National and Federal Organizations

National Association for the Education of Young Children their mission is “to serve and act on behalf of all young children with primary focus on the provision of educational and developmental services and resources”(NAEYC, 2012).  This community of practice prides itself on “convening individuals and groups with diverse perspectives to generate new knowledge and understanding of issues” that are affecting education and the development of young children (NAEYC, 2012).  This organization is a wonderful asset to any professional community because of its diverse membership.  They also advocate for public policies and funding to support comprehensive systems of high quality early childhood learning for young children and families which is an area that interest me professionally.

The National Association of Child Care Professionals is an organization for child care owners, directors and administrators.  Although this organization seems exclusive, the goal of improving, enhancing and strengthening the credibility of the people who lead the child care industry seems like an important step to ensure that child care workers are seen as credible among other professionals.  This organization will be important as the early childhood field moves forward to ensure that qualified teachers and high quality programs are in place for all children.  Although I do not meet the criteria to join at the moment, the opportunity to join a community of professionals with these members would be beneficial in understanding the management perspective of early childcare programs.

The National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) is another national organization that appeals to me.  This organization conducts and communicates research which supports high quality, effective, early childhood education for all young children (NIEER, 2012).  The research that is completed here is important in the struggle to improve the conditions and wages for teachers as they become highly qualified to teach through earning degrees.  But also the research provides evidence that supports the need for high quality early childhood programs to enhance the development of young children and families.  All early childhood professionals, and students alike, benefit from the work that is done through this organization.  They are key players in the fight to develop legislation, regulations and policies to improve the quality and increase access for children nationwide.

Job opportunities that interest me are Early Childhood Education Director, Early Childhood Community Outreach Manager, and any job that would allow me to work with making policies for early childhood programs. For each of the jobs listed I found that at least a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood, business, public policy with at least 3-5 years of relevant experience were necessary.  All jobs required the ability to communicate effectively with the public, compassion and ability to work with a diverse population, and write reports, manage budgets and supervise staff.  Some coordination with the community and ability to problem solve were also characteristics that were needed.

National Association of Child Care Professionals. 2012. http://www.naccp.org/

National Association for the Education of Young Children. 2012. http://www.naeyc.org/about/mission

National Institute for Early Education Research. 2012. http://nieer.org/about/vision

Employment Opportunities in EC

My search for job openings in my community or county did not go well.  I did not find one job opening for a Early Childhood Educator of any types, much less one with a Master’s degree.  This was very discouraging.  However, as I was researching online I found several job opportunities in state and governmental jobs and even jobs overseas!

The first site that I visited in my county was the Partnership for children.  They offered no employment opportunities on their site.  I then searched the SmartStart organization. I know that we have a Pre-K program in our county and in the years when I worked for the program it was administered by the SmartStart program.  I did not find anything about the Pre-K program on their page, however there was a link for employment opportunities.  So I clicked the link and followed it.  On the next page there were several options for state positions.  Here I found two job opportunities that I felt I might be qualified for.  The first was a SmartStart Learning Community Director.  This job entailed developing classes for employees to take in an online environment and working with computer programmers to develop a chat room and discussion board where employees could respond.  Ultimately, the director would be developing classes and maintaining the assignments and grades for the employees.  They would also be responsible as a contact person for log in information, etc.  The requirement was a Master’s degree in Early Childhood, experience in online classroom management and development, organization and implementation of a curriculum and at least 3 years experience in leadership.  The second employment opportunity was a Project Manager for a Race to the Top grant.  The candidate would be responsible for administering the funding and meeting all of the qualifications of the grant.  They have to coordinate programs to meet the qualifications and ensure that all aspects are met.  A Master’s degree in a related field, experience in early childhood programs, and extensive knowledge of early childhood program history is required.  Both of these jobs were on the state level.

The Office of Health and Human Services website I found an employment opportunity for a Grant Reviewer.  I thought this was an awesome job opportunity.  Perhaps it is because I long for a quiet environment at the moment to hear myself think, but this is an opportunity to review grants to see if they meet the requirements for funding.  The requirements are that you have expertise in the area in which you select.  You must have a four year degree or further to apply, and you should have an area of expertise that you can demonstrate through references on a resume.  If selected you have 6 weeks to review grants that are at least 3,000 pages.  You work 6 days a week and must be available by phone for conferences if necessary.  Also, you have to have access to the internet and telephone during set hours each day.  The plus is that you work at home….however, you will be on call so to speak for 6 days a week during the 6 week period that you are reviewing the grant.

Finally, while I was on the Office of Health and Human Services website I searched jobs in education.  I found many jobs in the United States and abroad for childcare workers, youth program workers, teachers and various other jobs.  Most of the opportunities were on military bases.  However, I noticed very quickly that the early childhood opportunities were not paying very much money, even those that were in other countries!  It amazes me that we have not made any progress on this issue in the past few years.  If you are looking for jobs, there are a few out there. I fear it is going to be harder than I imagined to find a new job with our new degrees.

http://www.hhs.gov/careers/

https://www.governmentjobs.com/js_login.cfm?&TopHeader=northcarolina

http://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/3445

Profile of a Volunteer

The volunteer that I wish to profile is Mr. Terry White.

