Time well spent

            I cannot believe it has been two years since I thought about going back to school to receive my Masters. When I found Walden University through a friend that I attended undergrad with, I was really excited to start this journey. The program fit my life style, as well as, helped me think, excel and grow (Laureate Inc, n.d.).

            There were many things that I took away from this program and course. The first is what my colleagues provided me.  They collaborated, assisted, and taught me throughout each course. I came to realize the power professional collaboration had on my education. It also strengthened my awareness of collaboration amongst professionals and the effect on the field.

            I also was able to apply my knowledge and understandings to my work. I connected my course materials to my job. Right as I was in the middle of the program, I was promoted to assistant director of the center I work at. In particular, I really applied working with staff.

            The number one thing I took away from my masters program is who I am as a professional early childhood educator. I was able to analyze who I am personally and professionally. I defined my self further as each class and class assignment was given. I learned and experienced. I collaborated with other professionals in which I learned from them, shared my experiences, and expanded my overall world. I repaved my path of where I want to go. It fueled my passion even more. The more I learn and experience the more my passion is fueled and I redefine who I am as a professional.

After this program, I thought about of going further and looking into another program. I would really like to learn more about special needs children, and ways of inclusion into early childhood programs.  I also inspire to work for the state in the Office of Child and Family Services or becoming part of a college and working with new teachers.

I want to wish everyone the best of luck with their present and future endeavors. I have truly learned a lot from each colleague and professor. I appreciate and thank each of you for your hard work to better each of your careers, as well as mine. The way Walden University has structured the program has created well rounded professionals. I thank the university as well.

Laureate Inc. (n.d.). Interconnections.

            

Wk6 International organizations

The three international early childhood organizations that appealed to me are the Association for Childhood Education International, Educational International, and

 Amala Foundation

The Association for Childhood International is an organization that promotes and supports optimal education, development, and wellbeing of children worldwide. This organization has ties with the United Nations, There are many volunteering opportunities as well as being a member of the organization. Some global opportunities deal with education diplomacy, and child rights. ACEI offer conferences and other professional development opportunities. To be part of this organization you can sign up for a membership depending on the amount of resources and action you would like to take. http://acei.org/

The next organization is Education International. This organization represent teachers and other education related employees across the globe. There is sooooooo much to this website and this organization, but I found it to be really informational about different topics that I did not expect to see.  It is an organization that looks at professional status, characteristics, actions to take to be a professional educator on many education levels, and a community to rely on one another. Educational International looks into child rights, safe school and other hot topics. Here is a job that was posted for this organization:

Programme Officer – Education & EmploymentTop

Education International, which is the global organisation representing over 30 million teachers and other education employees in 170 countries throughout the world, has a vacancy for a Programme Officer within the Education & Employment Unit.The post is based in EI Head Office, Brussels, and the vacancy will be available from 1^st November, 2014.

Key Role

The Programme Officer will work closely with senior staff in EI Head Office and in the Regional Offices, in providing administrative and professional support in relation to education and employment issues. The Programme Officer will be responsible, in the first instance, to the Deputy General Secretary who is responsible for the development and implementation of EI education, employment and research policies and, in the second instance, to the Senior Coordinator of the Education and Employment Unit.

Tasks will include

·         Preparing briefing notes and summaries of key documents;

·         Organising and coordinating representations and advocacy meetings;

·         Liaising with intergovernmental organisations, NGOs and other relevant organisations, as required;

·         Liaising with representatives of EI member organisations, as required;

·         Dealing with electronic and other correspondence and other relevant documents;

·         Collecting, organising and disseminating relevant information;

·         Maintaining records and diaries;

·         Liaising with other EI staff;

·         Assisting with the preparation and organisation of EI meetings, conferences, campaigns and congresses.

·         Contributing, as appropriate, to the work of the organisation as a whole and to the work of other secretariat units, if required;

·         Undertaking such other appropriate duties and responsibilities as are assigned from time to time.

