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

The early years of a child is the most important stages of their life. This is time to develop their social and emotional development. Childcare can be costly but, you still want quality, health and   positive growth for your children. With this in mind one of the national organizations I want to pursue would be Office of Childcare (OCC). This organization supports low-income working families by providing access to affordable, high-quality early car e and afterschool programs. They work with state, territory and tribal governments to provide support for children and their families who juggle difficult work schedules and struggle to find child care programs that will fit their needs and that will prepare children to succeed in school. In order to work here you have to have at five years experience and a master’s degree in childcare (acf.hhs.gov/programs/occ).

My second choice of organization I would choose to work for is The National Head Start Association (NHSA) is a non -profit organization dedicated to the belief that every child, regardless of circumstances at birth, has the ability to be successful in life. Their mission is to unite, inspire, and support the Head Start field as a leader in early childhood development. This field will require a bachelors degree or better. The opportunities offered by Head Start lead to healthier, developments of children and families, to be stronger, in their communities. I would like to be involved in such a worthy area of early childhood care. Since 1974, NHSA has worked hard for policy changes that ensure all at-risk children have access to the Head Start model of support for the whole child, the family and the community (nhsa.org/)

Lastly, I would love to be involved with the NAEYC, that Positions its Statement Association's issues to early childhood education practice, policy, and professional development for which there are controversial and have critical opinions. This organization has the most powerful part of early childcare requirements. Position statements are developed through a building approach of family studies, early childhood special education, or elementary education with a concentration in early childhood education issues affecting young children’s education and development. In this field you need to working on an associate’s or higher degree in early childhood education, child development (naeyc.org).

National Head Start Association Retrieved from

http://www.nhsa.org/

National Association for the Education of Young Children Retrieved from

http://www.naeyc.org/

Office of Child Care/Administration for Children and Families Retrieved from

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/occ

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

 Teaching in the early childhood field is the position I have always wanted. There are more numbers of children now attending school and for this reason programs in the U.S., are listing more early childhood education jobs. Early childhood educational organizations have made it aware of the necessity of educating children beginning with infancy, toddler and the preschool years. For this reason, it has caused growth in the number of employment positions within the work of early childhood education.

Three local or state organizations or communities of practice I would choose; one would be a special education teacher who works with children who have learning, mental, emotional or physical disabilities. This teaches children with disability various subjects, such as reading, writing, and math, to children with mild and moderate disabilities. I believe all of these would be very rewarding to help special needs or any child develop their potential (aacte.org).

 The second organization or communities of practice that appeals to me is a nonprofit organization such as the Children's Defense Fund (CDF) an advocacy organization that has worked relentlessly for 40 years to ensure a level playing field for all children. They create the policies and programs that lift children out of poverty; protect them from abuse and neglect; and ensure they access to health care, quality education and a moral and spiritual foundation (aacte.org).

The last would be The Division for Early Childhood (DEC) which is an international membership organization who works with or on behalf of young children with disabilities and other special needs. Their purpose is to promote policies to support the finest development of young children with special needs. Most of these types of jobs require five years experience and a master’s degree or above (aacte.org).

Early Childhood Organizations | Early Childhood Retrieved from

http://aacte.org/programs/early-childhood/early-childhood-organizations 

Passion to Action

 My Wordle communicates what I have inspired during my programs, please look at it because; this took me quite a while to get the concept. Thanks

<a href="http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/7622812/Untitled"

Reflecting on Learning

In the Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves, I am learning to continue reflecting on my work, and learning from any mistakes. Even if it doesn’t happen the first time, I will keep on the distinctive path of becoming an educator activist (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010). One of my goals as an anti bias teacher is to identity how I have been programmed by the stereotypes or prejudices absorbed about myself and others; to uncover learned stereotypes, discomforts, and biases. My most passionate hope for my future as a teacher, in order to serve children will be to work with their families. Children are too immature to rationally understand the fixations of racism or being prejudice; as they grow up, their behaviors will show how much influence from family of societal stereotypes and biases so, this is what anti-bias deems as teachable moments to guide children to recognize all children for the unique

To Dr. Pickens,

 I would like to thank you most of all for such a rewarding course on anti-bias teaching, you were supportive and gave much guidance on how to achieve the goals of teaching all children. I will take this with me as I take my journey into early childhood education.

To my colleagues,

 Thank you all for the opportunities to learn how you teach children in diverse cultures. I learned from this group how loving and caring we have to be to share in children’s lives. The more teachers such as yourselves the better off children can learn to accept others. It was a pleasure to get to know all of you. Good luck in all of your ventures.

Derman-Sparks, L., & Olsen Edwards, J. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, D.C.