You might wonder how a long time RECE ended up immersed in the world of Alternative Dispute Resolution. Well, I have always been interested in how teams work together and what makes them successful. Educators in Early Years programs have always worked in teams, some more successfully than others. My interest in team dynamics deepened during the implementation of Full Day Kindergarten as multiple teams from childcare and schools needed to work together to deliver new programs. That was when I knew that I wanted to pursue learning about Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Off I went to York University to prepare for a new aspect of my career. Just as an ECE has practicums, I had one at Small Claims Court, mediating actual disputes in the court system under the guidance of a seasoned mediator. I am now proud to be a Qualified Mediator and a Registered Early Childhood Educator.
I continue to be intrigued by the opportunities available to individuals and teams to create successful and satisfying resolutions to conflict once they have the tools and the supports. In future posts, I will share with you some of the insights I have gained through my learning about conflict management coaching, neuroscience, leadership, healthy workplaces and other topics relevant to folks in the Early Years Sector.
If you have any ideas or questions, please drop me a line at info@rockwoodconsulting.ca. Looking forward to sharing updates with you soon.