Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

    I have several local organizations of practice that appealed to me, and they are the following:

 

1. National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). https://www.naeyc.org/. NAEYC is the premier membership association for early learning professionals. Whether you're a teacher, assistant teacher, program director, higher ed faculty, student, family member, researcher, policy maker, administrator, or somewhere in between, NAEYC is here to help YOU on the journey to improve educational opportunities for all young children. (NAEYC, 2021). 
2.  Durham’s Partnership for Children. (DPFC). http://dpfc.net/. Ensures every child in Durham enters school ready to succeed, we lead community strategies for children birth to age 5 and their families that promote healthy development and learning and enhance access to high-quality care. (Anon, 2021).
3. Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI). https://acei.org/about-us/how-we-work/. CE International works for the education of all children but has a special interest in ensuring that our energies are focused on meeting the education needs of the most fragile and vulnerable children (ACEI, 2021).
4. National Head Start Association (NHSA). https://www.nhsa.org/. Head Start is the national commitment to give every vulnerable child an opportunity to succeed (Caitlyn, 2021). 
5. National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC). https://nafcc.org/About-Us/. The National Association for Family Childcare (NAFCC) is a national non-profit organization dedicated to promoting high-quality childcare by strengthening the profession of family childcare for nearly one million paid home-based early learning programs serving almost 40% of the 6.7 million children who receive care from a nonrelative (NAFCC, 2021) regularly.
6. Families & Communities Rising. (FCR).  https://fcrinc.org/. We educate and empower children, families & communities (FCR, 2021).
7. Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families. (2020). https://www.zerotothree.org/. To ensure that all babies and toddlers have a strong start in life. At ZERO TO THREE, we envision a society that has the knowledge and will to support all infants and toddlers in reaching their full potential.
8. North Carolina Early Childhood Foundation. https://buildthefoundation.org/.  Each North Carolina child has a strong foundation for lifelong health, education, and well-being supported by a premiere birth-to-age-eight system. To marshal North Carolina’s great people, ideas, and achievements to build a foundation of opportunity and success for every child by the end of third grade. (NC Early Childhood Foundation, 2021).
9. The UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute. https://fpg.unc.edu. The UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute transforms children's and families' lives through interdisciplinary research, evaluation, implementation, technical assistance, and outreach. We generate knowledge, inform policies, and support practices to promote positive developmental and educational outcomes for children of all backgrounds and abilities from the earliest years. Our ultimate aim: to help each and every child reach their full potential. (unc.edu, 2021).

 

            As a parent and Chair of Policy Council for Families & Communities Rising (FCR), most of the associations mentioned above held a seat on our Policy Council Board and brought different contributions to the organization. All contributed to either helping our teachers, children, and families with any difficulties that may arise or educational advancements for the better for the children we serve. Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute states its goal is to help each and every child reach their full potential (unc.edu, 2021). All organizations mentioned above have the same goal, which is to serve the needs of children.  

            The job that is unavailable at this present time, but I aspire to achieve is; the title of Founder for establishing standardized schooling for ages 0-4, same as K-12. I would use the same steps Families and Communities Rising (FCR) created. Anne Sanford, the founder, received a small grant from the US Department of Education to develop strategies and materials to assist with the education of young children with disabilities. With this funding, FCR became part of a national effort to address this overlooked and underserved population's needs. (FCR, 2021).           

           FCR became involved with Head Start in 1973 when it was asked to create a network for training Head Start staff in Region IV. Its involvement increased when it began to provide Head Start services directly to families and children in its local areas. Its KidSCope program serves children with disabilities in Orange and Chatham Counties and its FRIENDS and ARCH programs serve national priorities in community-based child abuse prevention and respite care for all ages. (FCR, 2021). I intend to take early childhood education to the next level and become a lobbyist. I hope to obtain funding by applying for grants from The US Department of Education in North Carolina to help reach the goal of early childhood education being free for all. Working at The UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute will allow me to simultaneously assist in transforming children’s lives (unc.edu, 2021). 

