Time Well Spent

This program has done something incredible for me. It is allowed me to focus my thoughts. For years and years, I often spoke with colleagues and friends and I have vented and express my frustrations with how things should change in childcare, I argued how somebody anybody should do something for the community. And I've always said I'll do it I can be the person that can make this change that can start the revolution that can move forward progression but how? What I've learned from this is that I'm very capable and I've made the necessary connections and my career and my personal life that I can make the changes and I can be a part of the change that I want to see in the world. 

Secondly, I've learned that there are many people that care as deeply as I do about young children. And everyone has a passion and dedication in their own right. I am pleased to see so many individuals that have chosen this field and are taking the steps to be the very best they can for the children that they serve. I've learned so much from each of my classmates and I read their words and I've been enlightened and I've been taught by their experiences and their opinions. As I've come to the end of my program I realize that so much of who I am today has been guided by the experience I've had over the last 2 years. I want to thank each of you for molding me and shaping me into the leader and educated I am. It is your words of wisdom and your standing in your conviction that provided me much-needed examples.  I appreciate all of the words of encouragement and support all of the validation of my opinions and those that challenged it. 

One of the best things I've learned about in this course is TRANSFORMATIVE LEADERSHIP.  Learning that term was instrumental for me.  It was in one term how I wanted to be as a leader.  Now I know what to study and have guidelines to be better.  

Dr. Ernst

I will never forget anything you taught me I appreciate how you help me focus my words and my thoughts I appreciated the detailed responses and corrections you made me dig deeper I pay close attention to my work you made me slow down my thoughts and for that I'm grateful.

What's next for me is a 2-year hiatus for my education to concentrate on my family and my businesses but then after that, I will be enrolling to get my doctorate. 

I wish all of you the sincerest of luck in all of your endeavors the sky is the limit and I hope you get to touch it

hope

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

Because we live in our perspective communities, some would be consumed with the issues that directly impact the lives closest.  However, issues and trends involving young children is an international concept.  Therefore, organizations are formed to resolve serious issues that impact the children of the world.  There are several that draw my interest however, the ones that I consider lending my support are the organizations I will highlight in this blog.

Early Childhood Peace Consortium

Early Childhood Peace Consortium (ECPC) - ECPC is a network dedicated to leveraging social services to mitigate conflicts and promote social cohesion. The network is a unified body of stakeholders across sectors, including civil society, the media, government officials, philanthropic foundations and organizations, as well as practitioners and academics, who champion peacebuilding and violence prevention through an Early Childhood Development agenda. The ECPC provides this global networking and communications tool, which these partners can use to develop and maintain sustainable programs, galvanize policies, and take action at scale to reduce violence and build capacity in vulnerable communities.  Recognizing the interconnectedness of social development and peace articulated in the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, several organizations and alliances are working together to address this great risk to individuals and society.  

The Borgen Project - The Borgen Project is an incredible nonprofit organization that is addressing poverty and hunger and working towards ending them.  The Borgen Project believes that leaders of the most powerful nation on earth should be doing more to address global poverty.  They meet with U.S. Congressional leaders to secure support for crucial poverty-reducing legislation.  They mobilize people across the globe behind efforts to make poverty a political priority. They teach basic advocacy skills that allow citizens to communicate with their government.   They also build awareness of global issues and innovations in poverty-reduction through our online and community presence.

ChildFund Korea - ChildFund Alliance is a network of 11 child-focused development organizations working in more than 65 countries around the world. The Alliance helps more than 13 million children and their families to overcome poverty.  ChildFund Korea is one of the most influential international nongovernmental organizations in the Republic of Korea working for the welfare of children.  The scope of ChildFund Korea ranges from domestic to overseas, including in North Korea. In its domestic programs, ChildFund Korea not only provides financial, physical and emotional support for children with mental and physical disabilities but also focuses on child rights advocacy projects and raises public awareness on the importance of child rights and participation.  ChildFund Korea’s professionalism and commitment to the protection of children are widely known in the Republic of Korea and internationally. ChildFund Korea is proud of being part of the international efforts to fight for the children’s rights as a ChildFund Alliance member.

Each organization is a support system for young children.  They provide support for the world's most vulnerable.  



Early Childhood Educator Diploma
Melbourne VIC

$67,448 - $72,834 a year

Working within a team of professional Early Childhood Educators, you will be responsible for assisting with the delivery of high-quality education and care that supports the safety, participation, wellbeing, and empowerment of children.
Your responsibilities will include, but not be limited to the following:
Work collaboratively with the team in planning and implementing play-based programs;
Implementing and practicing all elements of the National Quality Framework;
Assist in the recording of interactions and achievements; and

Understanding of Victoria’s Child Safe Standards and implementing them in daily practice.

