Three deeply felt learning from this program: This EDUC 6990 course has taught me so much over the course of 8 weeks. I honestly felt myself growing in my profession week by week. If I had to choose three deeply felt learning from this program I will definitely say creating a budget for my ideal program in the EDUC 6167 course, planning and managing a program in the EDUC 6168, and building and completing my Capstone Project in this course. I have a long term goal of building an Early Childhood Program here in my home city of Washington, D.C. The three learning I chose that have resonated with me over the course of this program have all set me up for success and I could literally take the plans and the budget I created in this program and utilize them when I am prepared to lead my own charge as a Founder of an ECE program. I am truly grateful for the challenges and the hard work I was encouraged to put in to learn about budgeting, planning, and inclusion in programs.
Long Term Goal: One long term goal that I will continue to build and focus on is developing the Hilliard Child Care Center. I have a true passion for educating but most of all leading and changing the lives of those who are usually overlooked and counted out.
Farewell Message to colleagues and Dr. Embree: First off to my peers I would like to say CONGRATULATIONS! We have completed one of the most challenging task some of us will hold on to for a life time. All those long hours of studying, completing assignments, pushing one another in discussion post have finally paid off. I must say it has definitely been a journey working with you all and watching us all grow week by week. To Dr. Embree, thank you for pushing me, encouraging me to see that my hard wasn’t being unnoticed, and I truly appreciate you forcing me out of my comfort zone and challenging me to find my passion in education and use it for the greater good. Each week I found myself working to be better than the last and for that I am appreciative that I had you as a professor who answered my many emails when I had questions beyond me (laughs). Again Thank you, I wish everyone nothing but success and I look forward to seeing what our journey in early childhood takes us all.
Gwen Hilliard M.S. Early Childhood Studies
Contact info: gwendolynlhilliard@yahoo.com
Favorite Poem to Describes my learning in the M.S. ECS program
Dean Hilliard (ECE) 
Hi Gwen
It has been a very long and at sometimes, challenging journey. It has been amazing getting to know you over the last two years and I truly wish you the best on your journey of developing the Hilliard Child Care Center. If I do achieve my dream of working for the Children’s Defense Fund in Washington D.C., I’ll make sure to look you up!
Christine Ingenbrandt
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Hello Gwen,
It has been a long journey, but like you stated each class taught us something vital to becoming the bright intelligent advocates we are today. I have to agree I looked forward to the budget class, because it was one worry I had when planning to open a facility not being able to create a budget on my own. This class was defiantly not my comfort zone, talking and tapping into what truly fuels me in this field. However I thank my peers and instructor for pushing and inspiring me. Good Luck and keep up the good work.
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Hi Gwen, I can relate to you with this program and our coursework that I have grown as an professional in the field. I have gained such valuable and useful tools that can be carried out in my work. I wish you luck on building and creating your center. It is a rewarding feeling and great accomplishment. Along with this journey in completing my degree I have just started my own program and I couldn’t be more happier. So best of luck.
-Jazz
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Great blog post and it was my pleasure working with you. Wishing you a bright future. Well Done!
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