Administrator Competencies and Paths to Leadership

Question 1:

Administrator Competencies

The NAEYC document, Program Administrator Definition and Competencies, states that "the core competencies needed for effective early childhood program administration fall into two broad categories: management knowledge and skills and early childhood knowledge and skills. These are not discrete categories; they overlap conceptually and practically" (National Association for the Education of Young Children, 2007).

Focusing on that last sentence, "they overlap conceptually and practically," identify one of the given skills from each of the two broad categories. Briefly summarize your choices. Present an example, scenario, or case study that demonstrates how your chosen management knowledge and skill might overlap on a conceptual and practical level with your chosen early childhood knowledge and skill.

Question 2:

Paths to Leadership

Getting started as a new leader means making practical choices, while being uplifted by your dream. Winston Churchill, who led Great Britain through the perils of a world war, advised: "The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." Considering all the pathways to leadership, what was or is likely to be your pathway? Describe what was or is most

(a) challenging,

(b) encouraging, and

(c) special about your process.

Select and summarize one of the following paths to leadership: inside, outside, "Founder's Syndrome" or becoming the director of a family organization, and describe how it aligns to your own pathway. Referencing the NAEYC's Code of Ethical Conduct: Supplement for Early Childhood Adult Educators, identify a possible solution for any challenges or difficulties that you have encountered or may encounter on your path to leadership.