Senior Learning and Organizational Development Manager
Homes England
£51,258 - £65,000 a year

To develop a professional and creative learning and organizational development offer that supports organizational development and responds to a growing organization with learning as a core value. To create talent strategies and frameworks that support workforce planning, workforce development priorities, and succession planning. To work in partnership with key stakeholders from across the organization to embed our learning in order to deliver our mission and objectives in line with our values. This role will be a real driving force; a positive agent for change within the organization and you will be taking the lead on innovative service and process improvement for all areas of Learning and Organisation Development 

Responsibilities:

Designing, developing and delivering the overall L&OD approach that forms part of our People Plans, the HR Strategy, and organizational developmentEvaluating learning and developing interventions to ensure the strategic alignment and best practice and use insight, gained from inside and outside of the business, to drive decision making and return on investment assessmentsLeading and managing team members to coordinate a number of specific L&OD interventions: designing, planning, implementing and overseeing these within set budget and timescales

Qualities Needed:

Demonstrable experience of extensive engagement with multiple senior stakeholders in an HR-related client-consultant relationship
Experience of successfully leading, managing and developing highly motivated team members in designing, delivering and embedding practical and innovative L&OD solutions and strategies to realize organizational priorities
Experience in successfully creating a learning organization in a previous role
Extensive experience of designing, delivering embedding Leadership, Talent, Coaching and Onboarding programs that drive cultural change

The ability to continuously strive for professional development including psychometric tools and evidence of implementing learning to upskill the team and implement change


Organisational Development and Learning and Development Principal Officer
London Borough of Camden
£40,829 - £47,360 a year

The post is located within the Organization Development and Learning and Development service and will work across the whole organization. The post holder will bring fresh ideas, challenge the status quo and develop creative solutions to identified needs. You will be able to work at pace, providing high-quality advice and information to managers and stakeholders, you will be able to articulate key messages, both verbally and in writing, to engage your audience and to ensure the service is able to support the organization to deliver the ambitions set out Camden 2025 and Our Camden Plan.

Qualities required:

Someone who is able to deliver real output in a complex environment, 
someone who is not afraid to challenge the status quo but can do so whilst building, 
maintain strong relationships with colleagues across the organization. 
Experience in delivering and contributing to projects within a large organization. 
Have a good understanding of the role of organizational development and the relationship with learning and development.

The chosen positions are examples of positions that lend themselves as supportive entities for early learners.  They each require the applicant to utilize multiple aspects of their experience and personality to be successful. 

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

There are a plethora of organizations that focus on taking a primary support role in children.  There are some that draw my attention and motivate me to want to join in their cause and offer my support.

National  Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) - National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) is the only national professional association dedicated to promoting high-quality early childhood experiences in the unique environment of family child care programs. NAFCC works on behalf of the one million family child care providers operating nationwide. NAFCC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership association. The NAFCC team operates in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Washington, DC.  Family child care is the work of child care provided in a professional caregiver’s home.  Across the country, family child care homes provide high-quality programs for infants and toddlers, preschoolers, school age, and children with special needs. Building the supply of high-quality family child care is essential for families, for communities, and for expanding early learning opportunities for young children.  Across the country, eleven million children under age five are in child care. There are three million children in family child care.

Association for Early Learning Leaders - Early Learning Leader’s goal is to strengthen the knowledge, skills, and abilities of early care directors, owners, emerging leaders and other early learning pro­fessionals to ensure quality child care programs for young children.  They provide access to a variety of quality professional resources impacting the early childhood field.  They provide professional development opportunities to strengthen the leadership skills of administrators and enhance the quality of early learning programs.

Hope for Children Foundation - We are Hope for Children Foundation ® also known as Hope for Children ® We are a certified children's charity, 501(c)(3) serving residents throughout all fifty states and the District of Columbia.  Their goal is to end child abuse and abuse to others. Enhancing the quality of life for children and empowering love within families is our goal. Volunteer to help children in need with this children's charity. We are known to offer a safety net of protection for children and their families throughout the United States.

The organizations prove that there are entities available to help children of all demographics and ensure that they lead healthy lives. 

