Time Well Spent

I really can't believe it's over. We have actually completed this program and we are still alive, LOL. Three deeply felt learnings I will take from this program are 1.Wisdom comes with experience rather than knowledge and age. 2. Communication is not just talking and listening, but also understanding. 3. It is often times very necessary to incorporate a combination of leadership styles to be an effective leader.

My long-term goal is to find employment as a parent educator. It would truly be a career highlight for me to accomplish this.

Dr. Davis I would like to thank you for all of your guidance, support, encouragement, motivation, critiques, detailed feedback, advice, suggestions, patience, leadership, and shared knowledge. It has been a pleasure learning from you.

To my colleagues, it has been a pleasure learning with and from you as well. Thank you all for sharing in your posts as well as providing support and comments throughout this course. I wish all of you the best of luck in all of your endeavors.

My contact information is towanda00kyree@yahoo.com

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

The first international organization that caught my attention was Save the Children because the program focuses on the most vulnerable children while aiming for the safety and well-being of all children. Working with governments, international organizations, and local community partners, they strive to create lasting change with improvements in policy and services that protect children whether in a natural disaster, conflict, or development setting. In 2012, this organization helped 3.4 million children through their child protection programs. Some examples of the child protection program activities include creating Child Friendly Spaces in emergencies, reunifying separated and unaccompanied children with their families in emergencies, developing public awareness campaigns against child trafficking, piloting training programs for social workers to provide supportive care to families and children and advocating for more effective national protection policies and child welfare reform. An important part of all of Save the Children’s child protection work, however, is the participation and leadership of the children themselves. To this end, they actively support child clubs and other child-led activities that educate children on how to protect themselves, and empower them to call for action in their communities…….......I would enjoy being a part of this organization working in a U.S. Field position working with local and national partners to implement programs in Early Childhood and Education as well as literacy.

The second international organization that caught my attention was FHI 360 because they envision a world in which all individuals and communities have the opportunity to reach their highest potential and they work to empower individuals, families and communities to tackle their own challenges. Their staff includes experts in health, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender equality, youth, research and technology………Although I am not completely qualified for the position, I would enjoy being employed as a Senior Education Advisor (Technical Advisor I) to provide overall technical expertise on the expansion of equitable education services and well-being and stability components, provide technical support and guidance to staff and partners in the region and in country offices, implement and monitor technical strengthening initiatives, and work with communities and partners to maximize local capacity.

The third international organization that caught my attention was UNICEF because of the ways in which they provide advocacy for the protection of children's rights, help meet their basic needs and expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. They also strive to  improve young children’s capacity to develop and learn, and to ensure that educational environments provide the tools they need to flourish. This organization wants to ensure that no child is at a disadvantage and that all girls and boys can realize their fullest potential, both inside and outside the classroom. In countries with a tradition of community childcare, UNICEF promotes community-based early childhood care and development programmes, as well as linking formal preschool programmes to primary schools, and using national standards for school readiness. This approach may also entail training traditional caregivers on the latest ECD practices. I also like the idea of the child-to-child approach where children actually learn from their peers……..I would enjoy being a Youth Engagement Specialist so that I could assist in the efforts to increase child, adolescent and youth skills and capacities – including with regard to self-esteem, cognitive abilities, peer support, communication, interpersonal and social skills, respect for others and critical thinking – through the practice of meaningful and effective participation.