Time Well Spent

Well, my journey for my Master’s degree has come to an end.  It has been a long, exciting adventure; but, thank God, I made it through!  Over these two years, I have gained a wealth of knowledge that will help me pursue my future dreams.  One thing that I have learned from this program is that I can be and do anything I want, if I put in the work.  “Nothing beats a failure but a try!”  My Walden experience has prepared me to face any challenge that I may encounter.  When things knock me down, I have learned to get back up, dust myself off, and continue working harder.

Secondly, I have learned that with some things, one just cannot do alone.  It is good to have positive stakeholders and/or colleagues, to collaborate and support one another’s cause. Before my Walden’s experience, I did not understand the importance of collaboration and partnerships; but now, I am fully aware that this is a needed support group, for program success.

Thirdly, I have learned that the world is an oyster and I can achieve anything I wish in life or go anywhere I want; because, I have the opportunity or ability to do so.  I used to think that I can only make a difference in the USA; but from this course and program, I know that I can make a difference anywhere in the world!  If given the opportunity, I hope to use my expertise, to help others across the world.

My long term goal is to earn my Doctoral degree in early childhood.  Although I am not going to dive into this goal right off, this will definitely be something that I am going to pursue.

I would like to thank Dr.  E., for all her support and positive feedback, during the course.  I thank you for your guidance and true concerns, about my future and thank you for inspiring me to complete a great Capstone project! 

To my colleagues, I have enjoyed working with each and every one of you.  As a team, we have completed our program and are now ready to take on the world.  Thank you all for your great support and friendships.  Good luck to everyone on your future endeavors!!!!

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

The three international organizations that appealed to me are:

(1) Organization Mondiale Pour L'Éducation Préscolaire (OMEP)

“OMEP is an international, non-governmental and non-profit organization with Consultative Status at the United Nations and UNESCO. Founded in 1948, it defends and promotes the rights of the child to education and care worldwide and support activities which improve accessibility to higher quality education and care.  (with abbreviation O.M.E.P.: Organization Mondiale Pour L'Éducation Préscolaire) is an international non-governmental and non-profit organization concerned with all aspects of early childhood education and care (ECEC). It associates persons without distinction of race, nationality or political beliefs, who aim to improve education and care for children from birth to the age of eight.  All work in OMEP is done on a voluntary basis, including that of the holders of office. OMEP uses three official languages: English, French and Spanish.  OMEP is an NGO with Consultative Status at the United Nations and UNESCO and strong relationships with other world organizations. OMEP’s voice is formed by many voices: academia, international and world organizations, pedagogues and early childhood teachers, parents, local societies and most importantly children.” http://www.euromep.org/omep/shared/index.jsp?context=101

I chose this organization because it promotes cultural awareness within its agency. This demonstrates that OMEP welcomes and respect diversity, which is very essential in the early childhood field.  In addition, OMEP works with many other associations across the world, to help promote children’s rights and well-being.  Another interesting thing about OMEP is the fact that it uses three official languages, English, French, and Spanish, within its agency.  This is so important, as the faces of early childhood is constantly changing and fostering multicultural groups, of different languages.

(2) Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI)

 “ACEI is a global community of educators and advocates who unite knowledge, experience, and perspectives in order to exchange information, explore innovation, and advocate for children. The Association promotes and supports the optimal education and development of children, from birth through early adolescence, and the professional growth of educators and others committed to the needs of children in a changing society.” http://acei.org/

I like this organization because as I have been taught, it is very important to form positive collaborations and partnerships, as this will strengthen relationships and form trusting bonds.  ACEI uses a band of network across the world, to provide and exchange information, knowledge, and experiences to each other, to help advocate for young children. I also like that it extends educational services from birth to early adolescence, which allows for continuous growth and development.  ACEI also invests in professional growth and development of educators, which is very important to me, as early childhood professionals need training and support, to improve the quality of education for young children.

