Opportunities
by Ilecia Buckner, 2018 OCDEL Policy Fellow
When they come, don’t stop and stare
Grab a hold of the ones you hold dear
Destiny awaits before your eyes,
Whether you see it or not, don’t be surprised
I have the opportunity to walk with destiny, my friend
And destiny’s cousin, opportunity, met me in the end
I hold the OCDEL Fellowship as an opportunity that destiny hooked up
I hold the OCDEL Fellowship more than just pure luck
I am meeting new people, envisioning new places, seeing new things
I am learning about new endeavors, new projects, new ways to make WINS!
In a field I hold dearly in my heart, in a field where little lives make their start
My colleagues, my mentors, my agency, my state,
Has surrounded me with new knowledge that will help me continue in this fight for ECE’s place,
In a world that didn’t know it or see its value that well
Now it’s my time, it’s our time, OCDEL fellows to make a pitch that will sell
We are selling this to our neighbors, family, and friends
We are selling this to our schools, child cares, and centers
We are selling this to our legislators; federal, local, and state
We are selling this to our families, if they start now it won’t be too late
For their little ones to grow, develop, and learn
For their parenting skills to flourish, get better, developmental successes earned
For their communities to see what quality early childcare can produce
For their hopes and dreams to come alive from the help of the early learning crew
Take a look, take a look, take a look at the walls
Take a look, take a look, take a look through the halls
Look at Sally’s painting
Look at Maria’s “a”
Look at Kevin’s house of blocks
Look at Doa’s pretend play
Listen up, listen up, listen to what they say
Listen up, listen up, listen as they play
Listen to Sally tell her teacher how she feels
Listen to Maria tell her friend how she likes her meal
Listen to Kevin count from one to ten
Listen to Doa sing as all his friends join in
This is what we see and this is what we hear,
When we tune into ECE learning throughout the year
These amazing feats coming from classrooms
Equipped with talented staff,
Who put everything they have into making changes that last
In little minds, in little hearts,
Present, now
Future, later
Thanks for all involved
OCDEL, parents, teachers, fellows, advocates, legislators, directors, trainers
Opportunity has knocked for all involved
Opportunity meets destiny for me!
Opportunity meets destiny for ECE!