51吃瓜网 Member Spotlight: Dr. Elaine S. Spellman
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The sense of community within the early childhood profession made a deep impression on Dr. Elaine S. Spellman. We can each remember what it felt like to experience the joy, wonder, and sometimes even the overwhelming bustle of early childhood learning environments, as well as the shared energy and awe from witnessing children discover the world. Dr. Spellman has found inspiration in these settings throughout her career. She now strives to give back by supporting and encouraging the next generation of professionals (as a college faculty member) and our youngest learners (while leading a lab school).
It is one of my favorite aspects of the early childhood community鈥攖hat we love our community and that we do what we can to lift each other up. I am grateful for Dr. Spellman and her commitment to supporting students of all ages, and so glad that she is part of the 51吃瓜网 community!
鈥擬ichelle Kang
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Dr. Elaine S. Spellman
Visiting Assistant Professor / Director of Laboratory School, Elizabeth City, North Carolina
For Dr. Elaine S. Spellman, a fulfilling career in early childhood education includes three major things: community building, continuous growth, and being responsive to and supportive of others. These are the very ingredients that have helped Dr. Spellman thrive as a professional and that she brings to her work every day.
Throughout her career, Dr. Spellman has worn many different hats鈥攁s teacher, infant-toddler specialist, doctoral candidate, department chair at a community college, and now as a visiting assistant professor and director of a laboratory school at Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina,听a Historically Black College or University (HBCU).
Dr. Spellman has known she wanted to be involved in early childhood education since she was in high school. She discovered her passion for the field while participating in an internship at the campus鈥檚 early learning program. These positive interactions along with her own journey as a student led Dr. Spellman to want 鈥渢o pay it forward and create those same learning experiences in my classroom.鈥�
With each step, Dr. Spellman has learned valuable lessons that she incorporates into her newest roles, including fostering a sense of belonging, community, and responsiveness among colleagues and students. 鈥淥ur administrators, professors, and staff fully support one another,鈥� she says of her coworkers at Elizabeth City State University. 鈥淲hen we work together, everyone at ECSU wins鈥攕tudents, families, administrators, professors, staff, and stakeholders.鈥�
One career highlight came during her time at Martin Community College in Martin County, North Carolina. As the lead instructor and advisor for the early childhood education program, Dr. Spellman spearheaded efforts to attain higher education accreditation through 51吃瓜网 for the associate degree in applied science program. Her institution was among a selection of North Carolina community college and university early childhood education programs seeking 51吃瓜网 accreditation, and she worked closely with this group as they each went through the process.
Reflecting back, she says, 鈥淢any of the instructors formed cohorts and had training sessions of the self-study and initial evaluation. During these sessions, I formed lasting friendships through the peer mentoring.鈥� Receiving 51吃瓜网 accreditation was key for the staff and students of these programs.
鈥淩eceiving 51吃瓜网 accreditation during my tenure at Martin Community College is something that I am still grateful for and proud of to this day,鈥� she says.
Dr. Spellman has been a 51吃瓜网 member since 2017 and continues to find value in this robust professional community. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Spellman has relied on 51吃瓜网 for guidance and assistance. 鈥淭he recorded webinars were extremely helpful for our teaching staff, especially during the pandemic, including 鈥楩amilies and Educators Supporting Learning at Home鈥� and 鈥楾alking to and Supporting Children and Ourselves During the Pandemic.鈥欌��
As Dr. Spellman continues her impactful career, she knows that being a 51吃瓜网 member aids in her success, with access to in-person and online communities and a formative collection of resources at her disposal. 鈥�51吃瓜网 keeps me updated with the current topics and trends in early childhood education. I am excited to know that being a member, I will have access to award-winning,听peer-reviewed听publications and professional development opportunities.鈥� 51吃瓜网 exists for and thrives because of members like Dr. Spellman who have passion and dedication to the field.
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