Time Well Spent

Ahh! The sound of sweet success is ringing in my ears. It is hard to believe that I am in the final week of master's degree program at Walden University. The journey has taken me three years to complete.  I have learned that I can be a leader and advocate for young children. Prior to the start of this program, I never viewed myself as a leader nor did I really feel compelled to step into that role. But now more than ever, I have a burning desire to do more than just sit on sidelines and watch others lead the way. In the future, I want to be more involved at work and the community by taking the initiative to lead groups.  

Furthermore, I have learned the importance of collaboration.  My three year journey means that I have taken these courses with many different groups of individuals with various backgrounds and experiences. My learning has been positively influenced by the feedback and experiences that my colleagues have shared with me. I would love to continue our collaboration beyond Walden. In one course, a fellow student created a Facebook page. If you are interested in this, I will create a group for us but I need your email address to invite you.

Finally, the most important lesson that I have learned from this program is that if you have passion that it can drive your vision, mission, and goals for the future.  Our passions merged with a mission can make a positive social change for our society. It echoes back to the idea of stepping into leadership instead of following in someone elses shadow.

Thank you!

Here is motivational video to remind us that we can make difference one child at a time. Enjoy!

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

World Organization for Early Childhood

http://www.omep-usnc.org/

 

OMEP stands for Organizacion Mundial para La Educacion Preesolar. It translates to the World Organization for Early Childhood, but the acronym does not match. This organization is located in over 60 countries including the United States (OMEP, 2010). They are involved in many research, development, and advocacy programs for early childhood (OMEP, 2010). For example, they have provided books and school materials, sponsored volunteer service days for children, and organized childcare in disaster areas.

Although I couldn’t find any direct job opportunities, I feel this is an organization that I would like to join. As a member, I could work with relief efforts and initiatives in our country and even around the world to improve early childhood education. At the very least, I could donate or organize a fundraiser to collect extra books and school supplies to be used in developing countries for early childhood education.

Association for Childhood Education International
http://acei.org/about-us/about-us.html

The Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) is dedicated to providing children around the world with a quality education to prepare them as great citizens. I choose this organization because of their global outreach to extend education to all children. Also, I was attracted to their focus on “providing environments of equality and fairness” since it is closely related to my passion and challenge in this course (ACEI, 2011a).

The only job opportunity that I found was a paid internship with the organization that would require researching and compiling data for briefings, articles, and other types of resources (ACEI, 2011b). A requirement is that you must be a graduate student in a program that focuses on a global education issues with a particular interest in childhood education (ACEI, 2011b). I believe we could all apply for this internship since we’ve become excellent researchers for our challenge and response.

Furthermore, if I were to join ACEI as a professional or professional plus member, I would receive volunteer and leadership opportunities that include networking opportunities (ACEI, 2011c). This is definitely something that interests me.

International Step by Step Association (ISSA)

ISSA believes the way to social justice and equity is by working together to provide children with quality care and education so they can become strong, contributing citizens (n.d.). I chose this organization to share because of their commitment to quality care and education for young children and their support of families, communities, and professionals in providing it.

“ISSA advocates policies that ensure that every child regardless of gender, race, religion, nationality, or ability has the opportunity to develop his or her full potential” (n.d.) As a response to my challenge of cultural acceptance, I want to work with families to create a learning environment that is suitable for children. To do this, I also need to offer professional development and collaboration time for teachers. ISSA is an additional way to expand my community of practice and learn more about international approaches to quality care and education in the early childhood field.

References

ACEI. (2011a). About us. Retrieved on June 11, 2013 from http://acei.org/about-us/about-us.html

ACEI. (2011b). Internships at ACEI. Retrieved June 11, 2013 from http://acei.org/about-us/internships-at-acei.html

ACEI. (2011c). Professional plus. Retrieved on June 11, 2013 from http://acei.org/about-us/about-us.html

Step By Step Association. (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2011, from http://www.issa.nl/index.html

OMEP. (2010). About OMEP. Retrieved on June 11, 2013 from http://www.omep-usnc.org/

