I 8 Introduction Stay Positive! Here are a few things to avoid: i Trying to change other adults i Thinking one job is more important than another i Believing that if other adults would just do things the way you want, your team would improve Make It Happen! Here’s How winning ways Who’s important on your team? The janitor in the NASA story understands the importance of a well-functioning team and how it really works. He real- izes that every person in an organization is equally important to accomplish- ing the goal of the program. Does sweeping the floor at NASA really help to get a person on the moon? You bet. You can’t work in a building that’s not clean and safe. Think about the people who work in your program: the teachers, the director, the building-maintenance professionals. Does each job carry differ- ent responsibilities and accountability? Sure, but each job is equally important to providing good care and education for children. If there’s a position in a program that doesn’t contribute to helping educate and care for children, it’s probably not needed. So who’s important in a team? Everyone is, and that includes you. Do You Work Well with Other Adults? Most people go into early childhood education because they like working with children. Working with children is your passion. It’s what you do well. It’s the adults that can be a bit challenging at times. Nonetheless, working well with adults is just as important as the work you do with children in this field. Why is it important for a team of adults to function well? A great team is vital to any company, but in early childhood education, the compatibility of the adults doesn’t just affect getting the job done; it also affects the emotional and social environment of children.