Time Well Spent

It is time to graduate with my Master in Science from Walden University. It is difficult to comprehend that this goal that I have had for over twenty years is coming true. I am sure that my colleagues feel that same. The long nights reading, researching, and sharing are drawing to a close. In addition to the wealth of pedagogical knowledge gained, we have become more disciplined, self-reflective and mindful of our roles within organizations and communities around us. We understand that relationships require trust and effective two-way communication. Some of us have improved technical skills. Project requirements incorporating technical supports became less daunting we were having fun while we were learning.

My capstone project intended to promote secure child-father attachment has made me conscious of gaps in service delivery with the early education environment and grade school settings. I plan to use my new found knowledge and disseminate information to my community and other organizations in Edmonton. In addition, I intend on enrolling in more part time online learning in association to the management of non-profit organizations. I am also considering how to continue to incorporate a blogging component into my work environment.

Our passion for serving children, families and professional in early learning environments has brought us here. But, our professors, colleagues and guest speaker mentored our development through their comments that questioned encouraged or corrected. I have grown to appreciate the interactions with the many talent academics associated with M.S. in Early Childhood Studies Department. The feedback and resources have been invaluable and in very many cases timely and reflective of the day to day challenges as an administrator.

I also wish all the best to my colleagues. I have gained invaluable knowledge from your experiences and feedback. Weekly, interactions have been tremendously enlightening and motivating to learn about your perspectives and Capstone projects. I know that you will all be extremely successful in your journey to the field of early education. As we move on I congratulate everyone and wish you all the best for you future careers.

You may never know what results will come from your actions. 

But if you do nothing there will be not a result.           Ghandi

 

When we started the course work, we were challenged to think about how we would manage the rigors of studying and manage family and work life.  It was difficult to imagine that it was achievable. I believe that I will miss the researching and writing but I am looking forward to spending more time with my family.  I am grateful for the support of all my family members who made accommodations; the suppers, chores and encouragement were very important, especially when I felt exhausted. 

Through the support of my family, colleagues and professors I have become a more knowledgeable administrator and early childhood professional. I have enjoyed the studies and believe the time well spent.

I'm Ready to Go:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLb76CbrDY8

References

Hardin, C. (2012, May 23)  I'm Ready to Go [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLb76CbrDY8

Little Girl and Tree Quotation.  Retrieved from http://farmon.com/pages/e-mag/ag-ovations/last-we-checked,-the-ag-industry-doesn't-have-a-time-machine,-and-that's-ok.aspxhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLb76CbrDY8

International Position in Early Childhood

 I will highlight three options for those seeking leadership positions related to early childhood services in an international forum. These positions are appealing because they allows the selected candidate to benefit from the training and international experiences of the Goodstart, UNESCO, or UNICEF teams.

 

 

In Australia, early child services are the largest growing industry. The Queensland Government has implemented Universal access to Kindergarten in a long day care setting. National and state reform of early childhood education and attention has increased the demand for a skilled workforce of educators and Teachers (The State of Queensland; Department of Education, Training and Employment, 2014). Those working with children or vulnerable sector must hold a blue card or exemption prior to being eligible for employment.  

The Goodstart Institute of Early Learning is a Registered Training Organisation offering recognised qualifications in early childhood education and care. Key responsibilities for this position include reporting to the Deputy Director - Professional Learning. Candidates will work autonomously and be responsible for planning, preparation and delivery of training programmes, including development of lesson plans and training resources (The State of Queensland; Department of Education, Training and Employment, 2014).

The State of Queensland; Department of Education, Training and Employment (2014) has this posting  the following areas of service delivery:

* To coach, mentor and support Professional Learning Consultants through exemplary early childhood leadership, in the establishment of respectful relationships with students;

* Supporting the management and coordination of Professional Learning Consultants particularly in relation to professional learning and assessment strategies;

* To advocate the importance of inclusive pedagogical practices that embrace the viewpoints, life worlds and lived experiences of all key internal and external stakeholders; and

* Delivering training and assessment as per Goodstart College of Early Learning, Learning and Assessment Strategies, using fair and equitable practices. The accurate and timely production of educational resources and marking of assessment that support College student’s learning and evaluation.

