Time Well Spent

This program has taught me so much about the early childhood education field and has guided me to learning what really makes me passionate about this field and where I see myself in the field.  there are a few important things that I am taking away from this course and the first thing is learning how to build a community of practice. Before this course I had never heard the term "Community of Practice" and had no idea what it was.  Through learning more and even constructing my own community of practice I realized how important and effective it is to the early childhood education field. 

Another learning that will stick with me from this program is the impact that all of the organizations truly have on the early childhood field and how important is is to me to someday be a part of those such as NAEYC and UNICEF I learned more about what these organizations stood for and the part they play in the early childhood field doing further research on the sites and seeing who is behind these organizations.  it opened my eyes to wanting to build my own organization.

The last thing I want to mention that I learned from this course is the real Value of team work and working with like-minded people and how important it is.  there was one quote I took away from this course that will stick with me forever in my journey "“We must remember that one determined person can make a significant difference, and that a small group of determined people can change the course of history” (Laureate Education, 2011). 

One long term goal I have for myself in this field is to Development manage and build my own organization that helps aid families and children in poverty nationally and internationally.  I want to start locally in my own community and build from there and I know the time and effort it will take to make this happen, but I am up for the long rewarding journey.  I also want to thank you all for you advice and feedback on my posts and helping me along the way I appreciate all of my colleagues and professors in this journey and I wish you all much success in the future.  

Reference:

Laureate Education, Inc. (2011). Practical application in the early childhood field: Being mindful of outcomes and consequences. Baltimore, MD: Author. 

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

There are a few international organizations that appealed to me are:

UNICEF- I chose this one because their mission is strong and they focus on defending the rights of every child all over the world, in regards to education, to their everyday needs supporting the child in all aspects and I think this is important so that the child can grow healthy and happy.

 http://www.unicef.org/

Save the children- This organization is great and appealed to me because it allows individuals to donate to children who are in need and also you have the option to sponsor a child that is in need which helps focus on a specific child and giving solely to them and this is amazing and a different way of helping them.

 http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6115947/k.8D6E/Official_Site.htm

ISSA (International step by step association)-  This organization appealed to me because it focuses on the child's quality care and education and helping the child to reach their full potential as they need to with healthy environments for success.

http://www.issa.nl/index.html

Job Opportunities:

Head Start Child development and Education Specialist:

Los Angeles County Office of Education, Head Start – State Preschool Program, has two immediate openings for Head Start Program Development Specialists. Our Head Start – State Preschool Program is the largest in the nation and contracts with 17 delegate agencies to provide services directly to children from birth to five years old and their families within diverse communities throughout Los Angeles County.

The Head Start Program Development Specialist is responsible for assisting in the development and implementation of ERSEA processes and procedures, which includes community assessment and eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance; maintaining accurate program development and planning information; and reviewing monitoring data to ensure program compliance.  The incumbent in this position will also be responsible for collaborating with representatives from outside organizations to improve the outreach and recruitment process for eligible Head Start families. 

The Well Qualified Candidate Will Possess the Following

Knowledge:

---

• Methods in assessing and evaluating the quality and delivery of child development services
• Related local, state, and federal regulations
• Child development with an emphasis on social emotional, cognitive, and physical development of children in infancy and childhood
• Ethics in relation to child and family-child development
• Staff development and in-service methods and techniques
• Early learning and parenting curricula
• Community resources including family support services, emergency and crisis services, and child protective services
• Cultural differences that influence parenting skills and family environments
• Qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques
• Operations of applicable computer hardware and software as related to report writing, record keeping and analysis.
• Confidentiality of records 
  

Competencies:

---

• Professional & Technical Expertise – Applying technical subject matter to the job
• Analyzing & Interpreting Data – Drawing meaning and conclusions from quantitative and/or qualitative data
• Critical Thinking – Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims
• Decision Making – Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner
• Legal & Regulatory Navigation – Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
• Using Technology – Working with electronic hardware and software applications
• Adaptability – Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires
• Oral Communication – Engaging effectively in dialogue
• Writing – Communicating effectively in writing
• Professional Impact – Presenting self as a positive representative of the organization
• Relationship Building – Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
• Group Facilitation – Enabling constructive and productive group interaction
• Cultural Proficiency – Modeling communication and interaction that respect and include all individuals and their languages, abilities, religions and cultures
  

Required Education and Experience

---

Education: A bachelor's degree with major coursework in child development, early education, education, educational psychology, or a closely related field from an institution of higher learning accredited by a regional accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, with an additional 40 hours of training on topics related to early learning and development such as:: CLASS certification, Environmental Rating Scales, prenatal development, parenting, families in poverty, children's literacy and social-emotional development, Creative Curriculum, DRDP A master's degree is desirable.

