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Welcome New Exchange Leaders!
August 8, 2023
To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart.
-Eleanor Roosevelt, 1884-1962, Diplomat, First Lady, Activist
-Eleanor Roosevelt, 1884-1962, Diplomat, First Lady, Activist
The Exchange Leadership Initiative is delighted to welcome the 2023 Exchange Leaders! Pam Boulton writes, “We see them everywhere—as directors, owners, and administrators, in classrooms, family child care homes, schools, colleges, and universities and in all the programs and services that support children and families.”
Jennifer Chen, Professor: “To me, both teaching and learning are fundamental and integral to leadership which, in turn, is an evolving process that requires continuous learning and a strong commitment to engaging in reflective practice. As I strive to lead with wisdom through self-reflection and by example anchored in respect and positivity, I hope to inspire others to join forces in advancing the field of early care and education.”
Ursula Costin, Early learning specialist: “In the words of bell hooks, ‘Love is a combination of care, commitment, knowledge, responsibility, respect, and trust.’ I continue to seek others who think about young children with love and value their lives. This outlook is/will be reflected in the physical, emotional, and learning environments I am engaged in. My words, ways, attitudes, and inspirations stress the strong core belief that all are welcome.”
Margo Ford Crosby, Director, opens with a quote from Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm: “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” She continues:
“…I have often times had to bring my folding chair by way of email, letter, or grassroots action to tables where early childhood and/or my Black voice was not a priority. I am truly grateful for those who say my name at tables where I am not invited…I am still working to achieve my seat at many tables, and I am too classy to flip the table so until I get a seat, I will continue to bring my folding chair to those tables while I am building my own table.” Hear from—and celebrate—all our new Exchange Leaders in the latest issue of Exchange magazine!
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Comments (2)
Displaying All 2 CommentsEugene, OR, United States
Yes, Francis. We (all) need to do a better job of recruiting, retaining, and above all, valuing men in early childhood professions. We did not get many male applicants, which also means we need to do a better job of getting the word out to men. I'm grateful for the work of groups like the World Forum Working Group on Men in Early Care and Education who promote male involvement. Anyone can apply and we encourage people to spread the word. exchangepress.com/leadership
University of Phoenix/ Red Rocks Community College
Denver, Colorado, United States
Congratulations to all the New Exchange Leaders! Well disserved!
However, I could not help but notice - as I am sure others have - that exactly one of the 47 new leaders is a man. According to my math, that's just over 2%! If these figures were reversed, there would be righteous indignation, with calls for commissions and action groups, and forceful statements from our field's leadership. But somehow no-one seems to care.
There are, of course, reasons for this horrible imbalance, as there always are. But that's not really the point! The point is that few in the ECE community seem to see this as a problem, and nothing is being done to address the problem.
As someone who has been in this field for 50 years, I am not only very familiar with the status quo of gender imbalance, but I believe that many in the field are quite comfortable with it. What else would account for the lack of pushback and very little effort to make this a priority?
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