Time Well Spent

Hard to believe that the time has come to say good-bye.  This online experience has been amazing.  If I think back to the first course and all there was to get used to, I see how far we have come.  From APA style, researching quality articles and websites, and organizing the many application papers, so much has been learned.

From this course alone, I have learned that making a change starts small, with identifying a challenge in your own community.  From that point forward, surround yourself with the people and organizations that share the same passion and desire and reach out to one another to meet the challenge.  Another learning experience is that of doing the research.  Identify why the challenge has occurred and what is already being done to meet the challenge.  From the information gathered, decide on goals to set and together, with your community of partners, set an action plan and reach for it.  Small steps may lead to bigger steps.  Lastly,  our work now may lead us to a much larger picture in the future.  Who knows where we will be in 15 years.  As we dreamed big in our last application assignment, we all put our professional dreams into words.  "A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work."  (Colin Powell). 

So in closing, I hope you all take a few moments and decide for yourselves what personal and professional dreams you have and strive to reach those dreams.  It has been a great pleasure learning with and from each of you.  I wish everyone a successful career in the early childhood field.  I hope to keep in contact with you in the future.

   akline@ptd.net

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community- Internationally

Academy for Educational Development. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.aed.org/en/index.htm

This program resonated with me because of the interest of connecting education, health, technology, environment, economic development, civil society, gender equality, youth, and research.  They refer to their program as the 360 perspective.  The section that discusses the 360 partnerships reminded me of Brofenbrenner’s Theory, how all systems work together for the benefit of the whole child.  Partnerships for the Academy for Education Development include governments, civil society organizations, the private sector, and the communities in which they serve. 

Their vision is that together all people and the community have the opportunity to reach their highest potential.  To do this, they work to empower individuals, families, and the community to find solutions to challenges.

Current Employment:

Intern, Research Gear up- Washington D.C.

A grant program with the U.S. Department of education that is designed to increase the number of post-secondary education for students of low-income families. 

Skills needed are proficiency with MS word and EXCEL

 

International Step By Step Association. (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2011, from http://www.issa.nl/index.html

ISSA supports programs that support comprehensive services and advocacy tools intended to influence policies for families and children in the early childhood years.  Programs supported by ISSA include early childhood, primary school, equal access, teacher education, and civic participation in education. 

Members of ISSA are provided with professional development, information-sharing and networking, technical support in design and implementation of ECD programs, publications, and annual conferences.  

This program was of interest to me because it not only provides publications about the ECD field, but also provides training and mentoring to individuals and programs in the EC field. 

 

United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2011, from http://www.unicef.org/

What caught my attention with UNICEF were the real life photos and descriptions of how children and families are living in severe poverty, including health, shelter, and education.  UNICEF has focus areas that include child survival and development, basic education and gender equality, HIV/AIDS and children, and child protection.  They are leading advocates for children’s rights.

Current Employment:

Although I was unable to open the many job opportunity sites, some that were of interest to me included:  HIV/AIDS specialist (Uganda), Education specialist (emergency and peace building)(Congo, Dom. Rep.), and Chief Child Protection (Pakistan).

 

 

National and Federal Organizations and Job Opportunities

 

National/Federal organization or communities of practice

The National Education Association-   Members of NEA work on improving quality teaching, increasing student achievement, making schools safer and a better place to learn, for all children.

They believe that partnering with families, communities, and other stakeholders is key to quality public education and student success.

One way this organization is working to improve school safety and a better place for children to learn is through their bully prevention resources/programs.  The resources are available for adults and children.

This organization appealed to me in the fact that they have done a wealth of research on quality and student achievement.  There are NEA organization affiliates all over the country that support preschool through adult learning.  Under the tools and ideas tab, there are lesson plan ideas, classroom management strategies, and articles that give advice and support for teachers and parents.

Under the state affiliates section, you can click on any state and find quick facts regarding education, salary, what areas of education are in demand, and job positions.

www.nea.org

 

National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators- Members are from all across the United States and from countries around the world.  Their purpose is to advocate for improvements in early childhood teacher education, a communication network for early educators, and partners with other national and international organizations interested in early education. 

What drew me to this organization was the work they also do with other countries around the world.  Sometimes we need to look at how others are being successful and partner with those programs to assist in improving our own.

