Time Well Spent

Upon entering the Master's of Science in Early Childhood studies program, I had a dream to teach adults. I still have the same dream, however, I want more.  This master's program has taught me to believe in myself and my abilities. I have learned to juggle my family, my schoolwork and my profession through trail and errors, through bumps in the road and with complete success. I remember doing the same type of juggling while I was in my undergraduate program but the Walden program really stretched me. I will say I will miss the Walden University family that has come apart of my life. Additionally, I have decided to pursue a graduate certificate in special education from Walden University (of course nowhere else would do!).

Academically I learned how to incorporate a diverse curriculum and put parents in charge of their children's education. My mission is to empower, enlighten and educate families. I want them to be advocates for their children. I learned adults develop and learn almost like children and a great adult educator needs to accommodate to the needs of his/her students. 

Furthermore, during my capstone research project, I dreamed up the Open Hearts Child Development Center for children with special needs. The mission of Open Hearts Child Development Center is to create a place where children, parents and families can come and feel safe, wanted and embraced with no judgments or preconceived notions while receiving developmentally appropriate education. This is a dream that I want to come to reality. 

So esteemed classmates, professors and friends, I bid you farewell and good luck! Thank you for everything. I have learned so much that I will carry you with me forever.

“The lotus is the most beautiful flower, whose petals open one by one. But it will only grow in the mud. In order to grow and gain wisdom, first you must have the mud --- the obstacles of life and its suffering. ... The mud speaks of the common ground that humans share, no matter what our stations in life. ... Whether we have it all or we have nothing, we are all faced with the same obstacles: sadness, loss, illness, dying and death. If we are to strive as human beings to gain more wisdom, more kindness and more compassion, we must have the intention to grow as a lotus and open each petal one by one. ”

-Goldie Hawn

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

The three international organizations I chose are United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Save The Children, and International Step By Step Association. 

First, I chose the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) because of their vision of early childhood and the importance of getting the right start. UNICEF stated, "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" (n.d.). Additionally, this organization works diligently eradicate HIV in children and educate mother on mother-to-child transmission (UNICEF n.d.). 

Secondly, the organization Save The Children works to protect children from unexpected emergencies, child trafficking, "abuse, neglect, exploitation, and violence in all regions of the world" (2011). I feel drawn to this organization because I believe these issues relate to my capstone research project. For example, Save the Children states "Extreme poverty can often make it difficult to give children the nurturing they desperately need — especially those with disabilities or illness. Save the Children has found that the best way to protect children is to keep them with their families. And to help caregivers provide them with the right attention and services" (2011).

Thirdly, the International Step By Step Association works to improve the quality of early childhood programs. Additionally, the International Step By Step Association offers professional development services to ECE professionals. For example, "providing resources, technical assistance, and training in ECD, in a variety of areas including creating child-centered, interactive, and inclusive environments in preschool and primary classrooms" (n.d).

I also research job opportunities in my area (NC) and found:

Special Education Teacher: Join and assist with this amazing new start-up and beginning. In the nearing weeks, Strategic Behavioral Center will open a new state-of-the-art 72-bed (92-beds pending approval) adolescent treatment facility in Garner, NC (just outside of Raleigh). SBC is seeking a highly motivated and compassionate Special Education Teacher.  Newly licensed or graduates in special education are welcome to apply. The skills requried for this position is obtaining my license in NC.

Center Director - Child Care: Our organization prides itself on excellence, putting the education and development of our children first and foremost. When you consider a career at Learning Care Group, know you will be joining a team that is passionate about thoroughly preparing their students for all the challenges that lie ahead. In a Director, we look for committed individuals who want to make a difference in the lives of young children and their families, while effectively and efficiently running all School operations. I think I have all the necessary skills to perform the duties of this position.

References:

Save the Children. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6115947/k.8D6E/Official_Site.htm

International Step By Step Association. (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2011, from http://www.issa.nl/index.html

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

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

I chose these organization because they relate to my capstone project and advocate for children with disabilities.

Learning Disabilities Association of America

LDA Visualizes a World in Which:

·         All individuals with learning disabilities are empowered to thrive and participate fully in society

·         The incidence of learning disabilities is reduced

·         And learning disabilities are universally understood and effectively addressed

http://www.ldanatl.org/

National Council on Disabilities:

NCD is a small, independent federal agency charged with advising the President, Congress, and other federal agencies regarding policies, programs, practices, and procedures that affect people with disabilities.

