Time Well Spent EDUC 6990: wk8

This has been a journey of reflection, understanding, commitment, team building, and furthering my passion for the Early Childhood program. I have learned the importance of having a community of practice and having a well built one. It is important for people who share the same interest to come together and collaborate. Bringing together communities, families, staff, and other organizations can make a difference because of the input and experiences shared.

In addition, I learned that it is important to always strive for what you believe in and never let anyone bring you down. Of course it is okay to ask for help and accept input, however, I do not believe anyone should bring another down. Passion comes from the heart, especially when you are dedicated to your work. In which case, I wish to continue to strive for my passion and strengthen it each and every day.

I also learned that I need to acquire some leaderships skills in order to collaborate and begin to get a community of practice. Children are observant, therefore, they notice when families and teachers are not on the same page. Although I am not perfect, I wish to continue working on obtaining leadership characteristics to set an example for the children.

Goal:
– A long term goal is to become an Early Childhood advocate for all children in terms of diversity, equality of education, accepting themselves and helping others accept them, and any other situation that may arise.

Farewell Message:
We have complete our Early Childhood Masters program together! Thank you for all your support throughout this Walden journey. A lot of you started with me since the first class and other colleagues I have met along the way. Nonetheless, I want to say thanks a million for your ideas, strategies, discussions, agreements & disagreements, your insight, and so much other valuable information along the way.

I wish nothing but the best for everyone! Continue to strive for your passion and continue your great work! Congratulations. Hope to keep in touch.

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

1) ISSA (International Step-by-Step Association)

website: http://www.issa.nl/conference2019


I found this website interesting because I found that ISSA has conferences, which I believe are every year. If I am not mistaken, you are able to join in to the conference virtually, however, it is a paid conference. The conference “will be packed with the latest learnings and insights from the Early Childhood Development field, offering two days of knowledge sharing, dialogue and networking. And there will also be a rich and diverse offer of one day pre-conference workshops and site visits events for you to choose from” (ISSA, n.d.).

2. UNICEF

Website: https://www.unicef.org/early-childhood-development

One quote that stood out to me from this website was “When you pay attention to the beginning of the story, you can change the whole story” . I like this quote because it is true. We have to make the foundation in their early childhood years so that they are not learning things in their latter life such as social skills, problem solving etc  

Careers:

• International Professional (IP)
• National Officer (NO)
• General Services (GS)

All which require experience professional work depending on which level you need more than one year.

3. Save The Children

Website: https://www.savethechildren.org/us/more-ways-to-help/take-action-for-kids

I found this website insightful because it speaks about advocating for children. It also features a blog that allows people to talk about their reason for joining and ways they advocate for children.

In addition, they want to help congress understand the importance of expanding affordable child care for working families.

References

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

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: National/Federal Level EDUC 6990: week 4

US Department of Health & Services

1) Head Start | ECLKC (Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center)

Website: https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/professional-development/article/professional-development-resources-other-organizations     

This website provides important websites of federal websites under the Department of Education and Administration for Children and Families (ACF). In addition, it includes national organizations. They provide a lot of websites that I would like to further look into.

2) American Federation of Teachers (AFT)

Website: https://www.aft.org/our-community

“Our MISSION….The American Federation of Teachers is a union of professionals that champions fairness; democracy; economic opportunity; and high-quality public education, healthcare and public services for our students, their families and our communities. We are committed to advancing these principles through community engagement, organizing, collective bargaining and political activism, and especially through the work our members do” (AFT, n.d.)

I believed this was a very important organization to have because they are partnered with resources that provide low cost to free books for children, healthy and nutritional foods, provide a safe and nurturing school environment, and educational justice

Career:

One position that interests me is the Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). This seems similar to what I know as those that come to our school such as ECERS-R (Early Childhood Environment rating scale-revised) and CLASS (Classroom Assessment Scoring System). “The five components of QRIS are: (1) standards, (2) accountability measures, (3) program and practitioner outreach and support, (4) financing incentives, and (5) parent and consumer education efforts. A number of states have implemented QRIS, and many that have not yet are in the process of creating them”. It does not go much into detail about requirements and such. However, I did find this interesting because I believe ECERS-R, QRIS, and CLASS all are under the same umbrella of wanting to help improve the classroom to make sure each child is striving to their fullest.

3. U.S. Department of Education

Website: https://www2.ed.gov/about/inits/ed/earlylearning/index.html

This first thing that caught my interest with this website is that the CDC released a milestone app for parents. This can help families track their child’s development. I would like to further look into that app, but I believe it would give families information about what their child should be able to achieve at different age ranges. They also have the app available in Spanish.

In addition, there are grants that are available for preschoolers with children with disabilities and development grants. It also provides age appreciate educational television shows.