Wk 8 Time Well Spent :-D

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Our program is coming to a close, how bitter-sweet. There has been so many great people that I have learned from and gotten to know. I have learned a great deal from each of my colleges and my classes. My goal is to take everything that I have learned from my Masters, teachers and colleges and utilize it in a professional job such as creating programs, implementing services for children/families or creating anti-biased educational materials/resources. One thought that has really stuck with me is that: 

  "When we embrace a vision of social justice and ecological teaching in early childhood education, we join a lineage of educators who are intent on changing history, participating in the 'ongoing story of men, and women, ideals intact,' who understand that how we engage with the youngest children in our communities speaks volumes about the kind of society in which we hope to live" (Pelo, 2008, p. xiii).

                    

Its hard to pin point just three things that have made a lasting impression. There was so much information to take in and implement. I have learned that while I am a decent leader in the early childhood field I definitely have room for improvement. I did not realize all the different styles of leadership, how they work, when is the best situation to utilize which one, etc.

                      

I have greatly developed my ability to critically examine issues, trends and current research on topics in the early childhood field. I had very limited understanding and means to do adequate research and correctly read and analyze what I had found. I can now utilize my research skills to keep up to date in the field and apply these findings to my professional world.

                                     

Before starting this program I knew that I was already a pretty anti-biased individual and how important diversity is in our world and the early childhood field. I now know how to create anti-biased environments, help others to become anti-biased, what is needed to be anti-biased, how to incorporate the 4 anti-biased goals and what it really means to be anti-biased. While we might not have or implements prejudice comments/actions there are still small indiscretions that are biased and these are the hardest ones to realize and work on. A thought that has really resonated with me since one of our first few classes is that:

" compassion and creatively are essential if we are to be truly competent in the face of the complex challenges posed by cultural diversity” (Barrera, & Corso, 2002).

 

                                                            

Each of you, my fellow classmates has done a great job in helping each of us develop a better understanding of the topics we learned, seeing different perspectives and becoming better educators. Thank you so much for all your hard work, dedication, passion and understanding. It was a great joy to interact and learn with each of you. I wish you all the best in everything that you do and hope you achieve all your heart's desires. Dr. Teri, thank you for all your patience, understanding, dedication, knowledge, passion and for teaching us and making us better professionals and advocates for children and their families. If any of you would like to keep in touch you can email me at JerseyStar1821@yahoo.com. Best wishes!!

                          

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Wk 6 Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

There are various organizations to support children in different countries and all around the world. Some organizations are specific to a certain state, city, country, county, or providence but some are national and international.

The first site that I found is the 'Association for Childhood Education International'. This organization's mission is to 'is to promote and support the optimal education, development, and well-being 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.' I picked this site because it is all  about helping every child, everywhere, regardless of their race, language or culture. They see each child as equal and deserving. The organization also has a campaign called "Love me, Teach me", which is all about ' promoting the needs and rights of children everywhere through the four cornerstones: See Me, Hear Me, Love Me, and Teach Me'. I could not find any job opportunities. But I would really enjoy being a part of the "Love me, Teach me" project. I think I would need the following skills: organization, dedication, passion, pedagogical knowledge, understanding/knowledge of the EC code of ethics, and children's rights.
★✰   http://www.acei.org/    


The second organization I found interesting is OMEP, couldn't figure out what it stands for. The organizations is an 'international, non-governmental and non-profit organization concerned with all aspects of early childhood education and care (ECEC)'. I picked this site because they also advocates for the education, care and accessibility for children worldwide. The organization is also affiliate with UNESCO, UNICEF, and other international organizations with similar aims so they are not alone in the fight. OMEP has three major projects they implement: 'Birth to Three', 'Education for sustainable development', and 'Toy Library'. Each is to promote learning and development in different ways for all children. I could not find job opportunities for this organization either. I would enjoy being a part of their 'Birth to Three project and would need the same skills as above: organization, dedication, passion, pedagogical knowledge, understanding/knowledge of the EC code of ethics, children's rights, methods of play and how children learn and grow from play.
 ★✰  http://www.omep.org.gu.se/


The third site I found interesting is the International Association of Early Childhood Education (IAECE). This site is more about the research of the early childhood field, for educators and professionals then resources for students/families, etc. Its a place to assess and discuss theories and practice. The board holds meetings, conventions, conferences, etc. in different countries yearly. The goal of IAECE is to 'enhance international studies by sharing views among educators and practitioners in the early childhood community and to develop methods for creative teaching and a better learning environment for young children'. I could not find any jobs for this organization either. I feel it is very hard to get a position within these organizations and that positions do not open up often. I think it would be interesting to have the opportunity to visit kindergartens in other countries and see how they are implemented and the kind of education that is taught.
★✰   http://www.iaece.org/eindex.html