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


“Learning and Teaching is a Division of the Education Development Center, Inc (2013), is an international nonprofit organization that manages over 250 projects around the world that address urgent challenges in education, health, and economic development.” I chose this organization because of their dedication to improving early learning for young children. Some of their initiatives include improving quality standings, challenging early math and science learning, examining early learning programs and policies, and promoting health and well-being (EDC, 2013). As I reviewed the biographies of the individuals contributing to this organization, I thought it was a great example of a community of practice. The individuals come with various backgrounds, experiences, knowledge, and skill sets. As a soon-to-be graduate student, I could see myself contributing to the early childhood field in this way. However, I was unable to find any job opportunities with this organization.
National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE) is an advocate for bilingual and English Language Learners and their families. I chose this association to share because my challenge is to bring cultural acceptance to my community so that my students can proudly share their culture. Currently, the only position available is a part-time intern that would work as an office assistant (NABE, 2009). However, NABE did link with a career finder service that offered several jobs available around the country that are related to the bilingual or English as a second language fields.

National Association for Multicultural Education (2013) is that advances and advocates for equity and social justice through multicultural education. Like NABE, I chose this organization because their mission closely relates to my passion and challenge I have developed. As I explored job opportunities, there were many available positions available at college. Many of the available positions listed on their website were for college professors or dean that requires a doctorate degree in addition to experience in early childhood, elementary education, cultural competence, and other related fields.

References

Education Development Center, Inc. (2013). Early learning. Retrieved on June 1, 2013 from http://ltd.edc.org/

National Association for Bilingual Education. (2009). NABE mission. Retrieved on June 1, 2013 from http://www.nabe.org/NABEMission
National Association for Multicultural Education. (2013). Mission, goals & objectives. Retrieved on June 1, 2013 from http://nameorg.org/names-mission/goals-objectives/

Pennsylvania Head Start Association

I was drawn to Pennsylvania’s Head Start Association because their mission supports individuals through leadership, training, information, and advocacy as a way to improve the lives of children for economically-challenged families (PA Head Start Association, 2013). We can’t expect things to change for our children if we don’t support and train the adults that interact with them. Becoming a member of this organization would allow me to share my concerns and resources while also working to resolve my challenge. Additionally, it would allow me to connect with the National Head Start Association.

I could not find a page or link for job openings in the Pennsylvania Head Start Association. However, the National Head Start Association had several job postings across many domains. The positions were located around the country –none of which appealed to me because of their location. If you are interested, please visit http://www.nhsa.org/?e=jobBoard.index&categoryFilter=1 .

Bright Horizons Family Solutions – CitiCorp Family Center

“Bright Horizons Family Solutions is a leading provider of early education and preschools, employer-sponsored child care, back-up care, educational advisory services and other work/life solutions” (2013a). This organization sponsors CitiCorp Family Center in Hagerstown, Maryland which is one of many reasons that I wanted to explore it more. The problem that I am seeking to resolve during my capstone project is how to make children from diverse families feel valued, accepted, and proud of their culture. CitiCorp and Bright Horizons Family Solutions mission clearly reflects their commitment to diversity. They have an inclusion council and employee advisory groups that are available to support inclusion initiatives which includes diversity training for employees among others (Bright Horizons Family Solutions, 2013a).

Furthermore, CitiCorp Family Center has a Child Care Directory position available. The skills and experience that I would need to be competently fulfilling this role are as follows:

 Bachelor’s degree in ECE or related field required/MA preferred

 Required three – five years management/leadership experience.

 A combination of infant, toddler or preschool teaching experience.

 Strong leadership and supervisory skills.

 Excellent customer service skills and the ability to create partnerships with families and staff.

 Well versed in NAEYC accreditation and licensing standards.

 Strong knowledge in and ability to lead staff in implementing a developmentally appropriate curriculum.

 Respond well to unusual or crisis situations.

 Strong organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple tasks.

 Strong written and oral communication skills.

 Experience building and maintaining relationships with families and staff.

 Capacity to understand and manage center financial duties.

 Computer literacy required.

 Experience working in an inclusive work environment and managing across differences.

 Must meet MD state educational requirements for director (Bright Horizons Family Solutions, 2013b).

