Time Well Spent

Wow!!!! I can't believe I am completing my FINAL BLOG ASSIGNMENT for my ECE program. Sitting here writing gives me flashbacks of when I first started out creating these blog post. I had no idea what I was doing but I was determined to make it work. This ECE program has taught me many things that I have processed, shared, and learned from. In this course I learned how step outside of the box. Each blog assignment showed me that there are so many resources and organizations that are helping to make a difference in the lives of children. I learned that there are so many ways in which early childhood professionals can contribute to the early childhood field. Reading everyone capstone challenge really was an eye opener that there are many things that still need to be done and addressed. Lastly, I learned how to be persistent and fight for achieving greatness. When I first began this ECE program I was determined to graduate with a 4.0. Many of these courses were challenging but this capstone class made me sweat, cry, scream, throw in the towel, and get angry. These last eight weeks taught me how to manage my time, spend more time than required on assignments, and reach for greatness. First couple of assignments papers I was devastated. However, after pinpointing the errors I gradually starting to improve. This lesson taught me that even when things happen in the early childhood field never give up.... Any goals worth setting is worth fighting for!!!

My Long Goal is to develop an early learning center that teaches high-quality education. I want a 4 Star Accredited program that requires staff to have certain credentials, training, and field experience. Now-a-days anyone with enough money can open up a child care facility. What will set my center a part from centers who are just trying to make a quick dollar is my center will always have passion, creativity, and mutual respect for parents, children, and each other. I'm looking forward to writing my business plan, creating my brand, and selecting a name for my center. 

To all my colleagues thank you so much for your inspiration, feedback, criticism, genuineness, and your outlook on early childhood field that we are embracing. ShaRina, Tiffany, Chawanda, and Selena I have truly enjoyed you all this semester. Reading your post week after week was awesome and I hope that the communication does not stop here. I will leave my information below so that we can stay connected through email, organizations, and blogs. Much success in the future and never stop learning. Professor Dartt oh I know I was a tough cookie to handle but I sincerely thank you for not getting frustrated with me. Every email I sent you provided great feedback and ways in which I could better and I truly appreciate that. My desire is that I hope you continue to build great educators.

Info:

Lynette Brown

passionateaboutchildren@blogspot.com

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

The Division for Early Childhood (DEC) promotes policies and advances evidence-based practices that support families and enhance the optimal development of young children (0-8) who are at risk for developmental delays and disabilities. DEC started in 1973 by a group of volunteers who cared deeply about the development of young children with special needs. DEC holds professional development international conferences, they have e-newsletter, and they have subdivisions across states. This organization help build early childhood professionals. It drew my interest because they focus on children who have disabilities. So often there are not a lot of services available for children with disabilities. There are no jobs available. However, this organization has a career center where Early Childhood educator seeking for employment can post their resume for employers. They have job postings from the U.S across to Japan. 

Education International is the voice of teachers and other education employees across the globe. Education International is an organization that promotes quality education, equity in society, and the interest of teachers and other education employees. This organization is the world's largest federation of unions, which represents thirty million employees in 170 countries across the globe. This organization has many sectors. They have an Early Childhood sector which advocates for children rights globally. They created a task force that researches early childhood issues and they join forces with other international organizations to create a change in the policies. This organization created links on their site that appeals many countries. The newsletters, blog sites, and individual sectors are not just in one language but in the language of that particular country. Currently, I didn't see any job postings. However, there are many ways to stay connected with issues regarding children such as: quality teaching, migrant rights, professional ethics, early stage teachers, education for all, early childhood education, and health and safety in schools.

International Association for Steiner/Waldorf Early Childhood Education is an organization that works to train early childhood teachers in areas of educating, nurturing, and creativity for children. They collaborate with parents, educators, and wider society members to focus on the essential needs of children. They foster training, development opportunities for caregivers,  kindergarten teachers, and educators, and resources for enhancing child development. Through conferences, seminars, and courses this organization provides support for any early childhood education program. Centers just have to apply for support and request which method best suits their employees. In order to actually become one of Steiner/Waldorf educators you must undergo an intense training and education that they set up themselves. The training program is available in 37 countries including the United States. It requires 400-500 training hours which includes mentoring teaching practice, internship, and practicum. 

Division for Early Childhood

Education International

International Association for Stein/Waldorf Early Childhood Education