FINAL BLOG-CAPSTONE 6990

I have learned so much from this journey from my colleagues and professors. This journey has really been surreal. I never thought I would have challenged myself this far. I was determined not to give up and continue with this journey. I never took a break within this last two years. I was determined to keep going. I have learned that if you’re truly want something that you are passionate about you can obtain if you think positive and cut out all negativity. I have learned that early childhood education will be filled with lifelong learning if you are truly passionate. This is a field that is ever-changing and you will need to be flexible, patient, compassionate, open and understanding.

I have also learned from my colleagues to be encouraging in this field you will need support as well as be a support. I know that having a community of practice (CoP) will be a needed asset. My long term goal is to become a board member on the Board of Education. I want to position myself so that I am continuing to be an advocate and being on the board of education in my local county is one of my long term goals. I want to ensure that I am continuing to be a voice for early childhood learning and making my voice heard. 

I would like to thank all of my colleagues and professors for their guidance, contributions, insights, inspiration, and motivation. I wish everyone much success in all their endeavors. I am on the fence about continuing to receive my Doctorate, maybe I will decide by the end of the year. I started this journey in 2013 and went non-stop, I was determined and knew if I stopped I would possibly get complacent. I was determined to finish, this was one of the hardest challenges I have experienced, but well WORTH IT!!!!  I hope to maybe meet some of my colleagues and professors if you decide to attend graduation in July. I wish everyone much SUCCESS!!!!

My email:Jennifer_Holley73@yahoo.com

 

FAVORITE QUOTES:

My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.

Maya Angelou

 Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough.
 Og Mandino

My mother said I must always be intolerant of ignorance but understanding of illiteracy. That some people, unable to go to school, were more educated and more intelligent than college professors. 

Maya Angelou

 

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

The organization Academy for Educational Development is a nonprofit human development organization who is dedicated to improving lives in ways that are permanent by advancing integrated locally driven solutions (FHI360, n.d.). This organization provides services to more than 70 countries and all U.S. territories (FHI360, n.d.).  This organization caught my attention due to how the staff consists of experts in health, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender, youth, research and technology creating a diverse mix of capabilities to face today’s interrelated development challenges (FHI, 360, n.d.). I think having a diverse group such as this allows for a great group of people for a Community of Practice.

There is a position available Program Officer III (US Education Policy), National Institute for Work and Learning that caught my attention. In order to perform this job skills and experience needed included understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methods, collecting, analyzing, and writing about qualitative and quantitive data, as well as prior knowledge and experience in education policy, teacher education and professional learning, career and technical education, and/or workforce development.

Academy for Educational Development. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.aed.org/en/index.htm

The ICF organization is an organization I stumbled across while I have been searching for employment on INDEED.com. This organization provides professional services and technology solutions that deliver great impacts in areas critical to the world’s future (ICF, n.d.).They have 13 markets in which they offer advisory and implementation services to aid clients in strategy and policy analysis, program management, project evaluation and other services (ICF, n.d.). Those markets include Associations, Nonprofits, Aviation, Climate, Community Development, Defense, Education, Energy, Environment, Families and Communities, Health, Homeland Security, International Development, and Transportation.

ICF International works with policymakers and providers in early childhood,
K–12, postsecondary and adult education to create, implement programs and policies for positive student and teacher outcomes (ICF, n.d.). The ICF’s expertise cover topics that are in the forefront today early childhood education, programming for at-risk youth, dropout prevention, access to postsecondary education, school-to-work training, literacy, and rural education. ICF understands that an educated population contributes to a robust national economy, healthier communities, and the well-being of individuals (ICF, n.d.).

ICF currently has a position available of Early Childhood Education (ECE) Manager, to perform this job skills needed include familiarity with the Improving School Readiness for Head Start Act of 2007, excellent verbal and written communication skills, analytical, problem-solving and decision making capabilities.

http://www.icfi.com

 

Save the Children is the leading independent organization for children in need, with programs in over 120 countries, including the United States (Save the Children, n.d.). The Save the Children organization is an organization that gives children in the United States and around the world what every child should be provided a healthy start, opportunity to learn and care when disaster strikes (Save the Children, n.d.). I chose this organization due to their overall ability of ensuring the well-being of the child.  The Save the Children organization provides quality education and preschool programs, books, supplies, educational toys and many other necessities (Save the Children, n.d.). This organization provides emergency response to children in times of natural disaster, famine, and war or disease outbreak.

They also provide vigorous health and nutrition programs that save children's lives and ensure they grow up healthy. There is currently a position available Director, Federal Early Childhood Policy this role will manage the overall federal ECE issue portfolio identifying opportunities to advance ECE legislative initiatives. This position requires skills of strong familiarity with the legislative process, including both authorizations and appropriations processes and a demonstrated track record of legislative successes. I would also need to have established networks and contacts within senior Washington governmental and nongovernmental ECE policy circles.  

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