Campus Director, Growing Place Early Childhood Lab School
The Growing Place Position Description

Position: Campus Director, Growing Place Early Childhood Lab School

Location: 1802 4th Street, Santa Monica, CA

Status: Full-time, exempt

Reports to: Executive Director

Start Date: January 2020

THE ORGANIZATION:

The Growing Place is a non-profit 501(c)(3) child development center, established in 1985. The mission of the Growing Place is to provide the young children of working families with high quality, all-day, year-round early education programs. Our philosophy holds that all children learn from interactions with other children and from interactions with the environment, as well as from interactions with adults. The same is true for adults. We are in dialogue with Reggio Children and use best practices from their school systems in our context. We fundamentally view children as competent, resilient, and curious individuals; teachers as researchers, facilitators, and collaborators of learning for children and adults; parents as authentic partners.
We operate two NAEYC accredited campuses in Santa Monica and have entered a partnership with the City of Santa Monica and Santa Monica College to operate a third campus (Early Childhood Lab School), scheduled to open fall 2020. This campus will serve as a demonstration site for ECE students enrolled at Santa Monica College.

Trauma-Informed Care Training & Coaching Program Manager
Job Summary

As part of the Network Provider Services Team, The TIC Training & Coaching Manager will coordinate comprehensive training and support services for local R&Rs who provide training and coaching on Trauma-Informed Care for home-based child care providers (licensed and exempt) caring for children in foster care. The Manager will be responsible for coordinating the implementation of the Trauma-Informed Training and Coaching component of the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program for Foster Children (SB89) Programs in California, as well as establishing and maintaining partnerships with local R&Rs, the California Department of Social Services, and others.

Responsibilities and Duties

The TIC Training & Coaching Manager will:

Establish and maintain statewide partnerships and leadership that supports effective implementation of a statewide Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) Training and Coaching program
Assist local R&R staff & partner agencies to establish and maintain county-wide partnerships that support TIC training and coaching and building a trauma-informed workforce
Plan, develop, and deliver Training of Trainer events, webinars, and other professional development activities for local R&R staff & partner agencies
Coordinate and facilitate communities of practice, online and in-person
Provide technical assistance on the TIC component of the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program
Oversee the development and approval process of a statewide Trauma-Informed Care curriculum, in collaboration with local R&Rs, CDSS, and partners
Establish tools to support the implementation of a comprehensive new program, such as quality assurance surveys, tracking, and reporting mechanisms
Develop training and technical assistance materials in collaboration with other Network staff, including training resources, webpages, and newsletters
Participate in regional professional development partnerships
Participate in frequent conference calls and occasional face-to-face meetings (some statewide travel) with Network staff and local R&R staff
Document program progress, services provided, and participant data, with in coordination with other Provider Services team members
Supervise staff (data specialist, resource librarian)
Other duties, as assigned
Qualifications and Skills

Demonstrated ability to work independently, set priorities, meet tight deadlines, manage multiple tasks effectively, and work as a collaborative team member and leader
Knowledge of Child Welfare System services and support (state or local level) and California’s Early Learning and Development System. Formal or informal education that demonstrates an understanding of either or both public systems; lived experience of trauma recovery is beneficial
Knowledge of evidence-based trauma-responsive models that support young children (birth to eight)
Knowledge of trauma and its effects on young children, families, and caregivers, as well as an understanding of how to support caring and responsive caregiving practices for children (birth to eight) who are affected by trauma.
Experience supporting the development of a Trauma-Informed Care ECE Workforce
Knowledge and understanding of the unique issues and challenges facing children in foster care, and home-based child care providers (licensed and license-exempt) and of child care resource and referral agencies in California
Knowledge and understanding of supporting and strengthening Resource Families
Ability to define strategic issues clearly despite ambiguity; when making a decision in the context of the mission, vision, and values of the Network and the Emergency Child are Bridge Program for Foster Children
Ability to facilitate the exchange of information inter and inter departmentally and integrate department services with the agency’s strategic direction
Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to articulate ideas verbally and in writing with a wide variety of audiences as a facilitator or presenter (in-person – large and small groups, online – webinars, conference calls)
Experience providing technical assistance, consultation, training, and support to local R&R staff or others in the early care and education field
Demonstrated program management or administration and direct supervision of departments or employees

SFUSD Now Hiring Early Childhood Teachers for the 20-21 School Year

In accordance with the California Standards of the Teaching Profession, teachers work under the supervision of site or central office administrators and in collaboration with their school staff, families and community and are responsible for the fulfillment of the essential duties set forth below:

1. Support School-Wide Academic Performance Goals

2. Deliver Rigorous Instruction to all Students

3. Develop a Culturally Responsive Classroom Environment

4. Improve Standards of Practice for Self and Colleagues

5. Build Connections with Families and Community to Support Student Learning

6. Other duties as assigned by the principal and/or school site administrators

Each of the positions listed requires a dedication to early learning and education as well as a dedication to achieving the highest levels of education for the applicant.  It requires one to oversee many people to operate as a leader.

