Time Well Spent

 Hello all! 

I cannot believe that I am already posting my very last blog post, not only for this course but for this program as well.  I feel as though I have learned so many throughout these courses, and trying to pinpoint just three was difficult for me.

1.  Colleagues are your network.  Speak to one another and learn from one another

2.  Our children need us to advocate for them, but their families and communities need advocacy as well.

3.  You are never done learning.  Each day in education is an opportunity to learn something new. 

One long term goal that I have is to continue creating a network of co-workers who want to advocate for children and families within the communities in which we work. 

Farewell message  Please see the video for my farewell message.

Contact information: hbeard827@gmail.com 

Please feel to reach out at any time!  I wish you all the best of luck!

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

 

1. Unicef-  I have had the opportunity to see this organization throughout my undergrad studies at Salisbury University as well as through Walden University.  The mission statement of this organization includes working with over 190 countries/territories in order to save the lives of children, defend their rights, and help them to reach their full potential.  The rights of all children include the right to be safe, the right to survive and thrive, the right to learn, and the right to equitable chance at life. 

2. Save the Children-  This group works in the United States and around the world in order to save children, weather in crisis or every day life.  They believe in giving children a healthy start to their lives, as well as the opportunity to learn and be protected from harm. 

3.  United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)- UNESCO works to develop educational tools to help people live as global citizens without hate and intolerance.    They work to make sure children have access to a quality education. This foundation is about freedom of expression so children and citizens can freely share their ideas and knowledge. 

Job Opportunities: 

1. Unicef-  Mangager, Community Engagement Washington D.C. What interested me most about this job is having the opportunity to travel and meet with those who have been impacted by UNICEF and learning their stories.  Some of the key responsibilities and qualifications for this job include:

Overseeing community engagement associations, providing guidance and training, representation of regional needs, some travel, help collect and share impact stories. Qualifications include: B.A. with 5 years' experience in community engagement, general knowledge of child rights, as well as strong communication skills- written and oral.  

2. Save the Children US-Senior Coordinator, Humanitarian--Washington D.C.:  What interested me about this job was the opportunity to Support the Director of Humanitarian fundraising in emergency fundraising before, during, and after emergencies. Some of the key responsibilities for this job include:

Supporting the Director of Humanitarian Fundraising, organizing and participating in cross-functional meetings, coordinating emergency scrum meetings, developing a weekly newsletter, and more. 

*These types of jobs would be a long term goal after working in the early childhood field for multiple years. 

3. UNESCO- general service:  standard recruitment requirements are involved for this job. The required qualifications for each post are specified in the individual vacancy notices.  This type of job would allow for the opportunity to be involved using professional experience with education, language, etc. 

References:

https://www.unicef.org/take-action

https://www.google.com/search?q=unicef+job+opportunities&rlz=1C1GCEV_en&oq=unicef+job+opportunities&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l5j0i22i30l4.5307j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&ibp=htl;jobs&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwid_dmSg_zuAhUcFFkFHS3MCM0QudcGKAJ6BAgGEC0#htivrt=jobs&htidocid=ECFN7quGidnfY_j6AAAAAA%3D%3D&fpstate=tldetail

https://www.savethechildren.org/us/what-we-do

https://www.google.com/search?q=save+the+children+jobs&rlz=1C1GCEV_en&oq=save+the+children&aqs=chrome.0.0i433j69i57j0j46i199i291j46i175i199j0j69i60l2.2228j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&ibp=htl;jobs&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj_0qT-gPzuAhWXFFkFHUUiD4MQkd0GMAJ6BAgHEAE#fpstate=tldetail&htivrt=jobs&htiq=save+the+children+jobs&htidocid=zV4z0kZ-9xFfIeVDAAAAAA%3D%3D

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

https://en.unesco.org/careers

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

 The first career that I found that I would be interested in can be held in any part of the country.  This career is Family Child Care Provider.  This career interests me in that a family child care provider understands the concepts, principles, and theories that have to do with early childhood education.  Ther is also an understanding of curriculum that can be used to help children succeed from infancy into secondary education.  Family childcare is more than just an opportunity to work with children on curriculum, but real-world issues as well.  I would love to be a family child care provider for the intimacy and one-on-one opportunities of working with children of different ages. 

Reference: https://earlychildhood.marylandpublicschools.org/system/files/filedepot/3/careersinec_direct_care_services.pdf

A community of practice that I would like to be involved in that that focuses on anti-bias education (which helps with my challenge for my capstone) is the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).  This community provides me with information on what anti-bias education is and articles, books, and journals that can help me gain more knowledge of being an anti-bias educator myself. There is also the opportunity for me to take action by volunteering, becoming an advocate/partner, as well as a donor. 

Reference: https://www.naeyc.org/resources/topics/anti-bias

Another community of practice that caught my interest is Teaching for Change.  This is another community of practice that focuses on anti-bias education and "building social justice starting in the classroom."  This group gives resources for the classroom including books, articles, and short films to help beter understand what anti-bias education is and how important it is in the classroom.

Reference: https://www.teachingforchange.org/anti-bias-education

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

 This week I chose to look at three mostly local organizations that appealed to me.  The reason that I looked at these organizations specifically is not only because I could see myself in that particular role, now or in the future, but also because I am going to be a first-time mother this coming April.  I have been personally researching organizations that may be suitable for my child's care. Knowing what is required for the role of early childhood educator puts my mind at ease when it comes to my own child.

The first organization that I looked at was:

 Southern Maryland Tri-County Community Action Committee, Inc. (SMTCCAC)

Hughesville, MD 20637

This particular job is looking for a full-time position that would require a bachelor's degree (preferred).  They ask for at least two years in Center Manager experience.  While I do have a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education I have not worked as a Center Manager before.  The position is a leadership position, and this interests me because I would like to be seen as a leader in the early childhood education community.