(3)    International Association for Steiner/Waldorf Early Childhood Education (IASWECE)

 “Waldorf early childhood education, also known as Steiner early years education, is devoted to the health, education and care of the young child from birth to school entrance. Waldorf early childhood educators seek to nurture the development of each child's unique capacities by offering warm, homelike environments with opportunities for imaginative play, meaningful purposeful work, and experiences in the arts, in nature, and in community. There are approximately 2,000 Waldorf kindergartens, home programs, child care centers, and pre-schools, in more than sixty countries throughout the world.  IASWECE is active throughout the world in support of training and quality in Waldorf education, for the little child, so that children throughout the world can find childcare centers, kindergartens, and early childhood programs offering optimal conditions for development.”  www.iaswece.org

This organization really appealed to me; because, it reminds me of the center in which I am employed.  IASWECE is committed to raising the standards for young children and prides itself on making sure children are school ready.  IASWECE also ensures that programs, which are aligned with the organization, provide children with the quality care and education that is needed, to prepare them for Kindergarten transitioning.

Job opportunities:

Program Director

Location:        US - MS - Indianola

Division.:        U.S. Programs

Description

Summary

The Program Director is responsible for overall leadership and management of the Head Start and Early Head Start Programs in line with all applicable regulations and standards. The Program Director is the most senior field representative of the Agency. He/she is responsible ensures that programs are implemented and managed in accordance with short term and long term plans goals; and meet quality standards and directs, administers, and manages the day to day program operations oversees safety and security of children and staff.

Responsibilities

• Leads in the development, execution, promotion, and reporting aspects of the program's services to families, children and the community and other partners

• Lead the management team and make timely and appropriate management decisions; developing and implementing short and long range goals, objectives, policies, procedures, budgets, and the monitoring of overall program effectiveness

• Guides, directs and authorizes the implementation of major plans, standards, and procedures, consistent with established policies approved by the Board and Policy Council.

• Develops and implements procedures and controls to promote communication and effective information flow within the organization and that enable program goals to be obtained.

• Reviews overall program operations regularly and conveys information and outcomes to the SC-HS Leadership, Board, and Policy Council.

• Ensures that all program activities are carried out in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and laws governing agency operations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred in Management, Early Childhood Development, Human Services or related fields.

• Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible supervisory/management positions including experience working with boards and advisory committees. Previous Head Start management experience preferred.

• Good communication and skills (open, honest, objective, good listener, with team management approach to clear goals and objectives).

• Proficiency Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

• Acceptable tuberculosis screening results, a clear criminal background check including fingerprinting and an initial health exam are required post job offer and prior to employment.

• Applicants must have a valid driver’s license and acceptable Motor Vehicle Record.

• Save the Children encourages qualified current and former Head Start and/or Early Head Start parents to apply.

Save the Children is the leading independent organization for children in need, with programs in over 120 countries, including the United States. We aim to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children, and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives by improving their health, education and economic opportunities. Join our dedicated and diverse staff committed to improving the well-being of children.

Save the Children provides an attractive benefits package including competitive salaries, a matching retirement plan, health and welfare benefits, life insurance, an employee assistance program, generous time off and much more. We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran. Save the Children complies with all applicable laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.

We are an equal opportunity organization dedicated to our core values of Accountability, Ambition, Collaboration, Creativity and Integrity.

I really feel that I am capable of holding this position.  I do have a Bachelor’s degree in the early childhood field and will soon have my Master’s, which for this job, is more preferred.  The only problem I think I will have is the minimum 7 years of progressively responsible supervisory/management positions including experience working with boards and advisory committees. Previous Head Start management experience preferred.  I have not had any hands on experiences for the role of Program Director; however, I am not going to let that prevent me from trying.  I am going to apply for this position, as it is currently available, near my community, and in my field. I am going to try my luck and hopefully I will be blessed.  As the saying goes, “Nothing beats a failure, but a try!”

