Time Well Spent

I can't believe this journey has come to an end and many more will begin. I have learned many new things throughout my time spent at Walden through instructors and colleagues.

1. My passion for early childhood education has grown in a different way than the norm of teacher. I feel I am a true advocate for this profession.

2. I feel I am able to explore new career options because of the courses and information gained from the courses taken.

3. The best interest of children and how I can help them will be my goal for a long time to come.

My Goal:
I want to write a children's book. Just as I commented in my speech, I do have a plan for this dream to happen. I also want to become more active in our local and state chapters of NAEYC.

To all of you who have made the journey through Walden and especially to Dr. Teri:
This last week has been one of the hardest experiences. I took my daughter to college last Saturday and am now facing empty nest. It's been a time of reflection and learning as I watch her test her wings. Her enthusiasm has made me feel that I too, can do anything. Both of my children have taught me that dreams do come true.
You have all been a wonderful support system the past 8 weeks and even though I fell off last week, I am here to say that I was able to pick myself up and keep going to finish. I may not get the perfect grade but at least I finished the race. I hope each one of you finds what you are looking for in your life and that you continue to inspire those around you. I know you did for me.
Dr. Teri, I do appreciate all you said to us throughout this challenge. Your encouragement was just what I needed many nights.

These are my two proudest accomplishments!

One final quote:
Eric Butterworth Don't go through life, grow through life.

God Speed to all of you!
Your friend always,
Lori Madsen

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

The first international organization that I chose was United Nation’s Children’s Fund (UNICEF). This organization has helped millions of children and families around the world. Their focuses include Child Survival and Development, Basic Education and Gender Equality, HIV/Aids and Children, Child Protection, Policy Advocacy and Partnerships. Their Early Childhood Education and Readiness stance helped me to realize that all children, wherever in the world, all need the same opportunities to succeed in school and in life (United Nations Children’s Fund, n.d.).

I was able to find temporary assignments and consultancy assignments through the provided links.  The varieties of assignments can be found in many places and for all types of positions working to ensure the best interest of children.

The second organization I chose was Save the Children. This organization is similar to UNICEF’s focuses and missions but they also have “Sponsor a Child” which includes supporting a child through monetary donations so they are able to attend school and have the proper nutrition and housing for their development (Save the Children, 2011).

There was a couple of positions in the United States that ranged from an Early Childhood Coordinator to an Early Childhood Development Specialist that required a Master’s degree and experience in early childhood education.  One position was in Needles, California and the other was in Washington D.C.

The third organization that I chose was the International Step By Step Association. This organization connects professionals and organizations in early childhood development and education.  They are interested in the youngest of children, to families, to educators. It was established in the Netherlands in 1999 and has a network across the world. There are books, tool kits, conferences, membership of different levels, and other pertinent information for anyone who is involved in the early childhood profession (International Step By Step Association, n.d.).

I was not able to find any job opportunity here which was disappointing.

References:

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

If I am ever given the opportunity to work my way up to a national level of an early childhood organization, I would be happy to be a part of any of the following three that I chose:

 

 

National Association for the Education of Young Children

www.naeyc.org/membership

This organization is the premiere group that works to ensure the success of young children, families, and anyone else who works with children. I have been a member for over 20 years at both the national and state level. Our local chapter has been struggling to maintain meetings and members. I would love to collaborate with other early childhood professionals in my area and get the meetings going again.  If you work with children, this organization is a must.

National Head Start Association

www.nhsa.org

The National Head Start Association (NHSA) is another organization that is dedicated to children and families.  Started in 1974 NHSA has been an advocate for families, communities, and especially children to make certain each child is successful in life.  The amount of work that this organization participates in is amazing. It is also one of the first to receive budget cuts which affects thousands of families and children across the country.  Many families and children would not be where they are today if it were not for the Head Start Association.

National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators

www.naecte.org

This organization is a national and global group that is interested in bettering the early childhood profession.  This is mainly for the teachers, who would like to discuss issues in early childhood, advocacy, and sharing of ideas. As an early childhood teacher, I sometimes feel that we do not get the respect that other classroom teachers get. We are the beginning of a child’s education journey and I think our job is one of the most challenging positions in education.

 

All three organizations have positions from early childhood directors, consultants, teaching positions, advocates, and governing board members.  Many positions require a Masters/Doctorate Degrees and experience working in the early childhood education field. I would love to be part of a literacy position within any of these organizations so that families and children understand the concept of literacy skills start at home.  Skills for include knowledge of early childhood and development, communication, organizational skills, and current trends and issue affecting the profession.

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

I am keeping the same organizations that I used the first time because these three are very connected to early childhood education. With the graduation of my daughter, I am hoping to become a more active member in some of these organizations or possibly find a new profession among them.  I will also be teaching in a different county and preschool program where advocates may be more plentiful.

