Time Well Spent

Three deeply felt learnings from this program:

Looking back on my learning throughout the journey through my Masters program I have come so far. I did not realize the amount of learning that would take place. Above all the courses built on one another to lead me through the capstone project. This project caused me to reflect back on prior learning and apply it to the project. One of the most helpful courses to refer back to was EDUC 6163 Building Research Competencies. I found that the foundation from this course helped me think of the capstone project as research. I was able to pull information from the text from the course and use it when writing my capstone paper. Knowing that research and being a part of a Community of Practice is important to our field and its growth causes me to rethink being involved more. Without these courses I would not have seen the value of being involved in a Community of Practice. 

EDUC 6162 Issues and Trends highlighted the necessity of constantly learning within the field. I would read nayec articles and journals from time to time but always felt to busy to do more than that. I now understand the importance of keep appraised of the current issues and trends within out field. I think this realization will benefit me for years to come and make me more professional over all.

Finally EDUC 6361 Instructional Strategies for Adult Learners provided me an abundance of information that will be helpful to my current chosen areas of the early childhood field. Helping adult learners achieve that aha moment because I have communicated information to them in a context that is understandable is just as rewarding as it is when teaching children. I walked away from that course with a plethora of strategies that will be useful when teaching adults. I am looking forward to using some of them this fall when I am teaching.  

One long-term goal:

Lately I have been completing professional goals all over the place. I feel like I have finally taken the time for me to move myself forward professionally. As of right now my main long term goal is to work on my Doctorate in early childhood. I know that I need a break but am tentatively thinking of starting next fall. I cannot think beyond that. I really believe in taking life one step at a time. So this for now if my next step goal.

Farewell:

I truly believe that my learning would not have been as deep or productive it were not for the individuals that commented on, reflected on, and questioned my learning throughout this entire process. I am deeply grateful to the instructors and my colleagues that helped me obtain an education that I am proud of. I will forever be thankful for this experience.

"Free the child's potential, and you will transform him into the world."
- Maria Montessori

If you wish to share your contact information with me please do so in the comment area. J

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

Looking at the international organizations that work for positive social change for children and families I was inspired by the work they do.

The United Nations Children’s Fund is one organization that touches my heart. It makes me wish I had the money of Bill Gates so that I could make an impact for better health and conditions in these children’s lives. The United Nations Children’s Fund has positions available for an Early Childhood Development Specialist, (P-4) in Nairobi, Kenya. The purpose of this position is to develop, plan, and implement early childhood programs. Some of the qualifications needed are an advanced university degree, eight years of relevant work experience, fluency in English and another UN language. With Bill Gates in mind I also looked onto the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This organization is based in the Seattle Washington area. Along with education, one of the organizations efforts is to supply children across the world with immunizations. That is why most of the jobs available were for people with medical.

Save the Children is another organization that works on childhood poverty, education, protection, health and nutrition, and hunger. They do amazing work word wide that benefits the lives of children. This organization has many positions available for both national and international. One that caught my eye was listed as Education Convergence Adviser. It is a fulltime position located in Asia. Some responsibilities would be to lead the development of an education convergence, “Develop an advocacy platform surrounding education issues on the Thai-Myanmar border” (Save the Children, 2013), advise of education policies, and coordinate closely with Save the Children. Qualifications to be considered for this position are skills and experience in education, experience developing and successfully implementing an advocacy plan, and the ability to write clear and well-argued research and policy reports (Save the Children, 2013).

Academy for Educational Development strives for “a world in which all individuals and communities have the opportunity to reach their highest potential” (Fhi360, 2013). I feel in love with this organization because of this statement. This falls right inline with my own beliefs. They have an extensive list of job openings. One that is available at this time is in Barbados, Jamaica. With poverty, HIV/AIDS, and a weak economy “there is a strong need for more effective school-to-work programs that give young people tangible options” (Fhi360, 2013). It all starts with a strong education. This would be an experience teaching in this environment.

Any one of these opportunities to work for these organizations would be a privilege and life changing. This has opened my mind and caused me to rethink how I can impact the children for the better throughout the world.

References:

United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). (n.d.). Retrieved August 8, 2013, from http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index.php. 

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. (n.d.). Retrieved August 8, 2013, from http://www.gatesfoundation.org/Jobs.

Save the Children. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6226565/k.BFEA/Working_at_Save_the_Children.htm. 

Fhi360. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.fhi360.org/about-us/vision-and-mission.

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: National/Federal Level

Looking at national and federal positions that are available in my field was an exciting endeavor. I have never bothered to look far beyond my own community with regards to employment and I am pleasantly surprised with what I have found. The organizations that appeal to me are the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), National Head Start Association, and National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC).

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is an organization that speaks to my heart. I agree with their mission statement and use their code of ethical conduct in the course I teach as a way to inform students about what I expect from them. NAEYC had opportunities that education wise I would be qualified for but looking at the other qualifications it would not fall within my abilities. One was for ‘Editor-in-Chief for its books program’; I would not be gifted with the ability to edit work when it comes to spelling or grammar. This position would be best left to another person. However, one position did catch my eye. It is a listing for a ‘Senior Meeting Planner’. This position asks for an individual to manage and coordinate logistics for the annual national conference. It requires a B.A. and 5-7 years experience in coordinating logistics for association conferences and multi-site meetings, which I have. Salary starts at $60-$65,000.

