Time Well Spent: Farewell

This post is bittersweet. While I will enjoy not having to post or turn it assignments anymore, I will miss sharing and receiving experiences, information, and compassion for the field of Early Childhood weekly.

Here are my three things that I have taken away from this course: I have learned how to identify Local, State, National, and Federal regulations and positions for Early Childhood Programs. Before this course I was knowledgeable about Non-profit and For-profit programs, always striving to land a position with a non-profit organization. But now I have looked into some State and Federal opportunities hopefully I will be able to secure one with the Department of Child and Family Services. Another thing I learned is that State and Federal programs have different regulations for a DCFS licensed program compared to a National Program like Head Start. The second thing I learned is that partnership can be essential to an Early Childhood Program.  Actively involving the parents, students and teachers to play a game. Having a community of practice with individuals that can make a difference in the lives of children increased my awareness of my center and our efforts of community involvement.  Lastly I learned that reflecting on your professionalism is key to the future. With that being said my one of my long term goals is to always operate with integrity. Right now I can't box myself into my future. I will teach, manage, own, travel and retire. As I get older my interests constantly change and although I love working with children God's grace combined with a great education has allowed me to work where I desire.

Farewell Spring Class of 2016! Our journey continues as we move on with our Masters in Early Childhood Studies. May the knowledge that you have gained in the program bless others and stay with you for the rest of your lives. I wish you all the best and hope that you all achieve all that your heart desires.

Feel free to add my email address to your contact list jmsible@gmail.com

Early Childhood Education International

Save the Children

Save the Children organization states "In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. By transforming children's lives now, we change the course of their future and ours."

Save the Children protects children by addressing and providing health, nutrition, AIDS/HIV prevention, hunger, disaster response, and child sponsorship in the U.S and Internationally. 

http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6115947/k.8D6E/Official_Site.htm

Sesame Street Workshop Global
Children in the U.S are able to freely access and enjoy the television show Sesame Street but across the global there are children are not with limited resources to access television. Although these are obstacles Sesame Street still provides international versions of the show for access. Offering more than just ABC's and 123's. Today the world’s most-watched children’s television show bridge cultures while remaining socially relevant with The World According to Sesame Street. The Sesame Workshop takes the American television show and localize it with indigenous songs, puppets and curricula while facing cultural, political and production challenges.Today, Sesame Street is aired in more than 120 countries around the world, and Sesame Workshop is developing co-productions in India, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Northern Ireland and Brazil.
http://www.sesamestreetworkshop.org


Harvard University Center on The Developing Child Globally
The Center on the Developing Child organization has made tremendous strides in Early Childhood Development in the U.S and also works globally to build a broader movement to achieve breakthrough outcomes for children around the world.

"Research shows that their are persistent gaps in education and health associated with socioeconomic disadvantage impose enormous burdens on individuals, communities, and societies worldwide. Recent reports estimate that 200 million children fail to reach their full developmental potential by age 5." (Harvard, 2016).

Harvard currently partners with Brazil, Canada, and Mexico to help support early brain development, child development, and social emotional development.

http://developingchild.harvard.edu/about/what-we-do/global-work/#global

Employment:
Upon my search for an International position in Early Childhood Education I was not very successful. Most of the positions listed required that you speak another language besides English, which I do not. After making that discovery I had to be more narrow in my approach and search for Countries that spoke English. As a result Canada had a position that I aspire to attain in the future with more management experience.

