To say that I am sad to see this journey would be a lie. This has been long but so worth it in the end. I am thankful to be done but have learned so much along the way. I have learned and passed on many great things on this journey with Kids.

The first thing, I can be the biggest advocate for children. I can do so much more for them than help them develop who they are and will become.

The second thing is I truly understand more about children and families. My job is not just dedicated to the children, but their families. We have to connect with the families because even though the child may be with us more hours of the day than their parents, their parents are still first in their eyes and in their world. I cannot over step the boundaries the parents have laid for them.

Lastly, and one of the most important things I learned from this program is how to be an effective leader and communicator. Communication was already big on my radar for people and life, but now I understand how to do it better. It is like that book, “The 5 Love languages.” You have to understand your love language and others love language in order to understand them and truly show them love. Well the same goes for communication. You have to understand how they communicate and hear in order for you to be effective. Just because you say it does not mean, it was heard.

My long term goal, is to stay in this field for a lifetime. I know that may seem funny, but with how things are changing and moving, who knows where I will be tomorrow. I love this job. I want to make a difference, and I want to stay working in the ECE field.

I want to tell everyone who has helped, guided me and went through this journey together, thank you from the bottom of my heart and that we are DONE!!! I am so glad that I did it and went through it with you all. You guys helped me grow, understand things better/differently and I appreciate it.

Good Luck to you all!!! God Bless!!

Wanted to include a wordle but couldn't so here are my words:
Thanks
Gratitude
Early Childhood Forever
Completion
God Bless

Taking Professional Responsibility for Consequence

UNESCO or the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. This international organization appeals to me. They support many different areas. Their main focus is education and development of children around the world. They want peace for all. The job opportunities they offer is about 5. The position is international and located around the world like Italy, Paris and Baghdad just to name a few. Positions that would interest me is Programme Assistant, and Programme Specialist. One position is more of an assistant doing things like secretarial stuff.

https://en.unesco.org/about-us/introducing-unesco%20

The Academy for Educational Development seems like a group that I want to be a part of. I once lived in England and will support this one. The organization “has earned success through different core values, being passion, respect, results integrity, innovation, diversity, and excellence. They have full and part time jobs.  I didn’t really see where they had job opportunities, but it did have a place to contribute. Little information was available but I did like the as an organization.

http://academyforeducationaldevelopment.orghub.net/

Save the Children is another international organization that appealed to me. They feel that every child deserves a future. As far as job opportunities, you can always donate. You can participate in events or even be an advocate for children, through their website.

If you decide to participate in an event there are many across the county to participate in like the NYC half mile, Miami Marathon, and Disney wine and dine, just to name a few.

Sponsoring a child is another way to get involved.

Didn’t really see how to work for them but they offer many ways to get involved and chances to save a child.

https://www.savethechildren.org/

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

When it comes to national and federal organizations that appeal to me and that I would want as part of my community of practice. I would say that the first would be the National Head Start Association. I think that what they do is great. They are an “organization that gives every child an opportunity to succeed in school regardless of circumstance” (National Head Start Association, n.d.). With them there are several ways to get involved but it does not really seem like they are job opportunities unless you reach out to one of their local branches. They are an organization that is located all over the country. However, ways to get involved is through becoming a member, donation, partner, network, or market. A membership allows you to be involved through advocation, learning and leadership opportunities through conferences, and exchanges through the magazine they provide, and finally, as a member you will be receive weekly newsletters. Through their advocation you are helping head start find opportunities for children. You are working within Congress, etc. In some of these ways to get involved, you do not have to have experience you just have to have a desire to be involved and make a difference for children. For others, you can be an alumni or have a child who attended a Head Start program.

https://www.nhsa.org/

The second organization that appeals to me is NAEYC, or The National Association of Education Young Children. It is a wonderful organization that works on the development of young children and those that work with them. They have been a great resource and tool for in my career and in my education. They are also an accreditation program. Career opportunities do exist with them. All he positions are in the Washington D.C. area, so that would mean a relocation for me. They had several positions available. The jobs vary and so do the experiences. I reviewed several jobs that are currently available they the qualifications range from an associates degree to a bachelor’s degree with experience in the area you are applying for.

