Martina Marquez-Ramirez, Learning That Becomes Personal
My passion is actually teaching the infant toddler courses. So PITC is really the cornerstone of what I teach. It’s the foundation of everything I teach to my students, who will eventually work with infants and toddlers. I started my experience with PITC back in, I think it was 2002 I came to the Institute. I was eight months pregnant with my first baby so it was a meaningful experience for me on so many levels, professional and personal, because I got to not only learn about infants and toddlers and their development and what they need to thrive, but I was also cared for in that environment.
There was nurses who were there taking care of me ’cause I was super pregnant with my daughter and I’m a first-time mom and all of that. So there’s just so much about the philosophy that is meaningful to me.
Connie Espinoza, Viewing the World Through a New Lens
PITC really changed my life, and really the way I look at the world through that lens of relationship-based caregiving, and how truly important that is. Like, I think I knew it, but then when I saw it, I was like, “Oh, yeah. Yeah.” And so I’ve always wished that more people would be able to participate in PITC because of the influence that it really made on me. And I think our world would be a better place.
Jennifer Anthony, Bringing the Learning Home
What I really enjoy is the speakers, the presenters, and really understanding how brain development plays an important and critical part in a life of young children. What they’ve talked about and how it comes alive for us, and hearing what today’s speaker has spoke about, why do we do the work? Why do we do the work, for me, really helped me to understand why I stay in this field to really support children and their development.
Wendy Ruiz, Finding Belonging in a Community of Practice
I remember showing up that first day and hearing Peter speak, and I said like, “My ship has landed. Like, this where I belong.” And I said that day, “I’m going to work for PITC one day. I’m going to be a part of this community.” And I’ve been a part of the community for now 15 plus years. So this is, if PITC has an event, I’m there every time. No questions asked. I’ve never felt so full. My bucket is just full, overflowing, so much love, so much support. And even though I haven’t seen some of these people in 10 plus years, doesn’t matter. Like they all recognize you and they all, it’s just, ugh, you just have to be here. You should just come.
Laura Cecilia Jimenez, Supporting the Next Generation of Educators
I adore being part of a program and being able to support other caregivers, teachers, and just people that care for infants and toddlers and being able to respond to their questions, their needs, and their ambition to be better in their programs and to create a quality, you know, a quality in their environment. So that’s what keeps me in PITC.
Amber Jones, Building Relationships That Endure
It feels like family to be back together. It also reignites that passion that so many of us are engaged in this work across this country and even beyond that. And that all of these little spots among our country are making a big difference, even if sometimes in our isolated circles it doesn’t feel that our impact is as big. Some of my most exciting stars in the early childhood field are here, but also feel like such great colleagues and friends. And so it’s nice to be back together and think about what work lies ahead and feel inspired to continue down that path of advocacy for infants and toddlers.