Thanks to my teaching experience and education from Walden University. I feel confident that I could do be a center director. However, I believe I need more teaching experience with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers to feel comfortable leading teachers of these young children.

Local Education And Resource Network (LEARN)

“Local Education And Resource Network (LEARN) provides individuals and organizations that participate in community outreach, family engagement, and transition activities the opportunity to stay up to date on exciting initiatives throughout the state; share and access resources on what’s working in local communities; and network with their peers locally, regionally, and throughout the state” (Pennylvania’s Promise for Children, 2013). I was drawn to this partnership because it is a great an example of a community of practice occurring in Pennsylvania. Also, it is free to join either or both discussion forums (community outreach or family engagement). I could not find any job positions available since it is more a partnership and/or community of practice.

References

Bright Horizons Family Solutions. (2013a). About us. Retrieved on May 18, 2013 from
http://www.brighthorizons.com/about-us

Bright Horizons Family Solutions. (2013b). Careers. Retrieved on May 18, 2013 from
https://www10.ultirecruit.com/BRI1002/JobBoard/JobDetails.aspx?__ID=*984F8D32394BE7A0

Pennsylvania Head Start Association. (2013). The Pennsylvania head start association.
Retrieved on May 18, 2013 from http://paheadstart.org/index.php/pa-head-start-assoc-
phsa/

Pennsylvania’s Promise for Children. (2013). Early education in Pennsylvania: Local education
and resource network (LEARN). Retrieved on May 18, 2013 from
http://paprom.convio.net/site/PageServer?pagename=EEin_ceg



Welcome to our final class!

Hello to all my classmates! I look forward to sharing my thoughts with you through this blog and by visiting yours too! Maggie

Reflecting on Communication in the EC field

Over the past eight weeks, we have learned about our strengths and weaknesses as communicators.  We have shared our positive and negative experiences as well as what we could have or should have done differently in communication situations.  

Your comments have reassured me that I am not the only one that has experienced ineffective communication. You have offered support and challenged me to consider my perspective of the situation.  Likewise, I hope I have helped you feel valued, supported, and challenged.


As we diverge paths to pursue our specializations, I wish you the best of luck.  For me, our good-bye is bittersweet because I will not be resuming courses (Admin, Mgmt, & Ldrshp) until the fall. However, I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my first baby  in June (A boy-Owen!). I would like to thank LouAnn Rhodes for setting up the Facebook page for us.  Please feel free to connect with me there or send me a personal friend request. Also, you may always email me at maggie.cunningham@waldenu.edu.

Thank you for all your support and understanding throughout our journey together.  Best wishes!

Team Building & Collaboration

Adjourning Stage

I am always part of at least one team at work whether it is a grade-level team or a special committee.  Over the past four years, I have worked with many different individuals within these different groups.  I have found my grade-level team the hardest to leave because we had a routine or a comfort-zone so to speak.  Four years ago I joined the kindergarten team, formed relationships both personally and professionally with my colleagues, and adjusted to the established roles and routines of working together.  However, this year I was involuntarily moved from the kindergarten team to the first grade team because of low student numbers (and I had least seniority).   I was very uneasy about leaving the kindergarten team because I had to learn a new curriculum and work with a new colleague who was also being moved involuntarily.  Although the kindergarten team adjourned and it was sad, we began a new group as a cross-grade level team, which eased the sadness to a degree.

In regards to my Walden colleagues, we adjourn at the end of each class with our final thoughts, well-wishes, and good-byes via our blogs.  It would be wonderful to keep in contact with many of you, but the reality is that we haven't established (or at least for me) personal contact information outside of our virtual classroom.  Therefore, I feel our adjourning phase may simply end with a good-bye and celebration of all our hard-work accomplished together.  However, we are not at the very end, so there is hope that we can expand our network outside of the Walden boundaries to keep in touch after our final course together because so many of you provide perspectives and resources that are invaluable.

In summary, I think the hardest groups to leave are those that foster trust, respect, and have well-established, effective norms that can efficiently accomplish set goals with minimal conflict. With that said, the adjourning stage is an important stage of teamwork because it allows time for reflection, closure, and opens the the door for future endeavors.  

http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/s/saying_goodbye.asp