          I am obtaining the skills of a Master's degree in Early Childhood education to help me accomplish the work I have to do. I will continue my education to a doctorate level so I can participate in a greater variety of opportunities in the Early Childhood Education field. I hope there is a position available for me as a CEO or Executive Director position in a Durham Early Head Start Program. 

 

Resources

 

Caitlyn. (2021). National Head Start Association (NHSA).

            https://www.nhsa.org

Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI). (2021).

            https://acei.org/about-us/how-we-work/  

Durham Early Head Start- Durham’s Partnership for Children (DPFC). (2021). Durham   Partnership for Children.

            http://dpfc.net/our-work/durham-early-head-start/

Families & Communities Rising (FCR). (2021). Families & Communities.

            https://fcrinc.org

The UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute. (2021).

            https://fpg.unc.edu

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). (2021). NAEYC.

            https://www.naeyc.org/get-involved/membership/join

North Carolina Early Childhood Foundation. (2021). North Carolina Early Childhood      Foundation.

            https://buildthefoundation.org/

ZERO TO THREE. (2021). Early connections last a lifetime.

            https://www.zerotothree.org         

EDUC 6990- Capstone: Practical Application in the Early Childhood Field

WK8- Thank You All!!!

Good Evening Classmates,

           Thank you all for allowing me the opportunity to see things from another perspective. When I thought I covered all the material in my posts and discussion boards, I would have a classmate expand my critical thinking further. Although we are placed in groups, I truly appreciate it when some of you crossed the group line and allowed yourself to offer critical thinking to others outside of your group.

           I hope we will all have the opportunity to follow up on the responses others have given so we can enjoy our conversations further. I do appreciate all the encouragement written on my discussion boards and blogs. All our classes are confirmation that conversations can be had other than face-to-face. Not only have I seen the growth of myself from our first start day, but I’ve seen the growth in all of my classmates as well. Great Job!

           I prefer not to mention names in particular because all have given me food for thought if not this class certainly previous classes we’ve had together and for future classes to come. I wish everyone all the best and pray to see all our names in the graduating class of 2021! Good Luck to all!

Week6 Blog Assignment 2

  I believe all adjourning moments in life are learning experiences. Growing up, I was always told, “To wear people and things, even family as a loose fitted garment, so it can come on and off at any given time. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” Every time I had an experience or an adjourning moment in my life my grandmother would say, “Did anybody die? No, then all is well. Everyone gets the chance to live and see another day!” These two things were imbedded in me to believe when things come to an end or if I had to leave a group always look at the brighter side of things. I was raised with the saying, “People come into your life for a Reason, a Season, or a Lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do with that person. The poem below explains in further detail.

"When someone is in your life for a REASON it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.

• They have come to assist you through a difficulty…
• To provide you with guidance and support…
• To aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually…
• They may seem like they are a godsend, and they are.
• They are there for the reason you need them to be.

Then without any wrongdoing on your part, or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.

• Sometimes they die…
• Sometimes they walk away…
• Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand….
• What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled…
• Their work is done.
• The prayer you sent up has now been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON.

Because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.

• They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
• They may teach you something you have never done.
• They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
• Believe it, it is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons.

• Things you must build upon to have a solid emotional foundation.
• Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person, and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.
• It is said, that love is blind, but friendship is clairvoyant.
• Thank you for being a part of my life…
• Whether you were a reason, a season or a lifetime"

–Unknown author

    High-performing groups that I participated in with clear established norms are the hardest to say good-bye. The groups I established for eternity are family, religion, except for my professional work environment. Certainly, some work environments were far better than others, and I did not want it to end. I wish I was able to carry those norms and high-performing groups with me into new endeavors. “In high power distance culture, the members are not likely to challenge their leader’s opinions or authority. This means that a leader who wants all members to offer their ideas at a meeting might need to make a special effort to encourage everyone to participate in the discussion” (O'Hair et al., 2018, p. 274). This is expressed through the closing rituals I have experienced. I was asked in a roundabout way by my leadership and colleagues what I would need before leaving? How kind of them to take the time out to ensure what closing ritual they give me will be appreciated. In contrast, in a culture with low power distance, members are likely to offer their opinions and disagree with the leader without much prodding (p. 274). These were the adjourning moments I wanted to end as soon as possible.                          

