If you are keeping up with the ECIC blogs as of recently you may notice there are no shortage of opportunities (or travel) to meet with those in the field locally (and broader) to learn and discuss the exciting work underway, and the exciting work planned for the future. 

Timing is everything!

In recent years, I have given a lot of thought to what it really means to “show up and shine.”  I have wondered what my life would look like if I stepped into being who I am - not choosing any actions driven from a place of scarcity or fear or needing acknowledgement and acceptance from anyone other than myself. Just being the person who walks through life as the real me who “shows up and shines”. When I witness babies, I know that it is indeed natural to the way we enter life, but somehow over time we are taught to cover over th

I recall the first year that I worked in child care and my eyes were quickly opened to a new world that was not “babysitting” or “playing” for a living. This was intense work and in order to provide the highest quality of care it required experience, professional development, support systems, and dedication. During that same year I remember one parent telling staff that we had the easy job because at the end of the day we sent the children home with their parents.

In my family, I am the person who knows the least about technology/social media and how it all works.  So it’s more than a bit ironic that I am the first one who is initiating a blog.  When I am facing new territory like this, I know I am stepping over the edge of my own comfort zone and into the arena of what I call “conscious incompetence.” Have you ever noticed that’s exactly what we do to ourselves when we make a decision to move forward and stretch into something new?  A

My name is Jenny Salesa and I am the Health Specialist here at ECIC.  The first thing I’d like you to know about me is that I am a mother.  I have two daughters who are 4 and 6 years of age and they mean the world to me.  I was passionate about children and driven to make a positive difference in children’s lives even before I had my own.  I am originally from New Zealand where I was a Senior Policy Advisor to the Secretary of Health as well as an Advisor to the Director o

Quite honestly that is how “my story” into the world of early childhood began, and the same type of chance that leads me to blogging this very message.   I will share “my story” in another blog, but for the past 15 years I have been thankful that chance helped to transform the direction of my life.  

I knew that would get your attention, and now that I have it, welcome to my new blog! Once an aspiring astronaut, my journey rocketed down a detour and I discovered early childhood. I boldly went where no one I knew had gone before, and sought out new paths of knowledge. I soon discovered curious little humans called toddlers and I knew there was no going back, I had found my universe.
 

A heads-up from one of our friends at the Department of Human Services:

Hooray for Jack Kresnak, president and CEO of Michigan's children. A letter he authored appeared in this morning's Detroit Free Press, and it was gooooood, strong coffee.

Here it is in its entirety (the bold-facing is mine):

Everyone must invest in Detroit student success