Time Well Spent

I will like to say thank you to all of my colleagues for your support, thoughts, and dedication. We are finally here and I can taste the success that we will all experience throughout out path of providing a better world for young children. As we continue this journey, I hope that our hearts continue to expand with the desire to make a difference in young children’s lives and to provide a way that will be beneficial to each child. Nevertheless, let’s continue to change ourselves for the better, so that we will be able to lead by example in regards to making this world a better place; as well as, remaining receptive to others in order to learn things outside of our perspective. We must remember that each child is different and we all come from different backgrounds. This program as taught me that in order to understand others we must first understand ourselves and to accept the differences that we all have as individuals. Because in my opinion; differences is what makes up this world.

          I plan to continue my education by completing the ED.S Program with Walden University in order to obtain additional education to prepare me for my next level of making positive contributions for young children, their families, and the early childhood field. I wish everyone the best and I hope that our dreams and desires all come true in regards to ensuring that children are our future and that their needs are taken serious and placed as number one. Dr. Dartt you have been amazing in my process of learning and understanding the EC field. Your guidance, support, and direction have lead me down a path that I know has no dead end. I am thankful for dedicated individuals like yourself; as well as, my colleagues because with your determination, motivation, and encouragement it has only boost my confidence in knowing that I too can make a positive change.

                                                            Favorite Quotes

"We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today." ~Stacia Tauscher

"I brought children into this dark world because it needed the light that only a child can bring"~Liz Armbruster

                                                           Contact Information

My email is Shakyia02@aol.com

I look forward to hearing from you y'all; as well as, staying in contact in order to link together hand in hand, so that there are no holes in this world to allow any chaos or disruption to enter into the lives of our young children.

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

International organizations that work for positive social change for children and families

1)    Association for Childhood Education International “Love Me, Teach Me Program.”

2)    The Division for Early Childhood (DEC)

3)    International Early Childhood Education (ICF)

I chose The Association for Childhood Education International “Love Me, Teach Me Program” because the organization promotes the needs and rights of children everywhere. The campaign is built upon four cornerstones, each contributing to the well-being of children and related intimately to children’s needs and rights. These four cornerstones are See Me, Hear Me, Love Me, and Teach Me, and they apply to all children, worldwide. The campaign is called Love Me, Teach Me since these two cornerstones contribute most significantly to a child’s overall development and well-being. This organization works towards ensuring that all children are visible members of their society, regardless of their gender, race, ethnicity, culture, religion, ability, family status, or national origin. The organization welcomes participation because they understand that this is how children not only learn about the world around them, but also experience their environment. Education should be culturally appropriate, promote dignity and respect for the child, encourage exploration, and be designed to support all children, regardless of their level of ability. Education should help each child to reach their full potential. And learning extends outside of the classroom walls.

The Division for Early Childhood (DEC) is an international membership organization for those who work with or on behalf of young children with disabilities and other special needs. The organizations mission is to promote policies and advance evidence-based practices to support the optimal development of young children with special needs.

The Division of Early Childhood Education (“ECE”) provides leadership and coordination to ensure that all District of Columbia children, from birth to kindergarten entrance, have access to high quality early childhood development programs and are well prepared for school. ECE works to develop an effective early childhood education system by: implementing high standards for programs and professionals, creating supports to meet standards, adhering to rigorous accountability measures, engaging community stakeholders and securing strong financial supports.

ICF International’s Early Education Services (EES) was launched in India in 2007 to tackle some of the major challenges facing early childhood education in India. ICF collaborates with government, non-government, academic, corporate, international, and multilateral organizations to help early education programs achieve the highest-possible quality, performance, and maximum impact

Job Opportunities

The Association for Childhood Education provided internships and each intern should be enrolled in a graduate degree program that focuses on global education issues with a particular interest in children's education. A focus on one specific aspect of childhood education, such as basic education or early childhood development, is also acceptable. Interns, who have had some international experience working or living outside the U.S., are preferred. Internships typically range from 8 -12 weeks. All interns must reside in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area during their assignment and are responsible for arranging their own housing and transportation.

