These last 8 weeks have been very challenging. I have had to really think about what I want to do in this field, and how I can go about making a difference. Learning and researching all the organizations geared towards early childhood made me realize that even if I cannot work in the field, I can still be an advocate and help by volunteering.
Another thing I learned is that building relationships is very important. We don't all have to be working towards the same goal, but keeping in touch may help us or that person later down the road, which will in the end help the families.
I also learned that every little bit counts and helps. The smallest gestures can make the biggest difference.
Thank you all so much for all your support and encouraging words. I wish the best of luck to each and every one of you on your future endeavors.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Saturday, February 16, 2013
International Agencies
The first agency is the International Step by Step Association. As I was reading about this organization, some of the beliefs listed reminded me of what I am trying to do with my organization, such as empowering families with the help of the community and the parents. Help from everyone is required to be successful. They have four positions available, with duty in the Netherlands. The one that interested me the most was the REYN (Romani Early Years Network) Program Manager. This person networks within the community and the families to help Romani children. The skills needed is a degree in this field of study, as well as knowledge about the Romani culture and early childhood education national/international knowledge.
Another organization that caught my interest is Save the Children. This organization provides food, education and medial care where needed. Everything affecting a family to include poverty, illiteracy and illness are addressed because they realize that all these things are interrelated (Save the Children). They have 43 positions open right now. The one I chose was Manager, Global Finance. I have a finance background already, and meet the requirements for this position. The position entails accounting and budgeting activities for a specific country, as well as monitoring grant spending.
The last organization I chose is the Association for Childhood Education International. I have never heard of this organization and so decided to look into it. They have a lot of the same principles and beliefs of other early childhood organizations, except that they are looking for change through adolescence, which I think is great. If we just stop helping children when they reach 9 or 10 years old, without at least making sure they have the resources to continue in the right direction, then our work will be for nothing. I didn't find anything about open jobs, and the only information on internships was a POC to send your resume to.
References:
http://www.issa.nl/news_issa_fill_four_staff_positions.html
https://ch.tbe.taleo.net/CH07/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=SAVETHECHILDREN&cws=1&rid=1438
http://www.acei.org/global-gateway/americas.html
Another organization that caught my interest is Save the Children. This organization provides food, education and medial care where needed. Everything affecting a family to include poverty, illiteracy and illness are addressed because they realize that all these things are interrelated (Save the Children). They have 43 positions open right now. The one I chose was Manager, Global Finance. I have a finance background already, and meet the requirements for this position. The position entails accounting and budgeting activities for a specific country, as well as monitoring grant spending.
The last organization I chose is the Association for Childhood Education International. I have never heard of this organization and so decided to look into it. They have a lot of the same principles and beliefs of other early childhood organizations, except that they are looking for change through adolescence, which I think is great. If we just stop helping children when they reach 9 or 10 years old, without at least making sure they have the resources to continue in the right direction, then our work will be for nothing. I didn't find anything about open jobs, and the only information on internships was a POC to send your resume to.
References:
http://www.issa.nl/news_issa_fill_four_staff_positions.html
https://ch.tbe.taleo.net/CH07/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=SAVETHECHILDREN&cws=1&rid=1438
http://www.acei.org/global-gateway/americas.html
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Federal/National Organizations
The first organization I thought of, mainly because I have been thinking of it and wanting to try and get a job there, is the Department of Education. I chose this because this is where the big decisions are made. They have several several Education Program Specialist positions. As of now, I do not qualify, even after I finish this degree program, because for that specific grade, I would need a year of experience.
Another organization I came across was the Finance Project. I actually came across several interesting organizations thanks to the NAEYC. It was difficult picking just a few to look at. The Finance Project's mission statement: "is a specialized non-profit research, consulting, technical assistance and training firm for public and private sector leaders nationwide. We help leaders make smart investment decisions, develop sound financing strategies, and build solid partnerships that benefit children, families and communities" is what caught my attention (The Finance Project, n.d.). Financing, funding, budget...whatever it is called, we are all having problems. This organization works with individuals who are interested in helping our youth. They have 4 different groups that focus on different aspects of education and the family. As far as jobs, they have a senior program associate position available. For qualifications, I will have the education and finance background, but not the experience with working with politicians and policy makers. But this may be something I can try and work later on.
