Week 4- Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: National/Federal Level
Researching national organizations and associations and federal agencies I found several resources. The first national organization that appealed to me was the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). NAEYC interests me because it is a well-known organization of professionals in the Early Childhood Field that endorses high-quality effective early learning for children. NAEYC serves children from birth through eight years old. This organization is dedicated to high-quality learning through linking practice, policy, and research. “We advance a diverse, dynamic early childhood profession and support all who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children” (NAEYC, 2017, para. 1). The website provides membership information, professional development opportunities (including events and conferences), additional resources for educators and parents, accreditation information, public policy, specific topic tabs for educators to research, and much more. I feel this organization and website would be particularly helpful to parents and educators who are committed to furthering early childhood education. This organization believes that “all young children thrive and learn in a society dedicated to ensuring they reach their full potential” (NAEYC, 2017, para. 1). Another national community of practice that appealed to me is the National Child Care Association. This community of practice interests me because this association backs public policies that are set up to positively influence young children’s education. “Too often regulations and policies are mandated with good intentions but have consequences that make them impractical to implement in real time situations” (NCCA, 2017, para. 1). NCCA is dedicated to providing quality practices and effective programs for young children. This community of practice is made up of individuals who share a strong belief in the early childhood field and want to improve young children’s education and well-being. The website provides up to date news about early childhood laws, benefits for becoming a member, conferences and PD information, advocacy information, events, insurance programs, forums, and additional resources. I feel this national association and website would be insightful to educators in the early childhood field. Another organization that appealed to me is the Military Child Education Coalition. MCEC caught my attention because my husband is a veteran and we still have friends in the service with children. MCEC also interests me because it is a non-profit, worldwide organization that focuses on the education of military children. “The work of the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) is focused on ensuring quality educational opportunities for all military children affected by mobility, family separation, and transition (MCEC, 2017, para. 1). Providing military children support with academic standards and courses from state to state, providing military children with special needs extra support, along with support and guidance on the stressors of having a family member deployed is vital for children. The website provides information for parents and students regarding programs, events, transition resources, webinars, scholarships, and additional resources. It also provides information on upcoming events, training, and additional resources for educators. I believe this organization and website would be particularly helpful to parents and educators who are committed to supporting military children. MCEC is dedicated to serving military children and families while family members are deployed and stationed at home. A fourth national organization that appeals to me is the Zero to Three Early Connection. It interests me because I have signed up to receive emails in a previous course through Walden and have found the emails to be very helpful for my students and my own children. Zero to Three also appeals to me because it is a national center that has developed a team of leaders in medicine, mental health, research, and child development. Zero to Three is decided to helping infants and toddlers flourish socially, emotionally, nutritionally, and in future academics. “During the first three years of life, emotionally nourishing relationships lay the foundation for lifelong health and well-being” (Zero to Three, 2017, para. 2). The website provides information on specific work the organization is working on, mission and vision statements, leadership roles, additional resources, detailed information about early development and well-being, early learning, parenting, and policy and advocacy. This website is very informative. This organization and website would be helpful to parents and educators who are committed to supporting children in the earliest stages of life. Zero to Three is dedicated to making sure that all children aged 0-3 years of age have a strong foundation to grow upon. These national organizations and communities of practice expanded my awareness, provided educational information, empowered my passion for the early childhood field, and provided great additional resources.
A job opportunity that interests me through the NAEYC website is the Director of Early Childhood Education. Skills and experiences that I need to competently fulfill this position are constructive collaboration and communication skills, experience in organization and management skills, be personable, take the lead of departments, develop and progress early childhood programs, and a passion for early childhood education. Another job opportunity that has always interested me is a Speech and Language Pathologist. Skills and experiences that I need to competently fulfill this position are a speech and language pathology Master’s Degree, speech therapist bachelor’s degree, teaching certificate, be personable, and effective collaboration and communication skills. A job opportunity that interests me through MCEC website is the Parent to Parent Educator. “The MCEC Parent to Parent program empowers parents to be their child’s strongest advocate on educational and social issues through MCEC Parent Workshops” (MCEC, 2017, para. 1). Skills and experiences that I need to competently fulfill this position are a bachelor’s degree in either the Early Childhood Field or Human Services, experience working as a parent educator, ability to work with adults and young children in educational settings, experience and knowledge with home visits, and a passion for helping children and families. A job opportunity that interests me through the Zero to Three organization is the Director of the Early Childhood Mental Health Project. Skills and experiences that I need to competently fulfill this position are a Master’s Degree in social work, three years of experience in mental health, experience with being a supervisor, background with early childhood development, organizational skills, one year experience working with young children in a group setting, management experience, strong verbal and communication skills, collaboration skills, and a passion for the early childhood field.
References
Military Child Education Coalition. 2017. About us. Retrieved from http://www.militarychild.org/about-us
National Association for the Education of Young Children. (2017). About naeyc. Retrieved from http://www.naeyc.org/content/about-naeyc
National Child Care Association. (2017). Welcome to our online community. Retrieved from http://www.nccanet.org/
Zero to Three. (2017). Our mission and vision. Retrieved from https://www.zerotothree.org/about/our-mission-and-vision
