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.

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

I found one employment position that I could realistically see my self in on the national level.  My interest Mosley are limited to the state level however.

Bright horizons

Bright Horizons manages child care centers for many of the world's leading corporations, hospitals, universities, and government agencies. All of our child care centers are designed to meet the standards of excellence set by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).  I like this program because of the partnership with several local and governmental agencies.  I this program I would first be interested in teaching.  After getting some teaching experience I would like to expand in to management.

Teachers: Requires professional experience supervising or educating children, plus completion of early education coursework. (Credentials also available through our own Bright Horizons University.) Responsibilities also include curriculum development and family communication.

Regional Managers: Provide strategic leadership to a geographic region, manage center directors and staff, and ensure that your centers exceed state and local licensing, health and safety standards, and NAEYC criteria. Must have a BA or MA in Early Childhood Education or a related field and multisite management experience.

http://www.brighthorizons.com/careers/careeroptions.aspx

The Washington State Department of Early Learning

The Department of Early Learning (DEL) strives to help create safe, healthy, nurturing learning experiences for all Washington children. Our work focuses on the earliest years in children’s homes, child care, school programs and communities. DEL offers information and resources for children's first and most important teachers—parents—as well as others who care for and teach young children.

If I worked for this governmental program I would desire to be a Region Administrator. The Region Administrator oversees early learning child care licensing activities in the region of Washington they are assigned.  This leader is responsible for the regional operation of early learning and child care licensing which includes: personnel management, resource management, monitoring of budget and consistent application and implementation of policy, procedure and practice related to Washington Administrative Code and department initiatives.

The Eastern Region Administrator is responsible for fostering positive and collaborative working relationships with internal and community partners. Communicates objective information to and from the region and for coordination at the regional level of department focused initiatives in: policy; IT projects and updates and quality rating improvement.

Desirable Qualifications

Possess a Bachelor’s degree in sociology, education, early learning, public administration or

related field,

Demonstrated supervisory or managerial leadership experience, preferably in Washington

state government,

Excellent written and oral communication skills,

Previous experience working in an agency or organization with a focus on regulatory practices and an understanding of state government operations to include legislative processes, external awareness particularly related to policy or project implementation and interdependence of child care systems.

Ability to positively represent the agency in effective communications with the public, government agencies, and special interest organizations on relevant issues.

Ability to positively influence change, manage conflict and perform both as a team member and in independent judgment situations.

http://www.del.wa.gov/search/query.html?qt=employment

Thrive by Five

As the state’s nonprofit public-private partnership for early learning, Thrive by Five Washington works to mobilize the long-term statewide commitment to early learning, so that families and caregivers have the information and support they need to help their children succeed in school and thrive in life.

They are focused on three areas of work that will make a difference for children and families and significantly advance the state’s early learning efforts. With these areas of work they want to:

·        Deepen parent and caregiver knowledge of child development

·        Build a coordinated home visiting system to serve at-risk families

·        Build partnerships and drive mobilization

They  believe Partnerships at all levels are at the heart of Washington’s early learning work. One of the most valuable partnerships in the state is the Early Learning Partnership between Thrive by Five Washington, the Washington State Department of Early Learning and Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. Washington is the only state to have these specific groups – and have them formally committed to working together on behalf of families and children birth to 3rd grade.

One of the biggest accomplishments for the Partnership was co-leading the creation of the Early Learning Plan, a 10-year roadmap for the state’s early learning work. The Partnership has aligned its work to the Plan and other statewide, regional and local groups have followed.

Not only is this partnership invaluable to their work, but it is also key to aligning the early learning field and ensuring that state-level decisions and policy are coordinated. Regional partners can more easily see how to connect with their work – and how they can best connect with each other.

