Time Well Spent

Throughout my adventure at Walden University, majoring in Early Childhood Studies with a minor in Teaching Adult Learners has taught me four things that I deeply felt within my passion of early childhood education.  They are learning culture, anti-bias, adult learning, and research.  My passion for the early childhood development has expanded from learning , communication, and practice.

            Culture diversity allows me to examine my own culture and understand others.  During my time in the course, I learned to see the needs of others as well as myself.  Examining myself through readings, discussions with colleagues and research allow me to acknowledge my own diversity of the gay culture.  Once I recognize my own diversity and prejudice, I am able to put it aside and face a community of diverse adults and children in society without any bias.

            Acknowledging my own bias allows me to understand how adults learn.  Adults learn in different ways.  According to Knowles theories on adult learning, there are five different types (Merriam, Caffarella, & Baumgartner, 2007).  According to theories of behaviorism, humanist, cognitivist, social cognitive, and constructivist, I learn through behaviorist, social cognitivist, and constructivist theories (Merriam, Caffarella, & Baumgartner, 2007).  Knowles theory goes together with these three learning aspects of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners (Kelly, 2012).  The visual learner prefers to see things wrote down through handouts, graphs, charts, and other visual learning tools (Kelly, 2012).  Whereas, the auditory learner, learn best by listening through lectures, discussions and hearing stories related to the subject (Kelly, 2012).  However, the kinesthetic learners are those who learn through senses, such as touching, feeling, hearing, experiencing, and interacting (Kelly, 2012).  I am a kinesthetic learner.  Having this knowledge, I am able to teach all learning styles.  I do this by providing auditory and visual effects within a hands-on learning environment.

            However, research has taught me the value of the past, present, and future.  Researching is the highest point of my learning.  I learned how to research on the internet throughout all of my courses at Walden.  It is the most substantial part of my identification as an adult educator.  I have the ability to research others in the early childhood field as they discovered new concepts on child development.  This encourages me to pursue my passion as an adult educator in the field of early childhood.  The most important concept knows that teaching is from learning and learning is from teaching.  Therefore, I will be a lifetime learner in order to be a successful teacher for adult learners.

My wordle is located below:

“Masters of Science in Early Childhood Studies” by Anonymous http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/5457735/Masters_of_Science_In_Early_Childhood_Studies

 

In addition, a movie is attached with my farewell to my professor and colleagues in the Early Childhood Studies- Practice Application Early Childhood.

Reference

Kelly, M. (2012).  Learning styles-understanding and using learning styles.  About.com.    Retrieved from: http://712educators.about.com/od/learningstyles/a/learning_styles.htm

Merriam, S. B., Caffarella, R. S., & Baumgartner, L. M. (2007).  Learning in adulthood: A            comprehensive guide (3rd ed.).  San Francisco, CA: Wiley.

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

I chose the United Nations children’s Fund (UNICEF), Save the children, and International Step by Step Association that appealed to me for developing my challenge of equity and high quality early childhood education.

The reason I chose the UNICEF is because of their interventions cut across the world. They believe in ensuring that children develop to their full potential. They do this by using interventions in childcare programs for child survival and development, education, health, social policies and partnerships (UNICEF, 2011). UNICEF can provide more information to the communities of practice, which will enlighten our knowledge of the world care for early childhood education.

The Save the Children organization provides early steps to school success for pregnant women and children birth to five years of age.  Their goal is to ensure children enter school with the skills necessary for success, give parents the knowledge and skills to support their child’s education, provide strong connections from home to school and school to home, and to increase the knowledge and skills in communities about early childhood education (Save the Children, 2011). Their goals are consistent with the goals of the community of practice for my challenge.

Then there is the International Step by Step Association (ISSA) the connects professional and organizations working in the field of early childhood development and education.  The ISSA promotes equal access to quality education and care for all children, especially in the early years (ISSA, 2011). This association is a association that I would like to be a member of to promote the challenge of equality for all childcare centers to have high quality care for early childhood education and care.