To join The Division for Early Childhood (DEC), you need to first be a member of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)- the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities, and/or the gifted. There were no available job opportunities; however, the agency values and utilizes those who are interested in volunteering and contributing to the great cause.

ICF International’s Early Education Services (EES) displayed no available job opportunities at this time.

 

 

Reference

The Association for Childhood Education International. www.acei.org

The Division for Early Childhood (DEC) www.decsped.org

The International Early Childhood Education (ICF) www.icfi.com

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

                              Three National/Federal Organizations

1)    National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators (NAECTE)

2)    National Head Start Association (NHSA)

3)    The Children’s Defense Fund

 

 

I chose these organizations because they all are open to any person whose concerns are primarily related to the education and care of young children. These agencies cooperate with other national and international organizations concerned with the study and education of young children. NAECTE advocates for improvements in early childhood teacher education. All children should reach their full potential and succeed, and these agencies make group efforts to ensure that children are set up for success and not failure throughout their early years. These organizations stand up for children to ensure that all children’s survival, protection and development are not negatively altered.

                                      Job Opportunities/Skills and Experience Needed

The National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators

had several professor job opportunities; however, the one that interests me the most is the Child Development Specialist position. The Specialist will be expected to provide high-quality assessment and intervention activities from children ranging in ages 0 to 5 and will also work on an interdisciplinary care team to participate in developmental intervention services. The ideal candidate must have a B.S. in Child Development, Psychology, Education, or Speech and Language Pathology, minimum one year working with young children birth to 5years, current CPR, and Bilingual (English/Spanish) required. The National Head Start Association

has three current positions available; however, the one opening that sparked my interest was the Policy, Data, and Research Fellowship position. The job consisted of working on policy and advocacy on behalf of Head Start. The agency is looking for those who are committed to Head Start, including a bachelor’s degree and great communication and organizational skills, and with one to three years relevant work experience. The Children’s Defense Fund

has several programs that provides quality early childhood development and learning experiences. This organization provides internship positions which allow committed individuals an opportunity to ensure that every child has a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage into adulthood.

Reference

Early Childhood Education and Care-Children Defense Fund www.childrensdefense.org/policy-priorities/early-childhood-education-care/

National Head Start Association www.nhsa.org/

National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators www.naecte.org/

 

 

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Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

                                   Three local or state organizations

1)    TAEYC (Texas Association for the Education of Young Children)

2)    Early Childhood Intervention Services at the Andrews Center

3)    Salvation Army (Pathway of Hope)

I chose TAEYC because it supports quality for all children. TAEYC views the early years of a child’s life as a ladder which will support a child’s ability to be set up for future academic achievements. TAEYC collaborates with other agencies in order to alleviate and to address any needs that young children and their families need fulfilled. There were no available job opportunities; however, the agency values and utilizes those who are interested in volunteering and contributing to the great cause.

          The Andrews Center provides Early Childhood Intervention to support and assistance children and their families. This program provides services in the home or in other environments; which ensures that services are accessible and available for each family in order to enhance their child’s development and growth. Staff also partners up with childcare centers and extended family members in order to provide the best services to meet the child’s developmental and learning skills. Although the center does have available job opportunities, I did not see any available openings that interest me at this time.

          Salvation Army (Pathway of Hope) believes in supporting families in order to contribute by assisting families in turning their difficult situations around long term. I chose this organization because if families are receiving the resources needed to better their situation, children will be affected the most because their needs will be met as well and it may ensure a greater chance for children to receive adequate education and care. There were no available job opportunities; however, the agency values and utilizes those who are interested in volunteering and contributing to the great cause.

                                         Skills and Experience Needed

          The Andrews Center and the Salvation Army requires either a bachelor or a master degree in fulfilling the positions listed above. Experience is appreciated, but not required. TEAYC encourages those who may consider in becoming a member or a volunteer to join the organization in order to partner up and effectively carry out the cause in order to benefit and support children and their families.

Giving Thanks

I will like to take a minute and think about how my colleagues have been supportive through my experience of completing this course. I hope I have contributed to your education and experience as much as you have played a role in my exposure to this class. I have gained sense of knowledge and understanding as we have all encouraged and pushed each other to excel in our studies. As we enter into our specializations, I hope your journey leads you to become a more competent and skillful worker in order to effectively meet the needs of young children and their families. Good luck and victory, and I encourage you to remain focused and determined as we all reach our goal in obtaining our Masters Degree.