Early Childhood Educator/Director/Supervisor
Canada Milestone International Education Center Inc. - Toronto, ON
$75,000 a year

Mandatory Required Professional Designation/Certification: In good standing with the College of Early Childhood Educators Diploma in Early Childhood Education (ECE) from an accredited institution or equivalency granted by the College of Early Childhood Educators Position Overview:  The successful candidate will be an energetic, enthusiastic and self-motivated individual, who is willing to work Canada overseas. As the Executive Director of an International cooperated daycare, you will have the opportunity to work in Shenzhen, one of the most prosperous cities in China, and lead a highly experienced staff of educators to create an engaging and nurturing environment for the burgeoning young minds of children from 3 to 5 years old. The Director reports directly to the Board of Directors, and collaborates with the members of the Board to develop and implement daycare policies strategies and curriculum that drive the short and long term success of the daycare. The daycare is looking for an enthusiastic and positive educator with management, leadership and administrative experience. The successful candidate will work with teachers, board members, and parents to ensure the effective and efficient operation of the daycare. Responsibilities: Collaborate with staff to develop and implement creative child programs that are age appropriate Guide local staff to develop equipment and build daycare environment applying to Canadian culture Transfer Canadian early childhood education ideal to local educational environment Combine and balance cross culture education Develop and grow philosophies and practices to meet the children's needs Foster an environment that respects children’s strengths, rights and needs Oversee Chinese content and age appropriateness of programming Ensure that children receive healthy, nutritious and balanced lunches and snacks in accordance with all applicable public health Maintain accurate records on each child including, knowledge development, medical, consent forms, and attendance records Lead staff by motivating, mentoring and coaching Promote staff performance through frequent formal and informal constructive feedback and staff evaluations Identify training and professional development opportunities for staff Manage the logistical elements of staffing such as organizing staffing requirements and schedules, maintaining accurate and up-to-date staff records, and scheduling staff meetings Responsible for maximizing enrollment through promoting, marketing and advertising the daycare. Manage and oversee the staff hours and behavior Maintain ongoing and regular communication with parents through various methods such as emails and newsletters Required Skills & Abilities: Excellent leadership and management skills Excellent in English. French is an asset Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and QuickBooks Ability to delegate responsibilities where appropriate Strong verbal and written communications, creativity, interpersonal skills, time management, and organizational abilities Familiarity with Chinese traditions and practices is an asset Team Player Required Experience: 3+ years in early childhood education 3+ in a senior managerial role within a daycare The successful candidate will be required to submit Vulnerable Sector Screening and current immunization record WE OFFER -Competitive pay rate plus vacation pay and eligible for statutory holiday pay - 3 months holiday with pay - A comfortable individual accommodation and 3 meals per day - Prompt pay cheque or via direct deposit -A safe working environment -Referral bonus ($) -Group Insurance -We invest in your personal and professional growth by providing you with free training opportunities ABOUT US Canada Milestone International Education Center Inc. (CMIEC)was funded in 2013, which is specialized in operating international education programs, training and education consulting. CanadaMilestone International Education Center Inc. is an international education consulting and service institution that welcomes international students as young people who enrich the educational setting for Canadian youth and who can benefit from a warm and welcoming Canadian learning setting. CMIEC has been growing fast from one office in Montreal, to 3 branch offices one in Toronto, HongKong and Beijing. For the past 3 years. CMIEC is standing on the biggest platform of international education and we wish we could be standing at the highest one. Job Type: Full-time Salary: $75,000.00 /year Required experience: Early Childhood Education and Management: 3 years Required license or certification: Early Childhood Education Background Required education: Diploma/Certificate

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: National/Federal

The three National and Federal Jobs are all administration positions. upon the completion of my M.S I desire to move outside of the classroom and into advocacy, administration, and/or home visiting. The three organizations I have choose to do that are below:


Children and Family Services

Daycare Licensing Representative: State of IL Federal Government

Under supervision, performs responsible functions of the day care licensing program in accordance with agency policies and procedures; maintains responsibility for the licensing of specific day care centers and homes; conducts licensing studies of day care centers and homes to determine compliance with licensing standards; investigates reports of non-compliance and recommends appropriate licensing actions; translates and interprets, both orally and in writing, for Spanish speaking clients.

