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.