PROFESSIONAL SPOTLIGHT: TAYLER VANGEEL
Child care and early years professionals are a precious commodity and essential part of happy, healthy, and successful communities. Now, more than ever, we know how important it is to have caring adults supporting young children and families.
We are so proud to be a part of this vibrant community and this Professional Spotlight Series aims to recognize the outstanding efforts, innovations, and contributions of our treasured colleagues from across the sector.
We are delighted to introduce you to Tayler Vangeel (she/her), RECE, Centre Supervisor at Family Centre Carling-Thames. Tayler radiates positivity and joy and is an absolutely outstanding early years leader.
Keep reading to learn more about Tayler!
Tell us a bit about yourself…
My name is Tayler Vangeel and I graduated from Loyalist College in Belleville in 2017 (went to school in Belleville but my hometown is London). Once I returned home, I then obtained a job back with the YMCA as a Registered Early Childhood Educator at the YMCA Wortley location. I worked in various classrooms within the Childcare including infants, toddlers, and preschool. After approximately two years, I was moved to the YMCA Northbrae Childcare to support in a preschool room with centre dynamics. Furthermore, I championed the YMCA Play to Learn curriculum that was embedded into day-to-day programming to ensure quality care. Once I started at Northbrae Childcare I started to learn more about what a Family Centre was (given the close proximity to Family Centre Carling-Thames) and how families were given opportunities to strengthen based on their individual needs. During my 2 years of working in the Northbrae Childcare, I also worked within the School-Age program. Not long after, I realized that it was time for a career change. It was like magic… a part-time position at the Family Centre became available and I took the chance and applied. I ended up getting that position and fell in love with environment, and EarlyON programming. From there I then became the full-time Community Connector and then transitioned into the role of Centre Supervisor of the Family Centre Carling-Thames. I have never been happier with the role I’m in now and excited for more years to come. That is a little about me from a professional perspective but from a personal perspective, I enjoy sports (playing and watching).
Tell us why you chose a pathway in Early Childhood Education and Care…
Growing up I always knew I loved caring for people. I loved playing with dolls as a child and caring for them. My Mom always told me that I had real patience and kindness with people, especially children. She said, “Tayler, you have a special connection with children and feel as if you could work with children one day.” Ever since that moment, I started thinking about being an Early Childhood Educator.
What does being an Early Childhood Educator mean to you? What is the best part of your role?
I’ve thought about this question a lot. Being an Early Childhood Educator means a lot of things. The best part about my role is being able to engage with families and also be a leader for staff, volunteers, and students to mentor and help them navigate the Early Childhood Education field. I feel that this role allows me to teach, and learn through hands-on experiences and professional development opportunities. I really try to make sure the environment at the Family Centre is welcoming to all and make a real effort to make everyone feel like it is a brave/safe space for ideas and thoughts and meaningful discussions with one another.
What is something you’re unlearning…
Something that I’m unlearning and will always be a work in progress is to be more patient and kind to myself. I have the most amount of patience for other people and empathy for what others are going through. I strive every day to help anyone and put others before myself professionally and personally. I have had to learn the hard way that you can’t support and care for others unless you care for yourself first.
What advice would you give someone considering pursuing a career in Early Childhood Education?
Advice that I would give:
Be patient with others and yourself – self-care is important.
You’re not perfect and there is always room for growth. Just because someone gives you feedback doesn’t mean you’re doing the wrong thing, it means that someone has a different perspective of what is going on and can maybe see solutions in a different way.
Wherever you work make sure your morals and values align with the company you’re working for.
Early Childhood Education is more than Child Care. When I was in college a significant focus was on Child Care but if I had known how many more opportunities existed, I would have maybe gone a different way.
How has professional learning contributed to your practice?
Professional learning has contributed a lot to my practice. I have learned a lot through professional development opportunities through Strive, the YMCA of Southwestern Ontario, and more. I find that you always have something to learn because if you stop learning you stop growing and I never want to be stagnant. I know no matter how many professional development courses I take, I will never be perfect. I’m trying my best to be the best educator, leader, and person that I can be.
Tell us about a recent professional learning experience that had a positive impact on you.
I really enjoy professional learning experiences that involve hands-on activities and that really engage you in the experience. I just had a professional development experience that opened my mind and allowed me to look at situations using a different lens. We did an activity called situating and it was the most meaningful experience I have been a part of in a professional development session.
What inspires you…
Situations inspire me. I’ll tell you what I mean by that. I’ve heard of and seen many situations in this world that I don’t agree with. If someone isn’t being included or if someone is being mistreated it makes me want to do better and help be the change for people. I feel the more you speak up and talk about your experiences the more others will too and the world will get better… one day.
Do you have a favourite quote…
“No matter how bleak or menacing a situation may appear, it does not entirely own us. It can’t take away our freedom to respond, our power to take action.”
– Ryder Carroll
“Resilience is accepting your new reality, even if it’s less good than the one you had before. You can fight it, you can do nothing but scream about what you’ve lost, or you can accept that and try to put together something that’s good.”
– Elizabeth Edwards
Tell us some things you enjoy doing in your spare time.
I’m big into sports. I love watching them but most of all playing them. I play volleyball (beach and court) as well as baseball. I played hardball growing up until I was the only girl left in the league and then moved to slow-pitch. I find doing these physical activities really helps my mental health and allows me to channel my energy in a different way.
I love also building Lego. I have found this hobby actually later in life and it is fun and I have found I’m actually more patient in real-life situations since beginning my Lego journey.
If you were an ice cream flavour, what flavour would you be and why…
I would be Neapolitan ice cream. I feel like I would be this kind of ice cream because I feel as though I’m a jack of all trades and I feel like you get a little bit of everything with Neapolitan ice cream because it has three flavours all in one. I’m always balancing a lot of different items including work and home and feel like this is the flavour that best represents me.
Thank you, Tayler, for everything you do for children, families, and other professionals in this community. Our community is better and stronger because of YOU.
Join us in celebrating Tayler by dropping her a comment below!
Do you know an outstanding early years professional that deserves to be recognized?
Someone who:
takes an active leadership role within their community;
has a demonstrated ability to build strong relationships;
shows a loving and respectful commitment to children, families, and the ECEC profession;
exudes professionalism and maintains enthusiasm for their continued commitment to ongoing professional learning.
Then nominate them to be our next Professional Spotlight!
Email your nominations to info@striveswo.ca