Time Well Spent

Throughout this program, i have gained insight on so many different topics about early childhood education. I am truly happy that I choose this program, because the information that I have received well stay with me for the rest of my life. Three deeply felt learnings that I took from this program is, my communication style, diversity, and my deep passion for teen mothers. In the communication course  I learned what kind of communicator that I am, and what I need to work on as a communicator. Communication is the key of success to any relationship, weather it be personal or professional. Before enrolling in this course I had no idea of how deep the I had no idea of how in depth the topic of diversity was. When I thought of diversity the only thing that came to my mind was families background. Now I have a whole new understanding of diversity and why it is so important in education. And last after doing my capstone project, the more I researched and wrote about teen parents, the more excited I got about working with them and their babies. This last year and a half has been a great learning experience. One of my long term goes is to be the best I can be for the families I serve from now and in the future.

From the beginning of this program I have had several colleagues in each of my courses, and some new. It has been a pleasure hearing different insights on different topics. I have learned new ways of approaching situations from different colleagues. I have learned about them and their cultures. We have shared our different work experience and have all grown together. It has been fun getting to know everyone and I will truly miss our blogs and discussions. Thank you all so much for all of your helpful insight and knowledge. I wish everyone well on their future endeavors.

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

When I enrolled in this program, I started to hear about the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). From their website I have leaned so much valuable information about child care all over the world. I am a person that love travel and working with them would allow me to work anywhere in the world. One job that I seen on the website that caught my eye was, Child Protection Specialist:

Qualifications of a Successful Candidate

• An Advanced University degree (Master's) in international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law or other relevant field is required.
  
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience, at the national and international level, in social development planning and management in child protection and/other related areas, some of which preferably were served in a developing country is required.
  
• Relevant experience in child protection and related areas, program/project development and management in a UN system agency or organization is an asset.
  
• Experience in both development and humanitarian contexts is an added advantage.
  
• Background/familiarity with emergency operations and staff security.
  
• Fluency in English (written & verbal) is required. Knowledge of an additional UN Language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) is considered an asset.  

Another organization that caught my eye was Save the Children. "Save the Children invests in childhood – every day, in times of crisis and for our future"(http://www.savethechildren.org). The open position that I would be interested in is Child Protection Manager (EU Nationals).


Qualifications and experience
Essential:

• A university degree in Social Work, Human rights Law, International Relations, Development Studies or similar, or equivalent field experience
• Minimum of 5 years of child protection experience preferably in the context of mixed migration flows and transit populations, children on the move and children separated from their families
• Significant management experience working in an emergency response contexts or fragile states
• Good team leader and team member skills, including the ability to be part of and organise, support, manage and develop a small team;
• For non EU candidates a valid European Union work permit is mandatory due to statutory Greek regulations
• Good knowledge of and experience in using established inter-agency standards and guidelines in child protection, such as the Inter-agency Guiding Principles on Unaccompanied and Separated Children, IA Case Management Guidelines and others;
• Understanding and experience of working on Children on the Move issues and of putting in places responses to prevent and respond to family separation
• Experience in designing and delivering training on CP, including strengthening the capacity of key stakeholders to prevent and respond to child protection issues;
• Experience of working with partners and of using a participatory approach as well as of coordinating responses with a range of actors, including Government authorities, national/local organisations, NGOs, UN;
• Ability to achieve results and maintain consistent high standards of professional behaviour and achievement, including when working alone;
• Ability to manage stress, be flexible and accommodating in difficult and frustrating working circumstance;
• Fluency in written and spoken English;
• Budget development and financial monitoring skills;
• Commitment to and understanding of child rights, as well as of Save the Children's aims, values and principles.
• EU Residents or holders of valid EU work permit preferred (evidence will be requested)

 The last organization that I did research on is, United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). UNESCO "strengthens the ties between nations and societies, and mobilizes the wider public so that each child and citizen:
• has access to quality education; a basic human right and an indispensable prerequisite for sustainable development;
• may grow and live in a cultural environment rich in diversity and dialogue, where heritage serves as a bridge between generations and peoples;
• can fully benefit from scientific advances;
• and can enjoy full freedom of expression; the basis of democracy, development and human dignity"(en.unesco.org). The filed that I would be interested in with this organization is Education.