https://www.naeyc.org

https://www.naeyc.org/about-us/careers/jobs

Finally, they last national/federal organization that I would like as part of my community of practice that appealed to me was Zero to Three. They are an awesome organization that lends a help to those in the area of early childhood and to those who have children in this age group that need help in any area. They do have job opportunities and allow others to post job opportunities. I saw a job for a Program Manager-PLAY for instance. The job qualifications are Master’s or Doctoral degree in psychology, social work, or human services and experience. They job is located in Colorado. Even though I can not do this, I still love them, and what they offer. I have used them in my career and educational pursuits. I will continue to use them in the future and suggest them to others.

https://www.zerotothree.org/

https://careercenter.zerotothree.org/jobs/11301759/program-manager-play?utm_source=813876&utm_medium=recentJobs&utm_campaign=mainLanding&utm_term=

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community

For me my whole life has centered around the military. So when I look to my local and state organizations I search for ones that will also help my military community/families. One of the organizations I have chosen to be a part of my communities of practice is the Military Child Education Coalition.

The Military Child Education Coalition is a fantastic organization whose mission is “to ensure inclusive, quality educational opportunities for all military-connected children affected by mobility, transition, deployments and family separation” (Military Child Education Coalition, 2018). I have worked with them in the past and will easily work with them again. They supply great information to the families and children.

You can become a member of the military child education coalition, donate, or even volunteer. They do have employment opportunities in various parts of the country. Applications are available through their website. If I was interested in a job with them I would need a degree from an accredited college, teaching, training or counseling, preferably be a military parent or souse, have some leadership qualities, to list just a few.

https://www.militarychild.org/

 

Another organization that appeals to me is the Exceptional Family Member Program. They are an organization that mostly deals with military family members with special needs. That covers a wide range of disabilities. I was once a part of this organization. They men and women who run this program are phenomenal individuals. They truly have a passion for their families and the work they do. They offer education, programs, etc. for families with special needs. As a member of this group they offer things like Paint with a twist, family retreats, day trips, and more. They understand that not every environment is inclusive to families with special needs, but the families still deserve lots. They offer education and resources to those families as well. Being labeled as someone with special needs can be very difficult and they offer these families great resources to better handle the new changes that may come in their lives and opportunities to embrace it. Again, I have to stress that have special needs has changed in definition in so many ways. It is not what we typically think. A family could have a child with ADHD, who functions normally, but has this diagnosis, then there are the extremes of families who have a member with cerebral palsy, or down syndrome, etc. This particular organization is there to help everyone under this umbrella. There are no real job opportunities, only when someone leaves. They welcome volunteers. I love working with them though. To work in this organization, I believe you need to have a bachelor’s degree and needs to have hours related to the social sciences. I would also need to be able to handle public speaking.  

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1409983582582101/

Finally, another group that I want in my community of practice is the SLO or the School Liaison Officer. This particular group or organization is the link between families and the school life. They offer information, resources and referral opportunities to families who just move to new locations. They also are the link to families then the school/school board. One of their job duties is to offer transition assistance to families and the schools during deployments and other changes occurring in military schools and the families. They are a great resource to turn to when trying to navigate through the educational system, especially when moving to a new location. I have used them when I first moved back to Florida and to enroll my kids in school. So many rules and new changes I did not know existed for them or my family. When I have a concern or a particular problem with the school, I can call them, and they will do what they can. They attend school board meetings and sometimes are the voice of their families.

Job opportunities for SLO’s are only open when someone leaves that position or unless the military installation feels another position needs to be created to service the base in a better way. The SLO has to be a great communicator as they will be the link between parents and base leadership. They are there to assist military families in the education process for school aged children. They also must coordinate with local school system and assist in school related issues.

https://www.dodea.edu/Partnership/schoolLiaisonOfficers.cfm