For as long as I have known Mr. White, and that has been almost a lifetime, he has been willing to give his time to others to educate them on the ways of our ancestors.  Mr. Terry White is a knowledgeable member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina and has spent many years educating children and adults alike on ceremonial traditions and how to prepare instruments and regalia in the traditional way.

In our community, the traditional way of living is become a distant memory to many.  With dedicated members like Terry White, adults and young people alike are able to understand the traditional ways of our ancestors and now have the opportunity to participate in traditional social events such as Pow Wows and even in spiritual traditions such as the Sweat Lodge.

His volunteer efforts began long ago, in my opinion, as a teen ager. He was willing to take anyone under his wing and introduce them to the tradition on drumming and singing.  He would also give his time to assist anyone that wanted to learn to bead, build a drum or make a flute.  If Terry could not help you, he was sure to find someone that could.  In adult life, Terry continued to volunteer his time in community drum groups and maintained his knowledge sharing with anyone willing to learn.  Over the last few years, many culture classes have been arranged around our county to help teach our children the traditional ways of their ancestors.  Mr. Terry White has continued to volunteer his time to teach and lead the younger generation and even volunteers to chaperone the youth to events across the nation to introduce them to tribal traditions of our neighboring tribes.

Mr. White’s work impacts the lives of others because he is a positive role model for our young Native Youth.  Mr. Terry demonstrates patience and understanding when working with the youth that is admirable.  He is humble and eager to offer assistance to anyone he can help.  Because of the work and time he gives to our communities, the traditions of our ancestors are alive once again.  Our children are beginning to connect with their ancestors and can see how we are responsible to one another as well as our Mother Earth for our actions.

I believe that as we live in the 21^st Century it is important that we remember where we come from as a people.  All cultures have a past, present and future, however if we do not understand the past, it is hard for us to adapt to the present and our futures seem to be a mystery.  When we have pride in our heritage and can participate in cultural events with others that are identical to ourselves we can find an inner strength and a desire to make our people proud by being the best person that we can be.  Mr. Terry White has made it possible for many people to reconnect with their heritage.  But not only does he spread traditional values and procedures, he takes the time to listen to our youth and to guide them to positive paths and provide them with the support they need to achieve their dreams.  He is truly worthy of recognition.

As I reflect on my goal to be an advocate in the early childhood field, I see Mr. Terry as a role model because he gives of his time and knowledge without seeking any recognition for his efforts.  I believe this is the true spirit of an advocate, to be passionate about an issue, to give of yourself and your time without expecting recognition in return.  The only objective that you have is to help children and families achieve their dreams and to be as successful as they can be.

“Using Social Media to Get Connected”

The most obvious past experience that I have with social media is Facebook.  Facebook is a great source for social media.  I had not really considered using it to promote an advocacy effort until reading this week’s module.  This is a wonderful way to express the views of the issue and to persuade others to support your issue and join the efforts.  Other social media sources that I have used in the past would be creating and following a Blog and and viewing videos on you tube.  Each of these outlets could lend themselves to promoting and advocacy effort.

Facebook allows a person to create a site where you can post the goals and objectives of your organization or collaboration in order to allow others to better understand the purpose.  By creating such a page you provide free advertisement as well as a link that will allow millions of people to view your organization or collaborations page, this also allows you a way to reach many people that you may not have contact with otherwise.  This source allows people to comment, ask questions or provide feedback in order to improve the efforts of the group.

Blog pages also allows you to explain your goals and objectives, but it gives you the opportunity to provide research, articles or updates to help others gain a better understanding of the importance of their action in the matter.  Blog pages also allow you the opportunity to communicate with people outside of your community and opens dialogue that can be productive in moving your efforts forward.

Advocacy Messages

IF VIDEO DOES NOT PLAY PLEASE CLICK LINK BELOW. I APOLOGIZE FOR THE INCONVENIENCE BUT I AM STILL LEARNING.

http://bcove.me/qs4c7pes

IF VIDEO DOES NOT PLAY PLEASE CLICK LINK BELOW

http://bcove.me/p9imoggq

http://www.adcouncil.org/Our-Work/Current-Work/Education/Early-Childhood-Development#Asset1774

Advocacy message

These advertisements are so precious.  I believe that they are effective because they demonstrate how everyday moments can become teachable moments between parents and children.  I believe that a lot of parents forget to talk to their children about learning experiences as the opportunity arises during the day.  What is cute is the way the commercials do not show the children at first so it looks as though the adults have lost their minds at first, but then when you see the infant and toddler it is clear that the voice and the actions are to amuse the babies but at the same time the information the parent and grandparent are sharing are valuable.  

