Time Well Spent

Time Well Spent

            I am so happy that I took the initiative to obtain my Master of Science degree in Early Childhood Studies. This is has been quite the experience and a journey. As a result of studying in this program, I have learned more about my role as a leader in the early childhood field and the importance of acquiring leadership skills. I am committed to ensuring that our Head Start and Early Head Start continues to provide high-quality services to the children and families that we serve. I learned that it is important to stay knowledgeable about the issues and trends in the early childhood field because of changing initiatives, mandates, guidelines and regulations. I have also learned that collaboration with colleagues, organizations and various communities of practice in the early childhood field is a great opportunity to associate with people to strengthen your skills.

            One long-term goal is to become an Executive Director for a Head Start and Early Head Start program and seek funding to add two more Early Head Start programs in the either of the six counties that the agency serves. I want to continue helping people become self-sufficient and change their lives. I want to continue serving and helping children and families from low-income families succeed in this world.

            I would like to thank Dr. Teri Davis and my colleagues for all their insightful responses, resources and suggestion throughout this course. I wish each and every one of you the best in the future. I have enjoyed learning with and from each of my colleagues. Thank you so much for what you do in the early childhood field.

“Free the child’s potential, and you will transform him into the world.” ~ Maria Montessori

 

 Robbie Hurt, Early Childhood Manager

       Central Mississippi, Incorporated
       Head Start/Early Head Start Program
                        101 South Central Avenue
                          Winona, MS 38967
                           (662) 283-2227

 

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

            Three international organizations that appealed to me are the Division for Early Childhood (DEC), International Step By Step Association (ISSA), and Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI).
The Division for Early Childhood (DEC) is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities, or gifted. It promotes policies and advances evidence-based practices that support families and enhance the optimal development of young children who have or are risk for developmental delays and disabilities. This organization appeal to me because of its efforts to identify practices that result in better outcomes for young children with disabilities, their families, and the personnel who serve them.
ISSA's Values


International Step By Step Association (ISSA) organization connects professionals and organizations working in the field of early childhood development and education. It promotes equal access to quality education and care for all children, especially in the early years of their lives. ISSA organization appealed to me because it provide resources, technical assistance, and training in early childhood development and it supports programs that provide a comprehensive set of educational services and advocacy tools intended to influence policy reform for families and children.

Association for Childhood Education International (AECI) organization is interested in sharing new approaches to the education of children and ensuring that these approaches are delivered in ways that enhance children’s individual skills and abilities and provide opportunities for success in life. It is a global community of educators and advocates who unite knowledge, experience, and perspectives in order to exchange information, explore innovation and advocate for children. This organization appealed to me because of their vision that every child in every nation has access to a quality education.

            An international job opportunity that interests me was the position for a Regional Child and Youth Program Director located in Washington, DC. This position was located under the Division for Early Childhood organization website. The Regional Child and Youth Program Director will provide oversight to Child and Youth Program. Major duties and responsibilities include program operations/management, budgeting and financial management, personnel management, policies and procedures, and compliances. Applicants must have a Bachelor of Science degree or a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related field of study and three years of experience working with children and/or youth.

 

References

Association for Early Childhood Education International. Retrieved from http://www.acei.org/

Division of Early Childhood. Retrieved from http://www.dec-sped.org/

International Step By Step Association. Retrieved from http://www.issa.nl/

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

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

            Three national/federal organizations that appeal to me are the Administration for Children & Families (ACF), HighScope Educational Research Foundation, and the National Association for Multicultural Education (NAME). These organizations appeal to me because of their initiative to improve the well-being of children and families, and their commitment to high quality early childhood education to children and their families. These organizations is be used to assist me in addressing my challenge of modifying curricula to promote multicultural education in early childhood setting. 

            The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is a division of the Department of Health & Human Services. ACF promotes the economic and social well-being of families, children, individuals and communities. I work for a Head Start/Early Head Start program that rely ACF’s mission to foster health and well-being by providing federal leadership, partnership and resources for the compassionate and effective delivery of human services.

I chose HighScope Educational Research Foundation because their mission is to lift lives through education. They envision a world in which all educational settings use active participatory learning so everyone has a chance to succeed in life and contribute to society.

 I choose The National Association for Multicultural Education (NAME) because it brings together individuals and groups with an interest in multicultural education. The members of this organization include professional educators, higher education faculty, administrators, social workers, curriculum specialist and researchers. They will be a great asset to my community of practice. NAME advocates for equity and social justice through multicultural education.

The job opportunity that exist within these organization that interest me is an Early Childhood Specialist for Region IV. STG International, Incorporated, is looking for an Early Childhood Specialist to support the Head Start Training and Technical Assistance network in ACF Region IV in Mississippi. The duties of the job is to provide consultation, training, policy and procedure development, and state wide agency collaboration. I have listed some of the requirements for this position.

Required Skills:

·        Ability to utilize resources, research and available technology to appropriately provide guidance to staff, parents and partners regarding early childhood issues.

·        Ability to develop, train and provide presentations to individuals, small and large groups.

·        Ability to work independently and in a team environment.

·        Excellent analytical and problem solving skills.

Required Experience:

·        Minimum of Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development.

·        Minimum of five years working in a program serving young children.

 

References

Administration for Children and Families. Retrieved from http://www.acf.hhs.gov

HighScope. Retrieved from http://www.highscope.org

National Association for Multicultural Education. Retrieved from http://www.name.org

 

 

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

Three local or state organizations or communities of practice that appealed to me for early childhood are Mississippi Head Start Association, The Southern Early Childhood Association and the Mississippi Early Childhood Association. These early childhood organizations appealed to my work as an early childhood administrator for a Head Start and Early Head Start program. These organizations initiative is to improve the quality of care and development young children and their families.

The Mississippi Head Start Association’s (MHSA) provide the state’s children and families with a range of individualized services in the areas of education and early child development, medical, dental, and mental health, nutrition, and parent involvement. Head Start programs are designed to build on the strengths of families and communities. The Southern Early Childhood Association (SECA) is committed to improving the quality of care and education for young children and their families through advocacy and professional Development. The Mississippi Early Childhood Association (MsECA) goal is to connect early childhood professional to one another on the local level. Contact hours can be obtained for child care licensure.

Job opportunities that are currently available that interest me include a Program Director and Head Start Director. Skills and experiences I will need to feel these roles include:

• Bachelor’s degree, master’s degree in Public or Business Administration, Early Childhood Education, Social Services or a related field.
• Experience in budgeting, financial planning and Head Start program financial management, with knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards.
•  Knowledge of Necessary federal and/ or state laws and regulations to meet all program requirements and mandates. Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills. Positive experience in an educational environment and in responding to the needs of parents, grantees and constituent groups.
• Excellent computer knowledge and skills, with understanding of program outcomes ad results oriented management and accountability.

 

References

Mississippi Early Childhood Association. Retrieved from http://www.msearlychildhood.org/

Mississippi Head Start Association. Retrieved from http://www.msheadstartassociation.org/

Southern Early Childhood Association. Retrieved from http://www.southernearlychildhood.org/