Why are you a Director?

12/18/2006

Children are not things to be molded, but are people to be unfolded.
Jess Lair

What is interesting, meaningful, and relevant to you as a director? Over the past few years I have been exploring this idea. What is it about directors of early care and education programs that excite them? Why do they do what they do?

Here are two directors’ perspectives! Why do you do what you do?

“I have been doing this for many, many years and some days, when it gets to be too much, I wonder why. But the many challenges are exciting — I never do the same thing every day. I work for a great company with wonderful people...but in the long run, it's the kids who excite me the most. This morning, I stepped into the Infant/Toddler play yard, and one of the babies spotted me, and came running over for a hug!! Wow! That's what makes it so worthwhile. I get a "baby fix" every day!! A few years ago, I decided to venture out into the real world. I wanted to explore other things, and experience what perhaps the "parents do all day." I worked in a billing office and sat in front of a computer all day. BORING! PREDICTABLE! I Came back..hopefully to stay!” Ann O'Reilly, Center Director, Bright Horizons, Rhode Island and Women and Infants' Hospitals

“This is actually my second career. Immediately after school, I went to work for New England Telephone. After that, I became the token female in a man’s world — I was named the Director of East Coast Operations for Corporate Security. In August of 1990, I became the Director of the first Child Care Connection. My daughter came to work with me — who could ask for a better deal? Since that time, I have held various positions within the company. I have been in my current job for almost 3 years. There is never a day when I wake up and say that I don’t want to go to work. My job is challenging and requires a lot of research — I am very detail oriented — some say anal. And when things start to get to me, I walk into one of our centers and make a puzzle or Play-Doh animals. Little smiling faces are the best medicine. By doing all that I can to keep the staff informed on the latest changes in our field, the centers up to code in every aspect, and lending a hand when needed, I am comfortable in the knowledge that we are providing a necessary service and making a difference. I guess that my passion for children has rubbed off because my daughter has switched her major to ECE/social work with hopes of becoming an advocate.” Kathie Sandberg, Director of Compliance, Child Care Connection/The Children's Workshop

Contributed by William H. Strader, Director, Institute for Early Childhood Leadership & Professional Development, Johnson & Wales University

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