Another organization is the BUILD initiative. This program works on improving early childhood systems that are geared towards the whole child, not just academics. They utilize private and public funds to help not only the schools, but the families as well. There are only a few states involved with this project, and unfortunately, SC is not one of them. I was not able to find any kind of job opportunities on their website.
One final organization that caught my eye was Parents as Teachers. I used this program while I was in WA, it was offered for free through the Army. Unfortunately, because of funding, the program was cut. However, I feel that this was a great program that could do a lot of good for families. They would come to me and just observe, as well as talk to me about what was going on with Matthew, if I had any questions or concerns. They also had packets, information, games, and other activities for each stage/milestone of his early years. This was a great program, and one I think would be a good addition to my CoP. :)
www.financeproject.org
www.buildinitiative.org
www.parentsasteachers.org
Another organization I came across was the Finance Project. I actually came across several interesting organizations thanks to the NAEYC. It was difficult picking just a few to look at. The Finance Project's mission statement: "is a specialized non-profit research, consulting, technical assistance and training firm for public and private sector leaders nationwide. We help leaders make smart investment decisions, develop sound financing strategies, and build solid partnerships that benefit children, families and communities" is what caught my attention (The Finance Project, n.d.). Financing, funding, budget...whatever it is called, we are all having problems. This organization works with individuals who are interested in helping our youth. They have 4 different groups that focus on different aspects of education and the family. As far as jobs, they have a senior program associate position available. For qualifications, I will have the education and finance background, but not the experience with working with politicians and policy makers. But this may be something I can try and work later on.
Another organization is the BUILD initiative. This program works on improving early childhood systems that are geared towards the whole child, not just academics. They utilize private and public funds to help not only the schools, but the families as well. There are only a few states involved with this project, and unfortunately, SC is not one of them. I was not able to find any kind of job opportunities on their website.
One final organization that caught my eye was Parents as Teachers. I used this program while I was in WA, it was offered for free through the Army. Unfortunately, because of funding, the program was cut. However, I feel that this was a great program that could do a lot of good for families. They would come to me and just observe, as well as talk to me about what was going on with Matthew, if I had any questions or concerns. They also had packets, information, games, and other activities for each stage/milestone of his early years. This was a great program, and one I think would be a good addition to my CoP. :)
www.financeproject.org
www.buildinitiative.org
www.parentsasteachers.org
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels
It was interesting to see all the different organizations and groups that are close to home. The first one that I will mention is the Healing Species. This one caught my attention because it puts animals and children together, specifically dogs that are rescued and children that come from abusive/neglecting families. This one appealed to me because it brings two things I enjoy doing together, which is helping families and dogs. I also believe that dogs have a peaceful, calm sense about them that can help others.
http://www.healingspecies.org/
Another organization that caught my attention was the SCAEYC, which is a chapter of the NAEYC. I enjoy reading what the NAEYC is doing, and will look more in this chapter of it.
http://www.scaeyc.org/
Finally, the South Carolina Associate for Supervision and Curriculum Development also caught my attention. As I was reading about this organization, I checked out their advocacy page, and saw that they are fighting for the Whole Child concept, which means that the whole child is considered, to include play. We all know the importance of play, and how recess and other physical activities being removed from the school can negatively impact our children.
http://www.scascd.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&layout=blog&id=9&Itemid=80
I didn't look for any job opportunities within these organizations, but I had searched in the past for job opportunities at the Department of Education in DC, either as a program analyst or researcher or even budget analyst. To get into the program side of the house, I would need at least a Master's in an education background. Once I graduate, I am going to apply for a job to see if I qualify, then go from there.