Education Services Manager

CDI Head Start serving Mid-Region Mississippi - Winona, MS

This position is responsible for the education and early childhood development portion of 1304 and 1306 of the Head Start Performance Standards. This includes working to develop an early childhood education curriculum and providing educational resources for staff and parents, ensuring compliance with performance standards and recognized best practices in the field of early childhood education. The position ensures the education and child development services are supported by staff/consultants with training and experience in areas that include the theories and principles of child growth and development, early childhood education and family support. This position is responsible for services to children with disabilities 1308 of the Head Start Performance Standards. This includes working to develop appropriate placement and early childhood education curriculum and providing educational resources for staff and parents, ensuring compliance with performance standards and recognized best practices in the field of early childhood education and special education. The position could involve provision of direct services in the disabilities area only if the individual is licensed, certified or registered as such in the state of service. This position ensures that the disabilities services provided are supported by staff and/or consultants with training and experience in field(s) related to social, human or family services so that needed services for children with disabilities can be individualized and secured.

Current minimum qualification is one of the following:

A baccalaureate or advanced degree in Early Childhood Education; or

A baccalaureate or advanced degree in any field and coursework* equivalent to a major relating to Early Childhood Education with at least 500 clock hours of experience in an early childhood setting teaching preschool-age children.

CDI Head Start is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This position is open until filled.

I feel that I have the qualifications to hold this position, as I am close to earning my Master’s in Early Childhood Development, in which an advanced degree is warranted.  For the disabilities area, I do not have any licenses, in which, I would have to take measures, on getting those. I will have to research and find out what I need to do, in order to get my license of certification.

Association for childhood education international. (2015). Retrieved from http://acei.org/

International association for Steiner/Waldorf early childhood education. (n.d.).  Retrieved from                  www.iaswece.org

Organization Mondiale Pour L'Éducation Préscolaire. (n.d.). World organization for early    childhood         education.  Retrieved from http://www.euromep.org/omep/shared/index.jsp?context=101

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

The three national/federal organizations or communities of practice I chose were:

(1) National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). 

“The NAYEC has almost 80,000 members with a national network of 300 affiliates. Dedicated to working in behalf of children through 8 years of age, NAEYC sets the standards for programs and teachers involved in early childhood education. With its large membership and clout they are able to influence the government's policy direction on matters pertaining to early childhood education such as funding for early childhood programs, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and the re-authorization of the Child Care & Development Block Grant.  NAEYC sets the standards and norms for early childhood education programs and issues the proper accreditation to programs meeting these standards” (About NAEYC, n.d).

 (2)  First Children's Finance

“Apart from providing educational resources, FCF provides financial assistance or loans to businesses engaged in child care and early education. FCF also finances new family child care homes and schools (to include Head Start).  First Children’s Finance provides loans and business-development assistance to high-quality child care businesses serving low- and moderate-income families” (First Children’s Finance, 2016).

(3)  Children's Defense Fund

“This is another child advocacy organization that champions policies and programs aimed at uplifting the plight of poor children and ensure they have access to health care and quality education. CDF has been in existence for the past 35 years pursuing their mission of ensuring that every child gets a "Healthy Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start, a Head Start, and a Moral Start" in Life.  The Children's Defense Fund Leave No Child Behind mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities” (Children’s Defense Fund, 2016).

Job opportunities (currently available or not) that interest you

Program Director, Indianola, MS, US

Save the Children UK

I am dreaming of owning my own childcare center, so, I find it only fitting to search for job opportunities to accommodate my goal.  This job is currently available and meets the criteria to help me fulfill my dreams.  To be considered for this job, I must meet the requirement of Bachelor’s degree; but, a Master’s degree is preferred in Management, Early Childhood Development, Human Services or related fields.  A minimum 7 years of progressively responsible supervisory/management positions including experience working with boards and advisory committees. Previous Head Start management experience preferred. Good communication and skills (open, honest, objective, good listener, with team management approach to clear goals and objectives).

