Chat Transcripts

Topic

Chat Session 2

Date

2025-06-17

Group ID

0

Course ID

299587

User List

Byers, MichelleHowell, Charlotte (Charlee)McCann, LaciSoutthivong, LoriStudenski, Elizabeth{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}
User Timestamp Message
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}06:49:59 pmHello and good evening! It is a beautiful summer evening!!
Soutthivong, Lori06:52:57 pmHello, it is a beautiful evening, I got my garden weeded.
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}06:54:10 pmExcellent! I love gardens but do not love weeding! LOL!
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}06:58:20 pmHI Charlee!
Soutthivong, Lori06:58:24 pmI am also not a fan of weeds but it sure looks good when you are done. And my plants seem happier.
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}06:58:45 pmSo true, Lori! 🙂
Howell, Charlotte (Charlee)06:59:24 pmHi Karen and Lori! I like gardening too. The veggies always seem to taste better.
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}06:59:37 pmYes, they do!
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:00:29 pmJust about time to get underway!
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:00:57 pmHi Michelle!
Byers, Michelle07:01:04 pmHi
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:01:09 pmShall we get started? *
Howell, Charlotte (Charlee)07:01:24 pm*
Byers, Michelle07:01:27 pm*
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:01:40 pmI hope you have had a great week! What is one highlight since we were together last week? *
Soutthivong, Lori07:02:09 pm*
Byers, Michelle07:02:30 pmI was actually on vacation last week
Howell, Charlotte (Charlee)07:02:39 pmWe had a successful first week and first field trip of the summer for our school age campers.
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:02:42 pmThat is a highlight!
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:03:06 pmOH, school age campers! So much fun, always keep things lively!
Soutthivong, Lori07:03:10 pmMy granddaughter came to visit she is 10 monts old.
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:03:37 pmAh, sweet granddaughter - what fun!
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:03:53 pmThanks for sharing those highlights!!
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:04:31 pmSo we completed the management self assessment this week. What areas did you identify as strengths? What areas for growth? *
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:05:21 pmHI Elizabeth!
Byers, Michelle07:05:30 pmSome strengths are 1. Financials 2.family relationships 3. Scheduling
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:06:12 pmThanks Michelle! Great when you identify financial strength! Sustains all other aspects of your program!
Studenski, Elizabeth07:06:24 pmstrengths: Early Childhood Education, I have many a ways to grow in financial management and public relations
Byers, Michelle07:06:55 pmGrowth: 1. Staff relationships, I need to remember they are not my friends like when I was a teacher 2. Last minute changes 3. Time management
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:07:11 pmFinance is one of the areas that many directors have not had the opportunity for much experience before taking on the director role.
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:07:50 pmVery true Michelle. Directors lack the peer group that teachers have. So it can be a lonely spot sometimes!
Byers, Michelle07:07:54 pmI actually started as a the “account manager”. Taking care of tuition and payments from families.
Studenski, Elizabeth07:08:12 pmI feel some of the items on the assessment you can learn as you go but financial management is a MUST to keep a successful business
Soutthivong, Lori07:08:11 pmStrengths are technical, human relations, need growth in public relations, and human relations... I work hard to give the people what they want and to help solve their problems but I also need to work on saying NO
Howell, Charlotte (Charlee)07:08:42 pmFinance is one I need to grow in but will have the opportunity to jump more into that soon. I am good at early childhood education.
Byers, Michelle07:08:45 pmElizabeth, that is true
McCann, Laci07:08:48 pmHi everyone! Sorry I’m late! It wasn’t letting me in the chat!
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:08:49 pmLori, saying NO is hard. We want everything to go well and everyone to be happy! 🙂
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:09:02 pmHi Laci! Glad you got in!
McCann, Laci07:09:14 pmMe too thank you!
Byers, Michelle07:09:26 pmLori, it is hard saying no.
Studenski, Elizabeth07:09:28 pmSaying no is so hard. I find it hard to delate something, especially when I have to explain it. Often can feel easier to just do it yourself.
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:10:12 pmSometimes it is helpful to think about delegation as the opportunity you are giving others to grow and learn!
Howell, Charlotte (Charlee)07:10:53 pmPlus delegating helps relieve the stress of feeling like you have to do it all.
Byers, Michelle07:11:31 pmYes, I have to remind myself to delegate instead of doing it all
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:11:32 pmAs you think about your role in the last few weeks, what are several of the ten essential areas that you see yourself using the most? *
McCann, Laci07:12:12 pmI do not have an assistant and sometimes think I need to do it all myself. I have talked to the board and was approved to give certain people raises to take some of the small jobs.
Howell, Charlotte (Charlee)07:12:36 pmThat will be so nice Laci!
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:12:45 pmGreat that you are making a plan to help with that! And a learning opportunity for others!
McCann, Laci07:14:09 pmI don’t think it is fair to give people more than they signed up for without compensation. I’m glad my board agreed
Byers, Michelle07:14:41 pmOpen for interruptions- I try and be a available when staff is in need
