Commitment Statement and Reflection Journal

by | Jul 29, 2024 | EDUCATION

 

In preparation for your position as a future leader in education, it is important to reflect on your capacity for leadership and innovation as an early childhood professional. You have read quite a bit thus far in this course about social justice and ethical practice in early childhood education. This is your opportunity to create a commitment statement about your responsibility to stay informed about and adhere to education policy. This journal has two parts. The first part focuses on the creation of your commitment statements. The second part is a reflection piece that allows you to make connections between this course and professional development as an ECE leader.
In your journal, address the following:
Part 1: Commitment Statements
•
Generate a commitment statement that
o demonstrates your responsibility in adhering to education policy,
o explains your capacity for leadership and innovation as an early childhood education professional, and
o describes your ability to argue for social justice and ethical practice in early
childhood education.
Part 2: Reflection
• Discuss what leadership means to you.
• Describe the type of leader you want to be and why.
• Identify why it is important to be an innovative leader in early childhood education.
• Share why it is important to uphold social justice as an early childhood education leader.
• Identify your strengths and areas for improvement in professional knowledge and skills, based on your experience in this course

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.


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God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Sample Answer

Sample Answer

 

Commitment Statement and Reflection Journal

Part 1: Commitment Statements

As a dedicated professional in early childhood education (ECE), I commit to the following principles that guide my practice and leadership:

1. Adherence to Education Policy: I recognize my responsibility to stay informed and adhere to current education policies that govern early childhood education. By actively engaging with relevant legislation and standards, I will ensure that my practice aligns with best practices and legal requirements, thereby safeguarding the welfare of children and families.

2. Capacity for Leadership and Innovation: I am committed to fostering an environment of leadership and innovation within my educational practice. I will inspire colleagues and stakeholders by embracing new ideas, methodologies, and technologies that enhance the learning experience. My aim is to cultivate a culture of collaboration where diverse voices are heard, and creative solutions are implemented to meet the evolving needs of our children.

3. Advocacy for Social Justice and Ethical Practice: I will advocate for social justice and ethical practice within early childhood education. This commitment involves recognizing and addressing disparities in access to quality education, resources, and support services for all children and families. I strive to create inclusive learning environments that honor diversity, promote equity, and empower every child to thrive. I will be a champion for ethical practices that prioritize the welfare and rights of children in all aspects of education.

Part 2: Reflection

What Leadership Means to Me

Leadership, to me, embodies the ability to inspire and empower others toward a common vision. It is about creating an environment where individuals feel valued and encouraged to contribute their ideas and strengths. Effective leadership in early childhood education requires not only a deep understanding of pedagogical practices but also a commitment to fostering relationships built on trust, respect, and collaboration.

The Type of Leader I Want to Be

I aspire to be a transformative leader who prioritizes inclusivity, creativity, and ethical responsibility. This type of leader actively listens to the perspectives of educators, families, and children, ensuring that their voices shape the educational landscape. By modeling empathy and resilience, I hope to empower those around me to embrace change and innovation, ultimately improving the quality of education for all children.

Importance of Being an Innovative Leader in ECE

Innovation in early childhood education is crucial for adapting to the rapidly changing world. As society evolves, so do the needs of children and families. An innovative leader seeks out new approaches and solutions that enhance learning experiences, engage children in meaningful ways, and incorporate technology effectively. By fostering a culture of innovation, we can better prepare children for future challenges while keeping our curriculum relevant and impactful.

Upholding Social Justice as an ECE Leader

Upholding social justice is essential for ensuring that all children have equitable access to quality education. As a leader in early childhood education, I have a responsibility to advocate for marginalized communities and challenge systemic barriers that hinder access to resources. By promoting social justice, we create inclusive learning environments that foster belonging, acceptance, and respect for diversity.

Strengths and Areas for Improvement

Based on my experiences in this course, I have identified several strengths and areas for improvement in my professional knowledge and skills:

Strengths:

– Commitment to Inclusivity: I have a strong foundation in understanding the importance of creating inclusive environments that celebrate diversity.
– Collaboration Skills: I am adept at working collaboratively with colleagues, families, and community members to foster strong partnerships.

Areas for Improvement:

– Policy Knowledge: While I have a basic understanding of education policies, I recognize the need to deepen my knowledge regarding specific state regulations and their implications for practice.
– Advocacy Skills: I aim to develop stronger advocacy skills that will enable me to effectively communicate and champion social justice initiatives within my educational community.

In conclusion, this reflective journey has reinforced my commitment to becoming a responsible leader in early childhood education. By adhering to education policy, embracing innovation, advocating for social justice, and continuously improving my skills, I aim to create a positive impact on the lives of children and families in my care.

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