May we stay connected through our journey!

A Final Word to my EDUC-6990 Colleagues!

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time through this course and all previous ones with Walden University.  This entire learning journey has been a rewarding, challenging, trying, exhausting, inspiring, motivational, and of course educational. I reflect upon the Multimedia presentation from this final course here at Walden University. It was a beautiful look back on inspirational professionals in the early childhood field. Janis Keyser, an early childhood educator stated, “As teachers, we’re continuously growing and learning more, not only about the people that we’re honored to be working with, but about ourselves as researchers and learners” (Laureate Education, 2011). The word “honored” hits me hard in a good way because I feel very blessed to do what I do, but I do not use that word as I should. It is true. We are honored to have the opportunities to work with the people in our field. I have learned many things along my path.

• Never Settle! Always reach for your goals. When you meet them…set new ones!
• Reflect, reflect, and reflect! Reflection can be a therapeutic tool and guide you through many decision making situations.
• Feed your passion! Never let the passion die. When you lose the passion for education, you lose your motivation to make a difference.

I challenge each and every one of you to find the path meant for you and put your running shoes on. It doesn’t matter if you know exactly what you are meant to accomplish; you will do that along the way. I hope to continue to learn and develop new skills and knowledge within the field of education.  I truly hope to make an impact with the field of early childhood education. I wish you ALL the very best and hope that we may all stay connected and collaborate together in the future.  You can reach me at jrrand22@gmail.com.

“Go to the edge of the cliff and jump off. Build your wings on the way down.” - Ray Bradbury

“Never say ‘I could have done that’ because you didn’t.” - Karim Rashid

“I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do.” - Leonardo da Vinci

“The future started yesterday, and we’re already late.” - John Legend

References

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2011). Merging Vision, Passion, and Practice [Multimedia]. Practical Application in the Early Childhood Field. Retrieved January 8, 2013 from http://mym.cdn.laureate-media.com/2dett4d/Walden/EDUC/6990/01/mm/ec_pres/index.html.

Thurman, R. (2010, October 25). [Web log message]. 58 Quotes to Inspire Leadership, Resilience and Social Change.  Retrieved from http://www.rosettathurman.com/2010/10/58-quotes-to-inspire-leadership-resilience-and-social-change/

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

Throughout this course, the Blog Assignments have taken us to local, state, and national early childhood organizations, agencies, and communities of practice. These explorations have helped us imagine ourselves in a variety of jobs that foster the well-being of children, families, and the early childhood field. This week, I will explore the international community of early childhood.

The first position I found was with UNICEF as a consultancy assignment: Caring for Child Survivors Resource Development. “This consultancy requires good technical knowledge on Gender Based Violence (GBV) programming in conflict and natural disaster affected countries along with strategic vision, and skills for group facilitation and communication to address the wide range of interests and perspectives, as well as sensitivities related to issues of GBV in emergencies” (United Nations Children’s Fund, n.d). I am not qualified for this position at this time, as it requires experience working with UNICEF and a degree more in social services.  However, I would extremely interested in a position down this path as it seems it would be very fulfilling, rewarding, and a meaningful position. 

United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). (n.d.). Retrieved February 15, 2013, from http://www.unicef.org/

The second position I found was with Save the Children. Save the Children has always intrigued me because they are there when disaster strikes with food, medical care, and education.  The position is Coordinator for Early Childhood.  “Early Steps to School Success provides early childhood education services to pregnant women and children birth to five years of age, education services to their parents, and ongoing staff training to the community early childhood educators.  The program goals are: 1) children will enter school with the skills necessary for school success, 2) parents will have the knowledge and skills to support their children’s education, 3) home/school connections will be strong and 4) early childhood knowledge and skills in communities will be significantly increased.”  I have the education qualifications for the position and the in depth knowledge in early childhood education and literacy skills (Save the Children, 2011).