 UNESCO, a specialized agency of the United Nations, has been pursuing a mission of dialogue and cooperation since it was founded in 1945. It covers four major fields: education, science, culture and communication. Its aim is to build peace in the world through knowledge, social progress, exchange and mutual understanding among peoples.

UNESCO works to improve education worldwide believing it to be the key to social and economic development. There is an employment position posting at UNESCO World Heritage Centre (2015). The Education Sector helps to build a sustainable world with just societies that value knowledge, promote peace, celebrate diversity and defend human rights, achieved by providing Education for All (EFA). It fosters partnerships to strengthen countries’ capacity to offer quality education for all. The Education Sector monitors progress by publishing an annual Global Monitoring Report tracking the international community’s progress towards the six “Education For All” goals.

https://en.UNESCO.org/careers/professional

The qualified candidate must be bilingual or multilingual in addition to possessing an advanced university degree in education, culture, science, social and human sciences, communication, business administration or a related field (UNESCO World Heritage Centre, 2015).

* Junior level (P1/P2 or NOA/NOB): 2 to 4 years of experience;

*  Middle level (P3/P4 or NOC/NOD): 4 to 10 years of experience;

*  Senior level (P5 and above or NOE): 10 to 15 years of experience (including management experience).

 
 

UNICEF ( 2015), the world’s leading organization working for the rights of children.  There is the need for a consultant to support the 11th Pacific Ministers of Health Meeting session on the strategic review of progress and directions of the Healthy Islands’ vision with a particular focus on the nurturing children in body and mind and MDGs 4, 5 and 6. The consultant is also required to support the development of country specific post-2015 maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) frameworks for the Pacific Islands national planning processes.

In the selection of its staff, UNICEF is committed to gender balance and diversity without distinction as to race, sex or religion, and without discrimination of persons with disabilities: well qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to apply (UNICEF, 2015).

To gain a leadership position with UNICEF candidates may need to demonstrate capacity, working at a variety of different roles prior to being offered a higher level position such as:

According to UNICEF (2015), Consultancy Assignment: Strategic Planning consultant in Suva, FIJI. To qualify for this position requirement include:

*  Advanced university degree in Public Health/Allied Health, Social Sciences, Management or related field

*  At least eight years of progressively responsible professional work experience in Public Health programming or Health Planning

* Good technical knowledge of Nutrition Health Planning processes, knowledge on global and regional planning processes will be added advantage

*  Proven ability to conceptualize, plan and analyze data

*  Excellent command of the English language, with outstanding oral and written communication skills. 

 References

LinkMeJobs (n.d.). Snr Prof Learning Consultant Job.  Retrieved from  https://www.linkme.com.au/jobs/port-melbourne-qld/education-training/snr-prof-learning-consultant-job/4f85954c-e633-48eb-a002-ee1ced82b185

Teacher Training.  Retrieved February 13. 2104 from http://londres.cervantes.es/en/courses_spanish/teachers_spanish/teachers_spanish.htm

The State of Queensland; Department of Education, Training and Employment. (2014)  Work Force.   Retrieved from http://deta.qld.gov.au/earlychildhood/workforce/

The State of Queensland; Department of Education, Training and Employment. (2014)  Blue Card.  Retrieved from http://www.bluecard.qld.gov.au/business/doineedabluecard.html

The State of Queensland; Department of Education, Training and Employment. (2014)  Blue Card.  Retrieved from http://www.bluecard.qld.gov.au/business/doineedabluecard.html

UNESCA Symbol. Retrieved February 12, 0215 from http://www.unescocenterforpeace.org/partners/

UNESCO World Heritage Centre (2015). UNESCO CAREERS .  Retrieved from https://en.unesco.org/careers/professional

UNICEF Child .  Retrieved February 13, 2015 from

 UNICEF ( 2015).  UNICEF Employment.  Retrieved from http://www.unicef.org/search/search.php?q_en=job+postings&go.x=8&go.y=10

Careers in Early Childhood Education at Provincial, National and International Levels

Our life journeys of family, education and employment are evolutionary and ever changing due to personal and economic circumstances. Researchers and journalist often question the number of careers, which one will have. It is rare for individuals to remain employed within one environment or one field of employment over their lifespan (Wall Street Journal, 2010).