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

Gwinnett county is filled with opportunities to work with like-minded individuals who can work together for the benefit of the community and its citizens.  There is a multitude of organizations that I am interested in outside of the ones I am already affiliated with. 

Hi-Hope Service Center  -  Hi-Hope Service Center provides quality services that empower adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to define and live a meaningful life.  Hi-Hope Service Center is a nearly 60-year-old nonprofit located in Lawrenceville, Georgia, in the heart of Gwinnett County, just outside of Atlanta. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit governed by a volunteer board of directors.  Hi-Hope believes that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities belong in the community and have fundamental moral, civil and constitutional rights to be fully included and actively participate in all aspects of society.  Hi-Hope values and promotes effective partnerships between individuals, families, organizations, its Board of Directors and staff at all levels of the organization.  Hi-Hope believes that society in general and Hi-Hope in particular benefit from the contributions of people with diverse personal characteristics (including but not limited to race, ethnicity, religion, age, geographic location, sexual orientation, gender and type of disability).  Opportunities are available for both individuals and groups to offer support weekdays, evenings and on the weekends, just once or through ongoing support. You can serve as a friend and companion to the individuals they support. One can organize and lead an activity at Hi-Hope or host us at your home, place of work, church, school, or other community location. "Adopt" one of the group homes to forge close connections with the four residents of a given location.

Manna Fund INC.  -  The Manna Fund addresses the epidemic of eating disorders by providing prevention, education, research, and financial assistance for treatment to all qualified individuals through well-administered programs. .Manna Fund is a 501c(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing hope and financial assistance to individuals who need eating disorder treatment scholarships. Manna provides funding for inpatient, residential, Partial Hospitalization, and Intensive Outpatient eating disorder treatment for individuals lacking insurance coverage or for those with inadequate insurance coverage. Manna Fund grants scholarships to recipients by providing direct payment to partnering with eating disorder treatment facilities.

AKS American Kidney Services  -  American Kidney Services (AKS) is a local, non-profit Atlanta charity that strives to help kidney disease sufferers who are in financial need. AKS, in conjunction with American Kidney Fund, will take your used clothing donations and used household goods and turn them into direct monetary support for patients struggling to pay bills and rent because the cost of their medical care and dialysis is absorbing all of their funds.  By creating an accessible system of donation drop boxes and a simple, stress-free donation pick up schedule, American Kidney Services makes it easy to turn used items lying around your home or business into much-needed charitable donations. Donations can include women’s, men’s, and children’s clothing, small kitchen appliances, electrical items, silverware, glassware, dishes, decorative items, small furniture, books, linens, bedding, televisions, CD players, stereos, and any other items that you no longer use or want.

The organizations that I have chosen I am familiar with and often interact with the individual that lead these factions.  They all seek to help the community in better ways.  Each organization offers the opportunity for the community as a whole to help the individuals that need help the most.  Offering chances to support the community in a variety of ways is how these organizations remain visible to the community and have become a staple for the citizens to know where to find help as well as lend their services.

There is one position that must be difficult to oversee because it is often open for new hires.  It is the position of Leadership & Organizational Development Manager.  It is Gwinnett County Human Resources' vision to build a culturally diverse and high-caliber workforce that contributes to the overall success of Gwinnett County Government through collaborative efforts and excellent customer service. Our Human Resources organizational structure consists of HR Generalist teams, HRIS Specialists, Benefits Administration, and administrative support staff to provide exemplary quality services to our customers.  This position is responsible for partnering with County stakeholders to determine leadership and employee development training needs. This role will manage the design and implementation of training programs aligned with the strategic goals of the organization.

Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources, Business or a closely related field

Eight years of progressively responsible training and development experience, including two years of management experience

Strong customer service/service delivery skills are essential

an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

The qualifications of this position are similar to what I believe most administrators need to perform their jobs successfully.  Background or understanding of business practices, leadership and managerial experience, customer services as well as possessing the temperament to perform under pressure and stress. Each of these traits would make for a great leader and a competent administrator.