Time Well Spent

This program has shown me so many things and groomed me as an individual and a professional. My biggest take aways are:
Communication, Listening, Knowledge.

I have gained so much from my peers, instructors, and the variety of assignments! The insight that has been shared has been so heartfelt and has reassured that I am in the right career.

I have increased my educational passion and strengthen the things that I hope to accomplish within the Early Childhood community.

My long term goal is to open my own childcare center that is high quality and life changing for my students and families.

I tried to upload a recording, but was unsuccessful. I hope that all of my peers are successful in their future endeavors. I hope we all keep the passion and drive that we have to make a difference in the lives of our students, their families, and our colleagues. This has been a major milestone that we have embraced and grown together from.

Local and State ECE Community

Georgia Association for the Education of Young Children: This organization aids with the development and education benefit of children within their communities. Their vision is a world in which all young children have the learning opportunities they need for healthy development, supported by early childhood educators who have the education, financial support, and the recognition of their community. I chose this program because financial support is often overlooked when providing quality education in early childhood.

Georgia Preschool Association: This is a paid association that provides training , professional development, and increasing public awareness for the early childhood field. They also hold annual seminars and conferences and that is why I chose them. Georgia Preschool Association is a non-profit organization actively committed to promoting quality care and education for children eight years and under.

Georgia Child Care Association: This association works closely with child care centers. I aspire to open my own center in the next few years and that is why this center interests me. They help with licensing and accreditation for the facility. They are also a positive resource for state requirements and policy updates. 


Three careers:
Family Support Consultant -  Bachelor's degree in a related field from an accredited college or university AND Three years of professional experience in a human services field. Preferred Qualifications - External: Bachelor's degree in a related field from an accredited college/university AND Four years of experience in a child serving, state or community program or organization.

Child care owner - state license, degree, 40 hour training course

Literacy Project Coach Early Childhood Development -

Bachelor of Arts or Science in reading, early childhood education, special education, or related field, Master in related areas preferred.

Three to five years prior preschool/pre-K teaching experience

Valid GA certification (clear, renewable) preferred and required by September 2012; in the interim, valid GA provisional teacher certification with documented reading coursework required

Experience and skill as a coach or mentor for adults on literacy related topics

Excellent written and oral communication skills

Deep understanding of 1) scientifically based research in early language and literacy development and 2) evidence-based practices for teaching early language and literacy and assessing student progress toward achievement of benchmarks as documented through WSS rubrics and guidelines

Job Roles in the ECE Commuity

The three organizations that I chose are:

The National Association for the Education of Young Children- this organization is up to date with training, publications, seminars, and higher education efforts inside the early childhood community. They encourage membership and host a great deal of events and post what is going on withing the early childhood community.
https://www.naeyc.org/

Association for Early Learning Leaders- this organization is directed towards educators increasing their networking, training and education, conferences/webinars,and professional development.
http://www.earlylearningleaders.org/

T.E.A.C.H Early Childhood- this website makes educators or future educators aware of the careers that are involved within the early childhood field. They advise of wages, how to obtain a degree, educational pathways, and even credential requirements.
http://teachecnationalcenter.org/


Careers include:
Childcare Center Director - Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education

Researcher- Ph.D. Early Childhood Education

Elementary School Teacher - Bachelor's Degree, state-issued certification

Profile of a Volunteer

The person that I chose to profile was my grandfather:

My grandfather has been such a influence in so many  lives through the efforts that he has shown in the lives of others.  He has contributed to his community through church, to the elderly community, and also in the lives of children in school. He makes meals for families, picks up children in the community for Sunday school, and he dedicates time to the elderly in the community to drive them to pick up food boxes from the pantry.

He has impacted others in so many great ways and has touched families in a way that is special and monumental. He is not doing it for any recognition but the fact that he does it in his heart, and the passion shows through all of his efforts.

The vital take away of the efforts of volunteering is to make sure that you are doing it from the heart. If no passion is shown, then others can feel the sincerity or lack thereof. Children are great at feeling the sincerity of others efforts, so ensure that the intentions are pure and from the right place.

Using Social Media

I currently do not have any source of social media, but I have had previous experience with Facebook. It is a great way for information to reach a mass amount of people within a small amount of time. It is also a great marketing tool for how your information can travel among individuals who you may not be directly linked to. I do not have social media but I do watch a large amount to YouTube. That is how I hear about new clothing stores, makeup launches, receive ideas on decor, and even innovative lunch ideas for my daughter. The influence of others helps to make decisions about shopping, clothing, and even lifestyle choices. I think that social media would be and is a very valuable asset to advocacy. It is a way to get the information and issues to the world to increase awareness. For any fundraising and monetary contributions, big time investors are able to see and identify the focus points and research the topic being identified. Social media also allows you to track your views and will let you know what tools for marketing are effective or need improvements.

Advocacy Messages

Three Campaigns: All three ads that I chose were very inspiring and informative. They all delivered clear and concise messages of meaning and were effective to touch hearts.

https://youtu.be/b-xScLIevw0https://youtu.be/0W2IY28drKhttps://youtu.be/gQcU1T3jYmE

My Own Capacity

• What knowledge, skills, dispositions, and/or talents do you possess that will contribute to your advocacy work?

I think that the skill of effective listening and background knowledge are major contributions to advocacy. I also am passionate about learning new information and have the patience with addressing families concerns when facing new challenges. This skill will make it easier to work in the field of advocacy and early childhood.

• Which issues impacting young children and their families and/or the field of early childhood fuel your passion?

The ways that families are touched and moved by the efforts of advocates helps to influence my passion. Children and their families are grateful for the services that advocates and professionals provide to their lives. They appreciate the effort that is put forth and their gratitude fuels my passion as well. You become apart of the day to day lives of the families who you interact with, and they joy that is brought to them from the accomplishments that are made is enough to reward me and enhance my passion. 

• What special skills do you have that will contribute to your advocacy efforts? How will you incorporate these skills into your work?

My best skill that I have acquired is personal knowledge.  It is one thing to connect with families based on educational knowledge and background, but it is another to have personal and first hand experience. I consistently say that having a brother with autism has helped me to do my job more effectively, ad also allowed me to be on the other side of the table. This contribution is huge and gives me great knowledge to the answers and emotional bonding that families need.