Time Well Spent 

This course has taught me to pursue my passions.  I found it easy to come up with the list of words for my Wordle. However, narrowing the list down to the topic of my Capstone Project was more challenging than I would have thought.  I had strong feelings about each of the topics.  I ended up choosing a topic in which I could combine several of my passions: parent involvement, families, nurturing relationships, and professional growth.

This course has also taught me the importance of relying on others.  I valued the input I received each week on how to improve my Capstone Project.  The responses to my Discussion posts were most instructive.  In addition, before this course, I had never heard of a Community of Practice.  I have learned the importance of building a community of practice for support, resources, guidance, and leadership.   

Finally, this course has helped me to see past the here and now and begin to look towards the future.  I have given a great deal of thought to being an advocate for social change for children and families in my community.  This course has helped me to look for other ways in which I can make a difference in my community by using my knowledge of early childhood for the well-being of children and their families.

A long term goal that I have made is to move to a foreign country for at least one year and teach in a mission/orphanage.  This will not be possible until my own children are in college; however, that time will be here before I know it.  I have never been outside the United States, and I would love the opportunity to travel to a foreign country.  I have not decided where, yet.  Do you have any suggestions?  I do know that I would like to use my time teaching young children who are living in a mission/orphanage. 

I cannot believe that this journey has come to an end.  I keep asking my children, “What am I going to do with all the free time that I am going to have?” They haven’t given me an answer, but I think that they will just be happy to have more of their mama’s attention again.

 

Dr. Teri and classmates, I consider you not just my instructor and colleagues but also my friends.  At times, I have wondered if I would make it to this point.  Thank you for your encouraging words, posts, and blogs. I wish you each the best as you continue your careers and education. 

 

The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be. –Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

Best regards,

Dianne

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community:  Internationally 

Save the Children

Early Childhood Development (ECD) Specialist, Washington 

This job opportunity is currently being posted on the UNjobs website.  Save the Children’s (n.d.) website states that they are “the world’s leading independent organization for children”.  According to the UNjob posting, the ECD Specialist would be responsible for “providing technical support to country offices in the design, implementation, and monitoring of ECD programs”.  A Masters in early childhood development, education, or related field is required as well as communication skills in English and Spanish.  One must also be willing to travel 30-40% of the time.  This job opportunity appeals to me because I am very interested in traveling to other countries and would like to oversee early childhood programs in other countries.  I would like to pursue an opportunity like this one once my children are in college.  At that time, I will be able to travel and use my early childhood background in different avenues like this job opportunity. 

International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Child and Family Specialist, New York

According to their website, the International Rescue Committee “responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people survive, recover, and rebuild their lives.”  This job opportunity is currently being posted on the UNjobs website.  According to the UNjob posting, the major responsibility of the Child and Family Specialist will be to “lead the development of a comprehensive, evidence-based Healing Families Toolkit that will be piloted in Tanzania”.  An applicant must have a Masters in social work, child development, or related field, excellent communication skills, and be willing to travel to Tanzania 1-2 times for about 15 days.  I am intrigued by this organization’s passion for helping families to rebuild their lives after wars or natural disasters.  I think it would be very rewarding to work for such an organization and use my early childhood background to develop parenting programs. 

World Vision International

Early Childhood Development (ECD) Specialist, Washington 

This job opportunity is currently being posted on the UNjobs website.  A Masters or Doctoral degree in early childhood development, education, developmental psychology or social work is preferred.  Excellent communication skills and the ability to network with other agencies is required as well as the ability to travel 25-30% of the time.   According to the UNjobs posting, “Inter and intra agency working groups are established (CoP) to contribute to and help disseminate best practices and learning across the Partnership and externally”.  What attracted me most to this job posting were the multiple opportunities to discuss early childhood development with other international organizations/agencies.  Being a lifelong learner and loving opportunities to expand my knowledge of the early childhood field, this job opportunity appealed to me greatly. 

 

References

UNjobs: a Swiss Association. (n.d.).  Save the Children. Retrieved from

http://unjobs.org/vacancies/1377115071900

 

Save the Children. (n.d.). Retrieved from

http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6115947/k.8D6E/Official_Site.htm

UNjobs; a Swiss Association. (n.d.). International Rescue Committee. Retrieved from

http://unjobs.org/vacancies/1377722590305

International Rescue Committee. (n.d.).  Retrieved from

http://www.rescue.org/irc-fast-facts

UNjobs: a Swiss Association. (n.d.).  World Vision International. Retrieved from

http://unjobs.org/vacancies/1379449832386 

World Vision International. (n.d.).  Retrieved from

http://www.wvi.org/about-world-vision