Educator
Spotlight
Help us celebrate the important educators who are working to make the lives of children and families better every day!
Rhondalin Cannon-Tingle
Rhondalin Cannon-Tingle is a family childcare owner and educator in Seaford, Delaware. She has earned her CDA and welcomes toddlers through school-age children into her program.
What's something you love about your work with children?
One thing I truly love about working with young children in early childhood education is watching their growth from learning their first letters and words to building confidence, kindness, and independence. 💕 Every day brings small moments that turn into big milestones, and being part of that journey is incredibly rewarding for me as an educator.
Describe a recent moment in your classroom that made you feel proud or reminded you why you do this work.
Recently, one of my children who had been struggling with sharing gently offered a toy to a friend without being asked and said, “You can have a turn.” 💛 That small moment showed so much growth, empathy, and understanding and it reminded me that the daily lessons, modeling, and patience truly make a difference.
Moments like that are exactly why I do this work. My goal is to help shape kind, confident, and caring little kiddos.
Is there a specific project, routine, or strategy you’ve used lately that you’re excited about?
Yes! I’ve been really excited about our morning meeting routine lately. We start each day with a greeting, a song, a shared story, and a simple social-emotional check-in. It’s helped the children feel connected, build language skills, and start the day calmly and confidently.
I’ve also loved seeing how our hands-on learning centers especially sensory bins and literacy corners are encouraging independence, problem-solving, and peer collaboration. Watching the children take ownership of their learning has been so rewarding!
What does “intentional teaching” mean to you, and how do you put that into practice?
To me, intentional teaching means being purposeful, thoughtful, and responsive in everything I do from how I set up our environments to how I talk to my children and plan activities. It’s about knowing why I’m doing something, not just what I’m doing.
How do you create inclusive and welcoming spaces for all children and families?
I create inclusive and welcoming spaces by making sure every child and family feels seen, respected, and valued from the moment they walk through the door.
Inclusion isn’t just something I teach it’s something I live out every day in my classroom and our community.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in early childhood education?
Keep an open mind! Kids will surprise you at every turn but they crave consistency and connection. Both of these things can be provided in a million different ways so don't be afraid to get creative and try something new.
Are there any topics in the early childhood field that are important to you at the moment?
Yes — right now, a few topics feel especially important to me:
• Social-emotional learning, helping children build self-regulation, empathy, and strong relationships.
• Literacy development, especially early language, phonological awareness, and a love for books.
• Trauma-informed care, understanding children’s behaviors through a lens of compassion and support. • Family engagement, partnering with families as true collaborators in children’s growth.
• Equity and inclusion, ensuring all children have access to high-quality, culturally responsive care. These areas guide my daily practice and remind me why early childhood education is such meaningful and impactful work.
What’s something new you’ve tried in your practice recently? What did you learn from it?
Recently, I started incorporating more child-led project work based on the children’s interests — like turning their curiosity about bugs and nature into a mini science exploration.
What I learned is that when children help led the learning, their engagement, language use, and problem-solving skills increase dramatically. It also reminded me how powerful observation and flexibility are in creating meaningful, joyful learning experiences in my program.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in early childhood education?
Keep PUSHING! 🙌🏾 My advice to someone just starting out in early childhood education would be:
• Build relationships first — children learn best when they feel safe, loved, and understood.
• Be patient with yourself — growth takes time, just like it does for children.
• Observe more than you talk — children will show you what they need if you truly watch and listen.
• Stay curious and keep learning — the field is always evolving, and so are best practices.
• Remember your “why” — on hard days, remind yourself of the impact you’re making, even when it’s not immediately visible.
You’re not just teaching — you’re shaping kiddos lives!
Is there anything else you'd like us to share?
Self-care is extremely essential for early childhood educators because the work is deeply emotional, physical, and mental — and you can’t pour from an empty cup. 💛
When ECE professionals practice self-care, they:
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Prevent burnout and compassion fatigue.
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Stay patient, calm, and emotionally available for children.
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Model healthy habits and emotional regulation for young learners.
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Maintain their passion, energy, and effectiveness in the classroom.
Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish…. it’s necessary. When educators are well, children benefit too.