NCD's Mission

NCD's mission is to be a trusted advisor, in collaboration with people with disabilities to:

·         The President

·         The Congress

·         Federal entities

·         State, tribal communities, and local governments; and

·         Other entities and organizations

Current Positions opened in my local area:

Preschool Teacher:

Tammy Lynn Center for Developmental Disabilities offers education, residential and family support services to children and adults with special needs.  The Center's goal is to provide the individuals it serves the opportunity to maximize their abilities in a loving, nurturing environment. We currently have a job opening for a Preschool Teacher available immediately. The responsibilities for the Preschool Teacher listed below are required but not limited to:

• Assessing students using formal and informal evaluations and write formal education/habilitation assessments as required.  
• Develop and implement comprehensive individual education plans for students.  
• Regularly plan, monitor, evaluate and update each student’s individual program.  
• Design an appropriate learning environment in which active treatment is provided to meet the needs of each student.  
• Work in conjunction with the NC Pre-K Coordinator, Wake County Public School Special Education Lead Preschool Case Manager and Day Services Manager in meeting all applicable standards.

PEDIATRICS - DEVELOPMENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL
Location:  Amos Cottage
Full-time Regular, 40 hours/week

Job Summary:  The primary purpose of the position is to directly provide evaluation, service coordination, and related services to families referred to the Children's Developmental Services Agency (CDSA), Department of Pediatrics.

As I have researched inclusion and special education, I have discovered that I need to enhance certain skills. For example, I feel I should take some special education classes or attend more workshops that focus on special education advocacy.

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

I chose these organization because they relate to my capstone project and do wonderful things for the children of North Carolina and children with disabilities.

The Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC) brings policy makers, service providers, and parents together. It serves young children with disabilities and developmental delays, and their families. Its members work to ensure that the supports and services offered to families are in line with their needs.

Reference: http://www.beearly.nc.gov/index.php/icc/icc

The Early Intervention Program for Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing provides services to children who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf/blind, ages birth to three, and their families. Concentrating on language and communication skill development, itinerant professionals provide family-centered intervention in home and daycare settings. At age three, the program works to establish a smooth transition to the local education agency.

Reference: http://www.ncoes.net/preschools.shtml

The Early Childhood Community of Practice (COP) provides an opportunity for discussion, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas and resources related to young children between the ages of birth to 8 who have mental health challenges and are currently being served by system of care communities. Through networking opportunities, the system of care communities serving these children will be better able to provide the necessary and desired assistance to children and their families. This is an area of service development that is still emerging, and this peer -to-peer exchange among practitioners has great potential to impact the field. 

Reference: http://www.tapartnership.org/COP/earlyChildhood/default.php

Farewell and GOOD LUCK

Farewell, good Salisbury, and good luck go with thee! ~ William Shakespeare

Hi classmates, colleagues and professional friends! Thank you for reading my blog. I have enjoyed each and every one of your blogs. 

Your blogs gave me insights into your teaching world and how you have coped with issues regarding parents, staff and children. We learned a lot about diversity and culture competence in which was my favorite subject matter. 

I wish the very best for you and I know your professional and personal plan for your future will come to be. 

I am moving into the Teaching Adults in Early Childhood specialization in which I am very excited because I want to be able to teach at a community college level then hopefully move into a university teaching position. Thanks for your support and GOOD LUCK!

Disagreement

"Developing excellent communication skills is absolutely essential to effective leadership. The leader must be able to share knowledge and ideas to transmit a sense of urgency and enthusiasm to others. If a leader can't get a message across clearly and motivate others to act on it, then having a message doesn't even matter."

— Gilbert Amelio
President and CEO of National Semiconductor Corp

I have recently have had a disagreement with a follow co-worker that resulted in a great conversation about the use of conscious discipline in the classroom. I believe in the strategies offered by Dr. Becky Bailey. I feel her relationship building techniques are essential to creating a caring community of learners within a child development learning center are the best way to accomplish this.

My co-worker was skeptical of the success of the conscious discipline strategies and frankly, she thought they were silly. She explained her position to more traditional techniques. As I explained to her I was not telling her that she was wrong but I felt adding conscious discipline strategies could enhance her classroom environment.

The conversation was intense but we managed to listen to each other's position. I personally thought she jump to conclusion at the beginning of the conversation. The conversation was a little uncomfortable because I was her supervisor and she was asked to incorporate some strategies in her classroom. For example, a wish you well board. The teachers had previous training on conscious discipline.

I listen to her and we came up with a compromise. I asked her to try the wish you well board and involve the children and if it did not work we could talk again.

To this date she uses several conscious discipline strategies and as asked to have more conscious discipline training.

I think this conversation went well because we listen to each other and stayed composed. 

Coomunication is the KEY

 

I choose the people to complete these surveys carefully and choose them from different context in which they know me. I thought it would be interesting to have my sixteen-year-old to participate in this assignment. To my surprise, he was consistent with most of my and my co-worker's scores. I agree with the results of all the surveys. I think I have good communication skills and strive to be an effective listener. With the exceptions of one evaluation, our conclusions were steady and matched reasonably closely.  I like the results of the evaluations; however, I still think there is room for improvement. Furthermore, I have experienced another co-worker becoming very upset with my viewpoint and attack my personal education philosophy instead of the viewpoint. The situation was unfortunate and uncomfortable, so I strive to be respectful of others opinions and outlooks.