various trainings through
my place of employment and through the Indiana Association for Child Care Resource
and Referral that covered different aspects of early childhood. I have also shared my
knowledge on cultural diversity in classrooms by participating on a panel that took place
here at Ivy Tech in the fall of 2014.

Analysis of What I Learned:

Through the completion of the trainings I have learned the importance
of being versatile and knowledgeable in all things early childhood. From continuity of
care to learning how to interact with fathers that are involved in childcare. The diversity
panel I was on required me to research and build upon my knowledge on cultural
diversity and anti-bias in education.

How This Artifact Demonstrates my Competence on the NAEYC

Standard:
This artifact demonstrates my competence on
the NAEYC Standard the trainings on various topics of early childhood enhanced my
knowledge on sound education practices and policies. For example, I knew how to read
the Indiana Foundations before getting trained on how to utilize them effectively when
working with children in order to ensure that they are meeting their developmental
milestones the 5 Cognitive Domains lists for multiple ages. The knowledge I gained from
the research about cultural diversity in education has made me more aware of the
importance to create an atmosphere within my classroom that represents each and
every individual student. I referred to educator Gloria Ladson-Billings who discussed
ethical and unethical practices. In one of her speeches she stated, So as a
consequence, many of their classroom days are filled with day after day after day of
experiences, but little, if any, teaching. After reading that I have made it a point to
combine teaching with the insightful experiences I have planned for my children.