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/

 

Building Good Relationships

Building Good Relationships

            The key to working effectively with others is building good relationships. I would like to take this time to thank my colleagues for their respect, trust and empathy during this course. You listen to my views and gave me good advice. You showed me that you understood my feelings and thoughts in regards to a subject or concept. My colleagues have given me support throughout this course.

I enjoyed reading your insights on discussions and sharing of your thoughts in regards to communication and collaborating with others, whether on a personally or professional level. Whatever the information, it is essential that you pass it on accurately and in an appropriate way. Collaboration and team work create an environment that allows the collective knowledge, resources and skills of each team to flourish. This has been my experience working with each of you through this journey.

            I wish each of you continued success in your journey in the early childhood education field. You can contact me at Central Mississippi, Incorporated Head Start/Early Head Start Program @ (662) 283-2227.

“Live your life each day as you would climb a mountain. An occasional glance towards the summit keeps the goal in mind, but many beautiful scenes are to be observed from each new vintage point.” –Harold B. Melchart

Five Stages of Team Development

            The family reunion committee group met with the remaining family from the reunion to conduct a farewell breakfast. The group read the “Fruits of the Spirit” with the family. “Fruits of the Spirit” is a biblical term that sums up the nine visible attributes of a true Christian life. This part was very sentimental to me because we were saying good-bye to family members we will not see again until the next two years. The group tied up all the loose ends of the reunion.

As a group we had achieved our purpose and were ready to move on to new things. I don’t think that high performing groups are hardest to leave. There is unity established within the group. At the end of the reunion the group’s morale was high. The group came together during the last week of planning. Members were willing to change their preconceived thoughts and solving of group issues.

            There has not been a group that I participated with that was hard for me to leave. As a group we began to identify with each other. The level of trust contributed to the development of group cohesion. I would have to say the closing ritual with “Fruits of the Spirit” was most memorable activity that I have ever participated in as a team.

Adjourning is an essential stage of teamwork because just as something begins, it has to end. When it is time for me to adjourn from the group of colleagues I have formed while working on my master’s degree in this program, I am sure that I will feel a sense of loss. However, in this profession I never know when I will work with some of these same people in future conferences locally and nationally.  

           

 

           

Disagreements and Conflicts

Disagreements and Conflicts

            A very common cause of disagreements occurs due to people having different opinions about a particular fact. Recently at work I had a conflict with a co-worker in regards to high-quality of teachers that have been recently hired for the agency. The more I quoted what high-quality means, the more upset she became with me. Sometimes you can keep a conflict from escalating simply by acknowledging your disagreement. Two strategies I have learned to manage or resolve conflict is to address the conflict. Identify the source of the conflict. Understand how to approach each person involved. Compromise if necessary. This shoes the employees that you are willing to work with them. Compromise is a way to resolve conflict in which both parties must give up something to gain something (O’Hair & Wiemann, 2012 p. 241). The ultimate goal in conflict resolution is for both parties to resolve the issue between themselves.

The 3 R’s (respectful, reciprocal, and responsive) interactions might impact communication by allowing you to accept another person’s point of view when communicating. The way people communicate through verbal and nonverbal language impacts on what message the listener receive, whether intended or not.

Two-way communication allows sharing of information, concerns, and feelings. It is essential to build a rapport, and building understanding, trust, and a sense of collaboration. Effective communication leads to understanding. Communication is a two-way process that involves getting your message across and understanding what others have to say. Communication involves active listening speaking and observing. One of the greatest effects of successful communication is the abilities to be understood and to understand.

Reference

O’Hair, D., & Wiemann, M. (2012). Real communication: An introduction. New York: Bedford/St.

       Martin’s.

 

Similarities and Differences in Communicating

Similarities and Differences in Communicating

According to the evaluations of myself by me and others, I am an effective communicator. I communicate in a candid and straightforward manner with respect for others. One of my strengths is my use of sincerity and effective communication with staff and family. I have the ability to connect with someone. I am a competent communicator. Competent communication, by contrast, is more concerned with process, which measures the success of communication by considering the methods by which an outcome is accomplished (O’Hair & Wiemann, 2012 p.14).

One thing that surprised me the most from this evaluation is that because of different personalities, cultural differences or past experiences, what one person intends to communicate may be differently perceived by another. This week I learned that when we listen effectively we gain information that is valuable to understanding the problem as the other person sees it. We gain a greater understanding of the other person’s perception. Communication helps us to understand a person or situation, resolves differences, build trust, and problem solve. Communication is only successful when both the sender and receivers understand the same information. Communication is a two-way street. We must listen and look for feedback and clues of comprehension.

 

Reference

O’Hair, D., & Wiemann, M. (2012). Real communication: An introduction. New York:       

       Bedford/St. Martin’s.

 

Communicating with Other Cultures

Communicating with Other Cultures

Communication skills are extremely important, because communication, whether verbal or nonverbal flow throughout every area of life. Intercultural communication competence is the ability to adapt your behavior toward another in ways that are appropriate to the other person’s culture (Beebe, Beebe & Redmond, 2011). The process of listening and responding to people from different cultural backgrounds can be challenging.

        Based on what I have learned this week about communication, three strategies I would like to share that could be used to help us communicate more effectively with people of other cultures, first is to respect other culture. It is important not to assume that everyone is just the same. Secondly, understand everyone thinks differently, and act differently. It is imperative to learn more about other cultures. Learning about other cultures will help to identify cultural biases. Lastly, use suitable and effective nonverbal cues. Based on knowledge about other people cultures and characteristics we can choose suitable nonverbal cues that can help us communicate effectively with people from other cultures. This includes gestures, and smiles. 

 

 

 

Reference

Beebe, S.A., Beebe, S.J., & Redmond, M. V. (2011). Interpersonal communication:Relating to others         (6^th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.