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

Three roles in which I would like/love to become a part of the national/federal organization mentioned: 

One of the very first organizations that I would love to work for or join would be CASA http://www.casaforchildren.org/site/c.mtJSJ7MPIsE/b.5301295/k.BE9A/Home.htm.  This stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates.  These advocates go into the legal system and become allies to children who have been through a negative situation and are waiting to find out what will become of their family situation.  This organization appeals to me because as a child I went through a rough divorce and no one ever came to comfort me or ask how I was doing.  I would love to be a trainer for this national organization and also be an advocate myself working with the children.  I believe to fulfill these roles I would need to be a good public speaker, hold my current degree and be a good collaborator.  I also feel that understanding the emotional and social needs of children helps in this position to understand and empathize with what the children are going through internally. 

Another national organization I would like to work for or join would be the National Military Family Association http://www.militaryfamily.org/get-info/support-children/.  This association helps military families through different advocacy routes and for every need.  One in particular is for the children, which is what I would want to be a part of.  Through the children division, children and families are provided resources to comfort them through a parent’s deployment, finding education and care at several military installations, and helping with changing cultures and demographics for the child.  Being former military I understand what parents go through when leaving a child, and I understand how moving and new schools affects children both positively and negatively.  I believe to gain this position one would need education in mental health and early childhood knowledge.  I also believe research skills and travel would be involved. 

One last organization that I would love to work for or join would be the Child Life Council as a Child Life Specialist http://www.childlife.org/.  These individuals work in hospitals and clinics and use play therapy to help children and their families deal with the stresses of seeing the doctor, surgeries, casts, and everything else associated with a visit or stay with the doctor.  This position has always appealed to me due to the advocacy for play and helping children with their emotional stressors.  There is lots of training and internships that go along with gaining a position like this as well as education.  One must also be patient, kind, and respect the privacy of the patients. 

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community

•Three job positions that I have noted

The possible job positions that I looked into were in the area in which I will soon be living in Quebec, Canada.  I found three organizations in which I would like to apply.  These three organizations appealed to me because of the opportunities to help and the ability and need for change that I saw in them.  The first was being a member of a school governing board; the second was a daycare educator within an elementary school, and the third was being a member of a board of directors with an association within a community. 

 •Job opportunities (currently available or not) that interest you

Being a member of the school governing board allowed me a chance to take part in what direction the schools were moving.  Also there is currently a large issue pertaining to whether government officials should still run the governing board or if it should be handed into the citizens of a particular cities hands.  These changes would prove for massive effects however, there would also need to be a community of practice in place for the members to learn from each other and listen to each other. 

The daycare educator position is within an elementary school and this position could be considered a preschool teacher and daycare instructor all in one.  The teacher would need to plan lessons and prepare an overall developing and encouraging atmosphere for the children, as well as visits which require outdoor activities, attending meetings, helping with homework, and training new employees.

Being a member on a board of directors for a fundamental association within the community means that I am able to put input into my views and also what I would like to see regarding the community.  The main aspect about this association is that it advocates for the minority of English language speakers in the community.  I see this as a huge opportunity for myself since my first language is English and I have already noticed the difficulty in gaining information online to plan for my family’s move, so I come with experience regarding the frustration of preparing myself.  I also would like to see the barriers of the two languages to diminish and focus more on living together and not so much on fighting for or demanding. 

 •Skills and experience that you would need to competently fulfill each of these roles

School governing board- I would need experience working with a school district to obtain this position however, if I am able to start as a minority within the community both because I am English speaking and I am a woman, I could gain hands on experience this way.  I also understand that the school board is divided between English and French speaking schools within their district.  The English speaking schools do not have the backing that they need in order to maintain their schools and keep up with new information and technology.  Since they are considered the minority their funding is not heavily participated on and taxes are not always paid directly to them since citizens have a choice of what schools get tax money.  I would need to have developed communication and collaboration skills in order work with other members and other organizations.  I would also need to be open-minded and be culturally competent and free from bias and stereotype.

Daycare educator- This position is mainly looking for education and competence in developing a successful plan for building on children’s development.  I would need to be energetic, free from bias and stereotype, also culturally competent, and prepare for language barriers that may occur.  I would need to understand the culture surrounding the school and watch for early intervention.  This would also be a good time to start developing the English language in those children whose parents wish for this to happen.

Board of Directors- This position would like someone whose first language is English and who has ideas on developing the association further, someone who is willing to make changes and not be afraid of those changes.  Also, someone who could help to stop the divide between cultures and instead bring them closer.  I believe confidence and communication are two large skills needed in this position as well as the ability for outreach and collaboration with other organizations within the community.  A good candidate would be able to persuade others to look at demographics as growth and development instead of intrusion. 

Performing this work really helped me in diving into the area in which I am currently in the process of moving to.  I have done research as much as possible but between school and other things I have not had the ability to actually sit and study the area as much as I would like and as much as is needed to prepare my family and to get set up there.  This assignment has allowed me the avenue of peering deeper into certain issues and developing a plan on making a change. 

My Wordle

I made a Wordle... I'd never heard of it before having to do it for class.  It's an artwork that someone can make using words to describe anything, everything, feelings, etc.  I made one describing how young children have inspired me and how I can inspire them.  Enjoy!

http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/5655948/Young_children