Time Well Spent

TIME WELL SPENT

 
The top three things that I learned from the program and what stuck with me the most is the importance of being anti-bias, the positive effects of being anti-bias, and the benefits to being anti-bias. The importance of being anti-bias and how much it affects our families was one of the take-aways from this course. If we are not anti-bias, but work in education are we truly in the right field. Another deeply felt learning is the different programs both nationally and internationally that help both children and their families on becoming successful beings in society. When all the education organizations work together, we are able to pull through and make a difference. The last  deep learning was about the leadership styles. As a leader, you want to make sure you are doing things that will get the job done, no matter what anyone thinks it is about doing what is best for the children and their families. 

A few long-term goals that I have are to eventually move from being a school teacher, but to a position such a an parent involvement coordinator where I am hands-on with families and students as well. I love working with children, but when I can found a job that allows me to work with both children and families, that will be an accomplishment. Another goal that I have is to one day be apart of the Board of Education. I want to be that educator who is out in the schools but at the same time can voice my opinions on what is good and not so good for the schools. 

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

The first organization that I choose is UNICEF. UNICEF is a organization that works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has also spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Their belief that all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world. This is my reasoning for choosing UNICEF, they are the organization that will help to strengthen families which can lead to better partnerships with educators. The job opportunity that interest me is Consultancy: Paper on universal Child grants and Dignity and Shame, SIP Section, PD - NYHQ, Requisition #515330. The qualifications consist of
An advanced degree (Master's) in social sciences, international development, or other related field;
15 years of experience in social protection, preferably with experience of research on dignity and shame in social policy and a recognised expert in the field with a strong publications record.
A minimum of ten years of progressively more responsible and high level professional work experience with gender, research, field programming and communication in international development;
Excellent writing and analytical skills, especially in synthesizing complex information for multiple audiences (UNICEF, 2018).  Although this job is out of my league, it still would be a great experience.

The second organization is Save the Children. In the U.S. and around the world, Save the Children does whatever it takes — every day and in times of crisis — to give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. When crisis strikes and children are most vulnerable, we are always among the first to respond and the last to leave. We ensure children's unique needs are met and their voices are heard. We deliver lasting results for millions of children, including those hardest to reach. We do whatever it takes for children — transforming their lives and the future we share — because we believe every child deserves a future (Save the Children, 2018). Making sure that children are healthy and is a great way to build partnerships with families, this is why I chose this organization. So that I can have resources to help families in need in my area. My ideal job for Save the Children is Program Specialist, Early Childhood Development. This job does not require a bachelors' degree but it is preferred. Minimum 3-5 years' experience required working with infant/toddler development and

willingness to travel 40% of time to in state sites between Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. I love jobs where I can travel and move around a little. I also love working with smaller children so this is definitely a plus.

The third organization is Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development  or OECD. Their mission is The mission of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is to promote policies that will improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world. This is a very important mission for educators because if the families feel secure and financially able, then they will be more amp to build partnerships and become involved with their child's education. For this organization there was not a job that interested me, therefore I did not choose one. 

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: National/Federal Level

1) National Association for the Education of Young Children
The first organization that I chose was NAEYC. NAEYC is an organization that is filled with information such as blogs, articles, and other organizations that can help childcare providers and Early Childhood Educators better serve our children and their families. When we work with organizations whose top priority are the children and their families, you are sure to receive the utmost quality care and services. The mission statement for NAEYC is that they promotes high-quality early learning for all children, birth through age 8, by connecting practice, policy, and research. We advance a diverse, dynamic early childhood profession and support all who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children (NAEYC, 2018). There were many jobs at NAEYC, but the one that interested me us the quality assessment assistant. The qualifications includes associate's degree required, 1-2 years clerical/administrative experience, experience in early are and education settings a plus, ability to work independently and excellent organizational skills. I possess all of the qualifications that are listed plus more. The only exception is that I do not live in Washington, D.C.

2)National Child Care Association
The mission of this next organization is to promote the growth and safeguard the interest of quality early childhood care and education focusing on licensed, private providers of these services (NCCANET, 2018). The importance of having this organization on the COP is that they can ensure that the children who are attending private organizations are receiving the adequate amount of education as those who are not. They are also focused on licensing which is also a plus. Ensuring that providers who are licensed are giving their children the quality education they need is the importance of having this organization. For this organization is was hard to find the jobs and/or where they were located on the website.

3)T.E.A.C.H Early Childhood National Center
This organization, like the others, focuses on child care centers and that they are receiving all the information and education they need to be helpful to children and their families. They also work with moms who are in low-wage jobs find more higher paying jobs. What I love most about the organization is that they work to deliver high-quality, outcome-focused services.  These types of services are needed to ensure that our children receive the utmost care possible. For this site, I could not locate any jobs. 


https://www.naeyc.org/
https://www.nccanet.org/
http://teachecnationalcenter.org/about-the-center/funders-and-partners/

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

The local and State Organizations that I chose are:

1. Bulloch County School System-SPED
2. Bright From the Start
3. Bulloch County BOE

My reasoning for choosing these organizations are because in some form or fashion they work closely with children and have a huge impact on their education. I also chose these organization because they have always been the ones that I look forward to being apart of whenever I complete my Master's in Early Childhood. In order for me to reach the BOE, I am going to have to put in both years and time in Education. 

