- How did Lettie integrate her leadership work from each side of the triangle?
Lettie used the triangle, and worked together with the support of teachers and families to help create a vision for her toddler classroom. She wanted to make sure that her staff and families felt that they had a part in creating a program for the toddler classroom. She noticed that in most of the programs, the vision was on paper but she did not see it in the staff and the program itself. Lettie made sure that she focused on the children and the families, and include the staff, to help them feel involved and a part of the school. She focused more on the families rather than on the paper work.
- If you were to put relationships center stage in your management, coaching, and community-building routines, what routine or system might you want to start revamping?
I know that I want to make sure that the parents feel welcomed into the classroom. Making sure that I sustain positive relationships with the parents and the children. Rather than the parents seeing me as the office person who is in charge, I want them to see me as a teacher too who will help their child achieve goals and be the best they can be. I want to welcome them into our daily routines at the school and let them know that I am there for them. If there are things that I could help them with then they should feel free to come to me when they need. Of course, as a director I want to make sure that the parents know that I am there to provide for them and their child. I would also want to have my staff have the same idea of having strong relationships with each other and the families. Even though there are times where parents beliefs and personal beliefs clash, we should all be respectful to each other and work together in supporting the child.
- How would you describe Lettie's disposition?
I think that even though Lettie is the director, she made sure that she involved parents and was very involved in the classroom and learning about the children and their families. She related to them in many ways. She also built strong relationships with the staff and created an vision by visiting other programs and seeing what works and what didn't. She also had patience for making sure that she considered every idea from staff and parents to create a vision that incorporated everyone's idea. She made sure that everyone worked together to help each other. She wanted parents to feel welcomed into the classroom and do things with the children. She created a place for the children and families to feel at home and safe.
- What disposition do you want to strengthen in yourself to begin your revamping work?
I know I want to work on having my parents feel that they can talk to me about anything. Because I am so young, I feel like it is hard to relate to them because I do not have children, nor am I married. I also know that I need to work on my communication skills because I am shy. I want to make sure that parents will feel welcomed into the classroom and the preschool, but also maintaining professionalism. The children are the most important priority and I want to make sure that parents know that I am there to be there for their children 110% and that my goal is to make sure that their child is learning at their best abilities.
