Time Well Spent

Wow, time flies by when we are working hard. I am truly proud of myself and to have shared this experience with many of you great educators from all around the United States. As we leave and receive our degrees soon i want to let everyone know that i am truly grateful for this wonderful experience.

At least three deeply felt learning's from this program
I learned that i am becoming a great leader.
I learned that i did a great job with time management as this is was my first time getting a degree online,
I learned that using the correct educational resources are  helpful when done correctly.

At least one long-term goal

One long-term goal is to continue to be an advocate for early childhood education and continuing to get keep current on the trends and topics in early childhood education.

A farewell message to your Instructor and colleagues (consider uploading a video or audio podcast)

Please take down my email address so that we can continue to communicate toya_055@yahoo.com

International

Jobs/Roles in the ECE field internationally

The organizations that most interest me are save the children, UNICEF and the Council for professional recognition, throughout these international organizations I will be able to become the leader that I want to become. These organizations are passionate about the well-being of others and promoting educator’s to become better professionals within the early childhood setting.

Save the children is an organization that helps save children across the country, one factor that stood out for me for their stated the organization save the children provides food, medical care and education and helps communities rebuild their communities from long-term recovery programs. This hit home for me because we need more organizations like these when tornados, or floods and hurricanes accrue and destroy our communities.

One job that interests me from the organization save the children is the Coordinator of Early Childhood although this position is located in West Virginia I feel that I would be a great fit for the job. I would families for the program develop and schedule program activities, including home visiting, parent/child groups and a lot of knowledge for infant/toddlers which is the area of my expertise.

https://ch.tbe.taleo.net/CH07/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=SAVETHECHILDREN&cws=1&rid=1477

 

UNICEF is an organization that keeps children from abuse and violence. UNICEF seems like a great organization to be a part of, if I had the choice I would like to be a part of their child protection unit. This job would require me to have knowledge in child development with three years of experience but fluent in French which is my downfall.

Lastly, the council for professional recognition also known as the CDA organization. Having a CDA (child development associate) is where educators begin if they can’t afford to go to college to receive an associates or bachelor’s degree but still has the passion to work with children. I feel as though I would be a great CDA advisor because I have the passion, dedication and a listening ear where I feel I could help educator’s to become more and find out where their passion lye. To become a CDA advisor I need the following a Bachelors with two years of experience in an early childhood setting and my CDA to be current(I need to update).

 

Reference

United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2011, from http://wthatww.unicef.org/

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

http://www.cdacouncil.org/the-resource-center/cda-advisors/advisor-eligibility-requirements

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

At least three national/federal organizations or communities of practice that appealed to you and why you chose them

Latoya’s blog: http://toyalil.blogspot.com/

1. Zero to three: I really like what the zero to three organization is about which is , “is a national, nonprofit organization that informs, trains, and supports professionals, policymakers, and parents in their efforts to improve the lives of infants and toddlers”(zerotothree.org). I had the opportunity to go to my first conference last year and I enjoyed everything that this organization is about which is supporting families of children in early head start programs and from birth to three.

There are not any openings at this time that relates to both my experience and degree’s. Only finance department and senior writing specialist.  Skills: N/A

2. Unicef: Helps support children from abuse and violence. There early childhood program focus on, “Every child must be ensured the best start in life – their future, and indeed the future of their communities, nations and the whole world depends on it” (http://www.unicef.org/protection/index.html)

There are not any job opportunities available at this time but if there were I would like to be a part of the Adolescent Development and child protection. Skills: N/A, not sure because there is not a posting.

3.Georgia department of Education: I plan to move in the next couple of years so I dedicated to look into the state of Georgia they have a lot of job openings and one that caught my eye was family engagement specialist. The state of Georgia offers a lot of learning opportunities for children in the state of Georgia. The state of Georgia wants to ensure that the school provides an environment that is, “empowered to develop policies and programs that meet the educational needs of their students, that support teachers and that involve parents and communities in the education process” (http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/External-Affairs-and-Policy/State-Board-of-Education/Pages/default.aspx)

Skills: Bachelor’s degree in education, communication, management, planning, public administration, business management, or a field directly related to the area of assignment and four years of experience in providing family engagement professional learning and technical support activities. Experience working with public and/or private agencies/organizations to incorporate family engagement in activities, services, or programs.  Excellent oral and written communications skills. Excellent presentation skills.

Reference

Georgia Department of Education. Curriculum and Instruction Retrieved from http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/External-Affairs-and-Policy/State-Board-of-Education/Pages/default.aspx January 28, 2013

Unicef. Focus areas. Retrieved from http://www.unicef.org/whatwedo/index.html. January 28, 2013

Zero to Three. OUR MISSION. Retrieved from http://zerotothree.org/ January 28, 2013

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

As I was researching companies I found three positions including the one I am currently that would be ideal for me. The city of Chicago has a lot to offer, as I am looking through many organizations websites, I feel as though the suburbs where I currently live don’t have many jobs to offer. So with the following listing below, it would require me to drive 45 minutes to an hour to work which I don’t mind because I am currently doing this with my current position.  All the positions below deal with low-income families in which is still my ideal work I want to remain in.

 

1.Ceda Head start-Community of Practice
Ceda is a non-for-profit organization that foces on school readiness and working with both children and familes that are low-income they serve over 3100 families in the chicagoland area.

(Currently available)Child development specialist

Requirement’s-Early childhood classes, Master degree pref’d in early childhood, two or more year’s classroom experience and experience in an early head start and head start environment. This is a position I can see myself in because of the history and what they do for low-income children and families.

2. Christopher house- Community of Practice

Christopher house, helps  at-risk children from birth to age 18 thrive by taking a different approach to education and creating lifelong learners. Understanding that educating the child is not enough, we also provide supportive services to the entire family that help build stability and self. (http://www.Christopher's.org/)

(Currently available) Infant Toddler Specialist

The requirements-Infant and toddler credential-{currently working on this now}.  Bachelor’s degree in early childhood and two or more year’s classroom experience.

3. Easter Seals- Community of Practice

Easter seals is my current place of employment we serve over 2000 children and families in the low socioeconomic class. I work as education/inclusion coach where i go an work with my delegate agencies to provide educational serves such as coaching and referring children to the local child and family connections and the school districts for referrals.

Current Position-Education/Inclusion Coach

The positions requirement-Bachelor’s degree in early childhood, reliable vehicle, two or more years’ experience in an early childhood classroom.

Wordle

Latoya's URL:

http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/6209662/LatoyaH

Week 8

I wanted to take the time out to thank my colleagues who have joined me on this journey to receive oru Masters degree so that we can improve the lives of children and families whom we encouter on a daily basis. I want to thank you for  your help and support along the way. I hope to hear from many of you in our next course.

Throughout this course i have learned that communication is key when communicating with others we have to learn how different cultures value and respond to one another differently and how this plays a cruical role in the early childhood field.

Working well-blog post 6

Working with a team can be very hard and easy some times. I remember being a community advisor while in college and as a leader on the floor comprised of at least 30 adults ranging from freshman to seniors in college; it was hard approaching some of the students because they just didn't want to be bothered. So in our collaboration meeting comprised of 10 community advisors we established a norm that we would respect and listen to everyones opionions and thought. This would  bring about a great floor and team building activities, to get the students more involved. Some of the closing rituals that we established at the end of our meetings were to come together in a cirlce and threw a small ball to each other one at a time and say one postive idea that was established that evening. Being a student who will be receiving her masters soon, i have established some relationships with my other collegues but i will continue to keep in contact because you never know when you will need someone.