Proficiency Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Acceptable tuberculosis screening results, a clear criminal background check including fingerprinting and an initial health exam are required post job offer and prior to employment.

Applicants must have a valid driver’s license and acceptable Motor Vehicle Record.

About NAEYC.  (n.d). Retrieved from:

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

Children’s defense fund.  (2016). Retrieved from: 

            http://www.childrensdefense.org
First children’s finance.  (2016). Retrieved from:

            http://www.firstchildrensfinance.org/

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

The three state organizations that I chose are:

1.  Mississippi Head Start Association

“The Head Start-State Collaboration Office (HSSCO) was established in 1996, through a grant under the federal Head Start Act. The United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Head Start, has awarded grants to all 50 States, as well as, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. The eight HSSCO priority areas are health care, welfare, child care, education, community service activities, family literacy services, *activities relating to children with disabilities, and services for homeless children.   The Collab Office enhances collaborative partnerships that:

·       Assist in building early childhood systems and access to comprehensive services and support for all low-income children;

·       Promote widespread collaboration and partnership between Head Start and other appropriate programs, services, and initiatives, including child care and State preschool; and

·       Facilitate the involvement of Head Start in the development of State policies, plans, processes and decisions affecting the Head Start target population and other low- income families.” http://www.msheadstart.org/collab-office/

2.  Early Learning in Mississippi - Mississippi First

“Mississippi First is a non-partisan, non-profit organization, specializing in education policy, research, and advocacy.  The Early Collaborative Act of 2013, provides funding to local communities, to establish, expand, and support successful early childhood education and development services. In 2013, the legislature appropriated $3M, for the Early Learning Collaborative Act, making it the first-ever state-funded preK program in Mississippi.”

http://www.mississippifirst.org/education-policy/pre-kindergarten/early-learning-mississippi/

3.  Mississippi - Casey Family Programs

“Casey Family Programs works to influence long-lasting improvements, to the safety and success of children, families, and the communities where they live.  Casey Family Programs envisions a nation, where supportive communities nurture the safety, success, and hope of every child.  We are committed to 2020: Building Communities of Hope, an agenda for change that draws on the strength of communities and the vision of local leaders to keep children safe and make families strong.  We recognize that creating better futures for children and families will not be possible unless we take into consideration the community conditions that surround them. If a community is healthy, safe, supportive, and teeming with opportunities, then it will have the elements that children need to thrive. We must do more to build hope, so that every child, in every home, in every ZIP code in America, has the same access and opportunity to thrive. That will require that we look beyond what the child welfare system can do alone and consider how we can work together across systems and across sectors to improve the broader conditions that affect the health, safety and opportunities of children and their families.” 

 http://www.casey.org/communities/ms/?location=ms

I chose these three organizations; because, they are very empathetic to early childhood education and the well-being of young children and families.  They foster and encourage positive collaborations, between organizations and communities.  They provide grants to programs, to help aid in the development of policies, provide needed resources, and assist in building hopeful lives for young children and families.  This is the kind of CoP that I need, to help support my capstone challenge.

I am striving to become director, of my very own child care facility.  I have reached one milestone, earning my Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Development.  I am currently pursuing my Master’s, which is a major step, in helping me achieve my dream.  In addition, I would need to know how to provide effective and efficient budgeting practices, exert strong leadership skills, be an effective communicator, understand policies and guidelines, and positively collaborate with others, just to name a few.  Through my studies at Walden University, I do feel that I am prepared to take on the role of director.  Currently, I am only interested in director positions, as this will contribute to my future success.

Mississippi Head Start Association Retrieved from http://www.msheadstart.org/collab-office/

Early Learning in Mississippi - Mississippi First  Retrieved from http://www.mississippifirst.org

          /education-policy/pre-kindergarten/early-learning-mississippi/

Mississippi Casey Family Programs
 

         Retrieved from http://www.casey.org/communities/ms/?location=ms