The end of studies.

At the end of my three years of study in early childhood education, I had o choose where I will start to work. In fact, I was really excited to enter the labor market, but I didn't know where to start. I already had a small job in a supermarket with a well amount of work hours so, I didn't know what if I should quit and find another one in my domain.

Choice 1 : Apply for a job in a Childhood center

Choice 2 : Continue to work in the supermarket

A new job.

I choose to apply for a job in a childhood center because in my opinion, I was well-qualified. I was right! In fact, I easily got the job after background checks of the human resources and the interview I had with them.I was so proud of myself because I was starting to become more independent. The first week was like an on the job training. I learned the ropes of my job as educator and started to sympathize with some of my colleagues. However, One day, one of them came to me and told me that someone was not happy to see me work in the center.

Choice 1 : Hear what she wanted to say

Choice 2 : Choose to ignore the gossip

Work's issues.

I was surprised to hear that, but I decided to hear what she would say. I thought that if I knew what was maddening the person, maybe I could sill build a good relationship with her. She told me that Simone, an old educator who had work in the center for fifteen years, was not confident with my pedagogy. For her, it was irresponsible to let children with special needs choose which games they wanted to play. She said to all the center that sensory play, self-regulation and scaffolding had no positive effects on children's neuroplasticity. After hearing what my colleague shared with me, I was angry and wanted to confront Simone, though my colleague deterred me.

Choice 1 : Talk directly with Simone

Choice 2 : Make a complaint and talk to the director of the center

The confrontation.

I chose to talk directly with Simone to clear the situation. Although the fact that I dreaded our conversation, I went to ask her if we could talk during our lunch break. Fortunately, she agreed. So, during our break, I told her that I knew what she was thinking and saying about me. She explained to me that she didn't want to insult me, she just wanted to show differences between theoretic knowledge and practical experiences. She repeated that she never saw someone using my intervention style on children, so she was skeptical about the results. To show my confidence, I told her all the advantages of my pedagogy and in which way it could improve the global development of children. I even shared with her scientific articles about the child centered teaching, positive reinforcement and co regulation and how it was worthwhile on children's needs. Despite my explanations, she remained close to me so, instead of staying angry I wanted to end with a positive point.

Choice 1 : Ask her to apologize

Choice 2 : Criticize her

A dead-end.

I asked her to apologize because I wanted to let her know that I didn't appreciate what she said in my back. I told her that for me, it was a lack of manner. She hardly refused, saying that she was not wrong and sh was too old to apologize in front of a younger educator. My anger got higher. I explained to her that an educator must be open-minded. Finally, I came to the conclusion that I could not work with someone as disrespectful and arrogant as her.

Choice 1 : Ignorance.

Choice 2 : Decide to never talk to her anymore and ignore her

Higher cost.

I chose to continue to work in the supermarket. One month later, I had to quit my student's room because I was no longer a student. So, I had to move and my rent increased. I could not handle this on my own anymore, so I went back to my parents' house. I finally understood that I had to be more confident and courageous. I decided to search for a job in my field of study.

Choice 1 : Apply for a job in childhood education

Ignorance.

I ignore the gossip and decided to continue to work as I wanted. Time passed by, and other colleagues started to recognize the positives effects of my pedagogy by themselves. In fact, Childrens which had special needs in my group started to develop more and more their autonomy. So, I received many good compliments on my work not only from parents but also from the director. Simone approached me one day and apologize for her bad talk. I didn't know how to receive her words.

Choice 1 : Accept her apologize

Choice 2 : Refuse her apologize

The complaint.

I decided to write a complaint to the direction. The director wanted to talk to me directly. During our meeting, I told her that I was uncomfortable with one of my colleagues. I explained to her that Simone undermined me and that I could not accept this. I also told her that I could leave the job although the compensation package ad the good wage it involves. She assured me that she would talk with Simone and solved the problem. Two days later, Simone came to me and apologized. Because I wanted a positive atmosphere at work, I accepted.

Choice 1 : Hear her and accept her apologize

Choice 2 : Refuse her apologize

Bad atmosphere at work.

I refused her apologize, and it created a bad atmosphere. Everybody was tense when Simone, and I was in the same room. Finally, The director asked us to talk to her, and we had to explain the situation. She told us that she was disappointed. She was angry because we didn't talk to her and decided to ignore the situation.

Choice 1 : Start over

Immature decision.

I decided to never talk to Simone. So, when we were together, I simply ignore her. Months later, everyone, even the children realized that we didn't get along well. The director asked to talk to the both of us, and I had to explain the problem to her. She told us that it was immature to stop talking to each other and that she was disappointed. I lost my boss's trust.

Choice 1 : Start over

End of the argument.

I decided to accept her apologize because I wanted to keep a good atmosphere at work. She explained to me that her misconduct was the result of her bias. The thought that a younger person could not be experienced enough was so ingrained in her that she could not see other perspectives. I thoughtfully thought about what she said and finally understand her. She was very happy to see that, and she even started to ask me more questions about my interventions and their impact on cognitive development. Months later, we succeeded to build a relationship based on mutual respect.

Choice 1 : Go back to the graduation

Problems with the director.

I chose to criticize her too by reminding her that I have studied more than her, so I was more qualified. She wrote a complaint to the director, and I had to explain and apologize to her. I was so frustrated, that I decided to quit the job. I had to search for another job and went back to my parents' house.

Choice 1 : Go back to the parents' house