http://www.healingspecies.org/
Another organization that caught my attention was the SCAEYC, which is a chapter of the NAEYC. I enjoy reading what the NAEYC is doing, and will look more in this chapter of it.
http://www.scaeyc.org/
Finally, the South Carolina Associate for Supervision and Curriculum Development also caught my attention. As I was reading about this organization, I checked out their advocacy page, and saw that they are fighting for the Whole Child concept, which means that the whole child is considered, to include play. We all know the importance of play, and how recess and other physical activities being removed from the school can negatively impact our children.
http://www.scascd.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&layout=blog&id=9&Itemid=80
I didn't look for any job opportunities within these organizations, but I had searched in the past for job opportunities at the Department of Education in DC, either as a program analyst or researcher or even budget analyst. To get into the program side of the house, I would need at least a Master's in an education background. Once I graduate, I am going to apply for a job to see if I qualify, then go from there.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
My hope...
My biggest hope for the future is just to be able to make a difference in a child's or families life. I have been taught so much in this last year or so, and with every class my heart just wants to go out there and do something to make a difference to someone.
I want to thank all my class members and wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors. May each of you continue to make a difference in the lives of the children you are teaching and families you are helping.
I want to thank all my class members and wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors. May each of you continue to make a difference in the lives of the children you are teaching and families you are helping.
Central & Eastern Europe-Commonwealth of Independent States
I didn't really have a reason for picking this particular region, I just chose one. One of the first articles on the website was about children under the age of 3 being placed in an institution. An estimated 31,000, just under the age of 3, are placed in institutions because of the family being either in poverty or in an emotionally stressful situation that they cannot handle. Doing this places the children "at risk of severe developmental delays" (Call to action).
I think placing children at such a young age in an institution away from their families will cause some developmental delays in their emotional development. Just because a family is in poverty doesn't mean we take away the kids, we need to find ways to help the family out of their situation. I also feel that taking the children away will prevent them from building resiliency.
Another article stated that children with disabilities are also placed in institutions, away from their families. I am not sure why institutions seem to be the answer for these countries. I suppose they look at it as being a quick answer rather than really facing the problem head on. Children with disabilities are people as well, and as the article states, "disabilities are not the impairments themselves, but rather attitudes and environmental barriers that result in disability" (Changing attitudes).
http://www.unicef.org/ceecis/media_21000.html
I think placing children at such a young age in an institution away from their families will cause some developmental delays in their emotional development. Just because a family is in poverty doesn't mean we take away the kids, we need to find ways to help the family out of their situation. I also feel that taking the children away will prevent them from building resiliency.
Another article stated that children with disabilities are also placed in institutions, away from their families. I am not sure why institutions seem to be the answer for these countries. I suppose they look at it as being a quick answer rather than really facing the problem head on. Children with disabilities are people as well, and as the article states, "disabilities are not the impairments themselves, but rather attitudes and environmental barriers that result in disability" (Changing attitudes).
http://www.unicef.org/ceecis/media_21000.html
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Prejudicial impacts on professional life
One of the first things that came to mind is that when I have experienced things in my past that may have me having prejudice feelings towards others, I may overcompensate so my true feelings don't come through. For example, I have had bad experiences with men throughout my life, and so I am not very trusting of them. I may overcompensate by overreacting with trust in order to hide my true feelings, if that makes sense.
On the other hand, I may also may be very blunt in my feelings, which will of course cause problems. I think knowing what your prejudices and biases are, and either paying attention to how you react or even asking the opinion of others will help you when working with families and children. I will be able to gain a better perspective and be more careful of my words and body language.
On the other hand, I may also may be very blunt in my feelings, which will of course cause problems. I think knowing what your prejudices and biases are, and either paying attention to how you react or even asking the opinion of others will help you when working with families and children. I will be able to gain a better perspective and be more careful of my words and body language.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)