Time Well Spent

Three deeply felt learning experiences from this program:

The first profound learning came through reflection. The more I learned who I was through my experience, I could see others perspectives more clearly. Widening the scope is where knowledge is gathered. Microagression was something I was not aware of, yet has such a subtle way of carving a person apart. My awareness has been heightened and my defense against microagression has become a priority.   

The second deep learning is the feeling of connection. I have always felt that with nature, but I feel we have such a strong network between colleagues with so many ways to manifest our passion for young children. Collaboration is the key to action, the statement by Sonia Johnson hits the nail on the head. "We must remember that one determined person can make a significant difference, and that a small group of determined people can change the course of history." (Laureate, 2011). 

The third, although my biggest struggle was learning about how to research credible sources. Because I will be using current research as a part of my professional career, to know what I am looking at and where and how it is based is so important. 

Reference

Laureate Education, Inc. (2011). Meeting the Challenge: Merging Passion, Vision and Practice: Practical application in the early childhood field. Baltimore, MD

There has been so many things I have learned with great importance, that I would need another 5 pages to explain. I guess the core is we are in this together, and I gain such inspiration from every experience and person I meet. Below is a bit of my journey through this program through pictures from my trip to Peru last summer.

My journey began with the support of my husband and grown children, my coworkers and friends, I was ready to change the world. 

As I began I said, "wait hold the phone" literally, let me get my phone to take a picture, I'm climbing that!?!

Now that I have crested the summit I see there are many more journeys ahead of me. My challenge is now choosing the first of many, and I intend to work hard and enjoy the view of making a difference for young children and families.

My long term goal is to teach at the community college level, while at the same time implementing natural play spaces as an intricate part of every early childhood program. 

Farewell and Thank You for your input, thoughts, support and lovely perspectives!

Dr. Teri, here is my happy dance! Thank you for your guidance and moving me through my goal of completing my Masters! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_zvipMbSZU

To my colleagues, with whom we have spent many months (some over a year together) of studying, collaborating, and sometimes panicking together. Your presences has been the difference in this program. When I first began I felt this was going to be a solo climb, I quickly realized I couldn't have done it without you. Thanks to all of you, and to you  Mimi, you have been my inspiration! Lets all have tea at 11,000 feet before our next journey, Cheers! 

I would love to hear from any of you and learn about the impact you are making or your next journey in general!! You all have been so inspirational, thank you again.  Here is may home email christinaper@comcast.net

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

#1 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

https://careers.unesco.org/careersection/2/jobdetail.ftl

This position is appeals to me because Education For All (EFA) is a movement to provide all children a basic education. To be a part of a team like this would be amazing and an opportunity for growth. I am not sure I would be fully qualified as far as work experience, and I do not have a second language, but I could learn quickly.

Job opportunity: Director, Education For All (EFA) and Global Agenda Coordination Team.

Education

• Other degrees or short to medium-term training in disciplines relevant to the post would be an advantage.

Work Experience

• Experience in donor relations.
• Experience within national education authorities.
• A proven record of senior management and professional experience at the international and intergovernmental levels.

Skills/Competencies

• Strong global professional network.
• Sound judgment and decision-making skills.
• Ability to identify key strategic issues, objectives, opportunities and risks.
• Ability to interact with a wide range of high-level partners, as well as demonstrated partnership development and fundraising experience.

Languages

• A working knowledge of another official United Nations language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish) would be an asset.

#2 Save The Children

https://ch.tbe.taleo.net/CH12/ats/careers/jobSearch.jsp;jsessionid=CB9B60477A23DE602168B7EC4AB0050E.NA10_primary_jvm?org=FHI&cws=1

Save The Children organization works in 120 countries. They advocate for the treatment of children through programs that support health, nutrition, education, protection and child rights. This specific position will make key contributions in global advocacy, along with the breakthrough of children in humanitarian crises have access to quality education (Save The Children, 2014).

Job opportunity: Advocacy Advisor-Humanitarian and Education 

Qualifications:

Education to degree level – an academic background in a directly relevant field s desirable.

