Final post

One of the things I have learned in this program is to keep focused and motivated.  At the beginning it felt overwhelming and daunting to commit a year and a half to classwork but my family and colleagues at work were my cheering section.  When I felt like I needed a break, someone close to me would remind me to keep going and to not give up.  Having people in my corner helped me obtain my goal.  A second thing I learned is that there is so much to know about the early childhood field to truly be knowledgeable, competent, and confident.  Tied to that thought is that more learning is needed because there is always new information to access.  As an educator of young children and, in the future, of adult learners, I never want to stop learning.  A third thing I learned is that Walden University has a great faculty that cares about its students.  I wasn't totally sure getting a degree online would be as challenging as going to a physical classroom but I was proven wrong.  I have had the opportunity to get to know myself and what my true values and passions are as a result of the assignments and feedback from the wonderful instructors I had the privilege of learning from. 

One long term goal I have for myself is to become more involved with and knowledgeable about anti-bias education.  After completing my capstone challenge I really feel it is where my future is.  I want to become an adult educator and use that avenue to teach future educators the importance of creating welcoming and safe environments for all children and how to have meaningful conversations with children about differences so future generations might be a little less prejudicial. 

I would like to thank Dr. Teri and all my classmates for the support they have given me in this class as well as past classes.  The kind words and words of encouragement helped in completing this journey.  We have all worked hard and have finished this portion of our career goals.  Good luck to all of you in your future endeavors and my your work in the early childhood field become more passionate and rewarding with each passing year.

International ECE Jobs/Roles

The first international organization I researched is The Global Fund for Children (GFC) found at https://www.the globalfundforchildren.org.  They are a non-profit organization that identifies grassroots initiatives throughout the world which are dedicated to helping vulnerable children succeed in life.  Through grants given to these start-up efforts, children are being protected and given the chance to go to school and experience their childhood instead of being trafficked, required to be soldiers, child laborers, or any number of other atrocities.  "GFC has invested more than$30million in 560 organizations in 78countries over the past 19 years, and as a result has touched the lives of over 9 million children" (The Global Fund for Children, 2014).  A job that is currently open with the company is a foundation and corporate development officer.  This position will help with fundraising efforts for the organization by writing grants and reports, keeping the database current with donor information, and keep the organization's calendar current with due dates for grant submissions, grant awards, and reports.  Required skills for the job include strong verbal and written skills, experience with grant writing, being able to analyze and synthesize data to relay to prospective donors, and experience with children's issues and international development

The second company is the Association for Childlhood Education International (ACEI) found at http://aeci.org.

 "ACEI delivers its humanitarian mission based on a platform of four core beliefs: 

Uniqueness-We believe each child possesses a unique set of gifts and talents. Educators and others invested in the education of children should value each child as a unique and special individual; 

Universality-We believe that there are key principles that join our world together through the common bonds of human dignity and respect. All those concerned with the education of children should uphold these universal principles; 

Quality-We believe that educational experiences are enhanced by instructional strategies and learning environments that offer the very best opportunities for children's learning within the context of the nation, community, city, town or village in which children live; 

Equality-We believe all children should be educated in environments of fairness where there is freedom from bias or favoritism and where access to, and participation in, educational experiences are the cornerstone of the home, school and community" (Association for Childhood Education International, 2011).

A job that interests me that was listed under the headquarter's staff tab is that of professional development and research specialist although I couldn't get information about necessary skills or job duties.  My Master's degree in teaching adults may be a perfect fit for a job of this type.

The last organization I researched is Save the Children found at http://www.savethechildren.org.  I donate to this organization and feel it serves a valuable lifeline for children.  The organization's efforts began in the 1930's by helping families in Kentucky with clothing, school supplies, and hot lunches.  It gradually expanded throughout the United States and the world by responding to crises involving hunger, war, poverty, disease, shelter, and lack of education.  The organization works in 120 countries, has over 2 million donors, and raised $1.6 billion last year.  A current opening I am interested in is director of program quality support-Asia.  This role

       will provide leadership and direction for the institutionalization of a comprehensive program     

       management model for two Asia regions. This encompasses the full cycle of program design,

       monitoring, evaluation, accountability, learning and supports organizational planning and reporting

       requirements, for Save the Children international programs in both emergencies and development

      context. This role will also lead cross-cutting program initiatives (including sourcing program

      quality support, TA provision, continual improvement, partnerships, and other strategic and 

       business projects) and direct strategic programming trends and learning from the region (Save the

      Children, 2014).  

Skills necessary for the job include experience in coaching, project management, analysis of data and information, and working with persons from diverse backgrounds.  Degrees in development, monitoring, and evaluation and/oreducation, child protection, public health, nutrition is required.

References

Association for Childhood Education  International.  (2011).  Retrieved from http://acei.org

 

Save the Children.  (2014).  Retrieved from 

 http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6146405/k.C7E9/About_Us.htm?_ga=1.114121095.109897959.1397325487

The Global Fund for Children.  (2014).  Retrieved from  https://www.globalfundforchildren.org/