Time Well Spent

WOW! Where do I begin? Throughout this last week of my studies at Walden University, I have really been reflecting on everything that I have learned. It seems as though my time at Walden has flown by, but when I think of all the research, papers, blogs, and discussions that have taught me a GREAT deal, it doesn’t seem like it has went by as quickly.

I have learned so much that there is no way I could list it all, therefore I’ll only list three things that stick out in my mind. One thing is that I uncovered my true passion in the early childhood field. I have always wanted to teach children because I’ve always got so much joy out of teaching them. However, I have learned that my true passion is not just teaching students, but taking care of them and ensuring that they have the best start in life that sets them up to succeed in years to come. Another thing that I have learned is the characteristics of a leader. Leaders need to be mentors, inspirational motivators, collaborators, charismatic, intelligent, and have a true passion for what they are doing. The third thing that I have learned is how to complete research in a professional manner and to then report my findings in APA style. Throughout the courses taken at Walden, I have read many articles and case studies from professional journals, books, and magazines and now know how to cite these resources.

One long-term goal that I have set for myself is to manage a day care center. My father is a pastor of a church, and as the congregation grows I plan to discuss the opportunity of directing a day care center. I feel that from what I have learned from all of the courses at Walden that I have taken, it has created a foundation that will begin my approach to reaching my goal.

I would like to say goodbye to my instructor, Dr. Teri, and my fellow colleagues. I have gained so much knowledge and experience because of your feedback, suggestions, and assistance. It has been an extremely meaningful journey. I pray that each and every one of you succeed in whatever goals that you set forth for yourself.

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

 

There are many international organizations that focus on many issues that affect early childhood education. The first organization that I have researched is the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICF). This organization works with individuals and other organizations to beat poverty, violence, disease, and discrimination that affect children’s lives. They desire to improve the lives of all children. A job that I’d be interested in is a Communication Specialist because I enjoy communicating with others about things I sincerely care about and educating others how to communicate efficiently. This position’s responsibilities are to plan, execute, monitor, and evaluate current communication strategies. These strategies consist of the use of their website and other Internet sources, such as digital media and interactive storytelling. Its duties are to basically make sure all use of communicational technology runs smoothly, efficiently, effectively, and in a timely manner. I would need to be experienced at the many communicational devices and technology savvy. Click the link below to research yourself:

http://www.unicef.org/

 

The second organization is Save the Children. This organization works to assist children in their daily lives and when disaster strikes. This includes poverty, hunger, disease, and illiteracy. Their mission is “to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives”. I would like to be the Senior Director of Early Childhood Development because it is a working with and educating others about ways to better children. With this job comes great responsibility. It mainly leads teams, people, and organizations in establishing and achieving set goals about assisting children. To obtain this position it would require that I have more proven education, intrapersonal, representational, and managerial skills. Click the link below to research yourself:

http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6226565/k.BFEA/Working_at_Save_the_Children.htm

The last organization I’m interested in is the Academy for Educational Development (FHI 360) because this organization focuses on education for all people. Its mission is “To improve lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions for human development”. They want every human being to achieve their full potential, not just in school, but in life. One position I’m interested in is the Technical Advisor of NID (Nutrition and Infectious Disease) Coordination and FANTA (Food and Nutrition Technical Assistance). This job focuses on maternal and child health by developing projects and guidance that pertain to healthy choices. It also involves supervising fund and production of materials used for the cause. The skills that I would need are international experience, managing funds, knowledge of nutrition, and knowledge of their many programs that assist people. Click the link below to research yourself:

http://www.aed.org/en/index.htm

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

Three national/federal organizations that I currently have in my community of practice that appealed to me are the Children’s Defense Fund, the United States Department of Education, and the American Psychological Association. I chose these three national organizations because they have much information on poverty and topics related to poverty. They give current statistics and populations all over the United States along with resources to assist parents, teachers, and children.

There were a few job opportunities listed within these organizations. For the Children’s Defense Fund, I would enjoy being the Director of Youth Leadership Development. For this position, I’d have to work well with children, know how to teach them in areas that need growth, be a leader, and sociable. For the United States Department of Education job openings, I believe I’d like to do work in the Equal Employment Opportunity area. Do obtain this job, I’d have to be unbiased, fair, and caring for the needs of others. The American Psychological Association has positions for completing studies within classrooms that I feel I would be interested in.

References

Children’s Defense Fund. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.childrensdefense.org/

U.S. Department of Education. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.ed.gov/

American Psychological Assoication, (2013). Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community

There were a few state and local early childhood organizations or communities of practice that I researched because of how they appealed to me. Since I have a passion for the well-being and education of young children, any cause that encourages and assists this sparks my high interest.

Early Childhood Ohio is an organization that promotes school readiness in the children of Ohio. They have a passion to help children achieve to their potential. This organization is so big that it is interconnected with other organizations, such as the Ohio Department of Education or the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. The Ohio Department of Education handles state standards and other educational matters. Ohio Department of Job and Family Services deals with families and services offered to them to assist them in living.  In order to fulfill the roles here, I would have to have experiences with children, connections with different resources, and supports for children and their families.

References

Department of Job and Family Services. Retrieved http://jfs.ohio.gov/

Early Childhood Ohio. (2013). Retrieved from http://earlychildhoodohio.org/

The Ohio Department of Education. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.ode.state.oh.us/

The Last Leg

I am so excited to be finishing the last part of my experience at Walden University! Although my professional development and learning experiences will never stop, it still feels amazing to be earning my MS. A feeling of accomplishment is slowly arising. I hope you all enjoy my blog throughout this course!

Reflection

As I reflect on the past 8 weeks of this course, I realize that I have learned a lot from not only the resources but also all of my colleagues. I appreciate the support and feedback that you all gave!

The Adjourning Stage of the Five Stages of Team Development

The adjourning phase of the five stages of team development is the end stage. This signifies that group members are moving on to separate places in their lives (Abudi, 2010). This is a time when group members should think about what all they have accomplished, didn’t accomplish, and what could have been done differently.

 In my experience in this stage, the hardest part was saying goodbye after working in a group for a long time. I taught at a school district for 3 years and it was hard to say goodbye to the people I worked so closely with. I don’t feel like the most effective groups were the hardest to leave. I remember a group I was put into in college, the work we did was great but our group members didn’t particularly get along because we all operated of different time schedules. Everyone was assigned parts and we put our presentation together once everyone was finished. Our grades couldn’t have been better, but I had not problem leaving that group. I believe that the adjourning phase from the group of colleagues I have formed throughout my master’s program will be somewhat easy. Throughout every course I meet new people and reconnect with others that I have shared a past course with.

I think that the adjourning stage is essential for teamwork because it brings our work and goals to a close. Once one goal is met, another one can be created in life.

References

Abudi, G. (2010). The five stages of team development: A case study. Retrieved from http://www.projectsmart.co.uk/the-five-stages-of-team-development-a-case-study.html