Who are you?

I am Florence Baby Koroma, Dean, Bishop John Collins Teachers’ College, the College of Education at Stella Maris Polytechnic University, a Catholic University in Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa. I am married with five children, three boys and two girls.  I am a member of the Roman Catholic Church and Chairman of the Higher Education Consortium for Early Childhood Education in Liberia. I am a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children and of the District of Columbia affiliate (DCAEYC). 

 

My first NAEYC conference was in November of 2013 while participating in an international Study Tour to New York and Washington, DC.  Since that time, I have attended the Professional Development Institute and two additional national conferences.  At the 2019 NAEYC conference, I had the opportunity to make a presentation in collaboration with the Honorable Felicia Sackey Doe-Sumah who is the Assistant Minister for Basic through Secondary Education in the National Liberian Ministry of Education.

 

What is the nature of your job?

As Dean of the College of Education,  I perform several tasks:  (1) Development of Policies and ensure  implementation; (2) Design  programs and activities of the college; (3) Recruit students, faculty and teaching staff for the demonstration school; (4) Teach early childhood  and other education  courses; (5) Monitor and supervise students and staff; (6) Evaluate student teachers and college faculty performance; (7) Conduct guidance and counseling services for students and teachers; (8) Conduct professional development workshops for faculty; (9) Review curriculum and current programs; (10) Responsible for the preparation of schedules and teaching faculty assignments; (11) Evaluate and Improve on  teaching methods; (12) Prepare periodic reports for the Board of Governors; and, (13) Network with other Educational institutions and stakeholders. 

 

What interest/concerns drew you to early childhood work?

I am passionate about children. This passion for children started when I was younger. This is magic! A big one too! When my mother gave birth, that was a mystery to me seeing the child developing and growing. My mother would answer so many whys about the baby.  I took care of my little siblings like they were mine. This passion led me to the profession that I find myself engaged in today. Seeing the children grow and develop to older children was magic and a miracle. Oh, their smell, is special. I love it.  

 

I see something new every day as I watch the children, changing.  First, they are wrapped up, next sitting down, crawling, cooing, standing up with support, taking the first steps. I become proud of their efforts. 

 

Wishes for the future of children...

Sincerely, my wishes are that the governments recognize the existence and importance of these generations of people and provide them with the right environment where they can thrive. Government should institute good policies for them, allot more funds in the budget. Initiate decisions that will eradicate the ills in society.  I pray that the parents show more love, care, give them quality time, educate them, show them respect, make them healthy, happy and they must have confident in themselves. 

The teachers should ensure the right environment where they can thrive, explore, and pursue goals. We all together must provide a pleasant experience for our children so that they can fulfill their lives dream.

 

What do you do when you are not working?

I am actually "working" when I am not working. I review my day's work, I research what is new about children, especially now with COVID-19. Before the COVID-19, I visited the homes of children with disabilities on weekends and conducted counseling services in my community.  On Sundays, I teach the children life skills lessons at my church, and complete house chores or business of the day.  Additionally, I take exercise, respond to emails and other messages and check on family members, friends, and relatives.