Jobs/Roles in ECE Community: Internationally

Jobs/Roles in ECE Community: Internationally

There are so many international organizations that help foster the well-being of children, families, and early childhood field. The three that intrigued me the most included:

Save the Children- This site provided me with a sense that this organization fights and protects for all children around the world. The idea of how of their mission to ensure that every child has the right to grow up happy and healthy. There are ways that everyone can be involved. Whether you are teacher looking on their website to find ways to involve every child in their classroom or being a sponsor that donates money to the fund of Save the Children, you are making a difference in someone's life. The most appealing thing that stoke out to me on the website is their mission statement. "Together, we're changing our world- one chid's life at a time." (Save the Children, 2011)

Next international organization that was interesting to my learning and teaching of the early childhood field is the United Nations Children's Fund. The UNICEF has a team that deals with many different types of subjects that are aligned in the field of education. This includes child protection and social inclusion, child survival and development, basic education and the innovation for education. What was most appealing about this organization is they have a huge community of practice that is involved all around the world. One thing that I keep focusing on this website was where UNICEF stated," Imagine a world where the rights of every child are realized." (UNICEF, n.d.)

The last organization that I chose was the International Step by Step Association. The ISSA has a vision where families and communities work together to empower each child to reach his or her full potential. They focus on social justic and equity for children all around the world. What was most appealing to this association is they ensure social inclusion and respect diversity with all members, children, and families.

All these organizations portray ways that internationally make a difference in each and everyons child's lives. Together we will grow. We have to all work together and focus on what is most important.

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



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


　
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2011, from http://www.unicef.org/

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

At the national and federal level there are many organizations that play a major role in the early childhood field. These organizations inspire me to explore all the opportunities that I can give to all children and families that I encounter.

The first national organization that appeals to me is the NEA. The National Education Association is the largeste professional employee organization. They commit themselves in advancing the cause of public education. They have 3 million members that promote at every level of education. There are many issues and actions that the NEA takes to ensure that children are getting the best education possible (NEA, n.d.).

The next organization that catches my eye is the NAEYC Organization. This is the National Association for the Education of Young Children. This organization improves and supports the practice and programs that work towards to achieve a high-quality system of early childhood education. They show effots to develop an appropriate curriculum and well trained program for all educators, children and their families (NAEYC,n.d.).

The last national organization that develops opportunities for young children is the Association for Early Learning Leaders. This is a non profit organization that fosters in their programs to serve the best quality education as possible. They promote leadership development and enhancing all programs. This organizaiton has served for child care directors and adminstrators ever since 1984.

One job opportunity that interest me is home schooling and/tutor a child or children. I did this for a short time as a tutor and I really enjoyed having one on one time with the child. I feel that if a child gets one on one time with their learning it is more beneficial. Even though this could not be my full time job to pay the bills, I find it interesting and if the opportunity arose I would take on the challenge. If I was tutoring, I would communicate with their teacher to ensure that we are covering all the information the child needs to know. If I was home schooling, I would need the long term skills of creating a curriculum on my own. I would have to do research to make sure that the child is learning at the level a child would be at their age.

　

　

　

Resources:

National Education Association. (n.d.). Retrieved on July 24, 2014.
http://www.nea.org/



National Association of Education for Young Children. (n.d.) Retrieved on July 24,2014.
 http://www.naeyc.org/




Association for Early Learning Leaders. (n.d.). Retrieved on July 24, 2014
  http://www.earlylearningleaders.org/

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels:

There are so many organizations that appeal to myself as an educator. The ones that appeal to me are both local and state organizations.
The first and most successful program in New York State is Head Start. I chose this organization because they are the premier provider of developmental and educational services for many families in New York State. Families that are living in poverty, pregnant moms and families that struggle to meet the basic needs of life are the main members of these programs. This program not only has centers in New York. They are rooted in every state across the U.S. I believe these types of programs are crucial to have in every state to ensure that ever baby, toddler, and/or preschooler is getting a "head start" in their development and learning. Website: http://www.nyheadstart.org/

The next program I have chosen is the NYSAEYC. This is the New York State Association for the Education of Young Children. Their mission is to promote excellence in early care and education services for all children and their families. This organization involves everyone through education, advocacy and support from the profession. Without an association like this NYS would not have access to high quality early care and education programs as they do. Their values and vision for each child shows that their is structure in the educational system and a strong network to promote this excellence in and outside the classroom. Website: http://www.nysaeyc.org/default.htm

The last organization that appeals to me the most is the New York State Association of Early Childhood Teachers. This orgnaization helps teachers become more involved in not only their students and families education and growth, but from everywhere around. This provides teachers an input to learn more about themselves, others and ways to support early childhood education. Website: http://www.nysaecte.org/


Job opportunities that interest myself right now is being a director in a preschool. I would actually love to open up my own preschool someday.

Another job opportunity that are available right now in my town is the position of pre kindergarten at my old elementary school There were over 95 applicants for the job.

The skills I would need to fulfill these roles, my studies at the College of Saint Rose and Walden University have allowed me to be qualified. I have learned to be a good communicator, colleague, and advocate for my profession. I believe that with my knowledge, dedication, and passion for this field I would fulfill the role of a director or pre-k teacher to the fullest and the best of my ability.

