My Role as an Advocate

What motivated you to start advocating for very young children?

When entering into my educational journey at Walden I initially started out in another specialization. When I learned what an advocate was I got excited because I though "I am already doing this". Once I realized that Walden offered a specialization in Early Childhood Advocacy I decided to change my specialization. My true passion is to advocate for issue that are going on in this field. I also just want to be a mouth for our children. In doing so the spirit of advocacy was ignited and I hope to eventually grow in this field.


Why is it essential to acknowledge and foster advocacy efforts at the micro as well as the macro level?

I feel that their are many issue that go on in early childhood development that are on a micro and macro level. I feel that advocating for things that are on a micro level can help assist with the macro issues. For example children in poverty is a macro issue that is affecting children across that globe. Advocating with an organization that helps fund schools supplies to our local communities and also help to educate the parents of low income homes can eventually help to address that nations issue of children in poverty.

What does it take to be a community leader on early childhood issues?
I think the only thing it take to be a community leader on early childhood issues is to have the passion and a desire to do something about the issue pertaining to early childhood. Advocates on all levels are either a person of a group of people that are so passionate about issue that are going on and they want to do something about it.

What resources does it take to be a state leader on early childhood issues?
I think that getting local and statewide organizations to help fund you as you choose to be a state leader is helpful. I feel that grants and other governmental programs that my be offered are also helpful in funding you as a state leader.

What tactics or strategies do you use to mobilize others?
I feel that the proof is in the pudding. What I mean is when you are trying to mobilize others to either join your initiative are to just help others that are affected by the issue you are advocating I feel that information is key. I feel that it is important as an advocate to research the issue that you are advocating for and that proving that the tactics or resolutions of these issues are proven to be successful. No one is going to follow someone if they are not sure of their authenticity.

What advice would you give to someone who was interested in taking a leadership role in advocating for young children and their families?
My advice would be to research the position that this person is aspiring to go into. Maybe take the time to shadow someone that is already in a similar role. I also think that it would be important for this person to develop a network of people that also support this cause  to assit them. Even though this person is the point of contact in leadership it is important to also have people around that are supporting this effort and don't mind helping this cause.