Education Coordinator Bright Horizons-National Franchise Share your passion for educating young children as you support teachers in their planning of curriculum that encourages children to independently explore, discover, and actively learn. At Bright Horizons, education coordinators are considered the curriculum experts for their centers and age groups, and spend most of their time inspiring the teaching teams in the development of an innovative emergent curriculum that fully utilizes our World at Your Fingertips resources. As an education coordinator at Bright Horizons, you will: Guide staff in the implementation of a developmentally appropriate curriculum Collaborate with a talented team of early childhood professionals like yourself Partner with parents to support and share the educational needs of their child Manage your time as you support multiple classrooms and staff Nurture your career aspirations and personal growth through ongoing training and support Impact the lives of children and families each and every day At Bright Horizons, we support our employees in their lives both at home and at work. We ensure a work environment in which each employee's chosen path is respected, rewarded, and celebrated.

https://sjobs.brassring.com/tgwebhost/jobdetails.aspx?partnerid=25595&siteid=5216&jobid=714123 Assistant Center Director: CCLC Knowledge Universe National/Private LLC         Fulfill all record-keeping responsibilities. Understand developmentally appropriate practice in Early Childhood Education and ensures its use in the classroom. Assistant Directors perform each of the essential functions for each position in the center, including, but not limited to, Teacher (all classifications of Teacher and Assistant Teacher), Cook, and Van/Bus Driver.  In some states, ability to drive a van/bus is required. Understand responsibilities as a mandated reporter. Implement Company policies and procedures. Comply with, and may implement, KU and all governmental regulations regarding the care of children. Comply with all governmental laws and KU regulations regarding records management, e.g., HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), etc. AD's are required to keep the Director informed of any necessary information regarding the care and safety of children. AD's assist and accept responsibility in other daily center duties that might be temporary in the event other personnel are not available. Attend and participate in staff meetings, center events, and parent/customer meetings as requested. http://www.knowledgeuniversecareers.com/job-search/job.php?title=160002ni-assistant-center-director-beautiful-northwestern-campus#start

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

Teaching in Early Childhood Education has been my passion since 2010. I have had the opportunity to work with all age groups including: Infants, Toddlers, 2's, and Preschoolers. Today I work as a Head Start Preschool Teacher promoting school readiness daily for 3-4 year old children. Although my job is very fulfilling upon the completion of my M.S I desire to move outside of the classroom and into advocacy, administration, and/or home visiting. The three organizations I have choose to do that are below:

Ounce of Prevention-Chicago based organization supporting Early Childhood Education through programming including: Educare, Home Visiting, Doula Program, and Head Start/Early Head Start.
www.theounce.org

The Home Visitor 

Job Summary: Responsible for managing a caseload of ten to twelve children (caseload may include pregnant women), integrating the full range of Early Head Start/Head Start components into service delivery: child development and early childhood education, child health, safety, oral health and nutrition, mental health, and family services and social service support. The Home Visitor focuses on promoting the positive parent-child relationship, and collaboratively works with families of young children to identify strengths and needs. The Home Visitor serves as an advocate for families of young children, and builds the necessary relationships in the community to provide appropriate linkages and resources for further support.

ChildServ-Helps at-risk children and their families build better lives and reach their potential by providing community-based programs, including counseling, early childhood education, foster care and adoption services, residential group homes and community support to vulnerable children and families in Cook, DuPage, Kane and Lake counties.
www.childserv.org

Parent Coach - Chicago Southside

Job Summary: Under the direct supervision of the Clinical Supervisor, the Parent Coach is generally responsible for providing agency and community‐based parenting services, including parenting classes, assessments, and individual consultation. In conjunction with other foster care and clinical staff, the Parent Coach.

March of Dimes-Chicago Chapter raising awareness for prematurity.
www.marchforbabies.org

Development Specialist 

Job Summary: Responsible for coordinating and executing cost-effective fundraising events in order to meet fundraising objectives of the March of Dimes in the Chicago market. The position acts as a liaison between the March of Dimes and the community by recruiting volunteer and event participants as well as coordinating event logistics.

Some of the skill sets needed to fulfill these roles include:

• Develop logistics and manage events
• Communication Skills- Written and Verbal.
• Family support, parent engagement, and community partnerships files and/or database records, providing constructive feedback.
• Technology Knowledge
• Ability to manage a Case Load