TIME WELL SPENT

The time at Walden University has been time well spent. I continued my ECE graduate studies for a reason; to advocate for children and families. With having support from  my family, friends, and colleagues has really showed me that people do care.
Learning about additional advocacy organizations, challenges in the early childhood field has prepared me on how to research and represent the children/ families.

I would like to  send a virtual "CHEERS" to all of my colleagues on their accomplishments here at Walden University. Continue all your professional learning development. I know we have more to learn and experience which I know we are prepared to lead early childhood education to the next level.


To Dr. E,

 
Thank you for the time, dedication, and effort you put forth in your students. I truly thank you for working with me, giving me the guidance to think outside the box, and for being patience.....We need more professor like you in ECE field that will motivate  and encourage the students  in our field. Once again, I truly thank you for all your assistance these past 8 week.

Sincerely,
Brittney E!

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

 The three international organizations that appealed to me are Save the Children, United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization, and Global Children's Initiative. These organizations appeal to me because they are not  only saving the children but the children and families as a whole.  For example, the Global Children's Initiative  was established in 2009 to advance the Center's mission internationally through a collaborative, science-based approach to improving the survival, health, learning, and behavior of children facing significant adversity. Its commitment to global work not only acknowledges a moral responsibility to meet the needs of all children, but it also represents a critical investment in the economic productivity, positive health outcomes, and strong civil society of all nations—from the poorest to the most affluent (http://developingchild.harvard.edu/activities/global_initiative/).
 UNESCO advocates for children health, nutrition, and safety along with children holistic development in learning.  Save the Children has numerous umbrellas for advocating for children in the United States and around the world. Save the Children advocates for education-providing books, and materials to children, emergency response unit ( natural disasters) protecting children fro abuse/neglect, and providing resources/education about HIV/AIDS awareness.
 Save the Children have jobs currently available in US and internationally in public policy advocating the organizations mission and vision. UNESCO has employment and fellowships available but unfortunately, I am unable to access this link. Their is a disclaimer on the website about job recruitment's.  The Global Initiative I believe has opportunities for ECE professionals at the doctorate level to conduct and analyze research. Global Initiative provides fellowships for students and networking( which is part of Harvard University).
I would need additional experiences with advocating for children and families before I would demonstrate interest in these position. Also, I would experience advocating in the United States before expanding to international affairs. I know I would development the necessary skills as I am in taking all the experiences.  
References
Global Initiative (2015) President and Fellows of Harvard College retrieved from http://developingchild.harvard.edu/activities/global_initiative/applying_the_science_of_early_childhood_in_brazi/

UNESCO retrieved from http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/join-us/ 

Save the Children (2015) retrieved from http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6226565/k.BFEA/Working_at_Save_the_Children.htm

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

At least three national/federal organizations or communities of practice that appealed to you and why you chose them
  
The three national/federal organizations communities of practice appeals to me because of the advocacy they demonstrate for children and families. Each organization below has a their own way in advocating for the children and families in which I would want to explore  learning more in depth professional development about the orgranizations.

National Children's Alliance
"National Children’s Alliance (NCA) is the national association and accrediting body for Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs).  Formed in 1988, NCA has been providing support, technical assistance, and quality assurance for CACs, while serving as a voice for abused children for more than 25 years.  A children’s advocacy center is a child-friendly facility in which law enforcement, child protection, prosecution, mental health, medical and victim advocacy professionals work together to investigate abuse, help children heal from abuse, and hold offenders accountable( National Children's Alliance, 2014)". 

Child Care Aware of America 

"Child Care Aware of America is our nation’s leading voice for child care. We work with state and local Child Care Resource and Referral agencies (CCR&Rs) and other community partners to ensure that all families have access to quality, affordable child care. To achieve our mission, we lead projects that increase the quality and availability of child care, offer comprehensive training to child care professionals, undertake research, and advocate for child care policies that improve the lives of children and families( NACCRRA)".

Children's Home Society
We protect and heal children. We build and strengthen families. We rescue and embrace teens struggling to survive on their own. We prepare youth for bright futures. Find out how we do it.
To break the generational cycle of child abuse in more families. To protect children from harm.
To heal children who've been hurt. To create strong, stable families.To help children grow up safe, healthy and prepared for life.(Children's Home Society, 2015)".










Job opportunities (currently available or not) that interest you


Child Care Aware of America and Children's Home Society currently have positions available that might interest me. These positions are technical assistant, and quality assurance/professional development trainer. Before I decide to seek any opportunities I would like to volunteer with one of the advocacy organizations to fully comprehend the role of the position, mission, and vision of the organization(s)

Skills and experience you would need to competently fulfill each of these roles

The skills and experience I would need to competently fulfill each of these roles is completion of my Masters of Science degree in Early Childhood Studies. When completing my degree this will demonstrate to current employer I applied myself in higher education for children and families. Like I stated before, I would like to have the experience as a volunteer position in advocacy and continue from there.

