Who are you?

Hello, my name is Carolene E. Charles. It is my pleasure to become acquainted with you through this fantastic forum. "Who am I?" I am a proud West-Indian American born in Brooklyn, NY, and raised by two loving and uncompromising parents, Jean Emile and Bonita Charles, in Uniondale, New York.  I am an illustrious Howard University graduate who earned a Master of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education from the "Mecca" in 1995! "HU…You Know!" I believe I carry the tradition of accomplishing incredible feats in the world that change the lives of those around me.

 

I am an Early Childhood Educator and Lifelong Learner who has embraced this area as "home" by working in all three school districts over the last twenty-eight (28) years. I have held several positions, including in Prince George's County Public Schools, Alexandria City Public Schools, and the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS). I am now in the quest of a terminal degree in Curriculum and Instruction.  I am an Early Childhood Leader and Advocate who has used my acquired knowledge and years of experience to provide exemplary program management, deliver sound early care and education services, facilitate staff development and teacher education programming/advancement, and encourage family empowerment. I also work with the local District of Columbia-Association for the Education of Young Children (DCAEYC) and National Education Association (NEA) to effectively communicate, organize, and partner with the educators, families, and stakeholders regarding the betterment of the lives of young children. 

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Lastly, I am a change agent in the field of Early Childhood Education, in the DMV community, and in the lives of young children through my deeds and actions.

 

What is the nature of your job?

As an Assistant Professor with the University of the District of Columbia, my knowledge and experience with the University and its students have served as an asset to the partnership associated with being a part of the Associate in Arts in the Education Programs. I diligently instruct undergraduate Early Childhood degree candidates on the most current evidence-based best practices in Early Childhood Education.  It is with great enthusiasm, I continue to invest in this opportunity to continue to grow while working at the University with remarkable and diverse students.

 

What interests/concerns drew you to early childhood work?

As a high school senior, I enrolled in a Home Economics Course, which asked us to design an early childhood classroom, enroll neighbor children, implement rudimentary lesson plans, and engage with parents and families of the community. This opportunity sparked a boundless interest in education that still holds true for me today. I have always enjoyed working with young children and found great joy in seeing them in their "Ah ha" moments of learning. There has been nothing more rewarding as an educator than to see my student when they have captured the essence of a lesson. The moment their contemplation turns in the instance of recognition for a concept or topic being taught. The excitement in their eyes is unforgettable. 

 

As I have gone through my career, my concern has not changed regarding my work in the early childhood arena. I walked in knowing that there were disparities in the educational system, and I wanted to be a part of the change that the country would embark on to address the inequities between all the peoples and families in the United States. I needed to be involved in giving those who may not have a fair chance the opportunity to get one by any means provided to me. 

 

Wishes for the future of children…

I wish for the presence of high-quality pedagogy to be used with evidence-based best practices to ensure young children receive the most out of their experiences in Early Childhood Education. Our early childhood landscape has to change its trajectory to safeguard our children's future to include: the promise of a safe, healthy, loving, and culturally competent environment, the open and exploratory climate of promoting cognitive development and unbridled creativity, and the mindfulness of caregiver who recognizes the importance to self-esteem, self-awareness, and self-love.

 

Secondly, I want to see the findings discussed in the reports written by Dr. Walter Gilliam be eradicated through initiatives put forth by NAEYC, the National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI), and the National Head Start Association. The reports address concerns around the Preschool to Prison Pipeline and the Preschool Expulsion among young black and brown children. There are many associations, institutions, and advocates, like Kathy Hollowell- Makle, who are working to change this narrative. I, too, walk alongside them, promoting those initiatives that address this struggle for our young children in care.

 

Lastly, I hope for a more progressively engaging world that allows children the freedom to work towards developing a more responsible and respectable environment. The children of tomorrow must be allowed to discover the broader complexities of the domain they live in and strive to address the concerns and issues they will face. I hope to see "thinkers who are actively engaging" in changing the biosphere and making this planet sustainable for all.

 

What do you do when you are not working?

After the death of my beloved mother, Bonita A. Charles, in December 2018, I started on a journey to honor my mother's life. The first step in doing so found me starting the Bonita A. Charles Nursing Scholarship Fund to help raise money for graduating seniors from the Medgar Evers College- School of Nursing Program. As a 1980 graduate of this Program, "Nurse Charles" talked about giving back to the institution. I have found this first step to have now had an unforeseen impact on the New York City Healthcare community during this tumultuous time of COVID-19 and the Pandemic. 

 

My mother was also a Real Estate Agent in her second life. I have become a licensed Maryland realtor in hopes of working towards "Cultivating dreams of homeownership through educational awareness, financial empowerment, and personal assurance!" I am committed to preparing my clients with the knowledge needed to successfully work through the process of homeownership, assisting with creating impressive financial portfolios, and being your most prominent advocate and "cheerleader" in this process. 

Finally, I embrace, encourage, and empower a host of "sistas" and a few brothers, (chuckles) I have come to love over the many years in the DMV area. One of the blessings of living here is the diversity of the people that introduces one to so many extraordinary cultures. My time spent here has given me a chance to embrace those working to lift up disadvantaged children in this area.