Final Walden Post

I videoed my family telling how they feel about me completing and what that means for them…It was very eye opening and touching to say the least. I didn't realize how much time they missed with me.

            When you end an academic program, your professors, I am sure, wants to hear about the new knowledge you gained in content and issues and trends. I did learn a lot of new content and about issues and trends; however, that is not what I will share as my deeply felt learning's. As a professional, I should be looking to be abreast of new research, issues, and trends on a regular basis. It is the new skills I adopted and personal revelations I would like to share that will continue to push me forward in my professional development.

            There are many learning experiences that have changed me but there are three that I am going to share with you in this blog.

First, Social referencing was eye opening in many ways. It made me recognize that some of my thinking was very prejudice and judgmental. Although I never voiced my judgments allowed, they can still be represented by my actions subconsciously. I am now hyper sensitive to social referencing that I see it and hear it everywhere and am offended every time I do. I have even heard my children social referencing and I correct them immediately. I am glad that it was brought to my attention because the more people who are made aware of this type of prejudice the more likely will , hopefully, dissipate.

From our diversity class there were 4 propositions that I held on to because they met a lot to me that I will refer to often.

Proposition 1: Diversity starts with you: You play many different roles in life, called "social identities," and together these social identities make up who you are. Through your social identities, you represent human diversity.

Proposition 2: A person's diverse self comes to life, evolves, and exists within the milieu of the "family." Each "family" is diverse in itself; each has its own different family culture(s); and family culture(s) interact dynamically with the diverse world.

Proposition 3: Conflicts and inequities arise when diversity is conceptualized and experienced as a "problem" and when individuals and/or institutions resist/are in opposition to diversity.

Proposition #4: Equity and social justice are more likely attainable when diversity is conceptualized and experienced as opportunity.

Second, I enjoyed learning about teaching adults my favorite book which was one of our resources was the skillful teacher. That book will continue to be on my bedside table because I still think I can learn so much more from the book. Teaching adults has similarities to teaching young children, but really it can be very difficult at times because of all the dynamics that surround it. I enjoyed reading about strategies and creating my tool kit and am excited to utilize it within workshops I conduct and maybe even classes I teach in the future.

This was taken out of one of my papers that I wanted to share with you because I believe it is important in my professional career.

            A skilled teacher has a strong opening to her course that sets the standard by how she presents herself. She strives to know her students and teach to their diverse needs, which includes learning styles, disabilities, and personal needs. “In students eyes an important component of successful learning is perceiving the teacher as both an ally and an authority” (Brookfield, 2010, p. 55). Credibility and authenticity is demonstrated which tells the students; she is here with a purpose and passion. As she gets to know her students, she also shows her human side. “Students recognize that teachers are authentic when those teachers are perceived to be allies in learning who are trustworthy, open and honest in their dealing with students” (Brookfield, 2010, p.67). Motivation is imperative and taking time to know your students is a great first step. Being open and honest and showing that she has their best interest at heart begins with introductions but carries on into the curriculum.

The last thing I wanted to share was written in this class. I enjoyed the leadership section of this course (other too but my favorite) because I felt like I created a new vision of leadership that I hope to continue to put into action and perfect. Over the years, I have grown so much and I feel that this program has really grown me up in this area.

            I have found that I have grown as a leader because my vision has yet again been tweaked. Good leaders are always looking for ways to make their skills stronger and better.   My vision of leadership is that I become a leader consistent in my core values, but flexible to the needs of my team. I want my leadership style to encompass the transformation, reflective, and democratic leadership styles I have come to realize that I will never lead like my favorite leader. I have to lead by who I am utilizing the strategies and techniques that encompass my strengths. The best complement any leader could receive is, “I didn't think I could accomplish this, but you believed in me and supported me through, and I did it!” Joel Barker said, “A leader is someone you choose to follow to a place you wouldn't go by yourself (Bloom, 2003, p. 1)” My person individuals to success while also accomplishing a project or goal.

