Time Well Spent

To A Job Well Done! 
 Congratulations on Your Accomplishment!


As we come to the end of an amazing journey I reflect on the learning that resonated with me and I will carry on throughout my career.

 Being not only culturally aware but being culturally responsive is crucial when working with children and families.  One's culture is intertwined into one's identity. 

 

The field of early childhood education requires working in collaboration with many that share the same passion, vision, and mission.  "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much".  Helen Keller

 

Self-reflection is a powerful tool in which we can grown and learn from.  As early childhood educators we must reflect on our practices to ensure the work we are doing serves the best interest of children and families.

 

Being open to various perspectives allows for all voices to be heard.  It allows for the development of understanding and growth to occur.

 

Evaluating the consequences of an idea, project, proposal, or program provides opportunities to identity what we what to achieve as well as what we do not want to achieve.  This allows for proactive and careful planning to occur in order to achieve the desired outcomes. 





After completing this program I have the knowledge and skill set to achieve my long-term goals.  While it may not be easy or happen over night, I know what I need to be successful.

 

A long-term goal I have is to put my Capstone Project Challenge into action.  To implement a child development and positive parenting course as a high school graduation requirement.

Another goal I have is to bring developmentally appropriate practices back to all.  Including bringing play-based instruction back to kindergarten.  To bring hands-on and exploratory learning back to all.  To rid our school systems of teaching to the test.  To teach children how to problem solve and to apply their knowledge instead of memorizing and regurgitating facts. 

 

 

 

I want to thank my mom for giving he "motherly push" to start my Master's degree and for the encouragement along the way.  I want to thank the wonderful man in my life for all the support and encouragement along the way and for the understanding of "I have homework to do."  I want to thank my two wonderful daughters for their support and understanding as I balance work, school, and family.  Thank you to my dad for his ongoing support.  A shout out to other family and friends for their support and understanding when I could not attend the fun things going on! 

 

A big thank you goes out to my colleagues.  Many of us started the first class together.  I appreciate your insights, perspectives, and feedback.  I learned so much from your discussion posts and blogs.  I appreciate your honesty as we shared the good and difficult experiences both in our professional lives and in our private lives.  These experiences shaped who we are and I value each of you!  I wish you well as we move on to future endeavors!  I know each of you will be very successful and make positive impacts on children and families!

 

I would like to thank all my instructors that I have had the pleasure to work with.  It has been a wonderful learning experience. 

 

 

I leave my final thoughts with images and quotes below in regards to the field of early childhood education:

 

 

 
 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

 

Global Partnership for Education

 

I found this organization to be very interesting as it demonstrates partnerships among a variety of practices.  It is the ultimate community of practice.  The organization works in partnership with many to assist developing countries in developing educational programs to meet their priorities.  Global Partnership for Education assists in helping governments develop their educational plans as well as working with partners to assist with finding financial resources or grants. Part of the plan is to monitor and measure outcomes.  The efforts are completed in a collaborative effort with a team consisting of members of the countries’ government, the private sector and private foundations that support education efforts, community organizations, teacher organizations, and those working in the education field.  The goal of the organization is to provide access to education to all, to reach every child with a focus of reaching girls and children with disabilities, have child learn and master necessary skills, and to build an educational system that will support the future. 

A job that was posted through the website was with partnership with World Bank.  The position is Senior Country Education Specialist.   The Senior Country Education Specialists represent the Secretariat at Country Level. They are each in charge of a portfolio of countries where they promote the Partnership goals and facilitate its processes (Global Partnership for Education, 2015).  Duties include developing knowledge of the education sector in assigned countries to identify barriers and solutions for reaching international education goals.  To support governments in the development, implementation and monitoring of education sector plan.  Assist in leveraging international financial and technical support at country level.  Participating in thematic working groups in collaboration with the Strategic Policy and Performance team.  To contribute to thematic work related to the Strategic Goals and Objectives of the Global Partnership.  Develop and strengthen the Partnership’s operational modalities.  Qualifications include a Master’s degree in education, economics, international development or related field.  Eight years of relevant experience with a minimum of three years working in developing countries.  Expertise in one or more of the following areas: education planning, finance and management of education systems, teacher development, girls’ education, inclusive education, and other areas relevant to the work of the Global Partnership.  Ability to work both independently and effectively in teams.   Frequent travel requires.

For more information visit the website:  http://www.globalpartnership.org/

Reference:

Global Partnership for Education. (2015). Job description, senior country specialist. Retrieve from:

http://www.globalpartnership.org/

  

  

Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI)

I chose this organization because it views education and well-being of children whether they are in their home, school, or in the community as an inherent right.  The organization strives for quality programs and practices for children from infancy through early adolescence. To increase preparation standards for those involved with the care and development of children. To promote continuous professional growth of educators. They view each child as an individual with their own abilities, gifts, and talents.  They believe in equity for all children.  To be in an environment free of bias.  The organization’s website offers numerous resources and provides information for programs and events. Resources include topics on early childhood education, professional development, research, advocacy, and a variety of publications.   

I did not see any job postings.  However the organization offers internships and volunteer opportunities.  Requirements for interns are to be enrolled in a graduate program that focuses on global issues with a particular interest in children’s education.  The internship run eight to twelve weeks.  Interns must live in the Washington, D.C. area.  ACEI does not have a formal volunteer placement program.  Members participate with ACEI by selecting critical projects and initiatives that support the mission and support children's development and well-being. Volunteers are able to decide how and where to volunteer.   Many look to volunteer in their own communities.

For more information visit the website:  http://www.acei.org/

 

 

 

European Early Childhood Education Research Journal (EECERJ)

European Early Childhood Education Research Journal is an organization that promotes and distributes research on a variety of early childhood disciplines and its applications to policy and practice.  I chose this organization as it operates on the basis of great European theorists such as Vygotsky and Piaget.  I also chose this organization because I thought it was interesting that it run by voluntarily efforts and owned by its members.  It is administered under the protocols of a charity with Board of Trustees elected by an Electoral College.  EECERJ publishes the only European early childhood journal cited in the prestigious Social Science Citation Index (SSCI). The SSCI identifies scholarship from across 50 disciplines including 'education'. Only the world's leading social sciences journals are selected for inclusion in the index. The SSCI includes only four journals with an early years' focus, and of these four, only one is produced in Europe (EECERJ, 2015).  This organization sponsors conferences, allows for the opportunities to form a special interest group, offers membership and allows access to research journals and newsletters.  The organization has over 35 country coordinators that work to increase the national participation and activity of EECERA members in the Country Coordinator's country or region; raise the visibility, status and impact of the EECERA in each country; create an EECERA supported international network of EC researchers, practitioners and policy makers and to be an intermediary for local EC colleagues to EECERA and its journal (EECERJ, 2015). 

For more information visit the website:  http://www.eecera.org/

Reference: 

European Early Childhood Education Research Journal. (2015). Homepage. Retrieved from:

                http://www.eecera.org/