 Education:

	An advanced university degree in education, culture, science, social and human sciences, communication, business administration or a related field.
Languages:	Fluent English or French (the two working languages of UNESCO) and a good working knowledge of the other language. Knowledge of Arabic, Chinese, Spanish or Russian is an additional asset.
Prior experience:	Junior level (P1/P2 or NOA/NOB): 2 to 4 years of experience; Middle level (P3/P4 or NOC/NOD): 4 to 10 years of experience; Senior level (P5 and above or NOE): 10 to 15 years of experience (including management experience).
Values:	Integrity, professionalism, respect for diversity and a strong commitment to UNESCO's mission.

www.savethechildren.org
www.unicef.org
www.unesco.org 
 

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

From the beginning of my early childhood studies program, I have heard about NAEYC none stop. In one of my courses in undergrad we were asked to become members on the NAEYC website. “The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is a professional membership organization that works to promote high-quality early learning for all young children, birth through age 8, by connecting early childhood practice, policy, and research” (www.naeyc.org). This is a place that I would love to work at. Mostly every childcare cent is NAEYC accredited. There are no current open positions that appeal to on the NAEYC website. But I would love to be an inspector for them. I do not know the requirements for an inspector, but I know that you go around to the different centers and make sure that they in in compliance with NAEYC rules.

            Another nation organization that I have learned about is T.E.A.C.H .” The T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® National Center develops, implements and sustains programs and strategies that result in a well-educated, fairly compensated and stable early childhood workforce to ensure the long term success of our nation’s children in school and in life”(teachecnationalcenter.org). This organization help teachers better themselves. They are not hiring but if every they were, I would love to be a trainer for educators.  

            Last but not least NEA is An organization that I will work for.” Our mission is to advocate for education professionals and to unite our members and the nation to fulfill the promise of public education to prepare every student to succeed in a diverse and interdependent world” (www.nea.org). A position that I will consider taking at this organization is an organizational specialist.

  Required Skills:

Minimum Education Requirement:  Bachelor's degree or equivalent.  Minimum Qualifications: Experience as an employee on an Association staff or an advocacy organization with primary duties in one or more of the following areas: organizing, strategic planning, crisis management, collective bargaining, public relations, communications, and/or legislative/political action.  Other Requirements: Writing samples (training, facilitation, strategic planning, reports, etc.) may be required at time of interview.  Must be able to work weekends and late evenings.  Extensive travel (over 90 overnights per year) is required.  Must possess a valid driver’s license.

Required Experience:

    Selection Criteria: Tier 1 (Essential): Demonstrated field experience in an accepted organizing model related to membership growth. Training experience in the basics of organizing.  Demonstrated experience and accomplishments in working with leaders, members, and affiliates in problem solving, conflict management, and creative and critical thinking.  Demonstrated ability to lead affiliates in conceptualizing, planning, and executing timely, within budget, outcome oriented and mutually-developed projects while using data analytics to shape and guide the ongoing work.  Excellent communication (both oral and written), interpersonal, and analytical skills.  Demonstrated ability to participate as a professional team member in collaborative activities, including demonstrated experience in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with team members and with diverse client systems.  Proven effective consultation, coaching, presentation, training, and facilitation skills, including experience synthesizing information.  Demonstrated effectiveness producing written products under stringent time frames and changing priorities/conditions, including ability to self-schedule.  Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects in conjunction with the demands of extensive travel.  Significant experience in and knowledge of organizing, collective bargaining, membership recruitment and retention issues.  Successful references.  Tier 2 (Significant):  Demonstrated high motivation level and willingness to take risks by experimenting with new techniques for business solutions.  Positive openness toward continual learning and self-development.  Demonstrated ability to support NEA and affiliate partnership and coalition efforts with other organizations.  Effective skills in developing and maintaining productive trust relationships. Experience in and knowledge of organizational development/effectiveness, project design, development, tracking and whole person development.  Tier 3 (Desirable):  Master’s degree.