Iowa Association for the Education of Young Children - http://www.iowaaeyc.org/

I have been a member off and on for over ten years and have tried to attend the local meetings. In my area, which is Northwest, there is no information for a contact. This local chapter is comprised of 8 counties. I have been a national, state, and local member and I hope that I can find information on what is going on. Could this be my new journey? This organization is one of the best ones out there.

Early Childhood Iowa - http://www.earlychildhoodiowa.org/index.html

This is an initiative for the well-being of children and families from prenatal to age 5. It is a state-wide program and has local connections as well. I have found more information here that is keeping me inspired and I already sent an email asking for information. I think starting here is a good way of knowing what this organization stands for and what I can do to help get the word out.

Iowa Child Care Resource & Referral - http://www.iowaccrr.org/

When I was an in-home child care provider, this agency provided me with a wealth of information and trainings. In my particular area of Iowa, child care is not easy to find. Our child care center closed and is now used for early childhood classrooms at the public school. I would like to get involved in trainings and teach a class for new teachers and providers. Iowa CCR&R has trainings for in-home providers, child care center providers, and early childhood teachers.

I believe that my Master’s degree, my years of experience, and the genuine passion I have for the early childhood profession will inspire me to seek out a new journey and will allow me to encourage others to do the same. I plan to get a feel for what is out there and what is not in regards to programs and colleagues who are interested. It will be making connections with the right people who are also interested in starting up a community of practice.

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

With the graduation of my daughter, I am hoping to become a more active member in some of these organizations or possibly find a new profession among them.

Iowa Association for the Education of Young Children - http://www.iowaaeyc.org/

I have been a member off and on for over ten years and have tried to attend the local meetings. In my area, which is Northwest, there is no information for a contact. This local chapter is comprised of 8 counties. I have been a national, state, and local member and I hope that I can find information on what is going on. Could this be my new journey? This organization is one of the best ones out there.

Early Childhood Iowa - http://www.earlychildhoodiowa.org/index.html

This is an initiative for the well-being of children and families from prenatal to age 5. It is a state-wide program and has local connections as well. I have found more information here that is keeping me inspired and I already sent an email asking for information. I think starting here is a good way of knowing what this organization stands for and what I can do to help get the word out.

Iowa Child Care Resource & Referral - http://www.iowaccrr.org/

When I was an in-home child care provider, this agency provided me with a wealth of information and trainings. In my particular area of Iowa, child care is not easy to find. Our child care center closed and is now used for early childhood classrooms at the public school. I would like to get involved in trainings and teach a class for new teachers and providers. Iowa CCR&R has trainings for in-home providers, child care center providers, and early childhood teachers.

I believe that my Master’s degree, my years of experience, and the genuine passion I have for the early childhood profession will inspire me to seek out a new journey and will allow me to encourage others to do the same.

Reflecting on Learning

I can't believe that this incredible journey is so close. I continue to rise to the challenge of working with children in the early childhood setting and their families. I want to become an advocate for early childhood education by presenting at workshops, conferences, and community events.  Making sure that all families and all children have equality and respect are two areas that should be modeled and revisited several times. There are ways to demonstrate how and with compassion and caring adults in this field. I hope to look into different fields as well to see where I can best share my passion with others.

To my colleagues who have shared and inspired me and all of us in the classes: THANK YOU for all you have shared and for the ideas that became a reality for us. I wish you much success in our last class and throughout your future endeavors!

Impacts on Early Emotional Development

I chose the Eastern and Southern African regions. I chose this area because it is a part of the world that is probably the least familiar to me. I think that I take for granted the materialistic things that I have my self and in my classroom.  In this region UNICEF has been a vital part of the Kigeme refugee camp.  There are over 14, 000 refugees in this camp. UNICEF has distributed boxes of schools-in-a-box to this region. These boxes “contain 40 different items that are designed to promote social interaction among the young children, as well as with their caregivers. They include dominos, colouring pencils, construction blocks, hand puppets, puzzle blocks and memory games, among others”(Slavin, 2013 p 1). These kits are helping children develop physically, emotionally, and mentally which for some, has not been easy. They are also providing solar-powered radios with flashlights and docking ports for cell phone charging.

Knowing that I have all these materials for teaching and finding out that UNICEF sends these boxes makes me realize that I would like to collect donations for these children. I know my own students get very excited when new materials or toys arrive. I can only begin to imagine the reaction from these young children who truly have nothing.  I am so glad that UNICEF does this and hopefully I can find out if UNICEF indeed does collecting and where to send those materials.

Reference

UNICEF. (2013). Eastern and Southern Africa. Retrieved on February 23, 2013, from http://www.unicef.org/eapro/activities_3584.html.