Lessons Learned: 5 Insights for Early Career Professionals from My Mentor

The first few years as an ECSE provider are tricky - between balancing relationships, collecting data, and paperwork, I felt like I was barely making it my first year. That's why it is so important to have mentors who remind you it WILL get easier! Before I started working, my mentor (thanks Teresa!) gave me five recommendations to keep in mind. Teresa is an early intervention provider, but these tips work for teachers and EI providers alike!

Stay on top of state requirements.
There are many legal requirements for EI providers and ECSE teachers, and those can vary by state and district. There was a designated person at my first job to send out IEP drafts and schedule with families. At my current job, that's all on me. A lot of EI providers do their own billing, which is another thing to keep track of. I personally use Alternative Way to PreK's IEP bundle to stay on track with paperwork.

Remember those moments that remind you why you do this job.
"Not every day at this job will be the best day." THIS is some of the most important advice I received before I started teaching. There are days that feel terrible. There are days that we question why am I even doing this. But those are not the days we hold on to - we have to focus on the days and moments where you really helped someone. I keep a book with cards from families for days when I feel down on myself. Reading their words reminds me why I do this work.

Meet families - and yourself - where they are at.
Families are doing their absolute best to support their child, even if it looks different than how you or other families you work with would do it. The only way we can help families and children is by being empathetic and understanding where they're coming from. And this goes for us as well!

Breathe through the technology challenges!
We are expected to be knowledgeable about technology (smart boards, online grade systems, you name it) on top of all our other skills as educators. At my most recent job interview, I could not get my slides to connect to the Smart Board. I was beyond embarrassed but kept my cool and offered to proceed without the slides. We eventually figured out the tech, but my flexibility with or without technology is ultimately one reason I was hired.

Know your own biases and triggers, and work through them privately and professionally.
Every one of us has biases and triggers. This isn't "our fault," but it is our job to work through these. One of my big triggers is spitting. If a child spits on me, I get very triggered and my nervous system becomes dysregulated. I have to know myself and know whether I can continue in that moment or need to step out. And I always reconnect with the child when their dysregulation has passed.

What kept you going through your first years as an ECSE teacher or EI provider? What advice would you give to new teachers now?