Time Well Spent!!!!

I have had the most amazing experience from enrolling in Waldens Masters Program for Early Childhood Studies. The specialization of Teaching and Diversity is a direct reflection of who I am and what I stand for! There are three deep felt learnings that I recieved from this program and will take with me throughout me professional developement. I have learned that I must conform to the fact that the minority will soon be the majority and it is up to me to ensure that I am the idividual that embraces this factor.

I have learned that it is so important to understand the concepts and true meaning of my biases, beliefs, values, and true meaning of my support circle. I have developed a support circle that I now rely on to better help me identify with my biases and discomforts concerning the children that dwell within my community in order to advocate positive change in the early childhood field. I have learned and adopted Derman-Sparks’ quote that states, “Understanding these dynamics in your life will strengthen your awareness of, sensitivity to, and empathy for the personal and social identity development of the children and families I serve” (Derman-Sparks, 2010, pg. 23). This statement stands true to all of the families that I interact with on a daily basis in both my facility and my community as well. My long term goals include: I will strive to work harder to improve my communication and listening skills in order to ensure that I foster the well-being of young children and in working with families in order to be more pertinent in my success. As an early childhood professional, I have always believed that our profession has to be defined, and it is critical to demand quality/excellence in respect to all early childhood teachers and other professionals in the field. I will continue to conduct research on the ever-changing realities of expectations and professional development in the early childhood field.

 To all of my colleagues and Dr. Darragh, Thank you for all of the knowledge, wisdom, and life experiences that you have shared! I have learned an abundance from each and every one of you! I can honestly say I am a better early childhood professional because of you! Good luck in all of your future endeavors and I hope to see you in Orlando, Florida in January!

Job/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

The Save the Children organization works to protect children in their child protection program

 activities.  These 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. Save the Children also focuses on the 

participation and leadership of the children themselves. Save the Children actively supports 

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 (http://www.savethechildren.org).  I chose 

this organization due the fact that it focuses on child protection, education, child survival, 

hunger, as well as health and nutrition.  All of this issues need attention and assistance, and 

Save the Children has the tools and resources to succeed in accomplishing their mission.  

There was only one job opportunity that sparked my interest and it was the Early Childhood

Development Specialist.  This career requires three to five years experience in an early 

childhood program design, experience in developing countries, experience in materials 

development to support ECD programming, and excellent communication skills in English

and fluency in Spanish.


The United Nations Children's Fund focuses on child survival and development, education,

gender equality, child protection, policy advocacy and partnerships.  The United 

Nations  Children's Fund advocate for measures to give children the best start in life, because 

proper care at the youngest age forms the strongest foundation for a person’s future 

(http://www.unicef.org)/.  I believe in this statement to the fullest.  I also believe in the fact that

unicef holds individuals accountable to the promises they make for children for the rights of 

children.  There were no job opportunities that sparked my interest in this particular 

organization.


The International Step by Step Association is a membership organization that connects 

professionals and organizations working in the field of early childhood development and

learning.  ISSA also promotes equal access to quality education and care for all children,

especially in the early years of their lives, and supports family and early years practitioners'

empowerment (http://www.issa.nl/global). I chose this organization due to the fact it also focuses 

on the development of children at a young age.  Being a Campus Director at a childcare center 

with infants beginning at six weeks of age, my focus is also on the access of a quality 

early childhood program.  I did not see any career opportunities, but there was opportunity to

join ISSA as a member or their online community.

References

 Save the Children. (2011). Retrieved 
     from http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6115947/k.8D6E/Official_Site.ht

 United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). (n.d.). Retrieved October 12, 2013, from 

 http://www.unicef.org/

International Step By Step Association. (n.d.). Retrieved October12, 2013, 

from http://www.issa.nl/index.html