Leadership in ECSE: Developing as a Confident and Competent Leader

Leadership in Early Childhood Special Education: Developing as a Confident and Competent Leader
 
Leadership is multifaceted and can be nurtured in all early childhood special education (ECSE) providers. Within this context, it is critical to build and nurture a skill set so individuals develop confidence and competence across the myriad of tasks and responsibilities with young children, families and providers.
The field of ECSE offers many settings and contexts for leaders including program administrators, direct providers and those involved in advocacy work. Yet, there are a number of unifying themes to foster leadership. Confidence can be advanced through positive experiences coupled with feedback including constructive criticism. Competency building comes through formal learning opportunities and informal occasions in our daily work. The critical part is attention to both and having individuals to provide advice and support.
 
Leadership is a part of all DEC activities. It is evident across all providers and can be nurtured in daily interactions as well as more formal means. We will provide options for making leadership part of everyday practice at an individual and program level. We will also describe leadership as a process with ways to identify and align ECSE work with leadership and its impact on positive outcomes for young children, families, and providers.
 
Objectives: 
Participants will increase knowledge of building confidence and competence as ECSE leaders
Participants will acquire strategies related to formal and informal means to acquire and expand potential for leadership
Participants will outline a plan to build confidence and competence in their leadership capacity
 
Presenters: Deborah Bruns, PhD; Annie George-Puskar, PhD; Elizabeth Beavers, PhD
 
DR. DEBORAH BRUNS is a Professor and program coordinator of the Special Education program at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Her focus is best practices in ECSE assessment and instruction as well as leadership.
 
DR. ANNIE GEORGE-PUSKAR is an Assistant Professor in Curriculum and Teaching and chair of the Doctoral Planning Committee at Fordham University. Her foci is preschool transition and leadership in ECSE.
 
DR. ELIZABETH BEAVERS is an Associate Professor of Special Education in the College of Education at the University of Houston Clear Lake. She focuses on reflective practices and leadership in ECSE.