Personal Statement
My name is Monica Walley; I am interested in serving on the board because early childhood has always been my passion. I have 30 years of experience in the early childhood field. I have developed and designed comprehensive early childhood trainings, presentations, and workshops for early childhood professionals in my county based on current research and best practices. I have analyzed data from various studies and surveys to identify trends and areas needing improvement in early childhood education. I am currently working on developing a program that will help improve the wellness of early childhood teachers who are underpaid and overworked. I have worked tirelessly to implement a micro-credentialing system in Palm Beach County, which has worked successfully for the past three years and now serves as Palm Beach State College's model for badging. I was also selected to represent the Institute on the Florida Informal Pathway Advisory Committee. The committee is looking at our professional development and micro-credential system as a model to create an informal pathway for ECE educators in Florida. The College leadership team selected me to join the management team that leads the college-wide staff training in the use of the new Canvas learning management systems.
My project management background has helped draft comprehensive policies that align with the state and county's best practices and regulatory requirements, ensuring operations and programs are effective and compliant. I have analyzed the potential impact of proposed policies and provided recommendations for improvements to enhance their effectiveness. I have facilitated a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis to help identify internal and external factors that could impact my organization's mission and goals. I have served on many County-wide committees that work toward the same end: to ensure that the families of Palm Beach County are provided with quality learning environments for their children. Serving on the board will provide me with the opportunity to share my knowledge, passion, background, and experience with all the ECE educators around the state of Florida.