I’m not sure what position I would desire in this partnership, however I like the collaborative efforts that are taking place and would like to be a part of it somehow. 

http://www.thrivebyfivewa.org/

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

Children’s home society of Washington Link:  http://www.chs-wa.org/

Employment of interest Link, Director:  http://www.chs-wa.org/EmploymentOpportunities. v2-5.aspx?adpurl=https://home.eease.adp.com/recruit/?id=706601&adptitle=Educator I or II-Highline Early Learning Center Des Moines,

In order to qualify for this position I must have education at least a BA in education or a combination of education and experience in the early childhood field.

This organization serves states wide and in many aspects of children and family’s lives.  The areas that are targeted are adoption, early learning, foster care, family support, child and family counseling, and advocacy.  The programs help to prevent or address the unique challenges facing the state's most vulnerable children.  I chose this organization because of the work that is done to help children and families.  I feel that this organization is directly aligned with my passion of serving vulnerable children.

Easter Seals of Washington Link:  http://wa.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=WADR_homepage

Employment of interest Link, Director:  http://wa.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=WADR_JobDescriptionsProfessional#DirectofChildDev

To qualify, I would need experience in management and financial planning.

Easter seals provide parents a quality environment for their children that are safe, nurturing, and fosters their children's educational and physical development. Easter Seals Child Development Centers support families in Washington by providing the highest quality childcare and education for children with and without disabilities.  This program is desirable to me because I have worked with both children and adults with developmental disabilities.  Being that this organization is especially supportive to those with special needs makes me interested in their work. 

Well Spring Family Services Link:  http://www.family-services.org/index.php

Wellspring Family Services, a non-profit organization provides a breadth of services that address the sources of instability for families. As an agency with a foundation in therapy, WSFS have expert staff trained to help vulnerable children stabilize, communicate, and form relationships with other children and their teachers.  They have created the Child Care Consultation program to improve the overall quality of child care in the community and to support the healthy development of all children.  Our infant mental health specialists are available to work with Seattle-area child care providers, teaching them how to identify at-risk children, and ensuring that the children and their families receive the special assistance they need to be successful in school and life.  I feel that this would be an excellent position and one that I would have interest in if there were an opening.  Since I have a back ground in counseling/case management I could utilize my already established while working with teachers and professionals in early education.

Reflecting on Learning

• An explanation of your most passionate hope for your future as an early childhood professional and for the children and families with whom you work or will work.     

Having a child of my own started me on the path to pursuing a degree in early childhood education.  It was difficult for me to place my child in the care of strangers, when he first began daycare.  I ended up making bonds with the teachers and director of the program he attended.  This was amazing to me because I never imagined that the experience would result in a rich outcome of sharing my child’s growth with others.  Unfortunately this center closed after his first two years.  I then began thinking of the positive experiences that I had; which led my passion to create an environment where I can give those experiences back to families in my community, as I had received.  My most passionate hope as an early childhood professional is to provide a welcoming environment to all children and families where children can grow, learn, develop positive self-identities, and respect for others. 

• A brief note of thanks to your colleagues.

I would like to say to all of my colleagues that I have greatly enjoyed this experience.  Even though we have not met in person I have gotten to know you all through our communication and appreciate your comments and feedback.  I would like to wish everyone the best and thank you for all of your professional expertise.

Impacts on Early Emotional Development

• Share with your colleagues the area of the world you chose and why.

I chose to take a closer look at the areas of East Asia and Pacific.  I chose this because I wanted to explore an area that I do not know much about.  Even though I am unfamiliar with this region, I have many acquaintances through my professional experiences that are native to this area, which makes researching it even more interesting. 

• Describe in detail some of the challenges that children in this region of the world are confronting.

Based on what I researched, many of the challenges that children in this region face are of results of poverty.  Although challenges related to poverty exist, this region has seen much economic growth in the past decade (UNICEF, 2011).   The main focus is based on child survival.  A large portion of the populations in this region are affected by inadequate healthcare, education, and protection services.  Two health related challenges that effect children are pneumonia and diarrhea.  These illnesses are easily treatable but commonly take the lives of children in this region.  There is great emphasis placed on pre natal care since growth and development begins in the womb.  Also there is focus on making health care systems more efficient in delivering services to women and children. 