Included on the website is books that were published by NAECTE members ranging from technology in the classroom, supporting children with learning difficulties, and even the textbook used in a previous class, Planning and Administering Early Childhood Programs.

www.naecte.org

 

Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute- This organization conduct research that can positively change the lives of children, support families, and inform public policy.  The Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute is a community of practice that provides useful and up-to-date information regarding current issues and trends in the education field.  The website provides current projects happening around the country and books and articles to support these projects and research.  This organization also partners with 7 other organizations to build strong support in education.

www.fpg.unc.org

Job Opportunities of Interest to me:

Teaching Strategies, LLC-   Implementation Associate (K-3 focus)

5+ years in the education field, BA in ECE, MA preferred, working knowledge of teaching strategies, LLC products a plus

Help customers implement products, including The Creative Curriculum Systems and Teaching Strategies GOLD, Assist individuals with professional development, Attend local and national events as a representative of the company

 

Teaching Strategies, LLC- Regional Training Associate

Lead trainer of professional development opportunities, conduct webinars, mentors members of the professional development network

 

Director of Eliot-Pearson Children’s School

A laboratory-demonstration school at Tuft’s University for children preschool through second grade. 

Master’s degree required in early education or related field, previous experience as a director, experience working with children of diverse backgrounds, supervising EC professionals, and a commitment to urban education issues and working with Tufts ECE staff.

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

If I would have to leave my current employment and look for another position that was of interest to me, I would choose something in the field of special education or online teaching of elementary school.  Online education because I am getting old and am not sure if I could work with 20 children in the classroom forever!!!!!  PAVirtual Charter School had many job openings and expected job openings for the new school year.  Their requirements include a bachelor’s degree and competency in technology.  Their mission is to provide PA students with excellent education and to help them achieve their full academic and social potential.  Partnering with parents, which seems to be a challenge in public schools, is a requirement of online teaching.  I also feel that online students have an advantage of more individualization from the teacher and hopefully parents as well.  This partnership between child, parent, and teacher can improve a child’s success in their education.

Special education is another interest of mine because I want children that have a disability to get high quality programming and support to help them be successful in school and in the future.  Some specific jobs of interest to me are speech therapists and occupational therapist, and special education teachers and even special education teacher assistants (but the pay and benefits are not there!).  For occupational therapy, (Easter Seals) an occupational therapy license is required (in PA) and be a graduate of an accredited school of occupational therapy.  I also found an online speech pathologist job that was of interest to me (Connections Academy, 2011).    Requirements include MA or MA in Speech Language Pathology and ASHA certificate of clinical competence.  And be licensed in your state. 

The occupational therapist and speech pathologist positions would require another degree in another avenue of education that I am not so sure I am willing to take at this moment, however, once my children are grown the possibility may be there. 

 

 

References:

Connections Academy.  (2011).  Retrieved from http://www.re22.ultipro.com

Easter Seals Disability Services.  (2013).  Retrieved from http://www.esep.easterseals.com

PAVirtual Charter School.  (2013).  Retrieved from http://www.pavcsk12.org

 

 

 

 

Wordle Link

http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/6685453/Issues_and_Trends_in__ece

Communication and Collaboration

Throughout this master's program, I have felt a sense of collaboration and effective communication.  It first began with our professors, the leaders.  Everyone has been welcoming, respectful, understanding, and has taken a great deal of effort in helping to build trust among all colleagues.  The discussion boards have had a focus or goal where each one of us has contributed suggestions, knowledge, and comments that have made us more knowledgeable in the early childhood profession. 

Being open-minded and willing to learn new things will indeed make us stronger individuals in our own personal lives and professional careers.  At times, and especially with certain individuals, all of the information learned about putting our biases aside, effective communication, and collaboration can be difficult.  However, taking this course has moved me forward and helped me to become an effective communicator and collaborator with children, families, colleagues, the community, and my own family and friends.

I wish you all the best in your specilization and career path.

Amanda

Adjourning

When high performing groups depart, good-byes may be difficult.  There is a lot of time and effort put into developing high quality groups.  Trust is built, respect is communicated, and goals and visions are met through team work.  Friendships are also most likely to form as groups interact with one another for an extended period of time. 

Two years ago, I was a mentor for our agency, which received a grant to hire 2 mentors for the program.  I left my lead teacher position, briefly, to take on the position and returned to the classroom at the end of last year.  The other mentor teacher was also a lead teacher, but one that I have never worked with.  Our relationship built over time and we were responsible for 10 teachers each to mentor, trainings, ordering resources, etc.  At the end of the program it was difficult to leave the teachers, with who you really got to know and built a relationship, and also the other mentor.  We were able to put together an end of the year mentor celebration which was a wonderful time to eat, share what was beneficial from the program, and if the program were to return, what teachers would like to see happen.  It was a nice closure to a 1 1/2 year program.

Since this is an online program, I feel a connection as far as professional development is concerned.  Because of the lack of face-to-face interactions, I feel that friendships have not been developed like would have if it were a class where we met.  I certainly am going to miss the discussions.  I have learned so much from everyone's background and their knowledge.  It is nice to communicate with others that have the same goal and vision.

I believe that adjourning is a time to celebrate all the accomplishments.  It is great to know that, as a team, you are able to work towards a goal and accomplish what you set out to do.