Celebrating Educators’ Expertise

Exchange Reflections are designed to help a team of people meet in-person or live online to think deeply together about a topic using an article from Exchange magazine as a guide. This Exchange Reflections is based around the Exchange magazine article, "Writing Love Letters to Teachers as Experts of Their Practice" by Christie Angleton, Kathryn F. Whitmore and Pamela Jett.

Included are discussion questions to help guide reflections, as well as a "Making Commitments" idea sheet to help prompt ideas into action. For your convenience, Exchange Reflections are available in PDF format that you can download immediately on your desktop.

Exchange Reflections come with an Exchange Reflections Certificate. Certification and state licensing requirements for early childhood educators vary significantly. To find out if Exchange Reflections will be accepted for your requirements, we recommend that you contact your certifying or state licensing agency.

HOW TO USE EXCHANGE REFLECTIONS

1. Find a date and time that your team can meet for a discussion, and designate a facilitator.
2. Email or print and distribute Exchange Reflections to each team member prior to the discussion.
3. Read the article with an open mind, paying attention to any emotional reactions you may have. You may find you agree with some parts and disagree with others.
4. During your meeting, use the suggested Discussion Questions to guide your reflections. Agree to abide by these guidelines during the discussion:
   • Allow everyone a chance to speak -Listen respectfully and actively
   • Commit to learning about each other, not debating
   • Embrace differences of opinion as healthy, and always support each person’s authentic self expression.
5. End by looking together at the ideas in the Making Commitments section. Encourage participants to create their own commitment or choose one of the ideas provided.

Note: Downloadable PDFs are only available for download in pdf format. Directions for downloading follow immediately after purchase.