 www.naeyc.org

 www.nea.org

 teachecnationalcenter.org

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

One organization that appeal to me is Illinois Action for Children. I am familiar with this organization because this is one of the main go to for every low income family in Chicago. They have an abundant of resources for families. They have day care centers all over the city and they help provide funding for child care for needy families. "Our work is to ensure that every child in Illinois — particularly those in need — have access to the resources to succeed in school and in life. Since our founding in 1969, Illinois Action for Children has worked to create systems of early care and education that help strengthen families and communities" (www.actforchildren.org). I chose this organization because I like the work that they do for children. They are all about advocacy for children and that is something that I love and I would love being apart of an organization like that.

A job opportunity that appealed to me is an Early Learning Teaching Coach. The Teacher/Coach supervises Illinois Action for Children teachers at assigned Preschool for All and Prevention Initiative sites, serves as a professional coach to those teachers, interprets Preschool for All and Prevention Initiative program requirements and best professional practices to site administrators, and monitors program compliance.

Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field required.

Master’s degree preferred.

At least 2 years’ experience as an early childhood teacher or coach.

At least one year of supervisory experience.

State Early Childhood Education certification and/or Infant Toddler Studies or other related credential preferred.

Another organization that I would love to work for is DCFS. DCFS is the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. "The mission of Illinois DCFS is to protect children who are reported to be abused or neglected and to increase their families' capacity to safely care for them; provide for the well-being of children in our care; provide appropriate, permanent families as quickly as possible for those children who cannot safely return home; support early intervention and child abuse prevention activities and work in partnerships with communities to fulfill this mission" (www.Illinois.gov). I chose this organization because I always wanted to work for DCFS. I feel that a lot of children are being taking from their homes for unnecessary reason. And some are staying in the homes where they need to be taking out. I would love to help those children and families in need. 

One job opening that that I seen on their website is Child Protection Specialist. Under direction of the team supervisor, receives and investigates reports of physical and sexual abuse and neglect reported by mandated and other sources; assesses immediate safety and risk factors of involved children and takes necessary protection action; makes recommendations about investigative findings; implements short-term services, including concrete services directly or through family advocates; on a rotating basis, assigned to 24 hour “on call” duty in addition to normal assignments, to ensure that services are provided as mandated by statute and policy.

Preferably requires a master’s degree in social work and two years of directly related professional experience; or requires a master’s degree in a related human service field, in criminal justice, criminal justice administration, or law enforcement and two years of directly related professional experience; or requires a bachelor’s degree in social work and four years of directly related professional experience; or requires a bachelor’s degree in a related human service field, in criminal justice, criminal justice administration, or law enforcement and four years of directly related professional experience; requires possession of a valid driver’s license, daily access to an automobile, and proof of vehicle insurance; requires physical, visual, and auditory ability to carry out assigned duties; requires ability to serve on 24 hour “on call” duty.

The last organization that appealed to me is CASA. "The National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association, together with its state and local member programs, supports and promotes court-appointed volunteer advocacy so every abused or neglected child in the United States can be safe, have a permanent home and the opportunity to thrive"(www.casaforchildren.org). I am already a volunteer for Illinois CASA, but I would love to work for them.

A job opening that I seen on their website is an Advocate Coordinator. The Advocate Coordinator is responsible to provide coaching and support to no more than 30 CASA volunteers under the direct supervision of a Program Director to ensure that the program’s clients receive quality advocacy. Advocate Coordinators will provide motivation, empowerment, guidance, and supervision to enhance program quality and improve volunteer retention, allowing CASA of Garland, Hot Spring, and Grant Counties to expand and serve more young people over the long term.
Advocate Coordinators will need dependable transportation. The majority of work hours will be spent in an office or courtroom setting, so extended periods of sitting and some walking to and from court may be required. Advocate Coordinators should be able to lift up to 25 pounds and be comfortable working in a team environment. At times, Advocate Coordinators may be asked to make home visits or visits at group homes or other facilities which may occasionally present uncomfortable environments or interactions.

www.actforchildren.org
www.casaforchildren.org
www.Illinois.gov




 

Reflecting on Learning

 

              My most passionate hope for my future early childhood professional and for the children and families with whom you work or will work. Is to be well educated on the issues of not just anti-bias education, but early childhood education in general. To be able to give my children and families a quality education with and open positive environment. Every decision that I make, I will think of my children and their families first. “To help children develop the skills, the strengths, the capacities to thrive in this world of ours,  which is so torn apart and polarized right now” (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011). 

