passion

Every early childhood program is filled with talented educators. We can learn where they studied, how many years they have taught, and which age group they prefer. But how often do we ask them a different question: What are you passionate about outside of teaching?

The answers can reveal extraordinary hidden treasures.

They may:

•  love gardening and could help children plant a vegetable garden or create a butterfly habitat. 

• be an enthusiastic baker who would enjoy introducing family recipes while exploring measurement, culture, and science. 

• play the guitar, paint, sew, photograph nature, or enjoy woodworking. 

• speak another language and enrich the classroom with songs, stories, greetings, and books from another culture, helping children develop curiosity about the world.

These passions are more than hobbies—they are authentic resources waiting to be woven into the life of the school.

I have seen how powerful this can be. One of my own passions is collecting stamps. Over the years, I have used Israeli stamps to teach children about holidays, history, geography, and important people. A simple collection became a meaningful educational tool that sparked curiosity and conversations.

As directors and assistant directors, we have an opportunity to intentionally discover these strengths. Ask each educator to share something they love doing, collecting, creating, or learning. What would they be excited to contribute to the school community? You might be surprised by the wealth of knowledge already sitting in your staff room.

When educators are invited to bring their whole selves to their work, they feel seen, valued, and empowered. Their enthusiasm becomes contagious, enriching children's experiences with authentic learning opportunities that cannot be found in a curriculum guide.

Perhaps most importantly, children witness adults who continue to be curious, creative, and passionate learners. They see that every person has unique interests and talents worth sharing with a community.

Your greatest resource may not require a new budget or a new curriculum. It may already be part of your team. All it takes is one question: "What passion or talent would you love to share with our children?" The answers may transform your school in ways you never expected. 

Rachel Raz 

AJU and IAC (American Jewish University and Israeli American Council) 

Most early childhood educators report that they feel a deep sense of purpose in their work and have a passion for nurturing young lives.  And it’s exactly that deep sense of commitment that often leads to burnout!  The job has become increasingly demanding and, unfortunately, less joyful.

But all is not lost!  It is still possible to love your profession without sacrificing all of yourself into it.  Here are a few tips to help prevent or recover from caregiver burnout:

1. Don’t lose sight of the simple fact that you are worthy of taking care of yourself!  You don’t have to earn self-care and you don’t have to wait until you’re near collapse. You deserve to tend to yourself simply because you are a living, breathing, human being.

2. Plan your rest.  There are several different types of rest beyond the obvious “physical rest.”  Sometimes you might benefit from a nap or an early bedtime, but sometimes you need to have a good long talk with a friend, or go for a walk in the woods, or do some meditation, or pick up some colored pencils and a coloring book. But when you’re really wiped out, decision fatigue makes it impossible to initiate any of these activities.  Write your rest plan in your calendar.  On Monday, you’ll go to bed at 9pm.  On Tuesday, you’ll have a call scheduled with your bff.  On Wednesday, it’s cozy TV night.  And so on.  Diversify your rest and PLAN IT.

3. Practice gratitude.  It seems like a cliche, but the science backs it up.  Spending time focusing on specific things that you’re grateful for can help improve your outlook and your mental health. Don’t rely on the low-hanging fruit, like “I’m grateful for my family.”  Go deeper, like  “I’m grateful for the sound of my daughter’s laughter when we were joking around this morning.”  “I’m grateful for getting just the right amount of salad dressing on my lunch salad today.”  We’re surrounded by wonders, big and small, but many of us have become too busy and too stressed to stop and notice them.

4. Go have a laugh!  Hang with your friends who crack you up or watch a comedy special on Netflix.  Find some lightness and laugh until the tears come.

And finally,

1. Gain new perspective from someone from a different generation.  Someone older probably has hard-earned wisdom to share about the meaning of it all.  Likewise, someone younger probably has fresh ideas about how to value and care for your mental well-being.  

Jillian Best Adler

Early Childhood Consultant

Lawrence, New Jersey

jillianbestadler@gmail.com