TIME WELL SPENT

Whoa, still seems like a dream, I am now a Master’s degree holder in the early childhood field. I remember when I first started, I tried to imagine when it would be over, but I told myself, take one step after the other and hold on to your passion, commitment, dreams, be strong and you would see, you will get to the finishing line standing strong a different and better person.  I am grateful to God, my family, my parents, Walden institution, Walden instructors and my colleagues, without all these support, I would not be writing this heartfelt message today.

My experience with my program at Walden has truly being remarkable and a measurable professional growth for me; it has truly broadened my view of the world, of issues affecting children, families, and the early childhood field across the globe.

Three deeply felt learning experiences from this program are that:

 I need to have a passion, a vision, understand myself and strive to achieve greatness, to make a difference in the world. I am a different person both personally and professionally, I understand my strengths, weakness, bias, passions and desires, and more convinced and focused on the role I have to play in the lives of children, families, and the early childhood field.

I have also learn that to truly contribute to making changes, as educators or professionals, we need not sit on the fence but stand up for issues, take up leadership roles and also lead or be a part of advocacy for change.

 I have come to realize the importance of collaborative effort and its impact in achieving greater goals, and also ways to go about bringing together people who share similar interest with you together, in order to make a difference in the world

My long term goal is to continue to develop myself professionally, through reading resources, and networking, and also continue to pursue my advocacy effort for more focus on play, and probably in the near future go for my doctorate degree.

I would like to say my farewells to all my instructors at Walden, and a big thank you to Dr. Teri, for her support and constructive criticisms; it really made me a better writer and accomplished my research challenge more confidently. I would like to thank all my colleagues, and say a big farewell to everyone; you have all made a significant impact to my success. I say thank you all, and wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

BEST WISHES

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

For this week, while exploring various international early childhood organization while trying could  imagine myself in the variety of jobs that foster the well-being of children, families, and the early childhood field, several organizations caught my interest based on their mission and vision for the children, families and the early childhood field across the world. Three of the organizations and the job opportunities of interest are discussed below

 Child Fund International is an organization inspired and driven by the potential that is inherent in all children; the potential not only to survive but to thrive, to become leaders who bring positive change for those around them (Child fund, 2013).

Their goal is to help deprived, excluded and vulnerable children living in poverty have the capacity to become young adults, parents and leaders who bring lasting and positive change to their communities and also work to promote societies whose individuals and institutions participate in valuing, protecting, and advancing the worth and the rights of children (Child fund, 2013).

The job opportunity of interest is the Program Officer

The Program officer will work within the Program Development Division to provide technical support for Child Fund's Early Childhood Development Campaign. The Program Officer (PO) will work collaboratively with home office and field-based colleagues in support of effective program development, enhanced program learning, and resource development, in line with Child Fund's theory of change for infants and young children (Child fund, 2013).

I believe this position will help me grow professionally because position offer significant opportunity for growth and independent direction and many opportunities for leadership on initiatives and partnerships (Child fund, 2013)

Some of the minimum requirements are a bachelor degree related to early childhood development and maternal child health and nutrition or similar field and/or equivalent relevant experience, 1-3 years of experience in international development, or some experience living or working in a developing country required and a demonstrated exposure to program design, implementation and evaluation concepts, preferably relevant to related to early childhood development or gender

I believe I have the qualification, I have also lived in a developing nation and have knowledge about team work which I could foster better through this job but I do not have any international experience yet  

Save the Children is the world's leading independent organization for children. They work in around 120 countries saving children's lives; fighting for their rights; and helping them fulfill their potential. This they achieve by inspiring breakthroughs in the way the world treats children and to achieve immediate and lasting changes in their lives (Save the Children,

 Job-Early development specialist

This position is part of the International Program Department of Education and Child development team with a central focus in the area of early childhood care and development (Save the Children,). The Early Childhood Development Specialist will provide technical support to country offices in the design, implementation and monitoring of ECD programs (Save the Children,). In this role the ECD Specialist will contribute to quality assurance and program development by providing remote and in-person technical assistance, building capacity among program staff, and expanding the implementation and continual revision of Save the Children's ECD interventions( Save the Children,)

The Requirements for the position is a Masters in early childhood development, education, or related field, three to five years prior early childhood development program design/ implementation experience, experience in developing countries and an excellent communication skill in English and Spanish.

For this job, I believe that I have the knowledge based on my specialization on Early childhood program’s planning administration and management, the qualification, fluency in English but cannot speak Spanish and do not had those years of experience in any early childhood development program.

The FHI360- The Science of Improving Lives

 FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions (FHI360, 2013). Their staff population consists of individuals who are experts in Health, Education, Nutrition, Environment, Economic Development, Civil Society, Gender, Youth, Research and Technology, thereby creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today's interrelated development challenges(FHI360, 2013).

FHI 360 serves more than 60 countries and all U.S. states and territories and their work is grounded in research and science, strengthened by partnerships and focused on building the capacity of individuals, communities and countries to succeed (FHI360, 2013).

To improve lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions for human development

They are currently seeking qualified candidates for the position of early childhood Specialist, Region XII (Project Manager I) in Washington, DC or remote location.

The Early Childhood Early (ECE) Specialist will provide technical assistance and training to Head Start Grantees in areas related to school readiness, training and career needs of Grantee staff, and collaboration activities (FHI360, 2013). Some of the minimum requirements for the position is a minimum of a BA or BS Degree in Early Childhood Education, with a preference for a Master's degree, minimum of 5 years experience in programs serving young children, theoretical knowledge of child development, able to speak Spanish fluently and experience working with Migrant and Seasonal Head Start.

I chose this job because I have always imagine myself working for an organization in the United States  and also have experience opportunity with Head start because of the services its provide. Although I might not qualify because of my lack of experience and not being able to speak Spanish, but would definitely like to work in the organization.  

References

Child’s Fund International, (2013). Retrieved from http://www.childfund.org/

   

FHI 360, (2013). Retrieved from http://www.fhi360.org

Save the Children, (2013) Retrieved from http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6115947/k.8D6E/Official_Site.htm