Time well spent

At least three deeply felt learnings from this program

1. Just when I think I know all there is to know about early childhood education, there always more to learn.
2. Diversity isn't about the color of a person's skin, it's about how a person is treated.
3. Early childhood education doesn't just teach or benefit the child, it also teaches and benefits the family.

At least one long-term goal

1. My long-term goal is to open a center for disadvantage children and families, who aren't able to receive help or assistance for their child's education or training for the family.

A farewell message to your Instructor and colleagues (consider uploading a video or audio podcast)

• Well I tired to upload a video, as you see it didn't work. It has been a long road, however we made it through and now are early childhood professionals. For some this is just an extra boost for the work we have been doing and for some this is the beginning. I wish you all the very best in your professional career and I pray that you all get to live out your dream regarding early childhood. I am privileged to have gotten the chance to work with you. We have spent many sleepless nights and days working toward this goal and now we are at the finish line. I am super excited!!!!!!
• To my instructor Dr. Dartt, thank you for taking time out of your schedule to answer e-mail, texts, and any other form of communication there has been. You truly are the glue that kept this last course together and kept us from falling apart. You gave us everything we needed to succeed and with your help ( for me) we made it through. Once again Thank You.

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

• At least three international organizations or communities of practice that appealed to you and why you chose them
1. FHI 360 program: This program is about promoting overall education success and health, not only in the lives of children, also in families. They just don't stick to the classroom, they are willing to go above and beyond to make sure success is present. They also take time to teach educators and they are diverse in their approach. They go worldwide as well a in the United States with their program, "FHI 360 works side by side with ministries, communities, schools, teachers and families to create education systems that respond to the complex, dynamic and diverse needs of the people they serve"; "We are a leader in designing international exchanges that promote leadership, professional development and global collaboration" (Academy for Educational Development, 2011).
2. Save the Children: Since 1932 this program has been providing food, shelter, and clothing for children in need. I like how the put the child's need first when a disaster strikes and when they see a need. Children are too often left behind or neglected when a major disaster strikes. They need our love and support all the time and Save the Children show that they care about their wants, dreams, and hopes. Also not only do they help children in the U.S., but globally too, "We help children in 120 countries, including the United States, working with Save the Children members worldwide" (Save the Children, 2011).
3. International Step by Step Association: I love this organization, it's mission and vision are exactly what's needed in today's society for our youth. While reading the vision statement, it gave me hope that change in our education system is possible; "A society where families, communities and professionals work together to empower each child to reach her or his full potential and embrace values of social justice and equity" (International Step by Step Association, n.d.). They also take time to help professionals and provide them with research, so they can become effective as well.

 

Job opportunities (currently available or not) that interest you

1. Principal at the Taunton School International. Located in Taunton, United Kingdom. Skills needed to perform this job are as follows, " proven track record of senior management in an international setting, either in the UK or abroad, with  strong commercial acumen together with a QTS qualification and an ability to control quality in academic and pastoral provision" (the pie jobs, 2014).
2. Resident Director in Iringa, Tanzania. Located in Iringa Town, Tanzania. Skills needed to perform this job are as follows, "The CIEE Iringa Resident Director is responsible for the quality and success of the programs offered at the CIEE Study Center in Iringa Town and Iringa Province, Tanzania. The position is responsible for coordinating all aspects of in-country operations as well as for long-range planning, ongoing program evaluation, and development. The Resident Director is responsible for ensuring the highest levels of program quality and customer satisfaction" (ciee, n.d.).

References
Academy for Educational Development. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.aed.org/en/index.htm

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

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

The Pie Jobs. (2014). Principal. Retrieved from http://thepiejobs.com/jobs/view/principal-6/

CIEE. (n.d.). Resident Director, Iringa, Tanzania. Retrieved from http://www.ciee.org/how/

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

Job opportunities (currently available or not) that interest you

1. Head Start Center Supervisor, duties include" The center supervisor is responsible for the overall facilitation of the delivery of classroom and educational services at each center. A center supervisor supervises teachers and teacher assistants and assists the staff in providing a quality preschool experience" (indeed, 2014).

        2.   Head of School, duties include: "  The International School of Charlottesville is seeking a Head of School for our multilingual, multicultural language-immersion school serving children from the time they are toddlers until they have graduated from Kindergarten" (naeyc, 2014).


        3.   EHS Home Visitor, duties include: "The Home Visitor is responsible for the planning and implementation of a program of educational activities for pregnant women, infants, toddlers and their parents in the home" (naeyc, 2014).

  Each of these jobs require a degree in education and prior experience in the early child care field.  At least three national/federal organizations or communities of practice that appealed to you and why you chose them

Youth and Education Research Group

Started: Jul 2012 | 3 members
Lead organisation: De Montfort University
Lead facilitator: Scott Yates
The research pages for the Youth and Education Research Group. Research interests in young people, youth work, community development and education.

Emerging Practices in Education: COMMUNITY

Started: Oct 2010 | 8 members
Lead organisation: Online Communities for Educators Team
Lead facilitator: Sarah Jones
This community has been set up to identify new, emerging or changing practices in education, whether these are case studies of one lesson in one school or longitudinal studies of a new teaching strategies in a variety different learning contexts.
 

Qualifying to Teach MESH editorial board

Started: Nov 2013 | 6 members
Lead organisation: Plymouth University
Lead facilitator: Tanya Ovenden-Hope
This is an open community available to anyone interested in qualifications for teachers. Dr Tanya Ovenden-Hope from the Plymouth University invites colleagues with an interest and with expertise in this area to contact her as she is forming the editorial board.
All CoP's came from http://www.educationcommunities.org/comm/a-z-index.do?page=5&pageSize=15

I chose all three of these CoP's because they were for the better of children, whether targeting the right educator, finding new ways or strategies for teaching, and or researching likes and dislikes of children.

References

Louie,D. (2014). Head Start Center Supervisor. Retrieved from http://www.indeed.com/viewjob?cmp=Denise-Louie-Education-Center&t=Head+Start+Center+Supervisor&jk=578e2dd23634efc2&sjdu=QwrRXKrqZ3CNX5W-O9jEvUDazFfMhs9n2Pr1TDnstyNLCQ8XLaIQ9D20B94ss5rePMaOhitGPz4rnYkgXt115JYa7LWYTPt48QlIFOx8oLA

NAEYC. (2014). Head of School. Retrieved from http://careerforum.naeyc.org/jobs/5945204/head-of-school

NAEYC. (2014). EHS Home Visitor. Retrieved from http://careerforum.naeyc.org/jobs/5960840/ehs-home-visitor

Education communities. (n.d.). Communities. Retrieved from http://www.educationcommunities.org/comm/a-z-index.do?page=5&pageSize=15