My Long time Goal is to become an even better leader then I already am and continue to grow by learning new skills and strategies through experience and keeping abreast of new information by reading and researching new information often. I would like to teach/coach adults to stimulate passion and intrinsic drive within the field of Early Childhood.

Farewell message in the below video. 

CONGRATULATIONS EVERYONE!  

  Please stay in touch if you wish my email is loveandjoyineducation@gmail.com 

Quotes I love:

International Organizations

The first organization that I viewed was the Association for Childhood Educational International. “ACEI's tagline is, "Bright futures for every child, every nation," which highlights ACEI's commitment to support and advocate for access to education, equity in educational settings, quality educational content, and the child's right to education”. This organization is great for Walden University Students dedicated to Social change. This organization is dedicated to ensuring children around the world have quality education.

            This organization has plenty of resources to understand the different global needs in education and has affiliations with institutions such as, UN, UNICEF, just to name a couple. They also have various publications, the one that is most interesting to be is Childhood Education, which is a bimonthly magazine to keep you informed of what is going on around the world in Early childhood. ACEI also provides resources to learn about global actions and gateways, this show great ways to get involved in world wide support of children learning.

I found various volunteer jobs to include community action, which is an activity to make your community aware of the educational struggles and success around the world. Writing an article and publishing on ACEI website or newsletter.  My new knowledge attained through my education, will allow me expertise in early childhood to contribute to social change worldwide in education.

The second organization I reviewed was Education International. Basically this organization supports unions of teachers across the globe. “ It is the world’s largest federation of unions, representing thirty million education employees in about four hundred organizations in one hundred and seventy countries and territories, across the globe. Education International unites all teachers and education employees.”

Points of their job are:

·         Education International promotes the principle that quality education, funded publicly, should be available to every student in every country .

·         Education International promotes and represents the interests of teachers and other education employees on the international level.

·         Education International assists the development of independent democratic organizations to represent teachers and other education employees and builds solidarity and cooperation between them.

·         Education International advocates for equity in society. It combats racism and xenophobia. It challenges discrimination on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and racial or ethnic origin or characteristics.

·         Education International works with other global federations of unions and other kindred organizations to promote and achieve solidarity.

 They have a section on issue and action, that I like to review and educate myself in issues that are current in our field. 

There are two jobs available for a career or internship positions, one is a program officer and Administrative officer. These two jobs are not jobs that I would like because they are clerical secretary like and I want to attain a more academic job focused on educating adults or children. Additionally it is required to speak a second language in which I do not.

The last organization I reviewed was Save the Children, an organization dedicated to saving one child’s life at a time in 120 countries providing what children need to grow up happy and healthy. I remember watching the commercial when I was younger and taking my piggy bank to my dad to give to them. I handed it to him and he said what is this for? I told him I wanted to give it to those children on TV. My parents sponsored their first child that year, and I loved their updates my dad would read to me. I can still see the little boys face in my head.

Save the children don't just give money and supplies, they teach people how to take care of their children long term. Often we focus on what they do outside the US; however, Save the Children do much in America as well watch the below video. 

They offer a list of volunteer jobs, the categories are:

Advocate
Join our network of advocates

Fundraise
Learn how you can help raise funds

Spread the Word
Spread our message through social networks

Protect Kids
Lead a Prep Rally to get your community ready for disasters

They also offer carreer positions in three categories

1.      US Headquarter Positions

2.      US field based position

3.      International field based positions

The job that I found interesting is located in DC, and it is called Director, Federal Early Childhood Policy. This job entailed working in capital hill with experience. I do not have experience in this but it did sound interesting because it was based around ECE. Below is the job description.

