Reflection on Master’s Degree Journey

Hi, my name is Alethea. I am a mother of three, an early childhood professional and a lifelong student. I have always known I was meant to be an educator. Being an educator is the only career I’ve ever pursued. I thought I would be an elementary school teacher until I retired. However, after being an elementary school teacher, I realized my heart and purpose belonged to early childhood education. I have been an early childhood professional in various roles for more than 15 years. Anyone that works in this field knows that it can be challenging and ever-changing, but also very rewarding.

Children and the field of early childhood education continue to evolve each day, and that is why it is important to me to never stop learning. Thanks to an encouraging family, coworkers and scholarships like the ones offered through IEECE, I am able to do just that. I recently graduated from Florida Atlantic University for the second time with a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Early Childhood Education. The opportunity to use the SEEK scholarship to help obtain my new degree is what helped push me into getting started. Many would ask me how I do it all; kids, work and school. The answer is quite simple: having the will to be the best version of myself for my kids, my family, the children and their families in our community, and my coworkers is how I did it.

Alethea Brown, M.Ed.,
SEEK Scholarship recipient and
executive director at Kingswood Academy