    In my adjourning group from this Master’s degree program here at Walden University, I don’t feel it will be a difficult transition. In as much as I have made a few friends in this Master’s degree program, it’s not as many as I would have made in person to person contact. Therefore, my adjournment will be minimal because all the assignments were done online. Once the course is completed continued relationships with my colleagues would most likely be dissolved. Adjourning is an essential stage of teamwork, to celebrate the success of the project and capture best practices for future use (Abudi, 2010).

References

Abudi, G. (2010). The five stages of team development: A case study. Retrieved from     http://www.projectsmart.co.uk/the-five-stages-of-team-development-a-case-study.html

O’Hair, D., Wiemann, M., Mullin, D.I., & Teven, J. (2018). Real communication: An introduction (4th. Ed). New York: Bedford? St. Martin’s

People Come into Your Life For a Reason, a Season, or a Lifetime. (n.d.). FinerMinds. https://www.finerminds.com/people-into-life-for-a-reason

Week 5 Blog Assignment 2

          It’s always quite difficult for me to think about disagreements or conflicts I recently experienced, especially when I feel the other person is not willing to compromise. An example of this is when my husband allows our children to watch television until they fall asleep. I tell them to set their tv to go off in 30 minutes. When I go upstairs hours later, the children are still up watching television. It caused my husband to exhibit irresponsibility between us. When someone you work with or depend on does not show up or performs their responsibilities in a careless way, their negligence provokes conflict. Feelings of anger and resentment occur (O'Hair et al., 2018, p. 218). I tried explaining to my husband that the children are tired at school they fall asleep in class, which makes it difficult for the teachers to teach. I decided on cooperative strategies, strategies that benefit a relationship, serve mutual rather than individual goals, and strive to produce solutions that benefit both parties” (O’Hair et al., 2018, p. 228). Productive conflict was done because I reached out to my daughter's teachers, and we had a meeting explaining how counterproductive staying up late is to our children’s education. 
          The definition of apologies means to openly take responsibility for your own misbehavior in a miscommunication (O’Hair et al., 2018, p. 231) which, is something my husband has difficulty doing. I will offer a supportive climate, a communication climate that offers communicators a chance to practice empathy, and honestly explore the issues involved in the conflict situation. (p. 220). I will use emblems and affect displays so my husband can understand that this is serious. These strategies presents clarity to the person you are conversing with. It lets them know your specific stance on what needs resolve. In honestly expressing my feelings and need for our children to acquire a good nights sleep, it clearly showed my husband, to empathetically listen, and see-through observation that a compromise must be had. We both decided that our children are allowed to watch tv for 30 mins on weekdays, and 2hrs on weekends. Of course, under the conditions that all homework and chores are completed.
          To all my peers who are married or in relationships I ask, do you think this situation was handled appropriately, or should I have used other strategies? If so, please share. I always welcome insight into any conflict I try to resolve because there are multiple ways for resolution. The more I know, the better prepared I am for what’s to come. 

Reference

O’Hair, D., Wiemann, M., Mullin, D.I., & Teven, J. (2018). Real communication: An introduction (4th. Ed). New York: Bedford? St. Martin’s

Week 4 Assignment 2

             After taking the test, my answers would have been different if I had known it pertained to family, work, or outside extracurricular activities. In knowing this beforehand my results would surely have been different each time. The similarities of all tests were that I am a people-oriented person. The definition is spot and identifies me as empathetic and concerned with the emotions of others. The listening style helps you to build relationships, but it can interfere with proper judgment because you tend to be very trusting of others (https://saylordotorg.github.io/text_stand-up-speak-out-the-practice-and-ethics-of-public-speaking/s07-02-listening-styles.html). There were no differences between how I evaluated myself and how others evaluated me. It showed me that I surround myself with people that read me the same way I read myself.