References
Child Care Aware of America (2015) retrieved from http://www.naccrra.org/about-us

 Children's Home Society (2015) Children's Home Society retrieved from http://www.chsfl.org/page.aspx?pid=370


Children's National Alliance (2014) National's Children Alliance retrieved from http://www.nationalchildrensalliance.org/our-story

 

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

The three organization/communities of practice that appeal to me are the following:

Family Connection Partnership: this organization are a resource for communities. They provide resources such as housing, healthcare, prepare children for school( at all levels)



CASA - The National Court Appointed Special Advocate- Volunteers represents neglected or abused children in a court of law. The CASA representatives speaks on behalf of the children. 


Guardian ad Litem: To protect Florida's abused, abandoned, and neglected children.


The skills/experience I have to fullfil these roles are  having my education experience at the Bachelor and Masters level, working with children( and not just observing). I am also trained in child abuse and neglect. I would be able to utilize the resources in my community to children and families as a guidance.   

8 Weeks Of Real Communication

During these eights weeks, I was able to communicate and collaborate with professionals in my field. I was able to express how I felt, and receive feedback that I can use within our profession of
Early Childhood Education.

To have an ACTIVE instructor within the discussions, keeps you on time, and focus was priceless.

When I stated in prior a blog that I did not receive the welcoming support from others, I learned to give more feedback,  and participate with the colleagues.

As we enter into our specialization, we  know are studies is coming to an end. Keep focus, and remember we are doing this for the children and families.

 I am so grateful to share this educational journey with you all.

 Thank you for the support and encouragement.


Sincerely,
Brittney Everett
brittney.everett@waldenu.edu

Team Building

This week class assignments had me reflecting on my years and experience as an educator. I had the opportunity to work with children during my undergraduate years and also experience working with ECE professionals on obtaining their credentials in education. When I decided to relocation to Florida to purse my degree, that was one of the hardest decisions I had to make. I had to leave  my immediate family even thought I was going to live with my grandparents. Also, the program were I was working at the time, it was very difficult for me to tell the student's Ms. Brittney isn't coming back  to the school.  The director of the program sent a letter to the parents informing them I was relocating to purse my degree in education. On my "last day of school" the parents and students had care packages, food, cake( I love cake) and farewell wishes . I was overwhelmed with joy, and love.

Another experience that was difficult for me was when I resigned from my Pre K position. I did not tell my director until the school year was over. The parents weren't informed that I resigned until school started because I did not want to be the cause of the students not coming to the Pre K class because Ms. Brittney was no longer there. The owner and the teachers just said goodbye not even best wishes or best of luck. I didn't expect that from this group of colleagues because we did not have the trust, fun, loving relationship. I was happy to leave the colleagues but sad of not being able to see the children.

As for my experience with my Master's Degree at Walden, I am uncertain how I will adjourn from this program. I feel I did not receive the support that colleagues speak about. I tend to keep to myself and after I completed my courses, its a goodbye, best wishes through the blogs then prepare for your next course the upcoming Monday. If this Master's program were face to face classes, I believe my relationships with colleagues will be different and I would not be shy(which is funny because I am totally not shy).  I want the best for my colleagues and myself to succeed and make the difference in the education field. I will be optimistic and maybe I will make that connection with a colleague.

Nonviolent Communication

Think about any disagreements, or conflicts, you have recently experienced or are currently experiencing at work with a supervisor or colleague, or someone in your personal life. Share at least two strategies you have learned about that might help you manage or resolve the conflict more productively, and why these strategies might be effective. For example, could you suggest a compromise? Could you look for a broader range of solutions to your disagreement? Could you use some of the principles of nonviolent communication or the 3 R's to better help you resolve this conflict?

 This assignment is very interesting because of the various strategies of  communication. I feel I am always experiencing conflicts with a colleague. The colleague had to training due to the fact this is in the professional work environment. If I were to have an suggestions, or other colleagues would like for me to participate with meetings, this particular colleague does all to block me from attending. So, what do to in this situation since the colleague is your supervisor? Magda Geber developed the 3 R's : "respectful, reciprocal, and responsive.  I always respectful to all colleagues even in times where colleagues questioned my credentials but my peers credentials was not in question. I demonstrate the positive relationships but at times I am not sure which responsive I will receive. 

I feel I am applying the 3 R's to this situation. Mostly, I feel it is professional jealousy. When you have individuals who are not open to others such as different genders, cultures, races, and suggestions for new ideas this makes the work place difficult. I don't foresee this situation getting any better.  I can apply all of the 3's and site other sources to seek assistance but at the end of the day, it is up to this individual if they what to change in their personal and professional life.  

Resource:
The Center for Nonviolent Communication  retrieved from (http://www.cnvc.org/)