·      Advocate for change with key AU policy makers and decision makers on humanitarian, peace and security and education agendas (and on the interface between these issues)

·      Build and maintain advocacy networks with influential allies, within the AU and among civil society, recognizing that we cannot achieve the change we want by ourselves

·      Deliver ambitious plans to engage and influence the AU on humanitarian and education agendas, in line with agreed organizational objectives, and provide strategic insight to help shape wider Save the Children advocacy efforts in these areas

·      Build profile and credibility for Save the Children, by being a convincing spokesperson for the organization, a source of knowledge and analysis, and through personal commitment to our values and mission

·      Be a strong member of the Addis team, actively participating in building a strong global advocacy office that is networked within the wider organization and has strong links to Africa Country Offices, the other advocacy offices and members

Experiences and skills:

·      Proven record of advocacy success and ability to develop and implement strategy, preferably at the regional level in Africa.

·      A background in influencing African national governments and engaging civil society partners in the region

·      Experience of creating networks of influence, and an ability to manage diverse professional relationships, thereby securing significant new opportunities for the organization

·      Proven ability to speak and communicate effectively, and to tailor messages to different audiences

Experience of successfully operating in an international environment with people from

#3 FHI 360

https://jobs-fhi360.icims.com/jobs/14018/internal-communications-specialist-ii/job

This part time job position appeals to me because the applicant ensures staff is equipped with the information to be fully effective in the organizations vision, mission and goals. Which is FHI 360 sees the world in a way where all communities have the chance to reach their highest potential, improving lives in a lasting way.

Job opportunity: Internal Communications Specialist ll 

Job Responsibilities:

• Design strategies that contribute to measurable increases in staff knowledge of and engagement in organizational goals and activities, with a focus on Human Resources-related content.
• Implement internal communications strategies to ensure that staff have a comprehensive understanding of FHI 360’s goals and work.
• Design and develop internal communications materials that are responsive to the needs of the FHI 360’s domestic and international staff.
• Write, edit and post content to a variety of internal communications vehicles, including but not limited to internal newsletters, the employee intranet, and other print and electronic venues.
• Design and plan a variety of internal events and meetings to ensure successful communication of organizational messages and opportunities for dialogue.
• Provide other communications-related duties as required.

Qualifications:

·      Bachelor’s degree and at least 5 years experience writing, edition and publications.

·      Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.

·      Ability to work independently and manage sensitive work.

·      Strong organization skills, with the ability to work simultaneously on multiple projects to meet short deadline.

·      Sensitive to cultural differences and the political ethical issues.

Week 4 Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: National/Federal Level

#1 The Division for Early Childhood: Promoting policies, advancing practices

http://www.dec-sped.org/About_DEC/Career_Center

DEC is one of seventeen divisions of the Council for Exceptional Children. They are the largest international organization to improve educational outcomes.

Position: Instructor, Early Education and Family Studies

Full time position.

Masters degree in the subject area and non-teaching work experience in the field (Working with children, families and early childhood care and education professionals with young children and their families.)

Subject area includes “Early Childhood Studies”

#2 Farm to Preschool

http://www.farmtopreschool.org/whatisfarmtopreschool.html

Thanks to Mimi, I have been so excited to investigate the Farm to School organization and found this branch. Farm to Preschool is a program that brings children to local farms, bring in local healthy foods or produce gardens.

Position: There are no job opportunities available, but this is an organization I would love to be a part of, or create my own under their direction.  I will keep searching for job opportunities in this area.

#3 Early Childhood Environmental Education Programs: Guidelines for Excellence.

http://eelinked.naaee.net/n/eelink-jobs/posts/Nature-Clubs-Project-Coordinator

This description is what interested me. I would prefer to work directly with families but this affects children and families in nature play opportunities.

Position: Nature Clubs Project Coordinator

Work with the Director of Conservation Education and an appointed task force to compile the resources needed to develop nature play opportunities at zoos and aquariums and to remove barriers for families to engage with nature in their communities.

Minimum Experience and Trainings:

Bachelor’s degree in education or related field. Minimum 2 years of experience in nonformal education. Experience with environmental or outdoor education preferred.