Education and gender equality are important focuses of improvement as well.  In the Asia and Pacific region, an estimated 239 million adolescents have either dropped out of school or are not learning adequately because of partial attendance(UNICEF, 2011).  Gender equality is addressed through advocacy, public awareness campaigns and the development and dissemination of good practices in gender equality.

• Explain how these experiences might have an effect on children’s emotional wellbeing and development.

Having inadequate nutrition, healthcare, education, and public services can hinder children’s development in many ways.  It can cause problems to a child’s physical health as well as emotional and mental development.  Not having access to these services early can lessen a child’s life span and limit future success.   

• Include a personal and professional reflection. Explain the insights you gained and the influences they may have on you as a person and as an early childhood professional.

After learning more about the challenges that children face in this region I began to appreciate the resources that we are fortunate to have access to in our local communities.   The challenges that are faced in this region of lack of health care are astonishing.  I often complain of our healthcare system and the cost of services.  However, I do not have to worry of losing my child to illnesses such as diarrhea or pneumonia.  That information hit home for me.  I am also grateful to have the opportunity to become a part of an educational system that is nurturing to children’s development and does not discriminate based on gender.

UNICEF (2011). Retrieved from: http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/index.html

The Sexualization of Early Childhood

One thing I have always thought makes children so special is their innocence. Unfortunately today, this is exactly what is being stripped from children at early ages. There are new innovative technology devices that create easy access to social media, and celebrity sensations. Our children are exposed to these images through aspects of song, Internet, television, through cell phones, and magazines. Most of these media images perpetuate the societal importance of looks, body image, and sex.

Sexualization has to do with treating other people (and sometimes oneself) as “objects of sexual (Levin,& Kilbourne, 2009). When thinking about sexualization of children, what initially came to my mind was children's beauty pageants. When I was young my mother entered me in to a beauty pageant. She wanted me to gain confidence and come out of my shell a bit, as I was a shy child. My experience of participating in the pageant was quite different than what I see of young girls today. I was watching the television show “Toddlers in Tierras” and felt disbelief of the the activity that was going on. These children as young as 3yrs were made up to appear like adult women. I also did dot like the emphasis that was placed on the looks of the children and their body image in swim suits. I feel this is prime example of placing the emphasis of appearance before a persons character.
The second example that disturbed me pertaining to child sexualization came from my son. My four year old asked me “mommy when am I going to have a naked party”. I immediately began to question him about where that idea came from, and had anyone spoken to him about that before. It turns out that a young girl in his pre-school wanted to have a sleepover, and she told him they can have a naked party. I'm not sure where these thoughts originated from in her environment, but I did bring this up to the teachers and director of the program. They informed me that they would be certain to address this with the young girl and her family.
The third example of childhood sexualization involves my friend's son who is 12. I overheard him comment one day that girls are supposed to have big boobs, not little ones. He was talking to his friend who was visiting. His mom corrected him immediately and discussed this with him and his friend. At this time I just thought he was coming of age where he is interested in girls. I didn't think about the previously formed perceptions of women in his mind.
I believe that if we do not discuss these topics with our children they will associate sexualization with the meaning of love or relationships. In order to tech our children, both boys and girls, to respect each other and themselves we must openly communicate about these topics. It is inevitable that at some point our children will be exposed to sexualized behavior or images. If we keep the lines of communication open to our children and tech them the importance of caring and friendship over looks and sex, we can teach them important lessons about relationships.

I found it helpful to read the excerpt on sexualized childhood. Being that I do not currently work in the education system, I was stunned at the prevalence of this problem occurring at such early ages. I will be more mindful of this topic in the future. I feel that it has become so acceptable to experience images of sexuality in our media, that sometimes we forget that children are watching as well.

Levin, D. E., & Kilbourne, J. (2009). [Introduction]. So sexy so soon: The new sexualized  childhood and what parents can do to protect their kids (pp. 1–8). New York: Ballantine Books. Retrieved from: http://dianeelevin.com/sosexysosoon/introduction.pdf