The Adjourning Phase

          This week I read about the five stages of team development: forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning. The adjourning stage reflects on their accomplishments and failures as well. A celebratory dinner or a simple thank you and goodbye are enacted at this stage (O’Hair & Wiemann, 2012).

As I look back and consider the adjourning phase for several of the groups in which I have been involved in, I can recall a time in my past where I traveled with my church each summer to sing in a youth choir. We worked together preparing to perform songs and for other performances as well. Day in and day out, we practiced to show ourselves approved in order to put on a great show, bonds were made; as well as, being able to build unity amongst the choir members. After the concert was over, I can look back and remember how hard it was to say goodbye. Even though we all knew we would see each other again for the next summer, we were sad to see our time together end.

Depending on the success or the failure of the group some groups are harder than others to say good bye. Groups that may not have been a success will be easier for me to departure due to the lack of accomplishment. However, in regards to a high performing group, I am sure that it will be more difficult to adjourn. The more we apply our time and effort; we become attached and fond of something’s and/or someone.

One closing ritual that I experienced while being in the youth choir, is that a dinner was held for the youth in order to celebrate our achievement. We took several of pictures with one another; as well as, exchanging contact numbers in hopes to communicate with one another even after the program.

As we become closer into completing our Master’s degree; it will be difficult to part ways. However, I plan to keep in touch through the blogs that we have all created. I will thank everyone for their dedication and effort that we all have put forth into this program. Members may also opt to maintain friendships even if they will no longer be working together (O’Hair & Wiemann, 2012). I hope we may all continue to work together in order to ensure that we all are doing our parts in the EC field.

Adjourning is an essential stage of teamwork because naturally all things will have to come to an end and the adjourning process prepares us for this stage. It also helps us to understand that while we work in groups, we should take the responsibility seriously because there will be timeframes in order to accomplish a task. The more time you waste will be the more time you lose.

 

 

Reference

O'Hair, D., & Wiemann, M. (2012). Real communication: An introduction. New York: Bedford/St. Martin's.

Two Strategies in Managing/Resolving Conflict More Productively

While attempting to resolve conflict I would use two strategies as a guide in order to allow me to address and to alleviate any negative interactions.

1)    Compromise

2)    3S Skills

Conflict cannot always be resolved. But every conflict does, eventually, have some outcome (O’Hair & Wiemann, 2012). In my opinion, during a struggle of conflict, there will be a time when two or more interdependent people will have to give up a little in order to gain a little (O’Hair & Wiemann, 2012) while compromising for the more effective method of decision making. Each party wants to be heard and understood; therefore, a mutual agreement must be developed in order for each party to feel valued and heard. This method also meets the needs of others because it may allow for all to express themselves without feeling wrong, judged, and/or criticized.

The 3S skills may resolve conflict as well because it forces a person to gain a new viewpoint by stepping away from the situation and seeing the conflict in a different view. To gain perspective and see from the Third Side you need to Go to the Balcony. The Balcony is a mental place of calm and perspective where you can keep your eyes on what is truly important. Going to the balcony means taking a distanced view of close things. What do you see from up there? How does that alter your perspective (The Center for Nonviolent Communication)? This method allows you to open up to new ideas and possibilities.

Going to the Balcony allows you to speak and listen with a measure of detachment. It permits you to be open to new ideas and possibilities. Improving your ability to go to the balcony can have a positive impact on conflicts around you. Sometimes the simple act of witnessing a conflict, paying respectful attention to the parties and what they are saying, can shift the outcome (The Center for Nonviolent Communication).

  While experiencing conflict it is crucial that we take time to formulate a plan in order to be productive as we face conflict. We must be conscious of our own feelings/emotions; as well as, being certain that they are being controlled, so that our feelings/emotions are not acted out in a negative manner.

Reference

          O'Hair, D., & Wiemann, M. (2012). Real communication: An introduction. New York: Bedford/St. Martin's.

          The Center for Nonviolent Communication. (n.d). The center of nonviolent communication.