District 8 — South West Region

Statement:

As a mother and RECE, I am thrilled to run for Council as I recognize the field of Early Childhood Education is in a season of change and improvement, and accompanying that change is the growth of the College of Early Childhood Educators. As a registrant of the CECE and a member of the diverse community of Early Childhood Educators, I am passionate about professionalism and inclusion. I believe serving on Council would allow me to use this platform as a seat of shared experiences and voices that echo the professional dialogue that I have been privileged to absorb in conversations throughout my education and practice. I wholeheartedly believe the quality of early learning environments is vastly impacted by the conditions of families and the practitioners in the field, and the way to improve the quality of the field is through reciprocal relationship building between the various stakeholders – educators, families, children, administration, government, advocates, and in our provincial context, the College of Early Childhood Educators. I understand the College acts in the public’s interest, and I am eager to look through that lens and elevate our field through responsible decision making. As a professional, my ethos is to listen to the stories and needs of others and offer empathy, respect, and encouragement in return. I believe my function within the Council would prove to be found in those values at the forefront of my interactions and contributions to decision making on behalf of the public, professionals, and the profession.

Early Childhood Education

Thames Valley District School Board
London, ON

Statement:

Thank you for considering me for membership on the Council. As a system leader (RECE on Special Assignment) for Thames Valley District School Board, I value honesty, integrity, teamwork and commitment.  I work very well with others and am a lifelong learner, and am in the final level of the leadership program (LEAD 3) offered by TVDSB. In my current role and my previous experience as a foster parent, and foster parent trainer, I have always committed myself to maintaining confidentiality and professionalism. I have extensive experience working with people from a variety of backgrounds and am constantly growing in my understanding of equity, human rights and privilege.  If elected, I will dedicate myself fully to prepare and participate in all meetings and committees.  I feel that serving on Council would provide me with a more extensive and robust understanding of self-governance. I look forward to sharing my professional experiences with others while learning from theirs, honing my leadership skills and connecting with other RECEs across the province. I feel like my professional and personal experiences, my zest for new adventures and continued self-growth, along with the positions of leadership that I have had will prepare me well for a position on Council. I hope you feel this way too.

Family and Children’s Services of St. Thomas/Elgin

Foster Parent Trainer for PRIDE Preservice Training

Literacy Link South Central
London, ON

Statement:

Hello!

My name is Jan and I currently work for a non-profit organization as a Training Coordinator.  We are involved in a government funded program working to bring new professionals into the field of ECE.  I am passionate about ensuring that all ECEs can maintain and enhance their skills within their practice, and I believe deeply that the public interest needs to be protected by ensuring we are all practicing at a high level of skill and professionalism.  I bring with me an in-depth knowledge of the field of ECE through various roles: running my own home childcare, working as a dietary planner, supply staff, before and after school staff, and full-time staff for a licensed childcare, and as a DECE in a Kindergarten classroom. I have also recently completed a training course with the Governance Professionals of Canada about Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and am very interested in expanding my knowledge and skills in the work of Governance. Throughout my various professional roles both in and out of the field of ECE, I have developed excellent communication, leadership, analytical and decision-making skills.  I am also extremely detail oriented and organized.  I hope to join the council because I believe in holding myself and others to high standards.  I am always striving to do better than I did the day before, to learn new things, and to grow personally and professionally.  I plan to bring this attitude to the work I will do as an elected member of council.

London Children’s Connection
London, ON

Statement:

My name is Tam Mifsud and I am highly motivated to represent your South West region as a Council member for the College of ECEs. I have been employed in the child care field over the last 29 years and have had the opportunity to explore various roles. My current roles include the Program and Policy Advisor for London Children’s Connection, a multi-faceted, non-profit organization within the City of London, as well as teaching part time in the ECE program at Fanshawe College.

I am passionate about the importance of recognizing Early Childhood Educators as professional and the importance of integrity within our role working with children and families. I would highlight my time within the Council as an opportunity to expand the understanding of our commitment to the Code of Conduct and Standards of Practice and ongoing professional learning, as a means to endorse our profession.

In addition, I value my experiences working collaboratively with colleagues in various facets of the profession and continue to seek opportunities for learning together and building relationships. I am committed to ensure the profession of Early Childhood Educators is diverse, and embraces inclusivity in all domains. The extensive experience that so many ECEs have to offer can only enhance the level of care and learning for our children and families. 

I believe our profession commits to ensuring the best for children and families within our communities and this commitment is evident in our practices as defined by the College of ECES.

Early Childhood Education

Program and Policy Advisor

Professor Early Childhood Education – Part time

Thames Valley District School Board
London, ON

Statement:

After 20 years of working in the field of early childhood education in various settings, I have a strong urge to run for council for the College of Early Childhood Educators. I believe in quality early years spaces for all and know that early years professionals play a vital role in developing and shaping the inclusive and diverse spaces that support the families and children in Ontario. As professionals, we have the duty and capacity to uphold rigorous standards not only to enhance the quality of our daily work environment but also to serve as a fundamental pillar in safeguarding the welfare of those we serve. I believe that my knowledge and real-world understanding of the nuances of the field will support policy-building and decision-making within the self-governing council that is grounded in practicality and relevance. Previous experience volunteering on other councils in the District 8 community will provide valuable skills to support the role as a council member for the College of Early Childhood Educators to build trust in the community and build confidence in Ontario’s early childhood educators.

Honours Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Studies

City of St. Thomas
St. Thomas, ON

Place of Employment:

Stratford Cygnets Cooperative Preschool
Stratford, ON

Statement:

I am honoured to present my candidacy for a position of council member as part of the College of Early Childhood Educators. As a passionate advocate for the well-being and early education of young children, I bring a wealth of experience and dedication to the table. I have worked as a RECE for 13 years, of which the last 3 have been in a supervisor role. I am very active in the Early Childhood Education community as a Professional Development Speaker, an ECE Consultant and an advocate for Before and After School Education. I have witnessed firsthand the profound impact that quality early learning experiences can have on a child’s development and my commitment to fostering excellence in the field aligns seamlessly with the College’s mission to uphold high standards for Early Childhood Educators. I am dedicated to amplifying the voices of early childhood educators and ensuring their concerns are heard at the highest level. I am excited about the opportunity to run and possibly serve on Council where together we can work towards not only advancing the profession and empowering the educators but overall enhancing the quality of education across our province.

September 2023-December 2023

April 2023-August 2023