Job opportunities are open for the Save the Children Association for Coordinators in San Bernardino California area: Below are the goals, responsibilities, and requirements.

            The Early Steps Coordinator provides

• Social/emotional development, language development, and pre-literacy education activities for children and parents through regularly scheduled home visits.
• Parent/child support and education groups in schools and community settings
• Screening and referral for children at risk for developmental delay or health care issues.
• “Transition to school” activities that connect parents and children to the preschool or kindergarten they will attend.
• A book exchange literacy program for enrolled children and parents. Books are available for children from birth to five years of age.

Responsibilities

• Recruit pregnant families and children ages birth to five into the program
• Develop and schedule the program activities, including home visiting parent/child groups, toddler playgroups, transition to school activities and other programmatic activities
• Provide regular home visits to families using STC approved home visiting curriculum
• Organize and conduct parent/child groups in the elementary schools
• Conduct child screenings and make referrals to community providers
• Coordinate/Collaborate with program partners
• Participate in training and technical assistance activities
• Participate in the evolution of Early Steps, including data collection, interviewing and videotaping activities

Requirements

• AA degree in Early Childhood preferred or related field with 2-3 years related experience
• Experience and training working in a home visiting, infant/toddler early childhood/parenting education program
• Experience working with pregnant women, children ages birth to five, and families in rural areas
• Experience leading parent groups
• Experience with timely reporting and maintaining accurate records on program activities
• Experience in collaborating with early childhood programs in the community

Employee Type

Full Time

Save the Children is the leading independent organization for children in need, with programs in over 120 countries, including the United States.  We aim to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children, and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives by improving their health, education and economic opportunities. In 2010, we improved the lives of over 64 million children in need in the United States and around the world.  Our goal is to reach more than 74 million children annually by the year 2012.  Join our dedicated and diverse staff committed to improving the well-being of children.

Save the Children provides an attractive benefits package including competitive salaries, a matching retirement plan, health and welfare benefits, life insurance, an employee assistance program, generous time off and much more.

We are an equal opportunity organization dedicated to our core values of Accountability, Ambition, Collaboration, Creativity and Integrity (Save the Children, 2011)

I wanted to apply for this position but I am not willing to relocate at this time.

Although, I found one I did apply for because it is essential in making a change in the quality of care for young children and give me the opportunity to have a voice in Washington.  A description of the job is below:

Research Intern, Global Education/EPDC
Location:	US, Washington, DC
Req ID:	2757
National Only:
Description
FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions.  Our staff includes experts in Health, Education, Nutrition, Environment, Economic Development, Civil Society, Gender, Youth, Research and Technology– creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today's interrelated development challenges.  FHI 360 serves more than 60 countries, all 50 U.S. states, and all U.S. territories.  We seek qualified candidates for the position of Research Intern in Washington, DC. Position Description: The Research Intern will be working with the Global Education Center.  The tasks will be the following, but not limited to: Carry out extensive web-based data collection, providing up-to-date and valid data from a variety of international and national administrative sources, surveys, and student achievement studies to the current Education Policy and Data Center (EPDC) database; Upload data to the EPDC website; Assist in the management of EPDC.org content; Perform analyses of data to generate country and regional reports on key education developments; Contribute to EPDC working papers by assisting with statistical treatment of data, production of data reports, visuals, and writing; Identify issues requiring further research, to add to EPDC research agenda. Minimum Requirements: Bachelors required, Masters preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.  Some experience and facility with web-based databases, as well as familiarity with education data sources and indicators is desirable.  Excellent written communication skills are required. Interested candidates may register online through FHI 360's Career Center at www.fhi360.org/careercenter or through the Employment section at www.fhi360.org.  Please submit CV/resume and cover letter including salary requirements.  Please specify source in your application. AA/EOE/M/F/V/D

This position is a great opportunity to be a part of a research team.