Experience: Three years of child development experience in a multi-disciplinary setting, including at least two years' experience in administering and/or coordinating comprehensive child development programs or child development departments in a Head Start program or similar agency providing services to low-incomevfamilies. One-year experience assessing quality in early learning settings using research-based assessment tools.

Additional Requirements: Certification as a Teachstone CLASS™ reliable observer is highly desired. A valid California driver's license, proof of insurability, and the availability of private transportation or the ability to provide transportation between job sites is required.

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

There are 3 government/federal agencies that stuck out to me while doing my research for this blog assignment that I thought were important in the world of Early childhood and Education in general her they are:

NAEYC (The National Association for the Education of Young Children) -  This is probably one of the highest in early childhood education, the reason I chose this one is because it is focused solely on the growth and development of young children from birth to age 8.  They have a clear and focused mission on promoting high quality education for young children.  

http://www.naeyc.org/content/about-naeyc

NEA (National Education Association)- This organization is focused on the advancement of public school education and the reason I chose it was because I feel it is an important organization and I feel that advancing public school is important because I went to public school and saw so many things that we lacked and I feel all children should have an equal opportunity for quality education all over the world.  

https://www.nea.org/home/2580.htm 

NCCA (National Childcare Association)-  This one stuck out to me because its mission is to support policies that are beneficial to children, such as Equal opportunity, funding, regulations and Early childcare in general.

http://www.nccanet.org/ 

Job Opportunities in The field:
Head Start Child Development & Education Specialist

Los Angeles County Office of Education, Head Start - State Preschool Program, has two immediate openings for Head Start Program Development Specialists. Our Head Start - State Preschool Program is the largest in the nation and contracts with 17 delegate agencies to provide services directly to children from birth to five years old and their families within diverse communities throughout Los Angeles County. The Head Start Program Development Specialist is responsible for assisting in the development and implementation of ERSEA processes and procedures, which includes community assessment and eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance; maintaining accurate program development and planning information; and reviewing monitoring data to ensure program compliance. The incumbent in this position will also be responsible for collaborating with representatives from outside organizations to improve the outreach and recruitment process for eligible Head Start families. The Well Qualified Candidate Will Possess the Following Knowledge • Methods in assessing and evaluating the quality and delivery of child development services • Related local, state, and federal regulations • Child development with an emphasis on social emotional, cognitive, and physical development of children in infancy and childhood • Ethics in relation to child and family-child development • Staff development and in-service methods and techniques • Early learning and parenting curricula • Community resources including family support services, emergency and crisis services, and child protective services • Cultural differences that influence parenting skills and family environments • Qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques • Operations of applicable computer hardware and software as related to report writing, record keeping and analysis. • Confidentiality of records Competencies: • Professional & Technical Expertise - Applying technical subject matter to the job • Analyzing & Interpreting Data - Drawing meaning and conclusions from quantitative and/or qualitative data • Critical Thinking - Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims • Decision Making - Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner • Legal & Regulatory Navigation - Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations • Using Technology - Working with electronic hardware and software applications • Adaptability - Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires • Oral Communication - Engaging effectively in dialogue • Writing - Communicating effectively in writing • Professional Impact - Presenting self as a positive representative of the organization • Relationship Building - Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships • Group Facilitation - Enabling constructive and productive group interaction • Cultural Proficiency - Modeling communication and interaction that respect and include all individuals and their languages, abilities, religions and culturesRequired Education and Experience Education: A bachelor's degree with major coursework in child development, early education, education, educational psychology, or a closely related field from an institution of higher learning accredited by a regional accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, with an additional 40 hours of training on topics related to early learning and development such as:: CLASS certification, Environmental Rating Scales, prenatal development, parenting, families in poverty, children's literacy and social-emotional development, Creative Curriculum, DRDP A master's degree is desirable. Experience: Three years of child development experience in a multi-disciplinary setting, including at least two years' experience in administering and/or coordinating comprehensive child development programs or child development departments in a Head Start program or similar agency providing services to low-incomevfamilies. One-year experience assessing quality in early learning settings using research-based assessment tools. Additional Requirements: Certification as a Teachstone CLASS™ reliable observer is highly desired. A valid California driver's license, proof of insurability, and the availability of private transportation or the ability to provide transportation between job sites is required. Selection Process Candidates who meet the minimum requirements above, will be invited to participate in an examination that may consist of Traninig and Experience evaluation (T&E), Performance and Structure Interview examination.