Time Well Spent



Time Well Spent

This is not the end of our schooling but the beginning.  We are now teachers that are dedicated to a positive social change in the Early Childhood field. Some of us will continue to teach children, some of us will teach adults in making a positive change and some of us will create programs for social change in the EC field.  We all have taken this journey in order to make a difference in a child's life and their multiple ways to do this.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone of my colleagues and instructors for influencing and encouraging me to become more than I am.  I have ideas and want to make a change and Walden University has empowered me to make this possible.  My instructors never gave up on me when I fell behind and my colleagues always offered positive feedback and encouraged me to expand on my knowledge. 

When I began this journey of going back to school I only did it to get a better position at a local child care center that I worked at.  Now this journey has only shown me that I could make a difference just being me and not being in that position. My time at Walden has shown me . . . .

• That I finally understood what our EC curriculum is all about.  The curriculum is not just a bunch of hullabaloo but it actually has a certain outcome that gets children learning and exploring in fun ways.  Concentrating on the whole child and not just one developmental skill is the key to success for each child. PLAY is a positive way to teach the developmental stages for each child. Socialization with their peers, Emotional connection with their peers, Language interaction with their peers, Physical activity and Cognitive thinking and problem solving!   
• Positive education for teachers equals positive education for the children in their care.  Too many teachers in the ECE field have very little education and do not understand the curriculum and its purpose.  They get easily frustrated and do not know ways to positively change the atmosphere in the room.  As we continue our education we learn to make a difference in each child's life and create a positive and safe place for a child to come on a daily basis!
• Each child's culture is a part of who they are! We need to put our biases off to the side and remember to have an open mind and accept every child and their family for who they are. 
• Lastly I learned the person who I want to be! I want to make a difference in a child's life by teaching adults.  I knew that I wanted to teach but I was not doing it in the right way.  Now I know how to reach others through caring and sharing what I have learned. I have gained self esteem and knowledge in order to create a positive social change in my future endeavors.  Currently I am an Assistant Director, which allows me to work with 15 wonderful teachers who make a difference on a daily basis! Soon I hope to teach adults or work for DCFS in order to make sure the local child care centers are following the state standards.  This will also allow me to see my capstone project become an reality - to change the qualifications for ECE teachers in Illinois and then the United States.

I would like to take Thank Walden University, my instructors (Dr. Dartt) and
my colleagues for making this all possible

 

 



Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

 

    The International Institute of Child Rights and Development

Overview

The International Institute for Child Rights and Development (IICRD) is a non-profit organization based in Victoria, Canada, devoted to advancing the quality of life and development of vulnerable children around the globe. We have been working on issues affecting children’s lives locally, nationally and internationally since 1994.

Our Mission
To enhance the capacity of individuals, organizations, and governments, to effectively use the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child to transform systems and create peace and dignity for children and our world.
(IICRD, 2014)

The IICRD works with the United Nations in order to protect the rights of children around the world.  Currently the organization has several projects in the works, Child Protection in Development Training Program (CPID), BC Council for International Cooperation (BCCIC) Peer Learning Circles, and Child-Centred Accountability and Protection Evaluation (CAPE). 

CPID - Child Protection in Development (CPID) is an innovative child protection learning program supporting young people and practitioners working with communities to protect and support the well-being of children and youth (IICRD, 2014).

BCCIC - The purpose of the Peer Learning Circles was to bring organizations and individuals together to share their collective strengths with the aim of improving our practices of ‘development effectiveness’ (IICRD, 2014).

CAPE - The Child-Centred Accountability and Protection Evaluation (CAPE) is a multi-institutional pilot project focused on measuring the impact of child protection services and programs addressing sexual abuse and exploitation (IICRD, 2014).

ACEI, a 501 (c) 3 charitable organization, is interested in sharing new approaches to the education of children and ensuring that these approaches are delivered in ways that enhance children's individual skills and abilities and provide opportunities for success in life (ACEI, 2014).

Our mission is to promote and support the optimal education, development, and well-being of children worldwide. We have consultative status with the United Nations (ACEI, 2014).

ACEI is a member’s based organization that offers support and information about the early childhood field.  They work closely with UNICEF and UN in order to provide all children in all nations with a bright future.  ACEI members have acted as social change agents, involving themselves in various critical societal issues in their efforts to ensure that children around the world are protected, supported, and educated in ways that allow them to reach their full potential (ACEI, 2014).

 

ICF International, formally known as Inner City Fund, was founded to help Inner City Businesses get started. They have grown internationally and “in 2006, ICF Consulting was renamed ICF International to reflect our growing geographic presence and increased scope of our service offerings from advisory services through implementation and improvement (IFC International (a), 2014).   One of their service offerings is in the education field.  ICF International works with policymakers and providers in early childhood, K-12, and postsecondary and adult education to develop and implement programs and policies for positive student and teacher outcomes (ICF International (a), 2014).  

