By: Diane Kashin, EdD
As I write what could be my final blog post, I am filled with immense gratitude for all the readers and followers who have found value in it throughout the years. Although the blog will persist, at least for the time being, I aspire for it to remain a source that continues to kindle, challenge, and motivate. My hope is that it sparks the birth of ideas and reflections that assist you in navigating the diverse seasons of your career and life. This perspective, rooted in a seasonal Indigenous worldview, draws inspiration from my dear friend Dr. Hopi Martin, who emphasizes the significance of experiencing life through its distinct seasons – spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Hopi is one of the featured friends in my new book published by RedLeaf Press, Cultivating Professional Friendships in Early Childhood Education. Within the book, I tried to expand on the concept of a Seasonal Pedagogy, demonstrating its versatile application in early childhood education. For those in Ontario, you can draw parallels between the seasons and the four conditions for learning as outlined in “How Does Learning Happen” (2014), well-being, engagement, relationships and expression. In this post, let’s consider how a Seasonal Pedagogy applies to your personal journey. It commences with a spark (the birth)—an idea that beckons you to invest time and energy in its pursuit (the movement). This undertaking should be unhurried, as the catalyst for change unfolds its potential over time. Only through allowing the process to evolve will you discern where this journey will lead and see the (relationships) and interconnectedness of the seasons of your life. Engaging in years of doing, thinking, and moving with this idea will shape your legacy. At this juncture, you will come to appreciate the paramount importance of relationships in all aspects of your life. Recognizing the vital role of early childhood education, you will realize how it aligns with and contributes to the legacy you are building. Consider this post in terms of its personal relevance to you. It initiates with a spark—an idea that warrants the investment of time and exploration. This phase demands patience; the trajectory of this catalyst for change only unveils itself as the process unfolds. The evolution can span years, involving active participation, contemplation, and alignment with what will eventually shape your legacy. During this journey, you will come to a profound realization about the significance of relationships and the interconnectedness of all aspects of life. It becomes evident that early childhood education plays a crucial role, intricately linked to the legacy you are constructing.
In the realm of individual early childhood educators, the term “legacy” commonly denotes the enduring impact, influence, or contributions that an educator makes. Legacy encapsulates one’s professional imprint and the positive effects they leave in their wake. Crucially, legacy is intertwined with the metaphorical winter season—a phase inviting educators to reflect on giving back to the community that has supported them throughout the various seasons of their career. I’ve been reflecting on my own legacy for some time now, acknowledging that I find myself in the winter season of my life. The expression “winter season of life” metaphorically characterizes the later stages of one’s existence. Much like the natural winter associated with cold, darkness, and a deceleration of growth, this metaphor signifies a comparable phase in human life marked by challenges, reflection, and a sense of culmination. I was prepared to welcome this season and all its facets, including the wisdom it brings and the opportunity to slow down. However, I was not ready to face the challenges of a terminal illness. Now, I find myself intensely contemplating the question of what my legacy will be.
Upon completing my book, I initially believed my legacy would be defined by my professional friends. What aspects of my work would endure within them? However, as I grappled with writing what might be my final post, I came to realize that the essence of my legacy lies in the concept of giving back. It’s about how each of us contributes to the communities we are a part of. Why did we choose this profession? The answers, I believe, should echo a shared purpose—for the children, their families, and each other. It is a commitment to every child without distinction. Our collective aim is to give back to the next generation, providing them with abundant love, care, and the means to form meaningful connections—with others, with materials, and, of course, with Mother Earth. This collective giving back is to ensure that every child feels well, can actively engage, and can cultivate relationships, ultimately granting them the freedom to express themselves in their own unique ways. This, I believe, will be my legacy. What will be yours?
Technology Rich Inquiry Based Research 
A heartfelt blog post on many levels. Your dedication, insight, advocacy, giving, and continued giving to our sector are invaluable. There are no words to express my gratitude to you Diane for your inspiration and shared wisdom over the years. I cherish these moments.
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Well Diane, you nailed it. For so many of us who are at the winter of our careers and life with all it’s challenges, rewards, hopes and dreams, your last blog to us captures what so many of us have realised. You have put into words so beautifully – the meaning of life. To have ones lasting memory from others to be ‘She made a difference in the world’ is the ultimate. You have done that in abundance. You can enjoy the winter of your life knowing that ‘you made a big difference’ and as a result of your contribution, the world is a better place. Kia Kaha. Arohanui. Chris
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What a powerful and significant message you send Diane. Legacy is a word we throw around lightly sometimes, but the way you help us reflect on what it may mean to us as individuals by sharing your own point of view brings meaning and substance to how we see ourselves. I’m so sad that this may be your last post. I love reflecting on and reading your wise words and unique perspective to ECE. Thank you for opening up a world of reflections in your words, teachings and reflections.