In the brief overview that follows these commercial on the Ad Council.org it states that learning begins at birth.  Born Learning is an organization that has made it their personal mission to assist parents and grandparents in making the most of the years between birth and third grade so that there is no achievement gap in the child’s learning.  Children are born absorbing information.  We tend to consider babies as “non thinkers” but the truth is their little brains are ready to learn from the moment they are born.  It begins with the most crucial survival instincts, but then it moves on to other information in the environment such as emotions, speaking, moving, eating and all other actions that are taking place around it on a daily basis.  In psychology we learn that a baby’s brain is like a sponge constantly absorbing information, it can also be compared to a blank slate when it arrives that the child’s environment determines how and what is written on the slate.  WE as parents, grandparents and caregivers have a responsibility to our children to be the first teacher that they know.  Therefore we must begin at birth teaching them all that they need to know to be successful in life.  And yes that does mean that we have discussions with infants that we perceive cannot even understand what we are saying, because we may never know just what kind of impact the conversations we have with babies before they can speak back may have on their intellectual development.  So the next time you are around a newborn, infant or toddler take the opportunity to teach them, do not allow teachable moments to escape and add to the gap in the child’s learning.

http://www.adcouncil.org/Our-Work/Current-Work/Education/Early-Childhood-Development#Asset1774

“My Own Capacity”

     The issues impacting young children and their families and/or the early childhood field that fuel my passion are providing high quality early childhood programs for all children ages 3-5.  I truly believe if we are going to turn around our failing education system in the United States that we have to reach children at younger ages.  With the current state of our economy, there are going to be more at-risk children that will be in need of services in the future.  I am also passionate about these high quality programs identifying children with learning or other developmental disabilities at early ages so that they can receive services that may improve their abilities and their rate of success in school in later years.

     The skills that I have that contribute to advocacy efforts are that I am a people person, therefore I love to talk to and listen to people, I also am willing to devote time working with organizations and committees to improve the circumstances for children, I am a patient person and finally I have great communication skills.  All of these skills can help me as an advocate because you have to be able to listen to people and determine how you can best help them, you have to have the patience to work through an issue by meeting smaller obstacles and achieving them in order to make the path for your goal to be accomplished, and you have to be able to communicate your thoughts and ideals effectively with everyone that you meet and those that can assist you with accomplishing your goal.

     I also believe that I have experience working with professional organizations that will help me when necessary to make contact with different organizations.  Past experiences and relationships are always learning experiences but also are a valuable way to expand your support for an issue. 

     In order to be a more effective advocate I hope that I will continue to learn strategies, procedures and policies that will help me to know the best way to accomplish the objective or issue that I choose to pursue.  As a professional I am aware that there is always room for growth and improvement and I seek daily to improve myself in all areas.  

My Role as an Adovocate

What motivated me to start advocating for very young children I believe was my experiences in school and those I observed with other children made me passionate about helping children learn.  However becoming an advocate for young children began to truly blossom with the birth of my oldest child and has become more prevalent as I have proceeded on my professional journey.

It is essential to acknowledge and foster advocacy efforts at the micro level, as well as the macro level because without communication or feedback from the micro level the macro level has not ideal of the impact they are making on the population.  It is the advocates at each level that work together across the grid to ensure that the best interest of a certain group or population is being maintained as policies are being made or changed at the macro level.

To be a community leader it takes passion for an issue and being able to “move public will and promote community-wide investments” in that issue. (Zero, 2008) 

The resources that it takes to be a state leader on early childhood issues according to Robin Roberts is  that as state leaders on early childhood issues you have to be open to working with other organizations at the state level.  Collaboration is key to the success of state leaders because you “cannot be effective unless you are collaborative” says Roberts.  The article also shares that there has to be a partnership from the “grassroots level all the way to the state level”.  Without collaboration work at the state level is ineffective and individuals at the local level feel unsupported in their work. (Zero, 2009)

Strategies and tactics to mobilize others are uniting community, organizations, parents/families, teachers, local, and state officials to discuss issues and support policies to improve early childhood education.  Public education about early childhood development and education is also a strategy to mobilize support for early childhood issues.  Other strategies include passing on information through mailings, emails and other sources.  Newsletters that highlight advocacy events and strategies and proposing opportunities for action on issues can be passed out and forwarded to local and state officials.  Workshops also provide a strategy for mobilizing support, through workshops others can get information about programs and clear up any myths they may have.  Also, organizations can hold meetings to update others on advocacy opportunities and discuss successes they have had with advocacy to help others with future advocacy efforts.

To advocate for young children and their families one should take on a leadership role by being a facilitator for families and stakeholders. According to Brian Spicker  “bringing all the stakeholders together to support the face-to-face work with children and families” is key to being an advocate.  Robin Roberts suggest that building relationships is key to advocating for infants and toddlers.  Once you have determined what goals you would like to achieve you should seek out people and groups that are working to achieve the same issues or goals.  By working with others and maintaining an open line of communication, the work you do will be much stronger.  She also recommends creating a common message to present in order to prevent confusion or conflicting information when presenting information in public.

Zero to Three Policy Center. (2008). Advocacy strategies to improve outcomes for very young children: Interviews with leaders at the state and community levels. Retrieved from
http://main.zerotothree.org/site/DocServer/AdvocacyLeaders_final.pdf?docID=1882