I am greatly honoured to have re-joined the Ontario Reggio Association Board of Directors.  Recently I retired as an Early Years Advisor from the Early Years Division of the Ministry of Education.  In my 40 years of working in the early years and child care profession I was fortunate to experience many exciting opportunities that challenged my thinking and opened up new ways to hear and see the world.  My role with the Ministry allowed me the opportunity to be a part of the development of “How Does Learning Happen?  Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years” and the implementation of Full day Kindergarten in Ontario, and also to work closely with First Nation Communities and Service System Managers to support a system for child care and early years programs throughout the province.  In my career I started several non-profit child care centres in Thunder Bay, Ontario and spent 26 of those years at Schoolhouse Playcare Centre as E.D.  After my first study tour in 2002 to Reggio Emilia, Italy I questioned my practices as an educator and leader, and reflected deeply on my view of the child.  What I observed and learned from that experience inspired me not only to make immediate changes to the program but also to learn more and continue deepening my understanding of the principles of Reggio Emilia’s approach to education.  I was very fortunate to be able to return in 2008 and 2018 to Reggio Emilia and continue my journey, to learn more from the educators there and reflect on how I viewed children, families and educators in the context of the early years environment in Ontario. As a person who likes to remain open to new perspectives and ideas this has allowed me the opportunity to see things in a different way and to be committed to life-long learning.  Relationships are important to me, and continuing to contribute to the early years is both a privilege and passion that I keep close to my heart and mind.