Whether we are starting a new career or on the continuum of employment within our fields of interest, we always need to ask ourselves “Why do I want to work for this company?"

However, when challenged to travel a different career stream our abilities, interests, and temperaments may be stimulated by many environments. Alternatively, there may opportunities that extend beyond the early education environment, yet will have a significant and positive impact on numerous children.

Success By 6 exists locally and nationally http://www.successby6edmonton (Forever, Success By 6, 2011). They supported professional development within our school and were foundational in formulating education resources in association to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD). Today, Success By 6 continues to support children and their families through advocacy, research, and education intended upon reducing barriers to learning, predominately poverty. Success By 6 is funded by the United Way http://myunitedway.ca/campaign-cabinet/ (United Way of the Alberta Capital Region, n.d.). Employees of both organizations support fundraising, communications, public education, and community building. The mandate of this organization appeals to me because of the capacity of the organization to help families on a local, provincial or federal level. Resources and projects that form are meaningful and unique to the community needs. I would also be very interested in working with families and the community through an initiative such as the Early Years Continuum Project. the link is noted below.  It is always excited to help existing and future families to grow and become engaged in their community. It is evident that the services and supports operated by Success by 6 are responsive to grassroots needs.

YWAARC (2014, July 23). Building a Strong Foundation for Our Future. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1kVGFvSBxg

The National Association for the Education of Young children (NAEYC) offers early education professionals, program leaders, families and community members with ways to access and positively impact early childhood outcomes.  Within the context of NAEYC, there are national affiliates and contributors from extensive and relevant areas of early educators.

In addition to Position Statement on issues that are relevant to children and their families NAEYC also host national professional development opportunities.  Information can be found online or through d print resources such as the “Young Child” magazine” NAEYC also prepares curriculum materials and offers Face to Face Training.  As the scope of NAEYVC is broad, there are a variety of employment opportunities with the organization.  Professionals can access the Get Involved site to participate at national and state levels as editors, reviewers or advisors for their magazines, advisory councils programs. NAEYC also links with other groups to support the search for volunteer or paid employment.

In Washington, the NAEYC headquarters there are also intern, and full-time employment opportunities posted on their site.  Currently, there are postings for Senior Directorships requiring the qualifications of a Master Degree.  Candidate must have experience in supervisory positions as well as experience withering with adult learners in academic settings.  This opportunity is appealing and provides consideration for continued work experience.

NAETYC (n.d.). Affiliates.  Retrieved January 27, 2015 from http://www.naeyc.org/affiliates

NAEYC (n.d.).Job Opportunities.  Retrieved January 27, 2015 from http://www.naeyc.org/about/jobs/overview

Institute for Early Childhood Education and Research (IECER) is located in British Columbia. Professionals with expertise in early learning and language learning comprise the core educational team(The University of British Columbia, 2015). This organization interests me because it utilizes the expertise of early learning professionals and those trained in Curriculum & Pedagogy. IECER not only teaches undergraduate students through out the year, it also host summer sessions for working professionals.  Some of the  topics presented relate to infant development and supported child development. It would be very exciting to work with these teams whose sole purpose is to understand and improve outcomes for diverse child population from infancy to age six.