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I admire your courage in sharing such an impact-full post and allowing us in your world one more time, making us reflect one more time, inspiring one more time. Your legacy is one of love and transformation, of change and possibilities. Your blogs will continue to impact our Early Childhood Educator Community, well past many, many, many Winters.
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Dear Diane,
It is 5.50 am in Australia, i woke up and saw your mail. And I began to read. I normally don‘t wake up at this time. But seeing your mail brings smile to my face. And that is a powerful legacy of yours that lives within your readers.
I will miss reading your blogs which has taught me many valuable lessons in my teaching journey.
Wishing you all the best.
Ranjna
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Diane. I am not even sure how to begin. If this is your last published blog post then this is my last opportunity to publicly respond to your words of wisdom and your thought-provoking invitations.
Your life’s work has elevated our profession and will continue to do so for many years to come. Your thinking and generosity have inspired me for decades. Our shared values and experiences as personal and professional friends have shaped who I am as a person and as an educator. You have invited me into your remarkable quest for knowledge, your capacity for theory building and your ever-longing wish to honour our profession and the gifts that Early Childhood Educators bring to children, their families, their colleagues and anyone willing to listen! To work with someone who loves and respects materials that invite playfulness, thinking and learning is something I have always treasured.
Your ability to organize your thinking into the spoken word and into text will never cease to amaze me. You can write my friend! Your words of wisdom flow from your heart very naturally.
I am grateful.
For you. For me. And, for us.
Thank you D.
Cindy
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Your spirit of generosity is the dance of the wind in all seasons bringing children, families, colleagues, and community together. With each stroke of the pen, your words brought moments of reflection, as well as the possibilities of inviting many into respectful, colleagial conversations. I once had a superintendent ask what my legacy would be as I would eventually enter my winter season. At the time, I didn’t recognize that each snowflake floating in the wind represented a friendship, a connection, a turn in life. My friend, our chats let me see how the snowflakes touched, drifted, returned, and danced in our friendship. For this I am eternally grateful.
Sending you love and care,
Rose Walton
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Dear Diane,
I am saddened to hear of your illness and its impact on the winter season of your life. At the same time, I am immensely grateful for the wisdom you have shared over the years in your blog. It has been a valuable resource for the ELCC students and educators I have worked with at university and as part of Alberta’s pedagogical partner supports project. In the past few years I have worked primarily with educators who are immigrants and refugees who tell me that reading is not their chosen way of learning, yet your blogs have been accessible to these ELL learners and have made a difference – I see this as just one part of your enormous legacy!
I am involved in a Practice-based Learning Community right now focused on emergent curriculum and we began our series looking at your blog from 2015, *From Themes to Emergent Curriculum: Facing the Resistance to Change with Kindness and Compassion. *The discussion was rich and learners came to our session with quotes and passages that inspired them.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Mary Lynne Matheson
Pedagogical Partner
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Diane, thank you for sharing your heart and your wisdom for what you do. I have benefitted greatly from both and I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to learn from you. I hope the legacy I get to leave one day is as beautiful as yours.
Andrea
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Diane, what a beautifully written and thought provoking blog post- one I am sure was not easy to write. Thank you for all you have shared and for all your inspiration and impact on teaching and learning. I hope your heart is full and you feel love all around you. Sending you much love and gratitude, Jaki
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Thank you Diane… I have loved following along your journey and relishing in the deep ideas you provoke.
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Diane,
Thank you so much for the courage and love that has gone into your blog post. It has taken me some time to respond as I wanted to reflect upon what exactly to say. I am so very grateful for the opportunity to have worked with you and your generosity in sharing with and guiding our teams at LEF. We are a stronger, kinder, more thoughtful and more impactful community thanks to you.
I have deep gratitude for each conversation we have had and thank you for being a friend.
[photo]
Nicola Maguire
Director, Research and Pedagogical Leadership
The Learning Enrichment Foundation
Phone: 416-688-5830
http://www.lefca.orghttp://www.lefca.org/
lefnewcomers.orghttp://lefnewcomers.org/
lefemployment.orghttp://lefemployment.org/
[cid:fc7d3a20-44dd-44a5-8e6c-e5b78a0192a5][cid:295ffab4-a979-49b7-a61e-cf1de1135938][cid:e7186638-c731-48a1-98c8-bae193ab54c2][cid:6e46bff2-bc81-4648-b6e5-51a5d88e63ea][cid:1b359449-bb21-4ac2-b50e-47fab36d5b3f] Please note, although I have sent this at a time that is convenient for me, it is not my expectation that you read, respond, or follow up on this email outside of your hours of work. ________________________________
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The hope for my legacy is similar to yours. From a student at Seneca 20+ years ago, to an International ECD professional working in majority world countries, I see not only the need and passion for ECD, but the importance of training for ECD professionals. I hope I am inspiring ECD Leaders on this side of the world to be advocates for quality and advocates for children in their home and community.
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