Bulloch County School System has teaching jobs in 2/5 elementary schools and the they have SPED jobs in 3/15 schools. I have applied for positions for the Bulloch County School System, but there has not been a budge to hire. Furthermore I am taking an alternative route to secure certification, but they still will not call. I became discouraged but later realized that God had better plans for me, which was to work in a neighboring county. Eventually I will find work in Bulloch, just not at this present moment. In order to be a general ed teacher, I need to have a general ed certification, and to be a SPED teacher, I need SPED certification. I am currently working towards my general ed certification, but I will take the SPED test to become SPED certified. SPED is more of my calling than general ed.

Bright from the Start is a state organization that takes care of Early learning such as childcare centers, Head Start, and Pre-K. Bright from the Start has one opening as an nutrition educator. This does not relate to my field of expertise, but I always check back periodically to see what comes open. The jobs that I would love to have are child care consultants. They go into child care centers and work with directors and staff to monitor and help improve their facilities. This requires bachelors's, and 1 or more experience in a classroom.

The Bulloch County BOE (Board of Education) has no openings and maybe a while before they do, but prayerfully I can become a member once my children reach high school or college. I would love to voice my opinions on subject matters and the importance of education for the youth. They are our future and need the utmost care and push to strive for better. Qualifications for Georgia are be willing to serve, be a qualified voter, eligible to vote and reside within the school district’s political boundaries. Although simple, the local body still have their qualifications as well. 

https://gsba.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/all-in-favor-gsba-candidates-brochure.pdf

https://www.applitrack.com/bulloch/onlineapp/

http://decal.ga.gov/BftS/DecalJobs.aspx

Impacts on Early Emotional Development

This course has really brought out the inner feelings that I have hidden when it comes to certain biases, but it has also given me a cure to overcoming them. This is my hope for the future, to continue to overcome the challenges that I will face regarding biases. I have learned that although I may not agree with their views or decisions, I must still respect their children and families. This past school term, I was encountered with a same-sex family, but this did not stop me from treating the child like all the others, nor did it hinder me from teaching their child to the best of my ability.

The hope that I have for my families, both current and future, are that they see that I am an anti-bias teacher who loves to work with children no matter their race, abilities, or family structures, I will always be there for them to ensure that they receive the education, attention, love, and care needed to have a successful year. In order for the child to succeed, the family must also be in a position to help them succeed. So not only will the child be my priority, but the family as a whole.

I will like to thank my cohorts for all the encouraging words as well as the criticisms, because they have helped me to see ideas from different perspectives of life. So again, thank you and I wish you all the best in the LAST course of this program!!! WE DID IT:) 

Impacts on Early Emotional Development

The area of the world that I chose is East and Southern Africa, with the focus on the country of Ethiopia. From the home page of the region site, various countries are experiencing various crisis such as Burundi, Ethiopia, Somalia, and others. But there are many people around the world working to help them make the most of the unfortunate situations and circumstances. Ethiopia has a huge problem with malnutrition and undernutrition in their children. Although they have managed to get the percentage down, there is still a lot of work to be done. 

When children are malnutrition and undernutrition, it not only causes problems with health, but with cognitive and developmental stages. Health in Ethiopia is detrimental. The UNICEF Ethiopia's website makes a statement that says "we say NO to lack of access to healthcare; water, sanitation, and hygiene; and basic nutrition (UNICEF, 2011). It also says we say ENOUGH to children at risk of death in the first 28 days of their lives (UNICEF, 2011). These two statements alone explain the circumstances of children in Ethiopia who suffer from malnutrition and also the extent of its effects on children. 

Reading about the circumstances that affect the children of Ethiopia and the hardships that they endure makes me help children that I encounter both in my professional life as well as personal. There are children right here in my very own region and town that are dealing with food scarcity; and reading about the severity in Ethiopia as well as other countries in the region opens my eyes to the importance of helping others, especially when there are children involved.



Reference
UNICEF (2011). Retrieved from: http://www.unicef.org

The Sexualization of Early Childhood

The Sexualization of Early Childhood

The information provided in the article was not so much of a shocker to me because as a head start teacher I have witnessed some of these examples. Children making remarks and dancing in perogative ways is something that parents find joy in. Instead of redirecting them to put that energy into sports, they instead promote them by laughing and encouraging them. At school on the playground, I have witnessed children dancing on the swing poles as well as on boys thinking that it is cute and the thing to do. When I witness such activity, I immediately stop the children and tell them that this is not appropriate and little boys and little girls do not behave in this way. I explain to them that they can remain friends, just not dance together, but instead play together.

When you google "twerking" and other grown-up things on the internet, videos including children pop-up as well. In order for children to behave in this manner, they have to get the behavior from somewhere and it comes from mainstream. Children are on youtube just as much as adults are these days watching and learning from various videos. Girls think that because mom twerks it is okay. Boys think that it is cool to dance with girls and call them all kind of names because their "daddy" does so. 

In order for children to be successful, we have to build partnerships with our parents and guardians so that we can keep the children active in the right things and not just watching television and other electronics all day. It is okay to engage in some electronics but we must monitor them more and push more academics instead.