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. 

Conflict Management

A disagreement that my husband and I often argue about is how "rowdy" our boys can be inside the house.  It may seem like a simple, not that big of a deal issue, however, it leads to frustration on my part, confusion on the boys, and who knows what with my husband!  My husband has a high level of tolerance for noise and active play, where I have a much lower tolerance and tell them to go outside.  My perspective is that they can play without being so loud and rough, I have school work to do, bills to organize, work that at times is brought home, etc. that requires a degree of quietness.  My husband, on the other hand, leaves work at work and does not have the other household responsibilities (besides helping with cleaning and the kids, which I greatly appreciate, but those don't require quietness!). 

I believe that the best strategy, which we have already discussed, would be to negotiate a routine that allows for both rough and rowdy play and also a time when that kind of play is finished for the night.  I listened to the boys and him when they talked about being at school all day and work, especially since my oldest son is diagnosed with ADHD and I truly believe my husband has it too!!!!  LOL  We have put into place a win-win situation where if I have work to finish, I may stay at work 1/2 hour later and complete it there rather than bringing it home.  Honestly, I loved that idea, it is nice to not have to worry about work at family time.  We also keep the TV off, not even as background noise, until 7pm, which is when everyone gets ready for bed and settles in with TV or electronics until bed.  After the kids are settled, I am them able to start the house responsibilities with little distractions. 

This certainly has decreased the frustration and confusion for all.  I would like to ask colleagues, however, what do you do when the other person is not willing to put into place the communication/conflict resolution strategies?  I believe that both sides need to be flexible, open, and willing to give, but we all have met people that are truly "stuck in their ways" and will not budge.  Then what?  Do you just give in?  Ignore them and choose not to communicate with them as much as possible?  Since taking these courses, I truly have been observing people and find myself getting frustrated with those in my family that are so set in their ways and no matter how much you use questioning, try for them to see other sides, or for them to accept true facts, they don't budge.  HELP!!!!!!  Not that I lose sleep over it, but it does get annoying at times.

Similaritites and Differences in Communication

I was quite surprised by the results of this assignment.  I chose to ask my manager and husband to evaluate me in communication, listening, and verbal aggression.  To my surprise we all came up with the same results, only varying slightly with numbers.  I was especially surprised at my husband's results.  I thought for sure that I would have rated higher in the verbal aggression category in his eyes!  Even though we had similar results, verbal aggression is something that I would like to work on with him.  For now, I do not see much improvement, however, once I am finished with school in the summer I hope to be less stressed.  As with many others, I am sure that the more stress that is in our lives, the less effective we are with communication, listening, and verbal aggression.  So for now, bear with me hubby!!!!

Insights that I have gained this week are the many concepts that are involved in how we perceive ourselves.  From self-concept, self-esteem, and self-efficacy I never realized how important each of these are in the way we perceive others and communicate.  I have also realized that for the most part, I believe that my competence level would be that of self-actualization.  I strive in communicating as well as possible, and this week has given me the terms necessary to identify myself.  Of course, the feeling of self-adequacy is also present, which I was able to identify this week and work towards more of a self-actualization in these areas.

I would suggest others to take these tests and give them to other people as well to complete.  It is an eye opener.