Save the Children. (2011). Retrieved February 15, 2013, from http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6115947/k.8D6E/Official_Site.htm

The third position is fascinating to me.  It is with the United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESC) as the director of the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable  Development. “UNESCO works to create the conditions for dialogue among civilizations, cultures and peoples, based upon respect for commonly shared values.” I meet the education requirements for this position however I need additional years of experience within the education field.

United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). (2011). Retrieved from http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/about-us/who-we-are/introducing-unesco/

Additional Organizations...

The first Federal organization I have chosen is the DoDEA. The DoDEA is the Department of Defense Education Activity is an organization set up with established schools specifically for military families. I was interested in this organization because they have three pieces of my challenge connected together-military families, support, and education.

The DoDEA had a position available that I had seen a couple of weeks ago called the Instruction Systems Specialist (Early Childhood Education/Language Arts). This position was a focus on developing and implementing programs specifically in those two areas, which is my passion! It required a Master’s degree and the experience, both of which I have. However, it also required a Teaching certification, which I do not have currently. It is not something I had considered getting, but I may need to in the future for a job such as this or for an organization such as the DoDEA.
http://www.dodea.edu/

The second organization I have chosen is Blue Star Families. This organization is extremely important to my community of practice. “Blue Star Families was formed in December 2008 by a group of military spouses to raise the awareness of the challenges of military family life with our civilian communities and leaders” (http://www.bluestarfam.org/). This is on point with the goals of my challenge for our capstone project.

A job opportunity available with this organization is a Membership Director. Although, it is not directly related to early childhood education, it is connected through Military families. In the job description, it actually uses the phrase “community of practice” to describe the responsibility of the membership director. They need to be able to connect the organizations together to help build the support systems for Blue Star families. I find this organization very beneficial to my own community of practice for the future. I meet the qualifications of a Bachelor’s degree, administrative experience, media savvy and organizational skills.
http://www.bluestarfam.org

The third organization I am interested in being more involved with is the New York State Association for the Education of Young Children. Their mission is to “promote excellence in early care and education for New York State children and families through education, advocacy and the support of the profession” (http://www.nysaeyc.org/default.htm).

A job opportunity I saw with NYSAEYC was actually a leadership opportunity through a committee for Communications for the New York State AEYC. This opportunity would be to provide current research within the early childhood field, helping with conferences, and other “mission”-related issues (www.nysaeyc.org).
www.nysaeyc.org

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community

This week I am providing information on 3 organizations or communities of practice that appeal to me, job opportunities that interest me, and the skills and experiences that I would need to competently fulfill each of the roles. The following websites are communities of practice in which provide great resources to others in support of providing quality education to young children and their families.  They are fantastic resources and contain amazing information for young children birth through age 8.

The Military Child website appeals to me because they strive to provide quality educational experiences, like NAEYC, but specifically for military children. They have a current position that is interesting and would be meaningful to me.  The position (even though it is not in my area) is the Military Student Transition Consultant.  Young children moving from school to school is difficult for any child and military children are also dealing with other challenges along the way.  I exceed the Bachelor’s degree (educational background) that is required, however my ties to local school districts are not as strong as they would desire because most of my experiences have been within early childhood settings and not the military preschools or local elementary schools. Website is: http://www.militarychild.org/

NAEYC, in my opinion, is one of the leading organizations in providing resources that will enhance the quality of education that our children can be provided.  This is an organization that initiates positive social change within the early childhood field.  “Communities of practice can inspire us, make us creative, and produce long-term change” (Helm, 2007). They have different types of jobs available, but I am not interested in any current openings.  I would be, however, interested in a type of position that was surrounding technical assistance and/or training and support to local programs trying to achieve accreditation and or interested in pursuing accreditation.  I feel that I would be educationally qualified for this type of position; however I would need to gain some additional experience with accreditation itself.  I have worked for a couple accredited preschools, but I realize the difficulties of the process and would need to learn more about it. Website is: http://www.naeyc.org/

            The “Teachstone” website gives detailed information about the coaching trend relying on the use of technology to succeed with the MTP program (My Teaching Partner). The MTP program is an intensive coaching program to help increase effective teacher-student interactions in turn improving the children’s outcomes. I am striving to become a mentor/coach for ECE teachers to help them better and improve their teaching practices and would love the opportunity to be a mentor/coach within the My Teaching Partner program.  I am currently using the CLASS tool (which is created by Teachstone) as a mentor/coach within our Head Start organization.  I feel that I am qualified for this position and hope to become a mentor/coach in the future.  You are required to have a master’s degree (which I will have within the next 6 weeks). Website is: http://www.teachstone.org/.