ICF International Job Opportunities

Head Start Early Childhood Education Manager - Region IV

Health, Education, and Social Programs

Education, Community & Social Programs Division

Job Description:

ICF seeks an experienced Early Childhood Education (ECE) Manager to manage a team of Early Childhood Education (ECE) State Center Managers and ECE Specialists to establish and implement a quality control system. As part of this system the ECE Manager will provide ongoing mentoring and coaching to the ECE specialists. Mentor/coaching will be provided through reflective supervision and feedback, sharing best practices and lessons learned, and engaging in role modeling.  The ECE Manager will collaborate with the Region IV Office, TTA Coordinator; the Technical Liaison (TL): and ECE State Center Managers about TTA to be delivered to local programs. In addition, the ECE Manager will provide one-on-one management and supervision to ECE State Center Managers employed by ICF.  The ECE Manager will provide support and guidance on priorities established by OHS Central Office and the Region IV Office. This position is home-based in Region IV (NC, FL, GA, AL, MS, KY, TN, or SC) and will involve at least 30% travel to states within Region IV. 

Qualifications
Key Responsibilities:

§  Support the Professional Development of ECE State Managers and ECE Specialists by providing ongoing mentor/coaching..

§  Establish and implement a quality control system for the TTA provided by ECE Specialists.

§  Ensure that work plans, Monthly Travel Plans and other deliverables are met in a timely manner.

§  Maintain ongoing and effective communication with OHS Central Office, the Regional Office Technical Liaison, the TTA Coordinator and, as appropriate, STG staff responsible for service delivery to the state of Mississippi.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

§  Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development (18 ECE credits are required, transcripts will be requested).

§  Demonstrated client management and relationship building experience.

§  Minimum of 5 years working in a program serving young children, i.e. infants/toddlers and/or preschool age children.

§  Minimum of 3 years project management experience, specifically in supervising staff and managing complex projects at the state and/or Federal level a plus.

§  Minimum of 5 years training and technical assistance experience; this experience should include the provision of training and technical assistance and consultation with directors, board of directors, staff and parents; and experience analyzing and redesigning systems for Head Start programs in order to improve the effectiveness and quality of program operations.

§  Demonstrated experience coaching or mentoring others in order to improve/enhance performance

§  Significant background in use of data collection systems that track measurable outcomes.

§  Demonstrated knowledge of Head Start and Early Head Start performance standards and all applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations.

Preferred Experience/Skills:

§  Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development (18 ECE credits are required, transcripts will be requested).

§  Working knowledge of OHS priorities and regulations.

§  Familiarity with the Improving School Readiness for Head Start Act of 2007.

Professional Skills:

§  Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) required.

§  Excellent verbal and written communication skills required.

§  Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision making capabilities.

§  Ability to work with all levels of internal staff, as well as outside clients.

§  Ability to mentor/coach TTA specialists.

§  Ability to provide presentations to individuals, small and large groups.

§  Ability to review, aggregate, and present data gathered from multiple sources.

§  Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.

§  Ability to prioritize and manage work load and deadlines.
 (IFC International (b), 2014)

My Thoughts:

I chose all three of these organizations because they all believe in high quality education for all children in all the nations.  ACEI’s logo is "Bright futures for every child, every nation" (ACEI, 2014).  As educators we can make a difference in the lives of all children and with these organizations we are given an opportunity to do just that, even if we are only members.

References

ACEI.  (2014). Association for Childhood Education International. Retrieved from  https://acei.org/global-gateway/education-around-the-world

IFC International (a). (2014).  Our History. Retrieved from http://www.icfi.com/about/our-history

IFC International (b). (2014).  IFC Career Opportunities. Retrieved from  https://icfi.taleo.net/careersection/icf_prof_ext/jobdetail.ftl?lang=en&job=1400001683

IICRD. (2014). The International Institute for Child Rights and Development. Retrieved from http://www.iicrd.org/

 

 

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

Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (INCCRRA)
Excelerate Illinois
Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS)

The “quality rating and improvement system gives [centers] a process for pursuing quality efforts that will help [them] learn more, do better and improve developmental skills among the children [they] impact.  ExceleRate Illinois also provides standards, guidelines, resources and supports to help [them] make sensible changes that lead to better quality outcomes” (Excelerate Illinois, 2014).

This program is a circle of quality ratings that gives centers a standard for early childhood programs and professionalism. Each circle (Bronze, Silver and Gold) has their own set of standards and achievements that are recognized by NAEYC and the National Accreditation Center.

