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