Author: Lynne Brooke – Educational Leader Date: 21 June 2019 This week I stumbled across a podcast that discussed professional identity and how we as professionals identify ourselves to others. Listen to #102 Professional Identity with Catharine Hydon from The Early Education Show in iTunes Podcasts. What resonated with me was the language we use to describe ourselves as Early Childhood Professionals. Whether we are educators, managers or service staff, we are all advocates for the sector. To discover your own identity I feel comes with practice and you have to create your own sense of belonging to become part of a much bigger picture. Back in the 1990’s when I was a trainee educator, I did not feel like I was making any kind of difference, just a “small fish in a big pond”. But with experience and finding my voice through professional learning, I could see how an Early Childhood Professional makes such a difference in raising quality outcomes for children. That statement “having a voice” is so important. When introducing yourself to others, how do we highlight the importance of our role? Stop with the, “I just work with children” and say, “I am an Early Childhood … Continue reading Our Professional Selves