Meet Long-time ACEI Member Rhoda Bierstedt

I recently had the opportunity to communicate with long-time ACEI member Rhoda Bierstedt. Rhoda is a former kindergarten teacher, and has been a member of ACEI for more than 25 years. In 1968, a friend invited Rhoda to attend her first ACEI Annual Conference in Denver. She was immediately impressed with ACEI, and appreciated the camaraderie within the Association. During that conference, she became firmly committed to ACEI and its mission. Rhoda believes that ACEI membership has enriched her life and enhanced her professional career. The professional development workshops, research sessions, and numerous networking opportunities available at ACEI conferences have added to her career. As an ACEI member, Rhoda has enjoyed many opportunities connecting with other educators on the local, state, national, and international levels, and has assumed various leadership roles.

Rhoda's love of teaching began while she was in college. As a student, she volunteered at a child care center. The teachers at the center inspired and encouraged Rhoda, and she decided to become a teacher. She returned to college to obtain her master's degree in early childhood education.

Rhoda highly recommends ACEI membership to college students, student teachers, and novice teachers. She believes that ACEI membership provides many valuable resources, and feels that conference attendance and interaction with other educators stimulates professional growth and development. Rhoda suggests that college students and student teachers join a student Branch at their university, and continue their membership after graduation by joining a local Branch.

In Rhoda's view, teachers today face different challenges than teachers of previous generations. One of the hardships of her teaching career was the excessive amount of paperwork. However, the rewards of working with young children and their families greatly outweighed the challenges. Rhoda feels that the No Child Left Behind Act has increased the challenges that teachers encounter, especially the mandated testing standards to meet adequate yearly progress. Her advice is to strive to implement developmentally appropriate activities in the classroom.

Rhoda has been a kindergarten teacher in Utah for 34 years. After all those years of hard work, you might think that she would like to relax. In fact, Rhoda remains dedicated to children, and still volunteers at the same elementary school where she taught kindergarten. She has volunteered for the last 10 years, and still works three days a week, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. What an accomplishment! Rhoda inspires us with her energy and commitment. ACEI sincerely thanks Rhoda Bierstedt for her many years of loyal membership and devoted service to children.

Sheri Levin, Public Relations Manager

Copyright Association for Childhood Education International Summer 2008
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