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.