Time Well Spent

When I initially began this Master’s program I was unsure of what to expect.  The fear of unknowing made me a little hesitant, however it was important enough to me to step out and begin my journey.   Being part of an online learning community was a new adventure that I was not so confident about.  I thought perhaps the familiarity of the traditional class room experience would hinder me from independent learning.  This type of educational experience taught me that I can take on new challenges and succeed in my efforts.   Now looking back, I realize just how valuable this experience has been to me.  I have learned a great deal from not only the assignments, but also from my colleagues.  I have never had educational classroom working experiences.  I appreciate all of my colleague’s advice and sharing of your educational backgrounds.  I now feel confident to enter in to a new career with a strong educational base in the early learning field.   I will always keep in mind the importance of family, partnership, and inclusion in the field of early education.  As well I have learned to recognize and eliminate my own personal biases, which enhances my ability to build connections with children, families, and peers.  Without these lessons I would be less likely to succeed in the field.   My future will bring opportunities to share my knowledge with others in my community.  I ultimately want to see children reach their highest of potential and to provide an environment where families feel supported.   Opening centers and community programs in my local area will be the highlight of my career.

 I would like to thank all of my colleagues and instructors who have been supportive though this learning experience.  I am thankful for all you’re your input and feedback.  I wish you all the best in the future pursuit of your goals.

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

• Association for Childhood Education International

www.acei.org/

The mission of this organization is: Our mission is to promote and support the optimal education and development of children worldwide, and to influence the professional growth of educators and the efforts of others who are committed to the needs of children in a changing society. We have consultative status with the United Nations.

Beliefs

ACEI delivers its humanitarian mission based on a platform of four core beliefs.

Uniqueness

Each child possesses a unique set of gifts and talents. Educators and others invested in the education of children should value each child as a unique and special individual.

Universality

The key principles that join our world together through the common bonds of human dignity and respect. All those concerned with the education of children should uphold these universal principles.

Quality

Educational experiences are enhanced by instructional strategies and learning environments that offer the very best opportunities for children's learning within the context of the nation, community, city, town or village in which children live.

Equality

All children should be educated in environments of fairness where there is freedom from bias or favoritism and where access to, and participation in, educational experiences are the cornerstone of the home, school and community.

 

Although I did not find any employment positions on this website, I do believe in the work that this organization does.  I believe in what they stand for and strive to accomplish.  There are advocacy and council board leadership roles which one can inquire by contacting the representative.

Official Site - Save the Children

www.savethechildren.org/

When disaster strikes around the world, Save the Children is there to save lives with food, medical care and education and remains to help communities rebuild through long-term recovery programs. As quickly and as effectively as Save the Children responds to tsunamis and civil conflict, it works to resolve the ongoing struggles children face every day — poverty, hunger, illiteracy and disease — and replaces them with hope for the future.

The position in this organization that is of interest to me is Program Coordinator / DC Promise Neighborhood.  The Program Coordinator is will oversee daily implementation of all aspects of the literacy and math after school programs including read-aloud, supervising children during silent reading sessions, rotating groups of children from one literacy activity to another, implementing math curriculum lesson plans and maintaining good general order and conduct among the children participating in the program. The Program Coordinator will provide on-site supervision and support for all Program Assistants, the number of such being dependent on the number of children participating in the after school program.

The requirements are:  Bachelors degree in education, child development or a related field highly preferred.  Previous experience working with and supervising kindergarten through 5^th grade children required

UNICEF - UNICEF Home

www.unicef.org/

INICEF  believes  that nurturing and caring for children are the cornerstones of human progress. UNICEF was created with this purpose in mind – to work with others to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease and discrimination place in a child’s path.

One position that I found interesting is based out of Sudan.  The job description is:  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. Across the Education program(s), accountable for identifying gender inequalities in education, and for developing innovative approaches and programs to eliminating these inequalities. Collaborate across the program(s) to ensure gender mainstreaming. Ensure that monitoring mechanisms are in place to track progress towards disparity reduction goals and targets in Education.

Qualifications are :  Advanced university degree in one or more of the disciplines relevant to the following areas: Education; Primary Education, or a Social Sciences fields relevant to international development assistance.*

Minimum 5 years of relevant work experience at national and international levels in field programs relevant to Education programs. Experience working in the UN or other international development organization an asset. Experience in national level development assistance is an asset. Experience with addressing gender disparities and asset. Background/familiarity with Emergency.

Fluency in English and a second UN language. Knowledge of the local working language of the duty station.

Although this is an likely employment position, it is of interest.