             An explanation for being time-oriented had me a bit taken back because it too was so correct. It stated, your day is tightly scheduled, and you carefully allocate your time for listening. You prefer that others respect your time limitations, and you can appear efficient but impatient (https://saylordotorg.github.io/text_stand-up-speak-out-the-practice-and-ethics-of-public-speaking/s07-02-listening-styles.html ). As if it knows I am married, with 6 children, working part-time, caring for a mother, all while in Grad school. My people-oriented listening style is correct because, as a child, I never had the opportunity to state my case. I was taught that children are to be seen but not heard, and adults were always right. This is why I adopt such a listening style to my well-being because it stems way back to my childhood and not being able to have a voice. Time-oriented listening correlates with my people-oriented style because my time is limited, and every second counts outside of the classroom.

           When I was asked a question by Dr. Cara, do you see the connections between cultural humility and cultural myopia? To answer this question, I first had to confirm my understanding that both were correct. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) defines cultural humility as a lifelong process of self-reflection and self-critique whereby the individual not only learns about another's culture, but one starts with an examination of her/his own beliefs and cultural identities (Sufrin, 2019). Cultural myopia occurs when information entering into the colonized mind is focused solely through a limited worldview, and anything existing outside of that limited worldview cannot be seen with clarity (https://www.answers.com/Q/What_is_cultural_myopia). Do I see the connections, yes, because they both focus on what the individual knows and nothing else? The individual's culture, beliefs, and identity are the only things prioritized. This is similar to people-oriented individuals, not hearing what’s trying to be said.

            To reiterate, people-oriented listeners pay attention to the personal details of a speaker and not to the speaker's actual message. Time-oriented listeners pay attention to messages that are short and concise as a result of limited attention spans or limited time commitments (https://saylordotorg.github.io/text_stand-up-speak-out-the-practice-and-ethics-of-public-speaking/s07-02-listening-styles.html). In my professional work and personal life, I do hope the comment of how people-oriented individuals do not listen to a speaker's actual message will never apply to me. I want to have mindful competent communication so; the speaker understands that I hear what they are trying to convey. 

References

(n.d.), from https://saylordotorg.github.io/text_stand-up-speak-out-the-practice-and-ethics-of-public-speaking/s07-02-listening-styles.html

Sufrin, J. (2019, November 05). 3 Things to Know: Cultural Humility. Retrieved from https://hogg.utexas.edu/3-things-to-know-cultural-humility

What is cultural myopia? (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.answers.com/Q/What_is_cultural_myopia

Blog 3 Assignment

Blog 3 Assignment 

           Why yes, I find myself communicating differently with colleagues at school, in my neighborhood, workplace, and family setting. The platinum and Golden rules take into consideration jargon and emblems to fit the current conversation being held. “If the symbols are well-chosen, the code shared, and the messages sent as intended, the interaction has high communicative value, and misunderstandings are less likely” (O'Hair et al., 2018).

            I certainly communicate differently with friends and family members because we have multiple cocultures in common. “Cocultures are smaller groups of people within a larger culture that are distinguished by features such as race, religion, age, generation, political affiliation, gender, sexual orientation, economic status, educational level, occupation, and a host of other factors” (O'Hair et al., 2018). For example, my daughters attend Duke school and my nephews attend Spring Valley Elementary. Education from different perspectives one private and the other public exposes them to different experiences the same as I. I’m appreciative of the opportunity to experience and support each other’s learning differences. Another example is that my religion is different from others in my cocultures. It’s helped me learn how to communicate differently to with people of other religions, especially during the holidays. I’m careful not to use hate speech and wish a person of another faith an inappropriate salutation.        

            The three strategies I would use to communicate more effectively with people, different groups and cultures are the following:

1. Deliver effective communication so that I am understood.
2. Be a good listener- To apply
3. Know when to seek extra support.

            I know I am a visual learner I must understand that others may not be. We have several multiple intelligences we can apply to education. However, if communicating is not understood learning is not met.

Reference

O’Hair, D., Wiemann, M., Mullin, D.I., & Teven, J. (2018). Real communication: An introduction (4^th. Ed). New York: Bedford? St. Martin’s.