Adjourning experiences

While learning about the five stages of team development, I feel the adjourning stage is most important. It allows us to reflect on our experiences with one another in a group and as individuals. Throughout my life I have been involved in many groups. Some groups include volleyball,softball, basketball teams. Both coaching and playing. Other groups include the jobs I have had such as waitressing and teaching. I have experienced many phases of good byes. The hardest goodbyes I have experienced is when I was playing volleyball and softball in high school. I can remember that it was hard to say good bye because we were a team. We acted as one and cared about one another. The hardest goodbye was when I was a senior. Knowing that it was our last time together, made it hard to adjust that it was over. We have all grown as individuals and as a team. We would always end out season with a farewell party. It usually consist of pizza or ice cream and we would just talk about our season. Now that I am coaching I do my ending rituals a little different than what we did when I was in high school. I always have the girls talk about their favorite memories of the season, talk about the growth of our team and what we need to improve in the next season, hand out pictures of the season to the team, and for one last time say good bye to our seniors and wish them luck in their future endeavors. When I think about the relationships that I have formed with my colleagues is I would want to make sure that I keep in contact. Even though we may be at an adjourning stage and going to the next phase in our education, I would like to always think that I had my colleagues to give me support. That's why I feel that this phase is essential to have especially in team work situations. 

Conflict and Resolution

I have been a business owner for over six years now. I have experienced many conflicts and disagreements within my diner that I have had with my employees. A conflict that I experience at times are employees disagreeing with one another or my employees not agreeing with how things are run at the diner. A strategy that I use when two employees are not getting a long, is talk to both of them one on one. See what the problem is and if it is small conflict, I find ways in which to move on from it. If it is a bigger problem, I would suggest them to talk their differences out. I feel that they are all adults and the best way to resolve a disagreement is to communicate with one another. If violence begins, I as the boss would jump in to manage and stop the disagreement. I also have learned that if my employees have any problem with a customer, I use my communication skills to ensure that my customers leave happy. I would use principles of the 3 r's in my business when conflicts occur. Especially with respect. Everyone in my business needs to give each other respect. Respect is by far the most important principle that will better help me resolve conflict. If we all communicate with each other with respect, we will have more effective relationships and this will keep the customers coming back and the employees working with one another with ease and comfort.

 

Perceptions of me as a Communicator

 

For this project this week, I chose my dad and my husband to take assessments of how I am as a communicator. I feel these two would know more than anyone of how I communicate not only with them as individuals, but other individuals and groups. They both had similar scores from the communication and verbal aggressiveness evaluations. I suppose that my listening styles can improve because both my husband and father had different scores than I did. When I took the listening test I was put in Group1. My husband and father were both in Group 2 for the evaluation. This does make sense. It says that I am business like and like to the point communication. This could not be more right for me. That's why I find it interesting that I was put in the Group 1 where they states I am very trustworthy with people. I actually find it very hard to trust many people. I feel this is because of the experiences I have been through.  But as a business owner I have to be stern.  I respect others, but if they begin to attack on a situation or any circumstance, I am very protective of what I believe in and I am not afraid to show my emotions. I am surprised that my mother and husband have similar views on how they evaluated me. They both have saw me in different situations of how I communicate. Whether my mom comes to support the team I am coaching or my husband and I have a holiday party with fellow co workers and friends. They have both saw me communicate in ways where I have been uncomfortable or fully engaged situations. Throughout this week I have saw that my insights of how I communicate with others may be different to ones that I communicate with in my every day life. Even though they do not see me communicate in all circumstances, my Dad and husband have a good idea of who I am as a communicator. I feel that this has shown me that people do respond and evaluate the way I communicate, whether its in my professional field or personal life. The way I communicate and present the way I feel about things in life is very important to how people perceive me as a teacher, coach, businesswoman, daughter, wife, sister, and friend.

 

Communication in Cultural Diversity

Everyday in my life, I encounter some type of cultural diversity. Whether it is in my diner from my morning guys to my lunch crowd of workers that have 30 minutes to get there lunch in. Or if I am at the school seeing different families interacting before going into volleyball practice coaching 10 different unique female athletes. I feel that the interactions that I have every day, I find myself communicating differently according to the person I am interacting with. My conversations will be different if I am talking to a 65 year old coffee drinking, set in his ways Republican compared to a 14 year old teenage girl about how to serve a volleyball. The ways in which I would talk to men at a coffee table compared to my athletes are different. There is more instruction with my athletes, but while talking to the men drinking coffee, I would consider what they believe in and their backgrounds I would not want to offend them by the things I say.

Especially having a diner in the country, I find that race plays a major role in the culture. We have many people that treat others of different race in our town with disrespect and I encounter this not only at my workplace, but everywhere I go. Three strategies that I could use to help me communicate more effectively is listening to what they believe and ask questions to show that I am interested in learning about their culture and beliefs. Next I would use the Platinum Rule to treat them as they want to be treated. Especially with my athletes, if I as a coach treat them as they want to be treated, they should be giving me the same respect as I would want to be treated. Lastly, I would use my communication skills to show to them that I am interested in their culture. Use good body language and eye contact and be concerned about their cultural diversity.