Interview: Victor Bradley Jr. on His Career in Early Childhood Education

The following is an interview with Victor Bradley Jr., an early childhood educator trainer and consultant. In addition to the interview, you can learn more about Victor and his work at his website: https://victorbradleyjr.com

1. What types of roles and experiences have you had within early childhood education and care?

I have served in roles as an assistant teacher, a co-teacher, and a head teacher. In an early childhood classroom for the past 30 years. I worked in child care centers, nursery schools, and private schools that went through 8th grade. I stayed connected to my students and watched them grow.

2. Which college courses, mentors, or professional development opportunities were the most influential or helpful in your work?

A college course that influenced me was Human Growth and Development at Wheelock College, which set me up for what I am doing now. Also, Enid Lee, in the early 2000s, led a series of summer Anti racist institutes for educators, which I eventually became an intern at.

3. What do you enjoy most about working as a trainer with early childhood educators?

I love sharing my 30 years of experience with teachers. Sharing the highs, the things that did not go well, and things I am still trying to figure out. I also love hearing their stories and where they are with the work they are doing.

4. You have written an E-Book. What motivated you to write the book?

Parents and teachers kept asking me how to start this anti-bias work or how to continue the work they're already doing. I began with an article that I had been encouraged to write while working with a school. The two heads told me that I needed to be writing and get my thinking out in the world, not considering myself as a writer. I never thought to do this, even though the article was not accepted by the publication I submitted to, writing the article influenced me to take the principles from the article and turn them into an ebook.

5. What key piece of advice would you give to someone who is just starting in the early childhood education field today?

Make sure you have great connections with the people you are working with. Make time to check in each day before and or after school; your relationship with each will make a difference in how well your classroom runs. Get to know your families and students right from the beginning. You can do a home visit or a family potluck. Have a curriculum evening and let parents ask questions. Once you have the trust of parents and students, you can launch your classroom with confidence.

6. What makes you optimistic about the future of ECE, and what do you believe are the biggest challenges to improving quality in the field?

People's minds working together to face and solve all the challenges makes me feel optimistic. The biggest challenge is the cost of childcare, and teachers are not paid a living wage, so they may have to have a second or third job.