The International Step by Step Association (n.d.) is a learning community for inclusive, equitable and high-quality care and education for young children. It works with the population in Europe, Netherlands, Central Asia, Africa, United States of America, and Canada. Designated contact people, who work as Program Committee Members or may be appointed as Regional Anchors to address governance, issues and work on membership needs. These employees contribute to network building and to strengthen ISSA as a learning community in the sub-region and cross-regionally. Executive Directors, Professors, and Researchers constitute the Board of Directors. All representatives serve in early education programs; however, the majority of representatives are situated in Europe (The International Step by Step Association, n.d.). I have selected this organization as its influence is widespread, and there are numerous opportunities to mentor colleagues. “Upon request, ISSA offers a diverse menu of training, mentoring, consulting services and materials to support educators, child care centers, schools, parents, communities, teacher training institutions, donors and policymakers” (The International Step by Step Association, n.d).

 

References

 Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (2015).  Educational Webinars.  Retrieved January 16, 2015 from http://www.cidi-icdi.ca/whats-happening/events/cidi-educational-webinars/

Justice for Children.  Children with  Map.  Retrieved January 15, 2015 from http://justiceforchildren.org/images/children-atlas.jpg

Forever, Success By 6 ( 2011).  Retrieved Janaury11 http://www.successby6edmonton.info/ndc-get-involved/

Genesis Framework (2015). Goals Dice .  Retrieved from http://blog.doostang.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Career-goals_90545278.jpg

Globally Unicef also addresses poverty through capacity building. http://www.unicef.org/ceecis/Erin_Tanner_Community_of_Practice_Athens12.pdf

NAETYC (n.d.). Affiliates.  Retrieved January 27, 2015 from http://www.naeyc.org/affiliates

NAEYC (n.d.).Job Opportunities.  Retrieved January 27, 2015 from http://www.naeyc.org/about/jobs/overview

The International Step by Step Association  (n.d.).  Our Organisation.  Retrieved from http://www.issa.nl/content/program-committee

Professional Development (Wordle Image).  Retrieved from http://edulastic.com/teacher-training-hub/

 The University of British Columbia (2015).   The Institute for Early Childhood Education and Research (IECECR): ECED Courses in UBC Calendar.  Retrieved from http://earlychildhood.educ.ubc.ca/courses/eced-courses-ubc-calendar

Wall Street Journal ( 2010, Sept. 4).  Seven Careers in a Lifetime? Think Twice, Researchers Say.  Retrieved January 11, 2015 from http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704206804575468162805877990

United Way of the Alberta Capital Region (n.d.).  Campaign Cabinet.  Retrieved from http://myunitedway.ca/campaign-cabinet/

United Way of the Alberta Capital Region (n.d.).   Meet our Team. Retrieved from http://myunitedway.ca/meet-our-team

UWARC (2014, July 23). Building a Strong Foundation for Our Future.  Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1kVGFvSBxg

Exploring Local Roles in the Early Childhood Education Community

Alberta Resource Centre for Quality Enhancement has been the Early Learning and Care Service sector serving Edmonton, Alberta for over ten years (The Family Resource Facilitation Program, 2015).  The organization provides training for early childcare certification in conjunction with continuing education in-services to families and schools.  Its purpose is to provide mentorship, community building, and standardized training to early learning teams.  ARQUE focuses on supporting learning through play, developmentally appropriate practices, and child mental health.  As an educator, I am attracted to ARQUE because it offers staff training through hands-on approach to learning.  Workshops highlight pedagogical experiences in conjunction with the opportunities for early educators to interact and learn through play themselves. As a professional, it would be motivating to create workshops based upon evidence-based practices with an element of engagement that are critical to making learning more meaningful.  Additionally, outreach is an essential aspect of ARQUE services as teams work with communities across Alberta.  ARQUE employs a team of professionals who have real life experiences working in early education environments.  Early education professionals can identify their experiences and examples as being relevant.

Child and Adolescent Services (CASA) has over thirty years of experiences served children, youth and families’ to address challenging behaviors and mental issues (CASA Services, 2011). The multi-disciplinary CASA team incorporates clinic-based assessment and intervention. Psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, occupational therapists and social workers have experience with counseling, addictions, and trauma.  They also participate in research and resource development such as the FASD Learning Series (Government of Alberta, 2013).  