Reference

United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).  (n.d.).  Retrieved November 28, 2011, from http://www.unicef.org/

Save the Children.  (2011). Retrieved from http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6115947/k.8D6E/Official_Site.htm

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

The three national and federal organizations that appeal to me are The National Association of Child Care Resources and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA), National Child Care Association (NCCA), and American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS).  These three sites provide me with different insights to increase the quality of care for childcare centers.

The NACCRRA is the nation’s leading voice for childcare.  They work to achieve their mission to lead projects that increase the quality of childcare in more than 600 state and local childcare and resource agencies nationwide.  They believe that all children have the rights to be cared for in safe, healthy, and nurturing environments.  In addition, to have access to early learning experiences that will help them be ready for kindergarten.  Therefore, I chose this agency because they focus on the goal I want for all childcare centers in our community and the nation.  The NACCRRA will provide me with updated information regarding the expectations for high quality childcare, along with valuable state, federal, and local community representatives that I can add to my community of Practice.

Then there is the NCCA that focus on the need of licensed childcare centers to promote growth and safety for all children.  They ensure opportunities for the private sector in the changes of state, federal, and local policies to make childcare high quality for all.  I chose this website for a reference site because they give me contacts to personnel concerning the government and allow for our community of practice to voice our opinion on the policies that are up for changes or any new policies that affect childcare.    

The last one that I could find that is beneficial to my community of practice is the AAFCS.  This organization brings people together to improve the lives of families, communities, and individuals.  This organization can give our community of practice insight on the needs of families, individuals, and communities concerning childcare.  I found the articles very open to the need of quality childcare in communities to make changes in individual and family education for the future.

As I looked for job opportunities available for me now, I ran into a position for an Instructional Assistant at a community college to teach Early Childhood Education Courses.  I applied for the position however; the qualifications include a pre-kindergarten license, which I do not have.  I just have my experience for the last 20 years of head start and other years working in elementary schools.  In addition, they want you to have current drivers license, which I have.  Another opportunity that I ran across was an early childhood education trainer for action for children but I have not applied due to the reason that the position is only temporary through a six-month contract.  I would like to find a way to become a certified educator and step up to quality trainer.

 Reference

http://www.naccrra.org/policy/state_licensing/ National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies

http://www.nccanet.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=7 National Child Care Association

http://www.aafcs.org/Advocacy/childcare.asp American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

The three state or local organizations that I found within Ohio are the Ohio Association for the Education for Young Children, Action for Children, and Ohio Child Care Resource and Referral Association. These three organizations specialize in the growth and well-being of young children. I have an affiliation of each one for the past twenty years.

Ohio association for the Education for Young Children is a web site and organization that childcare workers are to be a member. This organization gives you professional trainings, new trends and updates in quality care for young children. In addition, it provides an opportunity to meet and socialize with other early childhood professionals.

Action for Children is a non-profit organization that brings high quality care to all childcare centers. They focus on a program called Step-Up-To-Quality. The program allows childcare centers to move in steps to achieve high quality care while providing assistants to the centers to achieve the highest level of a Star 3 rating. My center is a Star 2 rating. The ratings look at the classroom environment, agency protocols to maintain high quality, and the professional development of Staff. It is an honor to be in this program from the state licensing.

Then there is Ohio Child Care Resource and Referral association. This association is a professional development association. All early childhood educators can maintain their trainings in a permanent file and use it as they increase their education levels and carry it from one agency to another without having paper files. It also, provides access to enrolling in trainings throughout local counties within a twenty-five mile area to meet the needs of the step-Up-to-Quality requirements for high quality childcare. In addition, it links to the State licensing board for child Care centers.

If you are interested in these programs visit their websites:

http://www.oaeyc.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3313 (Ohio Association for the Education for Young Children)

http://www.actionforchildren.org/  (Action for Children)

http://www.occrra.org/ (Ohio Child Care Resource and Referral Association)

Job opportunities that interest me are at Columbus State Community College in Early Childhood Development as a Professor, Department of Education as Preschool Program Coordinator, and an Early Childhood Trainer in quality childcare requirements through the Ohio State Childcare Licensing Agency. The reason I focus my career toward these aspects is to make a change in the quality of care for young children.

