Diana J. LaRocco

Your H.E.R.O.: Thriving as an Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education Professional.

Melinda and Netika are early career teachers who have been best friends since they roomed together in college. They have maintained their friendship since graduating 3 years ago and typically meet over coffee after their Saturday morning workouts. Their leisurely conversations inevitably turn to discussions about teaching, working with young children and their families, and the “ups and downs” of being early career professionals. Melinda, a certified special education teacher, currently works for a regional early intervention program. In her most recent annual evaluation, her supervisor recognized her for creativity in supporting children in natural, inclusive environments. This recognition was especially important to Melinda because during her first year as a teacher she experienced tremendous difficulty with this aspect of her work. At one point, she even considered leaving the profession. Similarly, Netika struggled terribly with managing her classroom during her first few months of teaching in a large urban early care and education program. Nevertheless, with great determination and support from a colleague, Netika rose above her early difficulties and was promoted recently to lead teacher. Despite early adversities, each of these young women maintained hope and persevered toward their shared goal of making a difference in the lives of the young children and families with whom they work. Each sought ways to build their skills and improve their practice, and over time, became more efficacious in their work. Melinda and Netika are thriving at work. They have high hope, demonstrate resilience in overcoming obstacles, are optimistic about their professional futures, and share a strong desire to do the best job possible.

A National Early Childhood Special Education Leadership Summit

On October 16, 2013 a national, early childhood special education leadership summit was held in San Francisco, CA at DECs 29th Annual International Conference on Young Children with Disabilities and Their Families. The summit format was a facilitated, focus group discussion in which participants shared their perceptions of what is needed to build and preserve the field’s leadership capital. There were 18 participants who were nominated as leaders in the field and represented researchers, faculty, program administrators, teachers, other personnel, and families of children who have received special education services. This draft report summarizes the background and rationale, methods, preliminary findings, and recommended actions.