Capstone: Time Well Spent

I am grateful for what this program has taught me. I have learned how to seek assistance from other colleagues in the field as well as other professionals with a vested interest. From this teaching I have come to discover the enormous benefit to collaboration in order to achieve a goal. I have also learned how my own role in the early childhood field can impact many changes and influence others through demonstrating my passion and sharing my knowledge and experience. Finally, I have learned to look at child development and family systems through a widened perspective by using Bronfrenbrenner’s family systems model. Through this I have come to understand the many dynamics that impact a child’s life and the needs that a family requires for their well-being and to promote their child’s success.

A long term goal that will remain with me long after this program is to continue to positively influence the early childhood field in any way possible. I often keep in mind a quote from Mother Teresa: "Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love." I have made it my goal to not only focus on the large changes or impacts for all of the early childhood field that I can make but also the small acts that are meaningful to at least one person.

I would like to thank all of my colleagues and instructors throughout this program for the knowledge and wisdom shared. I have been given a tremendous opportunity to improve on my professional skills from all of you. I wish you all the best of luck in your future within the early childhood field and beyond!

Roles /Jobs in ECE Field Internationally

As I researched various international organizations I came across the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) (2011). ACEI (2011) works in various countries to promote quality education for every child and supports professional development of educators. ACEI (2011)works to influence children to become “responsible and engaged citizens” in a changing society. The organization consists of a board of directors, headquarter staff, and an international advisory group. Each of the leadership and staff positions listed is currently filled. However, one position that caught my attention was the professional development and research specialist. The qualifications were not listed but I would imagine this position to be interesting as it likely entails promoting the training and development of educators across many countries. I would be interested to learn more about the techniques for education in other countries and being able to use the current skills and provide my own influence on the growth of educators and to share current research on early childhood development.

Save the Children (2011) has an available position for an early childhood development (ECD) specialist in their home office in DC. I would be interested in this position because it involves implementation, design, and monitoring of ECD programs across countries.  Some of the requirements of the position which I do not qualify are experience in developing countries and materials development. However, I would be very interested in taking on this challenge and learning how I can expand on my current skills. What draws me to Save the Children (2011) is found in the statement: “Recognized for our commitment to accountability, innovation and collaboration, our work takes us into the heart of communities, where we help children and families help themselves. We work with other organizations, governments, non-profits and a variety of local partners while maintaining our own independence without political agenda or religious orientation.”

A third international organization which appeals to me is the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) (n.d.). A statement by UNICEF (n.d.) that caught my eye on the website reports that a child dies from vaccine-preventable diseases every twenty seconds. The statement points to the need for more education and funding for health care for children. A position that seems interesting is an Officer, Foundations Partnerships in which duties include a great deal of grant writing and proposals to support goals of UNICEF’s work in maternal, neonatal, and child health. I do not currently have experience in grant writing which leaves me unqualified for the position and seeking more opportunities to learn about the grant writing process. I have attended workshops on grant writing/proposals in the past but have not yet been given the opportunity to do anything of this nature. My desire to work for UNICEF comes from my passion to support the health and well-being of young children and to advocate for the right to health care for all children.  

References 

Association for Childhood Education International. (2011). Retrieved from http://acei.org/

Save the Children. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.savethechildren.org/

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). (n.d.). Retrieved from  http://www.unicefusa.org/