Required Education and employment background

Appointed candidate should have :

·         A University Degree in a relevant discipline or its equivalent;

·         At least 2 years’ experience of working in a related field is desirable. However, recently qualified graduates with relevant knowledge and skills are welcome to apply.

·         The ability to analyse relevant data and provide summary reports;

·         Good organisational, co-operative, team work and communication skills;

·         The ability to be self-motivated and systematic and able to work under pressure;

·         Previous experience in education, in an international organisation or in another related field would be an advantage;

·         Knowledge of the working of international institutions, NGOs and other relevant organisations would be an advantage;

·         Experience in project management would be an advantage;

·         Fluency in English is essential;

·         Fluency in French and Spanish, German or Russian would be an advantage;

·         Good knowledge of information technology and its application to such work;

·         Knowledge and experience of trade unions and of the world of education would be an advantage.

Salary and Conditions of Service

·         This is an open-ended post. Permanent appointment is subject to satisfactory completion of a probationary period of six months.

·         A salary and conditions of service package will be provided in accordance with the EI/Staff Collective Agreement. Appointment will be to an appropriate point of an incremental scale which ranges from approximately €30,000, by 15 annual increments, to €60,000 per year. The point on the scale to which the successful candidate will be appointed will be determined by an assessment of the relevance of the candidate’s previous work experience. 

·         Health, life and travel insurance are provided.

http://www.ei-ie.org/en/websections/content_detail/3264

The third organization is the Amala organization. This organization brings people together from all walks of life. It promotes personal growth, communication, deep listening, compassion and ethos of service. Young people get together to do volunteer work and create educational experiences.  One example is Vanessa Stone who started a school for young children in Austin Texas.

https://amalafoundation.org/get-involved/volunteer/ . This website posts all the opportunities there are to be part of the organization..

There needs to be a lot of dedication, organization,  and passion. The people who become part of these three organizations have to have people skills. They need to be willing to listen, provide support, sympathy and empathy.  There needs to be an easy access to travel and willingness to travel. These are three organizations that I have never heard about and was so glad to come 

week 4 Jobs and roles on an national level

The three national organizations that I have chosen this week are: NAEYC, Zero to Three, and NAECTE. The reason why I chose these three in general is due to the success, resources, and integrity they hold to professional early childhood educators.

            The NAEYC or the National Association for the Education of Young Children promotes excellence in early childhood education when it comes to children development, education, professionals, programs, and parents. It gives opportunity for each professional to excel in the job they are in. IT many not be a job, but being accredited by NAEYC is a benefit for a job. There is a spot on the website for job opportunities. It will sort to what you are looking for if a job arises (NAEYC, n.d). I think right now if I was to look for a new job it would be for a position in a center that is accredited by NAEYC.

            The National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators (NAECTE) purpose is to bring together Early Childhood Educators to promote professional growth, advocate for improvements, be a communication network, and provide professional development (NAECTE, 2014).  There is opportunity to be a member of the organization. There are also opportunities for conferences, news letters, journal publications, awards, and grants. The websites provide different job opportunities throughout the United States. Many that are listed are higher education positions. For example, there are many jobs for professors and assistant professors at colleges. Right now that is something that I am not looking into but as I progress as a professional, it would be something I would like to get involved in.

            Zero to Three is another organization that I have used as a resource to help me grow as a professional. It is a great resource for the program I am in and for my professional career as an Assistant Director. There was not much of job opportunities on this page, but having this as a resource, aid, or part of the community of practice creates for job growth whether it is personal or for the center as a whole (Zero To Three, 2014).

Organization, knowledge, accredability, and a sense of not only personal growth but to better the whole early childhood field is a must. 

NAECTE. (2014).  Welcome to our site.  NAECTE. Retrieved on November 21, 2014 from: www.naecte.org.

NAEYC. (n.d.). Job seekers. NAEYC. Retrieved on November 21, 2014 from: http://www.naeyc.org/about/careerforum/jobseekers

Zero To Three. (2014).  Zero to three. Retrieved on November 22, 2014 from: www.zerotpthree.org.