Time Well Spent

          

           As one journey ends, another is just beginning. I want to congratulate every one of my colleagues for completing the Capstone Course at Walden University. As we conclude our Master’s Degree program, we begin a new journey in becoming advocates for social change within the early childhood field.

            The Early Childhood Studies program at Walden has offered me many deeply felt learnings. One of the most impactful pieces I will take away from the program is on how to go about being an advocate for social change. There are a plethora of resources and organizations already established within our society which can aid us in achieving our advocacy dreams and I am excited to tap into these resources to make a greater impact on the early childhood field. I also have learned about the importance of collaboration, specifically, collaboration within a community of practice. I had never heard of the term ‘community of practice’ prior to my Capstone Course, yet now I see how without establishing a community of practice, my goals will be harder to reach and perhaps less effective in their application. A final deeply felt learning from this program was on learning more about myself in terms of my own bias, stereotypes, values and beliefs. I have learned the importance of identifying the root of these beliefs and the effect they can have on both my personal and professional relationships. I am thankful to have had the opportunity to explore my values, beliefs and bias further throughout the past two years and look forward to continually learning about myself in order to be the best educator possible for my students.

            My long-term goal is to eventually open up my own early childhood center, focused on inclusive schooling. I want to implement new, innovative ideas and strategies to ensure all children receive access to high-quality education and feel supported throughout their early schooling years. While I know this will take time, patience, and a strong community of practice supporting me, I believe my passion will help me in the end to accomplish this goal.

            Finally, I want to extend my sincerest gratitude to Dr. Darragh and my classmates. As Julie Benavides explains, everyone has the ability to inspire others (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011). You all have been such a strong support system to me throughout this course, as well as previous courses which I have collaborated with you. It is your specific feedback, dedication to the field of early childhood, and profound passion which has empowered me to continue on my journey to being an early childhood advocate. I wish you all the best of luck in your future career and I truly hope this is not the last time we will collaborate together in making a greater difference within the field of early childhood education.

Reference

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2011). EDUC 6990: Practical application in the

early childhood field. [Multimedia]. Merging vision, passion, and practice. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

Having the unique opportunity this week to explore professional job opportunities within international organizations and communities of practice have allowed for me to feel as if I can have a greater impact on the world’s children than what I had thought I could in the past. Allowing myself to take part in international organizations will not only offer me once in a lifetime opportunities, but I will in turn be making a difference in the lives of thousands of children worldwide.

UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund)

UNICEF is perhaps the most popular, as well as world’s largest organization seeking to protect the rights of young children (UNIFEF, 2014). This organization appeals to be because it seeks to ensure children’s rights to developments are embraced on an international level (UNIFEC, 2014). This organization never gives up on children and is constantly advocating for the rights of young children and through their success and commitment, I have been inspired to find my voice and join such a remarkable organization.  

Current Vacancy: Consultancy assignment: Strengthening data and inclusion of children with

                                disabilities in education

“UNICEF world’s leading organization working for the rights of children, seeks a consultant to undertake an assessment of the existing Education Management Information System (EMIS) in 2 UNICEF programme countries and based on the assessment to support piloting of disability inclusive EMIS in these countries, depending on agreement from the concerned Ministry of Education to proceed with the pilot. The consultant will also develop a paper making a case for investment on children with disabilities to support advocacy and action in education as well as other sectors” (UNICEF, 2014 p.1).

Skills & Qualifications;

*Advanced degree in relevant field, preferably education or social sciences.
• 15-20 years of professional experience at the national or international level in relevant field, preferably on issues around disability and education.
• Strong background in working with data, statistical analysis, monitoring and evaluation, disability measurement, EMIS.
• 2-3 major publications.
• Ability to work in international environments.
• Ability to work in a team and as a team leader.
• Excellent analytical and report writing skills.
• Familiarity with UNICEF’s mission

Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI)

            The Association for Childhood Education International (2011) is an organization which aims to bring together individuals in order to share new approaches to education, allowing for young children to reach individualized goals through education. I chose this organization because it seemed to be a model for an effective community of practice as it brings together educators from around the world in order to expand their curriculum and approaches to helping children to reach their developments. The organization seeks to ensure young children, as well as their educators feel supported and develop a passion for life-long learning, which is also a goal of mine in my professional career (AEIC, 2011).

Current Vacancy: Summer Online Research/Data Gathering Internship

            “ACEI often has internships available during the summer months, with applications being reviewed during the spring. Interns are given the opportunity to gain work experience consisting primarily of online research and data gathering that will contribute to the development of briefing papers and other types of resources. In addition to their day-to-day assignments, interns will have the opportunity to attend various meetings related to childhood education” (ACEI, 2011, p.1).

Skills & Qualifications;

“*Schedule which allows for the opportunity to attend various meetings related to childhood education for 8-12 weeks.

*Enrolled in a graduate degree program that focuses on global education issues with a particular interest in children's education.

*Interns who have had some international experience(s) working or living outside the U.S. are preferred.

*Must reside in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area during their assignment

*Must be responsible for arranging their own housing and transportation” ACEI, 2011, p.1)

           

Save the Children

Save the Children “gives children in the United States and around the world what every child deserves – a healthy start, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. When disaster strikes, we put children's needs first. We advocate for and achieve large-scale change for children. We save children's lives” (Save the Children, 2014, p.1). This organization appeals to me as they appear to be extremely proactive in helping children in any way they possibly can. I wish nothing more than for all children in the world to feel loved, provided for, and supported, and Save the Children does just that. They seek to ensure the lives and developments of all children are fostered in a way which allows for them to reach their goals in life without having to deal with extraneous variables which may hinder their achievements (Save the Children, 2014).

Current Vacancy: Fall Early Childhood Development Intern

            “The Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) team seeks an intern to support its role in thought leadership. The intern will assist in coordinating the global ECCD working group and support the Senior Director in facilitating advocacy and dissemination of evidence” (Save the Children, 2014, p.1).

Skills & Qualifications;

·         Be able to organize Webinars

·         Able to help facilitate country status mapping

·         Strong documentation skills

·         Bachelors degree (with preference for Master's underway) in early childhood development, education, international development, public policy, communications or other related field

·         Possess strong written skills, solid interpersonal skills and ability to work within a team

·         Must be proficient in Microsoft Office

·         Must be eligible to work in the U.S.

·         Must be enrolled in a relevant undergraduate, graduate or post-graduate academic program

Reference

Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI). (2011). Internships at ACEI.

Retrieved from http://www.acei.org/about-us/internships-at-acei.html.

Save the Children. (2014). Careers. Retrieved from

https://ch.tbe.taleo.net/CH07/ats/careers/requisition.jsp;jsessionid=379DE7876A76D3FEA7A4A4F04B677827.NA10_primary_jvm?org=SAVETHECHILDREN&cws=5&rid=2600.

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNIFEF). (2014). UNICEF: Employment. Retrieved from

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_74673.html