National and Federal ECE Organizations

Below are three federal/national organizations that are in the extended community of practice for educators, families, and children:

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) is a union comprised of over 1.7 million members.  Its mission is to advocate for democracy, economic opportunity, and high-quality education for families and children. Having various departments including, international affairs, public service, early childhood, and healthcare this union has pushed for a range of initiatives for reform including tenure for teachers, child labor laws, and accountability for standardized testing.  Connecting with a range of community partners the AFT is committed to community engagement and advancement. 

Currently there are two positions open at AFT: Social Justice/ Community Engagement Organizer and National Representative. Both require experience in organizing social, racial and economic justice, experience in executing campaigns and working with coalitions.

www.aft.org

The Association for Childhood Education Internationalbegan in 1892, initially focusing on kindergarten education, internationally and in the US.  Over the years, the focus widens to education through the primary years and now education up to 18 years, showing special care and attention to fragile and children with high needs. This non-profit organization is committed to promoting equal, quality, and accessible education in order to prepare children to become responsible citizens worldwide.  Based on the principles that collaboration is imperative for social impact, children’s development must start early, innovation is key to educational transformation, and action should be global, ACEI work includes education diplomacy and innovation exchange. 

I found no job postings on the site.

https://www.acei.org

The National Black Child Development Institute(NBCDI) was established in 1970 to support, advocate, and advance reforms around issues that impact black children and their families.  Their mission is to “improve and advance the quality of life for Black children and their families through education and advocacy” (https://www.nbcdi.org/who-we-are). With affiliates nationwide, over 20 communities are supported by members who implement national programs for families and children. This organization is a resource agency providing training, programs, and advocacy work specifically to support black children, from birth to age eight, and their families around early childhood care, literacy, health and wellness. 

Currently there is a job posting for a fellowship manager who will be responsible for coordinating fellowship activities and managing the fellowship program.  There are no specific requirements listed, however, based on the description, one should have experience in program evaluation, project planning and strategy, community and partner engagement, and recruitment including marketing and selection. 

https://www.nbcdi.org

ECE community: Local and State Levels

Here are three organizations in the DC Metro area that I would explore as possible resources and employment options (If I was still in the area and not living overseas).

Zero to Three is a non-profit organization that provides education and knowledge to “nature early development” to families, policy makers, and professionals (Zero to Three, 2018).  This organization is comprised of professionals in mental health, physical health, and child development who support the adults (parents/ caregivers) that support children from birth to age three. Some of their current initiatives and projects include: Transcultural Innovation Initiative, Professional Development and Workforce Innovations, and the Military Family Project.  Currently there are not any job openings for this organization. I believe organizations like these are vital to creating communities of healthy families and young children; the more one knows, the better one will be. 

www.zerotothree.org

Under the Department of Health and Human Services is the National Center on Early Childhood Development, Teaching and Learning.  This center supports the development and promotion of best practice and professional development.  Their work is comprised but not limited to, professional development for early learning teachers, curriculum development, assessment and data.  The subsidiary of this government agency is one of the first resources for Head Start programs which support thousands of low-income children and their families. The work within this agency is nation wide and due to government funding has a great impact in teacher preparation, quality of learning environments, and the development of early learners.  There are numerous vacancies available nationwide (US) including Advocate, Assistant director, teacher, child development specialist.

https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/job-center

Urban Teachers is an organization that trains teachers in an urban classroom settings, across a three year period.  As a participant of the program,  you earn a Masters in Education from Johns Hopkins University.   Currently, urban teachers have a position open for instructional coaches which support teachers in developing skills to become effective teachers.  This program believes that high effective teachers give students necessary skills to exceed both in the classroom and in their communities. 

https://urbanteachers.org

Hello All,

It has been a really long time since I was last on this blog.  I am excited to learn from you all as we reach the final marks in our masters program journey.  I look forward to your feedback, reflections and comments.

Best,

Talibah

Exploring State and Local Opportunities

In Washington, DC there are many national organizations whose headquarters are stationed in the city.  There are many national organizations and many non profit organizations in the city however, I found it difficult to find some that were specific to early childhood education.  In my search I came across three, one of which I have had interest in since I have worked with them in my previous employment. School Readiness Consulting, is a company that services the early learning community in a variety of ways.  They offer training and support in CLASS, they provide internal leadership and professional development, create and implement data collection for decision making and support policy implementation on a variety of levels (School Readiness Consulting, 2014). This firm helped to support instructional specialist in my previous position specifically on adult coaching development.  Another organization I found was Fight for Children which raises money to ensure low income children obtain high quality education and remain healthy (Fight for Children, 2014).  The final organization is the DC Promise Neighborhood Initiative. The focus of the nonprofit is to guide children through an educational path to graduate and become successful members of their communities.  Currently this organization has a position that was very interesting, a early learning coordinator for which I am qualified based on the requirements listed below.  However, I have limited experience in supervisory positions and I have never worked for a non-profit.  The description is below:

Summary: Works closely with DCPNI partner organizations, parents, and other stakeholders to ensure high quality care and education for all children and parents participating in DCPNI and partner educational and development services.