The next local organization that I looked at is "Where Kids Grow Happy."  This organization is located in my hometown.  Their slogan states: "Where we invest in your child's learning."  The thing that jumped out to me about this particular organization is that they look for background and teaching experience in an early childhood education as well as exceeding all state and local licensing requirements.  Their staff members have ongoing childhood training. As someone who works in the early childhood field, this is what I would want for my child.  I would feel as though my child was gaining and learning in a positive and safe environment. 

The last local organization that I looked at was another early childhood center called Ms. Bev's place. This organization also appealed to me because they state that they see the child as individual.  They want to work to make children feel comfortable in their learning environment while still taking the time to work with the specific needs of the children.   Here they employ lead teachers, who have background in early childhood education, as well as teacher aides who may be in high school or college, but are looking towards working in the early childhood education field in the future. Staff is required to undergo training that helps them to keep up to date on child development and learning theories as well as further developing their program.

Having the opportunity to look at these three programs and what is required for either job opportunity or for someone to be working with my child I feel as though they are taking the steps that are necessary to take care of children.  I could see myself working at any of these places if the opportunity were to present itself because I would have the opportunity for continued growth as an educator. 

References: 

https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?cmp=Southern-Maryland-Tri--County-Community-Action-Committee%2C-Inc.-%28SMTCCAC%29&t=Center+Manager&jk=398948540b0ded22&sjdu=QwrRXKrqZ3CNX5W-O9jEvfevOZ_qyTg0dOyiK8hTI7pKRL9_WjPHCrVWq3-SaFlB5SqTZgbs3eABIGqHQ3gPBg&tk=1esrf2m76u2id802&adid=360577368&ad=-6NYlbfkN0BFRVUMOpW-Xg1G1Z92aO8QXriYVu8RI29OZ4bNL-_MG21FIncuLtOA2-5ckV9Q4zwGU23kLGD27zMfQtJo4Kc08q8aB-2WmAiP3d0Ip7hlmcFx-xuUbtDEmXbiRGrsQvvf-8uhaOIq1Xxp2Gr_mpAaka0DXRrAtmS9Bo5ajZlqO8XQHifaDOiBXNSuQASnLq_0f4vxRvHcqDwMkih36UgUydEIIhJEz5Hrnsdw0Kj1zZfJwRQFImEuIgaRSRufxZvsAjIdqVEbAdi7WluskUe0H74G30oMSTElye_ZVcYauPfuKN_USay5kboefZXqF547p2gPapPFj7C1cFAsqhmQ&pub=4a1b367933fd867b19b072952f68dceb&vjs=3

https://www.wherekidsgrowhappy.com/careers.html

https://www.msbevsplace.com/about_us

Reflection on Learning

 My most passionate hope for my future as an early childhood professional is that I will continue to reflect on myself throughout any new process that I come across.  By embracing reflection I am learning each and every day.  The wonderful thing about working in the early childhood field is that there is always more of an opportunity to grow as an educator.  My hope is that by continuing to push myself to learn I will continue to show my students as well as my students' families that I support them.  Being an anti-bias educator means embracing each culture of each student and making them feel as though they are not only heard but seen as well. 

I want to take the opportunity to say thank you to each and every one of my peers that I have been through this program with.  I feel as though each week you each have made me reflect deeper, and encouraged me to dig deeper into my education as an anti-bias educator.  I have been blessed to learn from each of you, and I hope that as you continue on this journey your love for this field continues to grow and develop as well.

Thank you!

Impacts on Early Emotional Development

 The area of the world that I chose to look at was Latin America and the Caribbean.  The reason that I chose this region of the world to look at is that many of my students come Latin American and Caribbean countries. 

Many children in these areas flee to Central America because of gang violence and death threats. Many others face an increased risk of domestic violence. Another big impact that children of this region experience natural disasters such as hurricanes that destroy their homes or towns, and are having difficulty receiving the care that they need, especially in times of COVID-19. 

These types of experiences are changing the ways that these children are developing emotionally as well as educationally.  They are uprooting their lives to flee to safer areas.  They may not know if they are truly safe wherever they go.  When children are uprooted they may halt their education as well.  This can have an effect on their wellbeing because they fall behind, or may not even continue their education in the future.  They are doing what they can in order to survive. 

As a teacher of students from these areas, it helps me to be a little bit more understanding of where some of my students stand.  It makes me want to stop and help them in any capacity that I can.  However, I know that I will never know the full extent of their situation unless they are comfortable.  Professionally, this makes me want to take steps to help students and their families in any way that I can in order to encourage emotional and educational growth. 

The Sexualization of Early Childhood

 Sexualization in early childhood is something that I have seen.  I have seen outfits that do not seem appropriate for children.  I have seen the encouragement of children having a "boyfriend or girlfriend" at a young age.  There are tv shows that are based on children dancing in skimpy outfits or wearing makeup. 

When children see these types of messages in advertising or on television they tend to think that they should act in the same manner.  In my own classroom, I have had children ask me about sex, and if I dress differently outside of school.  I have had a student tell me that I looked sexy in a dress that I wore to school.

Sexualization of children is occurring at younger and younger ages.  Sometimes there are things that have been glossed over because it is an uncomfortable situation to approach.

There are inappropriate things everywhere.  Some adults may think it is funny but it is leading to children thinking that it is okay.  As educators, we need to take a step back and look at what students are wearing or talking about.  In the end, I believe that it comes down to the safety of the children.  There are predators who look for this type of thing, and it is scary.