Training and Technical Assistance Specialist
McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership
(http://mccormickcenter.nl.edu/job-listing/training-and-technical-assistance-specialist-2/)

The McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership at National Louis University seeks an individual interested in full-time employment as state- certified Training and Technical Assistance Specialist. The ability to speak Spanish is required. This individual will assess the Early Childhood Block Grant Preschool for All Children 3-5 Years Old programs for compliance and quality improvement and the Illinois Department of Human Services early childhood programs in the Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). Additionally, the certified Assessor will conduct program quality assessments using the Environment Rating Scales (ECERS-R, ITERS-R, SACERS, FCCERS-R), CLASS, Programs Administration Scale (PAS), Business Administration Scale for Family Child Care (BAS) and compliance checklists.

Required Qualifications:

• Ability to speak Spanish.
• Bachelor’s degree required, master’s degree desired, in early childhood education or related field.
• Knowledge of best practices in early childhood education.
• Experience working in an early childhood programs.
• Willingness to travel around the state of Illinois.
• Ability to relate to individuals from culturally diverse backgrounds.
• Must have a working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Internet access, e-mail and entering data on a PC tablet.
• Must be detail-oriented and have strong oral and written communication skills.

I believe that I could do this job unfortunately I am not proficient in speaking Spanish.

National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA)

“The National Early Childhood Program Accreditation was established in 1991 to encourage quality and recognize excellence in early childhood programs throughout the United States and other countries.  We pledge to remain focused on the interests of children by promoting benchmarks for high quality standards throughout the early care and education profession.  We are ‘The Next Generation in Accreditation’" (NECPA, 2014).

NECPA is another accreditation program that makes sure that all early childhood centers are high quality programs with high quality staff for the children and families that attend those centers.  I would like to work as an agent to go to early childhood centers to verify that they are following licensing standards.

Verifier
National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA)
http://www.necpa.net/verifierapply.php

Responsibilities & Expectations

The role of an NECPA Verifier is physically demanding, as well as emotionally. Anticipate lengthy work days with minimal breaks on a verification visit. Verifiers will maintain a respectful demeanor and adhere to NECPA Commission policies and procedures. Verifiers will be evaluated by the program director upon the completion of each verification visit. Applicants qualified for candidature meet and execute Verifier requirements essential to the position.

Qualifications:

The site never really states the exact qualifications needed but I believe that a verifier should have the following:

·       Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood or related field

·       Experience at an early childhood center

·       Knowledge of best practices in early childhood education

·       Willing to travel via airplane or car (overnights)

·       Ability to relate to individuals from culturally diverse backgrounds.

• Must have a working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Internet access, e-mail and entering data on a PC tablet.
• Must be detail-oriented and have strong oral and written communication skills.

As a verifier we do have to conduct at least three (3) verification visits a year and remain conflict free with those centers they are verifying.  I believe that this is a position that I could do in order to ensure that the children and families are receiving high quality care.

 

Child Care Aware
National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agency
http://www.naccrra.org/

Our Mission

To promote national policies and partnerships to advance the development and learning of all children and to provide vision, leadership and support to community Child Care Resource and Referral (NACCRRA, 2014)

Professional Development Coordinator

Professional development coordinators help teachers and programs assess, plan and achieve personal professional development goals. They serve as community leaders and catalysts for professional development opportunities to meet the needs of the early childhood and school-age workforce (Child Care Services, 2008).

 

I am an advocate for teachers advancing their education; whether they go back to school or they receive professional development training. As a professional development coordinator I can ensure that all teachers continue their education in order to deliver high quality education to their students and their families.

Qualifications

·       Graduate Degree in Early Childhood, Child Development, or Youth Development

·       good written and oral communication skills

·       be able to collaborate, plan and partner with other agencies and institutions providing professional development opportunities

·       be able to provide professional development opportunities on a wide variety of topics

·       know how to provide follow-up support

·       document and evaluate services provided

·       advocate for policies, standards, practices and efforts necessary for ensuring and retaining a well-educated, compensated, and skilled early childhood workforce

(Child Care Services, 2008)

 

References:

 

Child Care Services. (2008) Careers in Early Childhood: A North Carolina Directory. 3^rd Edition. Chapel Hill, NC

Excelerate Illinois. (2014). ExceleRate Illinois: Preparing Children for Success Retrieved from http://excelerateillinois.com/

NACCRRA. (2014). Child Care Aware of America: Our Mission. Retrieved from http://www.naccrra.org/

NECPA (2014). National Early Childhood Program Accreditation: About Us. Retrieved from www.necpa.net

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

There are several career options that I would like to get into.  Here are a few that I was able to find that are currently available for me to apply to.  These are also ones that I realize that I need to improve my education beyond getting my Masters Degree.