References:

Helm, J. (2007). Building communities of practice. YC: Young Children, 62(4), 12-16. Retrieved from the Walden Library using the Education Research Complete database at http://ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ehh&AN=25792186&site=ehost-live&scope=site.

http://www.militarychild.org/

http://www.naeyc.org/

http://www.teachstone.org/

As we approach the finish line...

As we enter our final class together, we begin to reflect upon what we have learned throughout this journey.  The wordle we created this week are words that express my connection to the early childhood profession and the impact it has had on me along with the impact I hope to have on the field itself! Good luck to us all as we prepare to finish our journey through the finish line and on to the next race!

It is time to adjourn! Thank you to all my colleagues!

To all my EDUC-6165 Communication Colleagues:

I have learned so much from all of you.  One thing I enjoy most about the online learning environment is that we all seem to be much more open and honest and willing to share information with each other than if we were all sitting in a classroom face-to-face.  The ability to freely type information without hesitation because of fear of judgement is so emotionally freeing.  I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the stories you have shared with me about experiences in the classrooms and personally and how you all have grown from them.  The experiences we have through our lives truly shape who we are and who we become.  Thank you all again for being so open and honest in your communication throughout this course.  We all will become better communicators because of it! 

I wish you all the best of luck and hope our last few courses go smoothly and everyone is able to complete their master's degree in the Spring!
Thank you!!!
Julie

Team Development

This week you read about the five stages of team development: forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning. Consider the adjourning phase for several of the groups in which you have been involved. Think about which aspects of the groups made for the hardest good-bye. Are high-performing groups hardest to leave? Groups with the clearest established norms? Which of the groups that you participated in was hardest to leave? Why? What sorts of closing rituals have you experienced or wish you had experienced? How do you imagine that you will adjourn from the group of colleagues you have formed while working on your master’s degree in this program? Why is adjourning an essential stage of teamwork?

Team Development-The 5 Stages of team development (Abudi, 2010):

·         Forming

·         Storming

·         Norming

·         Performing

·         Adjourning

“The moment you start doing anything at all with another person, you've established a team. Begin a conversation; pick up the phone, brainstorm an idea and you're in teamwork” (Learning Center, 2011).  Any of my work teams have been difficult to “adjourn” because when you work well with others and you can see the positive outcomes, it is hard to see it end.  The most difficult team for me to adjourn is my military “teams” that I have formed.  These are not professional “teams” but rather support groups or friendships.  But the teamwork you need through military deployment match no other teams I have been in with emotions, stress, and our end goal of coming together with our loved ones!  I believe it is the emotions involved in these groups make it hardest to adjourn.  I also think that low performing teams are easier to adjourn because you do not have a strong emotional connection, but rather more frustrations and irritation, therefore I find myself glad to see it over. 

            As far as my teams I have formed through the Master’s program, I hope to continue communication and networking through professional organizations, email contacts, etc.  The information and insight that our colleagues give to me, and I hope I can give to others, can make a big difference within the early childhood field.  It is important to adjourn after completing goals, because we have to move on, meet new people, without giving up the others, and continue to grow as professionals.  I gives us more and more experiences that will only make us better within the field of education. 

References:

Abudi, G. (2010). The five stages of team development: A case study. Retrieved from http://www.projectsmart.co.uk/the-five-stages-of-team-development-a-case-study.html.

Learning Center. (2011). How to build a team using vision, commitment, and trust. Retrieved from http://www.learningcenter.net/library/building.shtml.