MEET HADIL AND SARA, STRIVE RESOURCE CENTRE SPECIALISTS!
The Strive team is thrilled to introduce you to Hadil Alshaghnoubi and Sara D’Alessandro, Strive Resource Centre Specialists!
Hadil and Sara welcome everyone to the resource centre with warm, welcoming smiles. They are both RECEs and share their knowledge and expertise with those who access the resource centre. They are well informed, kind, and empowering team members.
We asked Hadil and Sara some questions to get to know them a little better. Keep reading to see what they have to say!
MEET HADIL!
Tell us a bit about yourself…
Hello, my name is Hadil and I graduated from the ECL program in 2015. Soon after I graduated, I traveled abroad to the United Arab Emirates and taught as a homeroom teacher in a Kindergarten/SK classroom for six years. I was born in UAE then moved to London with my family when I was a young child. I have always had a passion in working with children and I am forever grateful for all the encouragement I had from family and teachers to pursue a field in Childhood Education. My most favourite things are to spend time with family, traveling, canoeing, watching sunrises and sunsets, as well as walking on beach.
What is something you’ve learned recently that you’re excited about…
I have recently learned painting techniques and I’m super excited to see what I can create.
What is something you’re unlearning…
One thing that I am still currently unlearning is the Canadian history that I have learned throughout elementary school and high school.
What is the best part of your role as Resource Centre Specialist?
This is a tricky question as there are so many elements that I highly enjoy as a Resource Centre Specialist. My absolute favourite part is having those challenging and meaning conversation with ECEs and families regarding resources being used in the most meaningful/purposeful way possible. Another favourite part is connecting with families and inspiring parents about the ECE programs and having those quality conversations with parents regarding child development and appropriate practices. Parents are now more aware on how to use open-ended resources rather than only taking out toys.
How has professional learning contributed to your practice?
Professional developments boost my confidence, strengthen my professional credibility and help me become much more creative in tackling new challenges. Professional learning also supports me in keeping knowledge up to date and prepares me for greater responsibilities. I always looking forward to learning new things and improving /develop new skills. I am able to put my knowledge into practice as well as share the knowledge I gain with others.
Do you have a favourite quote?
“Believe you can and you’re halfway there”
– Theodore Roosevelt
If you were an ice cream flavour, what flavour would you be and why?
If I was an ice cream flavour, I would be cookies and cream because it is predictable. You know when you will get that crunch when eating the ice cream. I’m a very straight forward person there is no hidden mystery flavour in this ice-cream flavour and easy going, predictable and bold, fun.
Welcome to the Strive Team, Hadil! We are so excited to work with you!
Join us in extending Hadil a warm welcome by commenting below!
MEET SARA
Tell us a bit about yourself…
Hello everyone! My name is Sara D’Alessandro. I joined the strive team as a Resource Centre Specialist at the beginning of November. I’m a proud Registered Early Childhood Educator with a degree in Early Childhood Leadership and a post-graduate certificate in Autism and Behavioural Science I grew up in Sarnia, and living by the lake has convinced me that being by the water can solve almost any of your problems.
Coming from a family of generations of people in education, I’ve always known I wanted to work with children in some capacity. The second I was old enough, I took the babysitting course and walked up and down my street handing out my business cards. From my first co-op placement in a Child Care Centre in high school, I knew the Early Years was the direction I was going in. My other great passion in life is making and creating in whatever way I can; I love baking and hope to one day be on the Great Canadian Bake Off, and recently, I’ve taken up pottery.
What is something you’ve learned recently that you’re excited about?
That is the beauty of podcasts. In the past, I’ve been hesitant about them for an array of reasons, mainly the reliability of the source and my attention span. But I’ve found a few that I’m really enjoying, which have now become part of my morning routine to listen on my way to work.
What is something you’re unlearning?
I’m on a continuous journey of unlearning my engrained acceptance of the systems that affect our society and our world. I’m someone who has benefitted from these systems, and it’s my responsibility as a professional in the Early Years field to advocate for a different future. To unlearn the statuesque and team up with others to challenge it for a better future for the next generation. Because a society that has blinders on and an exclusive definition of what is valuable is unacceptable. We can do better by unlearning and relearning together so that equity, inclusion, and diversity are no longer buzzwords but a reality for future generations.
What is the best part of your role as Resource Centre Specialist?
Being a Resource Centre Specialist has been an opportunity to collaborate with a wonderful group of people. Being around those passionate about the Early Years further affirms my love for this sector. I cherish the moments in my day when I get to connect with those I’m supporting and help them choose resources that will scaffold their child(ren)’s growth. I like hearing the reports of what the child(ren) liked or disliked, what the individual providing the care learned, and then getting to start the process all over again. It’s all trial and error, but it’s amazing to collaborate and hear others learning moments facilitated by the resources.
How has professional Learning contributed to your practice?
You don’t know what you don’t know, but staying curious is essential to being a continuous learner. Being stagnant in your growth as a person and, in turn, as a professional in the Early Years field does nothing but hurt yourself and those in your orbit. Professional Learning has been everything to my practice; learning from others is an innate part of life, but it can be too easily pushed to the side if vanity or burnout takes over. Through my journey of growth as a person and as a professional, I find myself looking to my PL as my toolkit for how I can move through a situation or do better next time with compassion for myself and others. I have become more reflective because of my persistent call to myself to be better and do better. I have learned that talking isn’t always necessary, but listening always is.
Do you have a favourite quote?
I find quotes come to us when we need them the most, and when they have served their need, they don’t fade away but are tucked into our toolkit for when we need to hear them again. The quote I’m currently obsessed with is from the brilliant Brene Brown,
“Strong backs, soft fronts, and wild hearts.”
The key to authenticity and genuine connections is the balance between having boundaries, standing up for what you believe in, being open to vulnerability, and having compassion for yourself and others. Brene Brown’s words are my anchor and ground me in how I want to move through the world.
If you were an ice cream flavour, what flavour would you be and why?
It would have to be Ben and Jerry’s Half-Baked ice cream. Partly because it is my favourite flavour, but also because I’m always baking something and I’m full of surprises!
Welcome to the Strive Team, Sara! We are so excited to work with you!
Join us in extending Sara a warm welcome by commenting below!