Coordination and Management

• Responsible for the overall operation and well-being of the early learning programs
• Supervises educational activities facilitated by external parties
• Plans and implements intentional, systematic, and engaging activities that support early development and are inclusive of all children
• In collaboration with partner organizations, plans and ensures the implementation of intentional, systematic, and engaging activities that support the development of early learning skills
• Helps to create safe, clean, and engaging programs that encourage both exploration and complex play for children
• Establishes positive working relationships and communicates effectively with children, parents, partners, community members, and DCPNI staff
• Assist in the coordination of training, technical assistance, and professional development relevant to wraparound support for early learning providers and community stakeholders

Program Quality, Monitoring, and Evaluation

• Ensures the safety, security, and well-being of all children and staff
• Ensures that all goals for quality control, curriculum implementation, staff management and training, parent communication, record keeping, facility operations, and community outreach are met
• Oversees and maintains children’s records as well as all documentation
• Engages family participation in programs through opportunities to visit, volunteer, and/or share resources
• Proactively identifies opportunities and contributes as part of the Early Learning team

Supervisory Responsibilities

This job has no supervisory responsibility.

Educational and Professional Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field
• 2 to 3 years of professional early childhood education teaching experience required
• Certification in Infant and Child CPR and First Aid strongly preferred
• Demonstrated knowledge of child development, pre-literacy and literacy attainment and early childhood best practices required
• Teaching or educational leadership experience in a low-income community strongly preferred
• Understanding of DC early learning community, early learning standards and kindergarten readiness strongly preferred
• Demonstrated ability in working with cross-functional teams
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with early learning providers with regard to program implementation
• The ability to work flexibly in a rapidly changing environment
• Excellent written and oral communications skills
• Experience working in Ward 7 or in schools or organization East of the River is highly preferred

Resources:

DC Promise Neighborhood Initiative (2014). Retrieved from http://dcpni.org/early-learning-coordinator/

Fight for Children (2014). Retrieved from http://www.fightforchildren.org/About_Us.html

School Readiness Consulting (2014). Retrieved from http://www.schoolreadinessconsulting.com/

Thank you

As this class comes to end, I would like to thank each of your for sharing your thoughts, ideas, and personal memories and situations.  I have learned so much from each of you as you all have helped to increase my understanding of effective communication.  I wish you well in your professional and educational journey and look forward to working with each of you in our final classes.
Best,

Talibah

Adjourning in Groups

I have worked with several groups but, I have only reached the adjourning with a handful.  Most recently I was assigned to work with a team of teachers for the last two years. In the beginning we had a difficult time moving through the norming stage but we finally did after almost a years work.  That team was removed from my case load this year and it was/is very difficult for me and other members of the team. Questions about trust with the new coach, effectiveness, and worries about having to start the forming and norming process all over have been revealed.  We had clear norms, built a mutual respect for one another, knew each others strengths, and really understood the goal for our work together.  We met one final time at the end of the school year where I said good-bye's and highlighted some of the goals we had accomplished over the two years.  Many members of the team approached me individually to express thanks and sadness.  This team was important to me on a personal level which is why is has been difficult to adjourn from them.  Adjournment offered closure with the group.  It offered the opportunity to reflect in order to help us grow in future situations. Although I appreciate the advice and food for thought from my Walden colleagues, I will not have a difficult time adjourning from them.  Working with others in this setting is a task to reach the end goal.  With such distance between us that cohesiveness is not authentic, rather forced.

Disagreements and Conflicts

I have been with my current boyfriend for almost 5 years.  Needless to say we have surely had many instances with disagreements, as I am sure most couple have.  In the beginning it was rough learning one another but, now after some years and us moving in together the disagreements do not happen as often and do not escalate like they use to.  Most recently, we got into a disagreement (I prefer not to get into details) and we both ended up talking loudly and aggressively toward one another.  In the past I have had problems keeping the focus on the issue, frequently bringing in other issues that honestly may or may not be related.  I have learned that is NOT a good idea so when in the midst of conflict I focus really hard on listening and not quickly responding (O'Hair & Wiemann, 2012, p. 239). Over the past few months I have learned a few strategies that have really helped maintain calmness and respect for one another during these times:

1. I try to state my feelings and needs as clearly as possible and then I ask for him to repeat what I said so that I can confirm we both have the same clear understanding (The Center for Nonviolent Communication. (n.d.). The center for nonviolent communication. Retrieved from http://www.cnvc.org/)

2. I ask questions that must be answered specifically.  I avoide yes/ no questions to gain a better understanding of his position (O'Hair & Wiemann, 2012, p.240). 

3. I try to compromise as often as possible. Specifically when I need something done I ask "when will you do it by?" so that I dont get upset when its not done when I think it should have been done and he also maintains power in that he has control over when he wants to do it (O'Hair & Wiemann, 2012, p. 241, 244).

All three of these strategies have really helped the communication between the both of us and aided in the creation of a safe, respectful environment were we both feel comfortable address difficult issues.  What types of strategies have you all found that have worked to increase your communication with your spouse, partner, or person you interact with frequently?

References

O'Hair, D., & Wiemann, M. (2012). Real communication. New York: Bedford/St. Martin's.

The Center for Nonviolent Communication. (n.d.). The center for nonviolent communication. Retrieved from http://www.cnvc.org/