My Masters Journey- Time Well Spent

Over the past two years, I have studied to obtain my Masters degree while working full time and caring for my own two young children.   During this time, I have learned a great deal about myself as well as the field of early care and education.  Personally,  I have learned how to balance multiple personal and professional responsibilities.  I have learned the importance of passion and recognized it as the driving force of my work.  Professionally,  I have a greater understanding of the important stages of childhood and how to advocate for young children.  I have also reflected on my own family culture and the importance of providing children an environment that reflects and is respectful of their family culture.  I have learned many helpful techniques to use when teaching adults and how to create meaningful learning experiences for both children and adults.  I have explored my own ability to communicate and establish relationships of trust with both children and adults, as those relationships are the cornerstone of successful work with both children and adults.  Finally I have reflected on the knowledge and skills needed to be a successful leader.   Skills that I hope to use in my current and future work.

It is my goal to use everything that I have learned in providing professional development opportunities to early care and education professionals.  I hope to inspire other early care and education professionals to recognize their own passion for working with young children.  I also hope to promote the use of developmentally appropriate practices to provide quality early care and education environments for young children. 

I would like to thank all of my colleagues at Walden University...those who I began this journey with and those that I end this journey with.  It is my hope that you all achieve your dreams and that together we can create a better tomorrow for children around the world.  Best of Luck for future success!

I would also like to thank all of my instructors at Walden, including Dr. Dartt for your thoughtful feedback and encouragement throughout this process. 

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

Association for Childhood Education International http://acei.org/

I chose the ACEI because it is a charitable organization dedicated to promoting the optimal education and development of children through various programs and projects.  The tagline for ACEI is "Bright futures for every child, every nation," which summarizes ACEI's commitment to support and advocate for access to education, equity in educational settings, quality educational content, and the child's right to education in countries around the world.

ACEI has internships available for 8-12 weeks during the summer months in the area of online research and data gathering that is used to contribute to the development of briefing papers and other types of resources. Interns also have the opportunity to attend various meetings related to childhood education. Interns should be enrolled in a graduate degree program that focuses on global education issues with a particular interest in children's education.  However a focus on one specific aspect of childhood education, such as basic education or early childhood development, is also acceptable. Interns with experience living or working outside the US are preferred. 

 

World Organization for Early Childhood Education  http://www.worldomep.org/en/

OMEP is an international, non-governmental and non-profit organization with Consultative Status at the United Nations and UNESCO. 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.  The Regional Vice President for North America and the Caribbean serves on the World Assembly which is the decision making body and the Executive Committee, the administrative body of the organization. This position is currently held by a person with their doctorate degree who lives in California and works for a college. 

 

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

Save the Children is the world's leading independent organization for children. Located in 120 countries, the organization seeks to protect children , advocate for their rights and promote their healthy development.  Save the children has over two million supporters worldwide and raised 1.6 billion dollars last year to provide programs in health, nutrition, education, protection and child rights. 

The Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Advisor takes the lead in ensuring the roll out of and implementation of the regional system for Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) and specifically, support and enable countries to plan programs, measure and demonstrate the impact on children; increase quality in programming; and, help be accountable to children and other stakeholders.  Essential qualifications include a degree in a relevant field with familiarity with one or more of the Save the children’s areas; experience in data collection and management;   cultural sensitive, highly developed interpersonal and communication skills; ability and willingness to change work practices and hours in the event of emergencies; and willingness to travel to developing countries.    

 

 

International Step By Step Association   http://www.issa.nl/index.html

ISSA is a network that connects professionals and non-profit organizations working in the field of early childhood development.by promoting inclusive, quality care and education experiences The  three pillars of  the organization include ensuring equal access for all children; promoting high-quality and professionalism in early years services and supporting parents and communities in taking part in their children’s development and learning. The programs and activities focus on raising awareness of the importance of quality care and education, developing resources for practitioners working with young children, nurturing the capacity of organizations in the network., piloting and evaluating programs and strengthening alliances.  

 

Association for Childhood Education International (2011).  Retrieved from http://acei.org/

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

Save the Children (2014) Retrieved from http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6115947/k.8D6E/Official_Site.htm

World Organization for Early Childhood Education (2013).   Retrieved from  http://www.worldomep.org/en/

Developmentally Appropriate Practice

The developmentally appropriate classroom environment is one where children most often:

Lead...rather than follow the teacher.

Create...rather than duplicate.

Move...rather than wait.

Make the lines...rather than color in the lines.

Speak...rather than listen passively.

Initiate...rather than imitate.

Raise questions...rather than answer the teacher's questions.

Solve their own problems...rather than the teacher's problems.

Make art...rather than do crafts.

Emphasize the process...rather than the product.

Use authentic skills...rather than drill and practice.

Make books...rather than fill in workbooks.

Decide...rather than submit.

Choose wisely...rather than being told.

Make a plan...rather than follow the teacher's plan.

Try again...rather than fail.