Here is the link to that resource http://fasd.alberta.ca/

Working within the CASA education environment and interfacing with families’ would be an exciting opportunity for personal and pedagogical growth.  While CASA has sites located in Alberta, they also offer Community Geographic Teams (CGT) work with educators and mental health professionals across Alberta delivering education and training (CASA Services, 2011).  An Education Specialist works with the team consultants to prepare and distribute educational materials suited to adult learners and workplace settings.  Areas that I believe to be highly motivating would include facilitation groups that target in preschool and kindergarten aged children, enhancing parent group facilitation, and coaching and mentoring new early education professionals.  Within a work assignment such as this, I would offer proactive behavioral expertise and understanding of universal strategies for learning.

Grant MacEwan University offers an Early Learning and Child Care Program that trains early education professionals for employment in early learning environments (MacEwan University, 2013).  While many Faculty members have their doctorates, there are a significant number who has their Masters in Education or Master of Science in Early Childhood Development.  My primary experiences have been with a school environment with children, youth and adults with special needs.  However, I may not require a doctorate level education to work directly with individuals training to acquire a diploma in early education. If seeking such a position, within MacEwan University.  I would bring my experiences working with families’, children and interdisciplinary team members.  Additionally, I would be able to share the importance of responsive and nurturing adult-child interactions in order to promote health childhood outcomes.

References and Links

MacEwan University (2013).  Early Learning and Child Care.  Retrieved January 16 from http://www.macewan.ca/wcm/SchoolsFaculties/HCS/Programs/EarlyLearningandChildCare/index.htm

CASA Services (2011).  About CASA.  Retrieved January 16, 2015 http://www.casaservices.org/about-us

The Family Resource Facilitation Program ( 2015). Alberta Resource Centre for Quality Enhancement.  http://www.frfp.ca/professional-resources/program-support-agencies/ARCQE-Alberta-Resource-Centre-for-Quality-Enhancement.htm

Goals Dice .  Retrieved from http://blog.doostang.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Career-goals_90545278.jpg

Government of Alberta (2013).  FASD Learning Series. Retrieved January 16, 2015 from http://fasd.alberta.ca/

Research.  Retrieved from http://spectrumcenter.umich.edu/article/research-participant- opportunities

  

 

 

Meeting the Challenge: Merging Passion, Vision, and Practice

It is a surreal experience to be completing the final capstone requirements towards achieving a Master's of Science in Early Childhood Studies; Administration, Management and Leadership. Walden University offers students parameters to contemplate upon the past two years of education while furthering personal and pedagogical development that will support current and future educational and work environments. Over the next two months, I will reflect on my experiences as well as those of others.  In addition to insight, we will provide resources that may assist individuals who currently support children, or those are training in the field of early education

Final Thoughts on Communication

Communication is more than speaking and listening to another person.  It encompasses our personal experiences, perspectives, and connections.  We learn more about ourselves and others, every time we endeavour to communicate or engage in collaboration.  I have learned that there are areas of communication that I do willing, and there are others which need improvement.  As my communications partners change, so will this capacity.  I have learned to be more targeted in my verbal communications to ensure clarity of understanding.  I am also cognizant of more strategies that improve my empathetic listening skills.  Consequently, my biggest life lesson is to ensure that there is mindfulness about communications, especially when I sense confusion or conflicts arising.

Thank you to my colleagues and professor at Walden University for enhancing the course materials through your insights and questions.  This has been a very enlightening experience, hopefully with children and families benefiting from your collaborative practices.   I wish everyone all the best as you proceed with your future studies.

 

Resources

Engaging Learning Design.  Retrieved from http://businesscriticallearning.com/ls2011-creating-engaging-learning-designs/

Key to Success.  Retrieved from http://blog.bjdgroup.com/2012/07/10/invest-65k-get-18-4m-back