The Waller Way

Somebody used the term "babysitting" to describe our program recently and I couldn't help but cringe. If you hang out in an ECE class for any length of time, you'll realize that "babysitter" is a dirty word. Early childhood educators are anything but babysitters and the sector has worked unbelievably hard to get away from using that term and ones like it. They fought hard to including the "learning" in Early Learning and Child Care and their struggle to become viewed as professionals by the government, society, and media is still ongoing. So, I feel slightly guilty to begin complaining about something else. The title, "early childhood educator." I mean, it's great for the people working in early childhood. But, I'm not doing that. Therefore, to say that I'm an early childhood educator is false. So, what am I? I could say that it doesn't really matter and that I should just get on with my job. But, titles do provide a...

Yes I am a renaissance man with a microscope, but not a renaissance microscope. Antonie Leeuwenhoek made that first step in opening our eyes to the unseen world of small things, breaking way for the realization of cellular life. Making a lense out of soda lime and a bit of heat he managed to achieve magnification powers of multiple hundreds. This brought the scientific world to an astounding stage of exploration.  For centuries people have been looking out to the stars but now the search was redirected inward. And it has been a never ceasing pursuit of discovery since.  Happy microscopy. 

Growth. I am 22 years old and I am still growing every day. I am learning that everyone is not as honest as I am; That not everyone is in your corner, But the people that are need to be cherished and loved. I am learning to lead children outside, To keep from being critical, To surprise him in the morning with a muffin and a coffee, That going to the gym really does make a difference in muscle tone, To leave your phone in the car so you won’t forget it in the store, That sometimes a trip to the doctor is all you need.     For me, it’s hard. I work with living organisms Squirming and growing in subtle ways Every day. How can I lend consistency when I myself am growing? I’ve stuck my fingers in too many holes. Someone take my shoes off and I will use my toes.     My growth is ragged, like a line of racing horses. I pull to the lead in one area… Fall behind in another. Take my writing, for instance. What do I do wit...