Training and Technical Assistance Specialist

Description

The McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership at National Louis University seeks an individual interested in full-time employment as state- certified Training and Technical Assistance Specialist. This individual will assess the Early Childhood Block Grant Preschool for All Children 3-5 Years Old programs for compliance and quality improvement and the Illinois Department of Human Services early childhood programs in the Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). Additionally, the certified Assessor will conduct program quality assessments using the Environment Rating Scales (ECERS-R, ITERS-R, SACERS, FCCERS-R), CLASS, Programs Administration Scale (PAS), Business Administration Scale for Family Child Care (BAS) and compliance checklists.

Mandatory Job Qualifications

Achieve 85% reliability on the various assessment tools following a two-month training period, and maintain reliability on the scales and tools during employment; Generate highly detailed summary reports of each setting visited; Maintain a professional and ethical demeanor; Perform all duties in a manner that reflects the mission and vision of the McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership at National Louis University.

Desired Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required, master’s degree desired, in early childhood education or related field. Knowledge of best practices in early childhood education. Experience working in an early childhood programs. Willingness to travel around the state of Illinois. Ability to relate to individuals from culturally diverse backgrounds. Must be detail-oriented and have strong oral and written communication skills. Must have a working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Internet access, and be comfortable using e-mail and entering data on a PC tablet. Ability to speak Spanish is required.

My Thoughts

This would be a job that I am interested in working at because I will be able to work with and access area child care centers.  I have most of the qualifications for this job but I do not speak Spanish fluently.

 

Education Director
Governors State University

Job Description

Direct and manage all aspects of the education program for the Family Development Center. Assure the implementation of a developmentally appropriate, NAEYC accredited education program, using an emergent, project oriented curriculum. Assure that all aspects of Head Start Performance Standards, ISBE Common Core Standards, NAEYC accreditation standards, and DCFS 407 integrated into the schedule and curriculum. Acts as Director designee when Executive/Child Care Director is off site. Direct the Evening and School Age child care programs.  

Minimum Qualifications

Requires a Bachelor's degree with coursework equivalent to a major (minimum of 30 semester hours) in Early Childhood Education or Child Development with three years full time work experience supervising staff working with families with young children.
b. At least one year experience in a supervisory position
c. Successful Job history with progressively increasing responsibility.
d. Requires a background of working with children, families and low-income groups. Requires the ability to successfully complete a background check and a medical examination upon offer of employment.
e. Requires the ability to travel area-wide, and to access classroom sites and family homes to evaluate program activities. Requires ability to travel overnight for training and agency representation at professional meetings.
f. Requires minimum age of twenty-one (21) years to comply with regulations.
g. Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
h. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
I. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
j. Must possess excellent oral and written communication skills.
k. Must possess a pleasing personality and ability to establish and maintain rapport with families and staff
l. Skill in Microsoft Office for Windows with an emphasis on Excel and Word  

Preferred Qualifications

Masters degree in Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Special Education, Child Development or related field.
Type 04 teaching license
Experience working in Early Head Start or Head Start
Experience in programs working with Infants and toddlers

My Thoughts

 I would love to work for a local College or University that has an early childhood facility on site.  I have most of the qualifications to work here except for the biggest qualifications needed to work at the facility, which is having my Type 04 teaching license and experience working with a Head Start Program.

CDA PD Specialist
Child Development Associates/Professional Development Specialist

Description

CDA PD Specialist brings the mentoring/coaching skills and ECE expertise needed to assess the CDA Credential Candidate's competencies and facilitate the Candidate's self-reflection

Requirements

PERSONAL

·        Must be able to relate to people of various racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds.

·        Must be knowledgeable about local, state, and national requirements and standards for child care programs serving children aged birth through 5 years.

·        Must be able to schedule and conduct Verification Visits during normal operating hours of early childhood programs

·        PD Specialists conducting bilingual Verification Visits must be bilingual.

·        PD Specialists conducting monolingual Verification Visits must speak the language of the assessment.

EDUCATION

·        MUST hold a minimum of a Baccalaureate or Associate degree from an accredited college or university in one of the following disciplines:
- Early Childhood Education/Child Development
- Elementary Education/Early Childhood Education
- Home Economics/Child Development

·        The degree must include, at minimum, 18 semester or 24 quarter hours of coursework in Early Childhood Education/Child Development, studying children birth through 5 years.

EXPERIENCE

Option 1 For those with a Baccalaureate degree, two years in a child care setting serving children from birth to 5 years of age to include:

·        One year working directly with children as a caregiver, teacher, child life worker, social worker, or similar role and one year facilitating the professional growth of at least one other adult.

Option 2 For those with an Associate degree, four years in a child care setting serving children from birth to 5 years of age, to include:

·        Two years working directly with children as a caregiver, teacher, child life worker, social worker, or similar role and two years facilitating the professional growth of at least one other adult.

My Thoughts

I am interested in this position because I can work with area teachers, guiding them in the Child Development Association Credential.  I also would like to conduct classes within my own district and cooperation to teacher assistants who are looking to improve their education in the early childhood field.