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.