Howell, Charlotte (Charlee)07:15:33 pmThe essential areas that I use the most are communication, early childhood education, public relations, and technology. We are also prepping for a licensing visit so policies and practices are being reviewed.
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:15:38 pmLooking at the ten skills from our reading, do you find yourself using all of the skills in your role? Which ones more often?
Soutthivong, Lori07:15:58 pmI have been working on family support. In the summer we ask parents to bring snacks this year has been pretty good with parents helping but it is always the same parents I would like to get some of the other parents involved.
McCann, Laci07:16:00 pmI agree with Michelle, I tell staff my door is always open. Unless I have a physical sign on my door for being in a meeting.
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:16:24 pmThanks Charlee! As you say, we do see certain areas needing more attention at certain times!
Byers, Michelle07:16:35 pmI use communication a lot. I believe in face to face. I regularly get up from my desk to talk to my staff
Byers, Michelle07:17:23 pmWe are always making sure we are prepping for licensing. We tell our staff they could walk in any moment
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:17:39 pmSeveral of you mention time management and being available. Always a push and pull - trying to be available and yet having some time for what I call "director work" where you need to concentrate!
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:18:29 pmCommunication, for sure! One of the key areas that make our organizations places where people want to work and families want to bring their children!
Byers, Michelle07:19:02 pmSome days it’s a constant push and pull. I have to do my best to not let it get to me
McCann, Laci07:19:20 pmWe had the licensor show up Friday. Ours is a female, but a male showed up. No one knew he was the licensor. They thought he was our tech guy. So at our next meeting it will be addressed that we always need to treat everyone as a licensor.
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:19:24 pmDepending on the size of your organization and size of leadership team, you may be a one person team! I know what that is like!
Howell, Charlotte (Charlee)07:19:35 pmYes Michelle. I feel that way too at times.
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:19:56 pmGood point Laci! Did he not introduce himself though?
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:20:41 pmAs you read through the ten skills, are there some that you do not use as often? *
McCann, Laci07:21:15 pmI am not sure. I think he did to the one that opened the door, but the others didn’t know. Last year one of our staff opened the door and yelled really loud A number of times that she was there and got in trouble. So I think this year the person just kept quiet.
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:21:44 pmA thought to ponder. Do we tend to like the same skills that we feel most confident in? Sometimes that is true, but not always!
Howell, Charlotte (Charlee)07:22:05 pmI do not use deal with finances much. We have an administrative team so we are each responsible for different areas.
Howell, Charlotte (Charlee)07:22:39 pmI personally prefer skills that I’m confident in.
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:22:46 pmThat is helpful when you can have a larger team, Charlee - and divide by interest and skill
Studenski, Elizabeth07:23:01 pmAs I am not in a leadership role let i don't deal with the business end. I use communication, early childhood, and teamwork
Byers, Michelle07:23:50 pmWe use technology everyday but need we are on our own to fix issues and understand it. We are working to find help with our website
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:23:53 pmVery important skills Elizabeth! You are a leader whether you see that reflected in your title right now or not!! Very important!
McCann, Laci07:24:07 pmI am really trying to work on the things I am not confident in right now. I have been signing up for a lot of trainings to boost my confidence in my role in general.
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:24:21 pmYes, tech is another area where we will never know everything! Evolution!
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:24:37 pmGreat Laci!
Byers, Michelle07:24:51 pmLaci, I can relate. I’m going back to school to get my bachelors in business so I can understand that side of it more
Soutthivong, Lori07:24:55 pmI have not dealt much with marketing and even though I had it in college I am still unsure of myself
Studenski, Elizabeth07:25:06 pmi appreciate your honesty with yourself Laci and creating a plan to work it out.
Byers, Michelle07:25:10 pmMarketing is tough.
McCann, Laci07:25:47 pmI never even thought about going back for business degree.
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:25:48 pmLet's turn to our readings this week! in the article "I was Such a FabulousTeacher, What Happened", what did you identify with in the article? *
Soutthivong, Lori07:26:54 pmSome time a job looks a lot easier then it actually is.
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:27:21 pmIn our Discussion Board this week, we reflected on skills you brought into your current role from previous roles, in education and otherwise! I appreciate all the very helpful skills you mentioned!
Byers, Michelle07:27:30 pmChanging roles was tough. You go from managing little people to managing big people. You really do have to identify everyone’s learning styles to appropriately help them just like children. It does not happen overnight. I’m finally getting the hang of it.
Howell, Charlotte (Charlee)07:28:45 pmI resonated with that you are switching from managing children to adults and just like you need to learn what works for each child in your class you also need to learn what works for the teachers.
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:28:46 pmVery true Lori and Michelle! From a distance, I think people may think that early childhood leadership is "easy and fun"! It can be but it takes time and skill to get there!
Byers, Michelle07:29:06 pmIt’s far from easy