Director, Federal Early Childhood Policy
Location:	US - DC - DC Home Office
Division.:	Save the Children Action Network
Description
Position Title :        Director, Government Relations, Federal Early Childhood Policy Position Structure :  Director Employee Type :     Full-time Regular Supervisor Title :     Senior Director, Government Relations Division :                 Save the Children Action Network (SCAN) Founded by Save the Children in 2014, Save the Children Action Network is a new organization dedicated to mobilizing Americans around a commitment that cannot wait — investing in early childhood now. Save the Children Action Network engages our government, businesses, partner organizations and supporters to take bold action and to hold our elected leaders accountable for the youngest, and too often forgotten, global citizens — our children. Summary The Director of Government Relations (GR), Early Childhood Education (ECE) will manage the overall federal ECE issue portfolio identifying opportunities to advance ECE legislative initiatives.  He/she will develop and manage relationships at the federal level with the Hill, Administration and organizations that align with SCAN’s ECE priorities.  The Director will develop legislative strategy and oversee tactical implementation of ECE legislative initiatives.  He/she will work closely with the Associate Director of GR, ECE, other SCAN departments and Save the Children’s United States Programs (USP). Essential Duties, Responsibilities and Impact:    Manage ECE Issue Portfolio & Develop Strategy: ·         The Director will manage the ECE federal issue portfolio identifying legislation to advance ECE priorities.  ·         He/she will develop legislative and funding strategies in coordination with the Senior Director of GR to advance SCAN priorities. ·         The Director will work in conjunction with existing ECE Coalitions and feed into their strategies when aligned with SCAN’s priorities.   Develop, Maintain & Manage External Relationships: ·         The Director will develop, maintain and manage bipartisan and bicameral relationships on the Hill with a focus on key committees of jurisdiction and members in leadership. This also includes relationships with the White House and relevant agencies along with the ECE advocacy community.  ·         He/she will be SCAN’s primary point of contact for ECE federal policy.   Develop Advocacy & Educational Initiatives: ·         The Director will spearhead and develop initiatives with strategic partners, when appropriate, to educate our congressional targets and the Administration on our ECE legislative policy. This includes but is not limited to sharing SCAN’s policy positions and Save the Children’s reports through holding briefings. In doing so, SCAN will be positioned as a strong advocate and thought leader in the ECE space on the federal level.   Internal Coordination with SCAN & USP: ·         The Director will work closely with the Associate Director of GR, ECE to ensure federal and state strategy are coordinated and appropriately aligned.Additionally, they will strategically identify opportunities for the Associate Director to contribute to the federal ECE issue portfolio. ·         He/she will work with the Mobilization team to identify where there is a need to generate grassroots and grass-tops support for influencing federal policy. ·         He/she will work with the communications team to determine how best to influence key federal decision makers through communication tactics. ·         The Director will work with the political team to identify possible federal targets to either support or oppose based on their ECE record. ·         He/she will communicate SCAN’s ECE federal initiatives to USP and work together when priorities are aligned.   Monitoring, Accountability & Administrative: ·         The Director will monitor achievement of predetermined objectives, grant responsibilities, including contributing to reporting, expenditure and administration. Required Background, Experience, Skills and Behaviors: ·         Minimum 10 years professional experience, with at least four years of demonstrated leadership on Capitol Hill on a Committee of jurisdiction. ·         Strong familiarity with the legislative process, including both authorizations and appropriations processes and a demonstrated track record of legislative successes (bills passed, budgets increased, etc.) ·         Established networks and contacts within senior Washington governmental and nongovernmental ECE policy circles. ·         Bachelor's degree required - Master’s Degree preferred  ·         Experience working in a campaign or initiative a plus. ·           Save the Children is the leading independent organization for children in need, with programs in over 120 countries, including the United States. We aim to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children, and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives by improving their health, education and economic opportunities.  Each year, we reach tens of millions of children in need in the United States and around the world. Join our dedicated and diverse staff in their work to improve the well-being of children everywhere. Save the Children provides an attractive benefits package including competitive salaries, a matching retirement plan, health and welfare benefits, life insurance, an employee assistance program, generous time off and much more. Save the Children provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran. Save the Children complies with all applicable laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.

I have the education requirements but basically that is it. It would be interesting to understand more of what goes on in capitol hill in regards to early childhood. I will have to research it. I don't want to move anyway. But I have begun to see how my Masters degree is opening a lot of doors. 

References

http://acei.org/

http://www.ei-ie.org/en/

http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6115947/k.B143/Official_USA_Site.htm