Time Well Spent

I have worked very hard my whole classroom experience to learn about other cultures and peoples but my experience with Walden has shown me how to learn about myself. I never realized the better I know my own discomforts and biases the better I could relate to others. I have learned a patience I never realized I had and an understanding I wish to pass onto others.

I have learned that we work better with others who have the same passion and goals as we do. To gather a group of people, known as a Community of Practice, great things can be accomplished. While learning about the COP in my own personal and professional life I have been able to move onto another position in my Head Start community to help even more families and children.

I have learned through the classes focused on diversity that we have much further work to do within our schools and classrooms. This is an area we are focusing on in our Head Start program and it is exciting to think we could be innovative in helping change how to work with immigrant and refugee families.

My short term goal is also my long term goal, to give children a safe and caring second home while their families are out providing for them. I know we were to come up with a challenge to change the world but I feel I am already doing so in my work with Head Start. This may be why I struggled so much with this class, it was hard for me to think bigger than what I am already doing and completely satisfied that I am changing the world one child at a time. 

      

 Thank you to all who gave me insight and advice during our time together.











The best of luck to you all.

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

The first site which interested me, and has for awhile is the UNICEF program. I am especially worried about children and families after this past event in Syria and after yesterday's reaction from the US, London, and France. There are many jobs one could undertake but many seem as if I would have to go back to school and learn a whole new field yet I did find one job that I could perhaps undertake.

Education Specialist, NO-3, Nyala, Sudan

Job Number: 512274 | Vacancy Link
Locations: Middle East and North Africa: Sudan
Work Type : Fixed Term Staff

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children's rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world.

How can you make a difference?

Under the guidance and general supervision of the Chief of Field Office  and technical guidance of the Chief of Education Section P5, the Specialist supports the development and preparation of the Education program/s and is responsible for managing, implementing, monitoring, evaluating and reporting the progress of education programs/projects within the country program. The Specialist provides technical guidance and management support throughout the programming processes to facilitate the administration and achievement of results on education programs/projects to improve learning outcomes and equitable and inclusive education, especially for children who are marginalized, disadvantaged and excluded in society.

The Specialist contributes to achievement of results according to plans, allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM) and UNICEF's Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework.

The specialist will guide the education programme in both states towards sustainable education outcomes and towards the achievement of SDG 4 and the new UNICEF Strategic Plan (2018-2021) goal areas 2 and 4. In addition this post is expected to provide leadership and facilitate the processes that will ensure a well-coordinated, strategic, and effective Education sector emergency response in the two states.

Key functions/accountabilities:

1.Support to program/project development and planning

• 2.Program management, monitoring and delivery of results

• 3.Technical and operational support to program implementation

 4. Networking and partnership building

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have…

• An Advanced University Degree in education, economics, psychology, sociology or other social science field is required. 
• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in social development planning and management in education and related areas at the international level, some of which preferably in a developing country is required. Relevant experience in the UN Common System is an asset 
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

Our core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results

The qualification were pretty extensive so I narrowed down the narrative but this gives the basic information.

Save the Children was my next go to.

Required Background and Experience, Skills and Behaviors

• Minimum education must be in accordance with state licensing requirements or an associate degree or higher. Preferred baccalaureate degree in early childhood education, child development, a human service degree or related field and experience in working with children.
• Two year’s work experience in a position the directly relates to the implementation and monitoring of program operations.
• Previous Head Start/Early Head Start experience preferred.
• Knowledge of program planning and practices in infant/toddler and preschool center-based programs through knowledge of Head Start Program Performance Standards and best practices related to early childhood education.
• Knowledge of general business practices including supervision, inventory control and risk management.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with agency staff, children, and outside agencies.
• Ability to oversee and operate the day-to-day program in compliance with all local, state and federal regulations.
• Ability to communicate effectively with staff and families.
• Good time management, organizational and problem solving skills.

• Ability to perform medium to heavy physical work exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds frequently and up to 5-10 pounds constantly, performing such activities as sitting, crawling, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping. This also includes some duties that require repetitive action and motion skills, keyboarding and computer use.Clear criminal records check (including child abuse registry check if required by state regulations) and pass all state and local health requirements required post job offer and prior to employment.   To drive agency vehicles (if applicable), must have a valid driver’s license and be insurable by the Save the Children Head Start insurance carrier and have a Motor Vehicle Record acceptable to Save the Children Head Start.  Current and former Head Start/Early Head Start parents will receive preference for employment vacancies for which they are qualified.

The great thing about this job is I actually start my new position with my Head Start program as Assistant Director for our Early Start and Head Start site in Albany County.

Feed the Children is another agency I am interested in because I am a donator to this program. Though there were no jobs which interested me at the moment I can tell I would like a career in this program after reading what I will post below. 

Feed the Children is full of passionate employees who are working to create a world where no child goes to bed hungry. If you share our vision and you’re tired of how things are typically done in the non-profit world, come help us rethink and put into action better ways to defeat hunger. We’re looking for people who want to:

• Challenge convention. We question every norm, seek new and better ways, and think differently.
• Defend dignity. We’re driven by our commitment to children, to show compassion for all and to serve without discrimination.
• Champion partnership. We facilitate conversations and collaboration, seek different perspectives and expertise, and build communities of supporters.
• Value every donor. We recognize the role everyone plays, always demonstrate our gratitude and engage donors on a personal level.
• Drive accountability. We do what we say we do, proactively communicate and take pride in fulfilling our obligations.

Benefits

Feed the Children is an energized work environment — employees share not only a great cause but a sense of teamwork and camaraderie, too. We take care of our employees because they deserve it:

• 403b
• Paid vacation
• Sick leave
• Personal days
• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision care
• Life insurance
• Counseling services

I especially like that they offer counseling services as I am sure this job could be tough on our emotions.

I am very excited to see that the new position I will begin fits right in with the very agencies we are exploring for this blog assignment.