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:29:44 pmThat transition can be hard - especially if you are now the director in a program where you were a teacher in the peer grooup. Great to know the people and organization but a big change in role!
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:30:13 pmAs you know, so many directors come from being great teachers! Bring many useful skills and also have to learn new ones!
Byers, Michelle07:30:41 pmThat is my struggle, the peer group. I have to hold back so much and stay professional
Howell, Charlotte (Charlee)07:31:17 pmYes, going from being friends to being in charge is a big change.
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:31:21 pmWe also read about defining director competence! Not easy to nail down all the needed skills! Are there skills that you think are possibly the most challenging to learn in the director role? *
Byers, Michelle07:32:16 pmPayroll policies and payroll for me
Byers, Michelle07:32:24 pmBeing fair
McCann, Laci07:32:29 pmI started in August as a teacher and by November the director. It is still very difficult to go from new person just getting to be friends with everyone to someone in charge of everyone that has been there for years
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:32:46 pmThat is a big one, Michelle! Once you get it though, you know the process!
Byers, Michelle07:33:03 pmI’ve been at the same center for 20 years. It’s hard leaving the peer group
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:33:10 pmthat is a challenge Laci! Many transitions!
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:34:12 pmWe all have skills we feel more or less competent or comfortable with. What have you discovered as ways to address skills you want to build up and grow in? *
Howell, Charlotte (Charlee)07:34:31 pm making sure all the policy and procedures are being followed
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:34:55 pmSo important on many fronts, Charlee!
Howell, Charlotte (Charlee)07:35:12 pmI ask for help from a senior admin that I trust, take classes
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:35:32 pmAsking for help - always a strength!
Byers, Michelle07:35:53 pmTrainings, research and advice
Studenski, Elizabeth07:36:04 pmYou have to be proactive in looking for them. Asking for help ...looking for trainings...volunteering/shadowing...
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:36:11 pmAre there areas that you would like to see additional workshops or classes to help you develop skills important to your role?
Soutthivong, Lori07:36:45 pmAuthority all my teachers have worked here 20 plus years and I am new I need to let them know I am now in charge.
Byers, Michelle07:36:56 pmAlways could use more training in finance and leadership skills
Howell, Charlotte (Charlee)07:37:15 pmMarketing and finance
Byers, Michelle07:37:22 pmLori, that is tough. Stay strong and follow through
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:37:27 pmFor our class final assignment, you will be developing a professional development plan for yourself. Helpful to be thinking about that over the next few weeks as you work and also read for our class
Studenski, Elizabeth07:37:38 pmtechnology options and tips for marketing
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:38:07 pmI will share that I am the author of a book on childcare finance! An area that I happen to love!
Byers, Michelle07:38:34 pmKaren, where can we find that book?
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:38:45 pmIn MN we also have the Director Credential - which is great!
McCann, Laci07:38:59 pmTips for marketing and team building. My staff tend to have “cliques” within their classrooms instead of looking at the entire center as one team
McCann, Laci07:39:31 pmI have been trying to get into that Karen.
Byers, Michelle07:39:34 pmI would like to sign up for the director credatial. I didn’t finish last time. Is that still being offered
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:39:45 pmOn Amazon Michelle. It's called "It's More about Strategy than Math: Childcare Business Financial Success"
Byers, Michelle07:40:14 pmThank you
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:40:27 pmYes, credential is offered with new cohorts starting several time a year. I coordinated the credential for 12 years and loved it!
Byers, Michelle07:41:15 pmWhere can we find that information?
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:41:25 pmI appreciate your suggestions for classes, we like to write new ones, too!
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:41:56 pmDirector Credential info in on the Eager to Learn website with contact info there
Byers, Michelle07:42:18 pmThank you
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:42:58 pmWe always like to wind up with an action question! 🙂 So, what is one action you want to take this week to learn something new for your role or make things better in your organization? *
Byers, Michelle07:44:07 pmStandard operation procedures
McCann, Laci07:44:22 pmLearning more about our finances from accountant
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:44:24 pmOn the Discussion Board this week, we will be pondering "Leadership" and "Management" as skills sets!
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:44:41 pmExcellent Michele and Laci!
Studenski, Elizabeth07:45:23 pmprofessionalism. I have a new hire in and out of my classroom. I want them to feel welcomed, supported, and free to interact with everyone on staff. Have to keep my personal feelings to myself and allow her to make her own observations
Soutthivong, Lori07:45:31 pmAuthority with my staff
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:45:50 pmGreat actions for this week!! I wish you a wonderful week with long sunny evenings to be outside!! Have a great one!
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:46:01 pmGoodnight and take care!! 🙂
Byers, Michelle07:46:04 pmGood night!
McCann, Laci07:46:11 pmThank you! Good night!
Soutthivong, Lori07:46:14 pmThank You
Howell, Charlotte (Charlee)07:46:17 pmThank you
{Foster-Jorgensen, Karen}07:46:24 pmMake joy!!