Time Well Spent...

Time Well Spent…

            As I reflect back over the time spent in this program of study, I can truly say that I was not only well 

spent, but I was able to achieve some very valuable learning experience, build a foundation on which I can stand in the area of Early Childhood and develop some relationships with colleagues who have provide wisdom, knowledge and understanding that will help me as I continue my path in this ever changing and ever growing field of education.  Through this journey I was able to achieve more in-depth knowledge about child development and family involvement.  I was able to take a person look at my past, examine my beliefs, values and life experiences and see how they have shaped my thinking and made me the person whom I have become and even to examine myself today to determine, based on those analyses, areas where I can change and grow personally and professionally.  I’ve learned how to become an effective and efficient leader who has the capacity to make a difference in my agency, my community and the lives of those children and families whose lives I may touch along the way.

           My long term goal is to never stop learning, advocating and trying to make a difference for children and families in the area of Early Childhood Education.  I love the connections from the Learning Resource which showed how the interconnections from Walden, Early Childhood, my Colleagues, my Self and the Courses have all intertwined to connect and provide support, learning experiences, resources, professional knowledge and wisdom, professional development and a place that allowed me to excel, grow and develop into a caring and professional agent of change for Early Childhood Education.  Through my work as an educator, counselor and advocate, my long term goal is to open a community youth facility that provides services to at-risk children from dysfunctional and abusive homes, my passion is to help make a difference in the lives of children and address their needs individually and collectively and to assist parents in getting the services they so desperately need.

           I would like to personally thank each of my colleagues for you valuable feedback during our discussions and blogs.  I shall hold on to all the wisdom and information you provided and I wish each of you success in your future endeavors wherever they may take you.  To all my professors and especially to Dr. Darragh-Ernst, I thank you for your support, you wisdom and knowledge and your ability to bring out the best me that I can offer.  You have help me expand my vision of my professional goal of becoming a strong agent of change, an advocate and an educator in the field of Early Childhood for children and families.  I shall never forget my experience and the growth that I have experience as a result of the learning opportunities you have provided.  I think that Sonia Johnson, (American Feminist Activist and Writer) said it best when stating, “We must remember that one determined person can make a significant difference and that a small group of determined people can change the course of history”.  I want to be the one among that small group.  Thank you and God Bless each of You.

Each time a person stands up for an ideal or acts to improve the ripple of hope and crossing others from a million different centers of energy and daring these ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest of walls of oppression and resistance.

                                                                                    Robert F. Kennedy

U. S. Senator & Attorney General

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

The three international organizations I chose are:

UNICEF – I chose this organization because of the work they do globally for children and families.  Their overall vision is to build a world where every child can grow up healthy, protected from harm and educated, so they can reach their full potential.  They also have an equity-based program which is the foundation of their disability agenda where they hope to mainstream disability across all of their policies and to develop leadership on the rights of children with disabilities, building capacity among staff and partners.

The job interest I chose was an Education Specialist in Bangui, Central Africa.

Skills include:  Being accountable for planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluation of Education program(s) to ensure overall efficiency and effectiveness of the program management, delivery and accomplishment of program goals and objectives; accountable for identifying gender inequalities in education, and for developing innovative approaches and programs to eliminating these inequalities; and collaborates across the program(s) to ensure gender mainstreaming.  The skills and knowledge I’ve gained in this program have prepared me with the competency to fulfill this job requirement.

My second choice was the Academy for Educational Development.

I chose this organization because they work side by side with ministries, communities, schools, teachers and families to create education systems that respond to the complex, dynamic and diverse needs of the people they serve. This program emphasizes the use of data for decision making, foster student-centered learning and promote education in fragile and post-conflict areas. They are leaders in designing international exchanges that promote leadership, professional development and global collaboration.

Also The Bridge to Employment (BTE) program works with at-risk students in economically disadvantaged communities across the U.S. to help them build solid futures. Partnering with business and community groups, the program provides students with real world experiences as a means of introducing them to an array of careers in the health care industry.

The job opportunity I was interested in was with the Bridge to Employment program.  I chose this, although the program ends this year after its annual training, because they are committed to:

• Building long-term partnerships among business‚ educators‚ parents and community groups
• Preparing at-risk young people to meet the challenges and requirements of the health care industry
• Reinforcing parental involvement as a valuable link between young people and their schools
• Recognizing and advancing exemplary community efforts to assist young people to begin building careers.

There were no actual jobs with monetary pay available but the work which the program seeks to provide to youth throughout impoverished communities is what interested me most.

The last organization I chose was that of the Association of Childhood Education International (ACEI), which is an organization focused on the education, development and well-being of children worldwide.  They also seek to influence the professional growth of education and the efforts of others who are also committed to the needs of children in an ever changing society. This program works closely with the United Nations in making sure children in every nation will have access to quality education which helps them to become responsible citizens. Their "Love Me, Teach Me" campaign is what interest me.  ACEI's cornerstones are:

1.  See Me:  The Child's Right to Identity

2.  Hear Me:  The Child's Right to Participation

3.  Love Me:  The Child's Right to Security, Stability, and Protection

4.  Teach Me:  The Child's Right to Education.

Also their 10 Pillars of a Good Childhood are:

1. Safe and secure places for living, with learning and access to health care, clothing, and nutritious food
2. Strong families and loving, consistent caregivers
3. Social interactions and friendships
4. Creative play and physical activity
5. Appreciation and stewardship of the natural environment
6. Creative expression through music, dance, drama, and the other arts
7. Education that develops the full capacities of the child—cognitive, physical, social, emotional, and ethical
8. Supportive, nurturing, child-friendly communities
9. Growing independence and decision making
10. Children and youth participating in community life.

I did not find any positions for employment available for this organization but they do offer internships in research and advocacy in the Washington D.C. office. Interns are given the opportunity to gain work experience consisting primarily of online research and data gathering that will contribute to the development of briefing papers and other types of resources. In addition to their day-to-day assignments, interns will have the opportunity to attend various meetings related to childhood education. 

References:

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

Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) (n.d.).  Retrieved from http://acei.org.

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