Week 4: Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: National/Federal Level

The National Education Association is an organization that appeals to me for several reasons. If anyone visits this organization online, they will find a variety of topics, issues and resources that can be used to help children and families. This organization shares resources to prevent and fight the common problem of bullying. As a substitute teacher, I have a lot of problems with students who exhibit inappropiate behavior. In fact, I posted my question about classroom management into the NEA’s discussion forum and a classroom management expert will be responding in the next 24 hours. I really like the idea of sharing certain issues with other teachers and professionals and receiving new insights from them. The NEA also shares tips on how to handle angry parents.

The National Child Care Association is an organization that prepares anyone who is planning to operate a home daycare business or a commercial child care facility. Parents who are looking for quality childcare programs will be able to obtain referrals from this website/organization. Teachers can also locate resources that support early education and care. This organization appeals to me because I can always refer to it to maintain current knowledge of issues in the child care field. There is also a section that displays early childhood education data and research.

The National Organization on Disability promotes and provides a wealth of information about men, women and children who have any type of varying abilities. The NOD’s mission is to promote employment and full participation of America’s 56 million people with disabilities in all aspects of life (NOD, n.d.). The organization appeals to me because referring to it as a helpful resource has allowed me to avoid labeling people with varying abilities. Teachers, parents and other professionals can use this Organization to celebrate the gift of diversity among all people.

Superintendent of a School

Could I see myself working in this position in the future? The jury is still out on this one. In most cases, this person would need to have a master’s or doctoral degree in school administration. The superintendent also needs a strong background and belief system in the education of all people. They have the responsibility of supervising the school district’s employees and making sure that the schools maintain accreditation.

Chief Executive Officer of an Educational Netowrk

This leader has the responsibility of overseeing the entire operation of an organization. The CEO also reports important information to the board of directors that may determine the company’s access to funding and success. The CEO of any company should have years of experience working in a related field. They must be energetic, knowledgeable in the industry, and exhibit a great image that is representative of the company.

 

References

National Education Association (n.d.). retrieved from www.nea.org

National Child Care Association (n.d.).  retrieved from www.nccanet.org

National Organization on Disabilities (n.d.). retrieved from www.nod.org

 

 

Week 2: Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

The Richmond Early Childhood Association is a local organization that gives resources to families, early childhood educators, and the community. This organization appealed to me because it holds events that allow teachers more time to incorporate professional development into their careers. For example, Naeyc’s National Institute will be held on June 9- June 12 of 2013.

The Early Childhood Music Association is an organization that promotes unity and learning among children through the diverse sounds of music. This is an excellent resource that teachers can use to teach children about the different sounds around the world.

Virginia’s Office of Early Childhood Development is an organization that focuses on providing quality resources and materials that will benefit Virginia families in the process of transitioning children to enter kindergarten.

One job opportunity that I am interested in exploring is being a childcare provider. I really enjoy working with children from birth to 6 years old. Another job opportunity that captures my interest is being a preschool teacher. A child’s early years are crucial to his/her social, emotional, intellectual and physical development. Young children imitate the behaviors they see in adults. I feel that I can make the biggest impact on very young children. An additional job opportunity that I’d love to fulfill is a Childcare Director. It’s really fun to work with children, families and teachers. It gets more exciting to be able to plan the curriculum and decide what age-appropiate activities to use for learning and development!

There are specific skills and experiences needed to competently fulfill each of these roles. Safety is the most important service that an early childhood professional can provide. Having first-aid and CPR certification is a requirement. Possessing effective communication skills by maintaining strong teacher-family partnerships will maximize each child’s learning experiences. Anyone who is considering working with children should have lots of patience and consideration for the differences in behaviors, cultures, and abilities.

Week 8: Reflecting on Learning

My journey of teaching and embracing diversity in the early childhood field is a life-changing experience. One hope that I have is continuing to meet diverse groups of people and learning as much as I can about them.  If every house was pink, the world would probably be a very boring place to live. Living in an anti-bias community is the complete opposite. As I continue advocating for equity and fairness in the early childhood field, I’d like to thank my professor and colleagues for sharing valuable experiences related to diversity and giving me the opportunity to see the world from different perspectives. Learning to teach Anti-bias education has changed my life because I know that I am making a difference in the lives of others---one child and one family at a time! What’s even better is knowing that there are so many others who are passionate about sharing this wonderful journey.