In order for me fulfill these roles the requirements are to have experience in the field of early childhood and to have a masters degree in Early Childhood. In addition, have well-written and verbal communication, child development knowledge, and able to manage group successfully. I have the skills and experience to fulfill all of the needed requirements to make the career change.

Thanks for all you support

 During the past eight weeks, I have received awesome support from my colleagues.  They have supported me by responding to my discussions and giving me new insight on communication skills.  The blogs that they write are exciting to read, having the opportunity to learn from them, and hearing the scenarios they presented about their experiences have supported me a great deal.  I hope that I have given them the same type of support that they wanted from the course in blogs and discussions.  I added information regarding my experience in meetings and team activities with colleagues at work.  This was my way of sharing my knowledge and growth in the field of Early Childhood Education.

I wish all my colleagues that their goals in their career of Early Childhood Education be what they are looking for, continue to support, and advocate for our children in the world.  As we come to the end of Masters Degree Program, I congratulate everyone.  I hope to pursue a job as a college professor for Early Childhood Education.

If anyone needs a little support or just some insight, you may reach me at ggmp0908@aol.com.  I will be glad to continue to encourage and support my fellow colleagues.  Thank you so much for the opportunity of knowing each one of you.

Merry Christmas to All!

In addition, A Happy New Year!

Team Building and Collaboration, Part 1- The adjourning process

I have been involved in many different groups in my life that I found it difficult to choose the highest performing group that was hard to leave.  After deep thought I came up with a group I was involved in at Wilberforce University.  We met every week for class off campus in a business office.  We became very close as we learned about Information Technology.  We were also very close with the instructor, too.  When it came time for the program to end, we had huge pizza party and gave our farewells.  We exchanged telephone numbers, email addresses and we stayed in touch for a little while.  However as the years pass we fell out of touch and do not communicate as much.

I found that group the hardest to leave because we worked well as a team to succeed in the BS degree program.  As I am engage with the colleagues in this course, I feel that we have grown to know each other by reading our blog’s, discussion boards, and emails.  It will be hard to face the end of the course because of being familiar of meeting with the group daily to discuss aspects of our lives related to our career.  I hope that we will adjourn by sharing email addresses and staying in contact as much as possible, as we pursue our goals.

The adjourning process of teamwork is the part where teams celebrate the accomplishments or review the errors to prevent it from occurring again (Abudi, 2010).  We say goodbye and look forward somewhere in the future to come together again as a team.

Reference:

Abudi, G. (2010). The five stages of team development: A case study. Retrieved from http://www.projectsmart.co.uk/the-five-stages-of-team-development-a-case-study.html

Conflict Resolution

Normally I tend to avoid conflicts or I look for ways to understand why that person is aggressive in tone and actions before I respond.  However, when it comes to my ex-husband I am the opposite.  I will be on the defense with him at all times.  We argue like cats and dogs, I have tried many avenues of ignoring to using positive communication with him, but it just does not work.  He is very demanding, insensitive, controlling, and uses foul language in a conversation.  I hope that with the tactics I have learned in this course about non-violent communication will help as we continue to see and talk to each other.  I tried using the win/win approach with him today.  We were talking on the phone about our children and he kept asking me question after question about them to the point I just said, “Have you talked to them today?”  He responded, “No.”  Then I said, “I am sure they can answer all your questions, if you give them a call because I do not seem to have the answers you are looking for.”  That is the first conversation in years that we agreed and hung up without being frustrated with each other.  Therefore, I was able to use the cooperative strategy to get him to stop questioning me instead of using verbal aggression.

After being married to him for 28 years and now that we are divorce, he is still in the picture due to the children and grandchildren it is very hard to ignore his tone and aggressiveness.  However, with the Holidays being here and knowledge from this class I am sure I can get through this with using the win/win approach and the cooperative strategy.

If anyone has any suggestions on how I can make it through this holiday in peace with my ex-husband?  Please share them.  Thank you