The National Head Start Association was next on my list. I have not worked for Head Start much professional but believe in the work they do. I feel like this federal organization fill an important hole within the field of early childhood. The job board can be found at http://www.nhsa.org/professional_development/job_board and was a bit over whelming. There were positions for every state. In the community college where I teach we have a lot of spouses of enlisted military sense out campus is just on the other side of the freeway from the base. Having this tool to show students that if they obtain a job here and then are moved from the area to another base they could use this site to locate another position with in the field. There was one position in my state that looked interesting for an Early Childhood Service Coordinator in Jefferson and Clallam County. Some of the qualification required are a bachelor’s degree in early childhood, communication skills and a team player, leadership ability, budget management and staff supervision, 5 years experience, CLASS certification, and knowledge of Head Start. As for my interests, I found a position that would be interesting. It was a listing for an executive director in New York. To gain more details on the position I needed to be a member.

The last organization I chose was National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC). NAFCC has been an important organization to me over the years. I was a family child care provider for 18 years and this organization was instrumental in supporting me. I even went through their accreditation process. This stated, it never occurred to me to look for a job within the organization. The position that I found to be not only interesting but something I could apply for was a volunteer position for region 10. NAFCC is looking for people who are highly committed to the mission and goals of the organization. Some of the duties that the position would ask the volunteer to do is to support local and state associations, promote NAFCC accreditation, and advocate for providers in the field at the regional and national level. If others would like to apply to volunteer they can find the information at http://www.nafcc.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=592:become-involved-board-application&catid=38:about-us&Itemid=314.  

Overall this has been a wonderful assignment for me. I needed to see the possibilities available to me and too the individuals who are just starting out in this field.

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

Organizations that appeal to me to work at are Washington MERIT, Puget Sound Educational Service District, and Washington Association for the Education of Young Children.

Washington MERIT is focused on continuing education for individuals in the field of early childhood. These include stipends for attaining different college degrees to providing a database of approved trainers to fulfill the mandatory training hours needed per year. Puget Sound Educational Service District services public and state approved private schools. Their primary function is to support agencies and deliver educational services. This includes administrative and financial services, early childhood and family support, instructional support, student services, and technology services. Finally Washington Association for the Education of Young Children (WAEYC) is dedicated to provide professional development opportunities’, being advocates for professionals in the field where wages are concerned, and being a champion for high quality education and support so the standards of care are higher in return.

I chose the three of these organizations because they have been on my radar a long time. I now enough about them that I did not have to look them up, mostly because I am always looking to see what is new within these organizations. I often think that someday I will participate within these organizations somehow. I just have no idea what that would be or when that would take place.

Currently there are job opportunities within MERIT to be a trainer. I actually took some steps to make that happen. They require a BA and experience so I am sure that once I get through the process, develop a training I would like to use I will be accepted. Puget Sound Educational Service District (PSESD) seems to often have listings. That is because they also list for school and state approved private schools in the area. At this time it mostly positions for other schools however, they currently have three position listed for PSESD main office.

They are…

Project Manager (Race to the Top & Student & School Success). Qualifications: BA degree in job-related area, and related experience in K-12 or higher education program management (AA/AAS degree in related area with progressively responsible job-related experience may substitute for BA degree). Previous experience working in a school district, and experience administering grants, contracts, and budget management is preferred.

Project Manager, Career and College Readiness. Qualifications:  BA degree in job-related area, and related experience in K-12 or higher education program management (AA/AAS degree in related area with progressively responsible job-related experience may substitute for BA degree).  Extensive job-related experience using spreadsheet (Excel) and database software is required.  Previous experience working in a school district of higher education institution, and experience administering grants, contracts, and large ($500K+) budget management is preferred. 

Native American Early Learning Program Coordinator. Qualifications:  BA/BS degree in Early Childhood Education, Human Development, or related, and experience working with Native American/Alaska Native children in early childhood (B to 5) settings, including direct EC classroom experience and experience in EC curriculum development (AA degree in same and progressively responsible job-related experience may substitute for BA/BS degree).  Experience mentoring and/or coaching adult learners/teachers and working with diverse populations preferred.

Within WAEYC there are currently no positions available. I also am not sure what position I would like to fulfill there. Something that had to do with the yearly conference would be fun to be a part of as a part time position.

I am not sure this assignment was a good one for me. I have a tendency to get my hands into too many projects that I love and through this exercise I now have applications into two different areas along with looking into WAEYC for opportunities to help with the yearly conference. 

My Wordle

Colleagues Support

Looking back on not only the past few weeks but on all the courses I have taken thus far, I am so grateful to have had the colleagues I have had in my courses. I feel like I have been challenged, pushed, and motivated to do my best. They have made me accountable, professional, and most of all that they have extended my horizons. My colleagues in this master’s course have challenged me to look at things through a different lens and this has improved my cultural competency.

I hope that my colleagues continue on their path with motivation and excitement. The end of the program is near but there is still an abundance we can learn from the remaining courses. Keeping this in mind will focus all of us on the material and what we are learning and not on the fact that we are almost done. I wish you all the best in your professions and in your remaining courses. Let me know if you would like to keep in touch. I will make sure you receive my contact email.