                I would like to thank my colleagues of sharing their experience and their insight throughout this last eight week. I really enjoyed reading blog and discussion post for this course. I thank you all so much for sharing. And as we were nearing the end of this program I wish you all the best with whatever you decided to embark upon with your new degree. 

 

Laureate Education, Inc. (2011). Strategies for working with diverse children: Your commitment to anti-bias work. Baltimore, MD: Author

Impacts on Early Emotional Development

The country that I choose to learn more about is Central and Eastern Europe. There was no specific reason why I choose this country. In the past when we were asked to choose a country to learn about, I always did ones that I want to visit. But today I went a different route to explore a country that I do not know much about.

One of the biggest challenges that this country having is the refugee and migrant crisis. Over the years there has be many people going to Central and Eastern Europe in hopes of a better life. Many of them come over without anything (clothes, food, documentation, etc.) “Refugee and migrant children and women, especially those migrating without documentation, are vulnerable to abuse and exploitation”(www.unicef.org, 2016).

These children have nowhere to sleep, not food, and importantly no education. The parents are too worried about where their next meal is going to come form or where weather they are going to live, that education is the last thing on their mind. There are a lot of children living on their own in central and eastern Europe. They probably have not even been introduced to school. More than likely they are not developing school wise but they are learning survival. This kind of living can be hard on children emotionally, because they cannot be a child. They have to grow up before their time.

Personally I hate to see children take the role of an adult at a young age. And I hate to see or hear about children suffering. As a children I always said that I wanted to be rich so that I can help the children in these kinds of situations. And not that I am adult and fully understand situations, I am proud that I am in the filed I am in to help families. I may not be rich enough help hundreds of children overseas, but I can start at home with a few families at a time. 

Reference

 www.unicef.org

The Sexualization of Early Childhood

My first reaction to excerpt for the book “So Sexy, So Soon”, was Wow.  Sexualization  is a very important issue amongst children and adolescences.  In this is something I had no idea about until I became a teacher in an early childhood center, and experienced children as young as one displaying sexual activity. You hear about these types of things but it is something that you do not want to believe because children are so innocent, and many times their innocence is stripped away from them. Media and television is one of the biggest reasons why. “Sex sales”, is one of the biggest phrases that I hear too often, and not once have these people stop to think how this is affecting our children.

In 2016 it is not uncommon to her that children ages one and over having a tablet. Most if the time these tablets are not child proof, giving children access to the world wide web, without supervision.  Toddler girls are now in to play make up and this gives them a sense of thinking that they look prettier. Boys are told not to cry or not play with girl toys, this instill a sense of masculinity or that women are supposed to be the ones to do certain things. “boys,  who get a very narrow  definition of masculinity that promotes insensitivity and macho behavior,  are  taught  to judge  girls  based  on how  close  they come  to an artificial,  impossible, and shallow ideal”(Levin & Kilbourne 2009).

Sexualization can have a huge impact on children’s health development. It can cause depression, social issues and identity problems. “ The sexualization of childhood is having a profoundly disturbing impact on children’s understanding of gender, sexuality, and relationships” ”(Levin & Kilbourne 2009).

This week has been a real eye opener for me on sexualization. I am not sure why it has surprised me so much because I see it every day. I have twin cousins that are 3 years old and my daughter is 2 years. The twins are allowed to watch adult movies and know too much about adult things and I am scared that they may share the information that they know with my child. After reading the excerpt for the book “So Sexy, So Soon”, I would like to purchase the book and other materials from the authors.

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