#4 NAEYC http://www.naeyc.org/about/jobs

Unfortunately I did not find any positions that interest me that were available. Although anyone in the field of Early Childhood uses NAEYC for guidance and resources. I would love to be a part of this organization.  

Exploring Roles in ECE at the State and Local Level

1. My search has led to Colorado Community College Online CCCOnline. This is an online community of all the Colorado community colleges, that offer online classes in every subject including ECE. When you live in a rural area you do not have much of a choice of face-to-face classes. I used this with the current changes to Director Qualification. They offer positions to Colorado residents unless there is no one qualified in a class needed. You submit an application, unofficial transcripts and a Curriculum Vita or resume and a brief statement of your Online Teaching Philosophy. If CCCOnline contacts you for a position, you must complete the Colorado Career and Technical Education (CTE) credential. It is something I would like to try, there are no guarantees of steady employment but I would like to gain the experience this way. The more classes you teach the more CCCOnline uses you.

http://www.ccconline.org/

2. Another search lead me to Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE). They are a nonprofit organization whose mission is to teach and empower teachers in formal and non-formal education, public agencies, employees and community members.  I am very familiar with this organization and have my Environmental Education Certification through them. They have recently been very focused on school aged children and meeting the EE standards. The last meeting I had with them, they said they do not have much representation from early childhood professionals, and they would like to reach more young children. This was an informal statement but I feel if I perused this area I could create some link to reaching early childhood teachers in the State. I may need to take more EE classes but I always find classes to be invigorating.

https://www.caee.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=136

3. Another local search lead me to The City of Aspen’s Childcare Resource Center, called Kids First. I have worked with the Director for several years, conducting workshops, and writing articles for the Providers Newsletter on a bimonthly basis for over 4 years. They provide funding for programs to higher a coach in specific areas of need, typically areas relating to low scores in the quality rating scale. This would be exciting to work with programs I am familiar with. The one draw back I see is Kids First continually wants programs to do new trainings, such as DECA, Pyramid, Mind Up, and many more. I don’t feel these programs are negative in any way, but each year they push for the latest and greatest training, which the coaches teach. Because of the turnover rate in childcares I feel it is appropriate to continue with 1 training that fits the program.  But this does give a coach great exposure to a variety of methods of teaching adults.

http://www.aspenpitkin.com/Departments/Kids-First

"My Passion" Wordle

http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/7425478/My_Passion

Good luck to everyone on the last leg of our journey, or is it the beginning?

Collaboration in the Learning Community

This is always one of my favorite posts, a chance to acknowledge my colleagues in our learning community. I have learned from different perspectives in culture and personal experiences I plan on taking with me in my personal life and professional communication as well.

I just found out I was invited to present at a workshop after two of my hero's in the environmental education world, Dr. Nilda Cosco and Dr. Robin Moore who founded the Natural Learning Initiative. I will use every tool in the book and insights from colleagues so I don't just scream when I meet them. I typically look forward to presentations although with this one my knees are knocking, so any suggestion are welcome. I respect everyone from all of my classes any input you have means so much to me. Thank you everyone and best of luck on the final stretch.

Adjournment

Throughout my life there have been many teams I have been a part of some easier to part with and others not. In my younger years, I would audition for our community theater musicals (I was a dancer not a singer!). The process of auditioning, being chosen and working together for the performance was the team’s goal. The director had a lot to do with how the team gelled; we worked closely together having our own parts that depended on the whole for the show. It was very difficult to adjourn after closing night, we weren’t sure if we would see the same people in the next performance and we typically ended with a cast party. These teams were so successful and we felt such a rush of adrenalin after each performance and a great feeling of success. I have really connected with people in these online courses, not all personally but I value everything people bring to my learning. I would love to have casual conversations with my colleagues that don’t require citing resources and learning about their work and direction after our classes. I think all of us will be somewhat relieved to adjourn, but for over a year I’ve checked my computer and will miss sharing the intellectual insights about our field. I think all experiences needs closure whether it is in sadness or celebration, but reflecting on the relationships and lessons learned.