TIME WELL SPENT

          There is no words to describe how I feel at this point of my life. Two years ago, I decided to take on this journey not knowing what would happen. I guess the lack of confidence made me doubt many times if I could really do this,  but deep in my heart I knew one way or another with courage and perseverance will take on, not to mention my children's support and understanding were always there.  Now I am here writing this blog piece perhaps not the last but a blog for my last course and I need to share the tremendous learning and knowledge gained not only through the course resources but most important my classmates who week after week I have appreciated their insights, suggestions, support, experiences and encouragement.  But I can't proceed without thanking Dr. Darragh for all her feedback and suggestions not only through this course but past courses I've had the pleasure to have her as my professor. 
Three deeply felt learning's I had was definitely about community of practice. Working together with other professional who share the passion and dedication with you is so rewarding. Increasing and strengthening your communication skills is also important. Learning about history and how professionals have paved the path for us to keep working towards the betterment of the field. I also learned how much diversity there is at a global scale with regards to jobs and to know there are opportunities out there, is very exciting. My 
My goal is to keep learning, to keep reaching out to those families and children in need, one day I will move on from being a teacher to help and mentor teachers and time will only tell. There is much to do in our field.
These are some quotes to remember:
                                           
                                    
                                                    

And this is something why I do the work I do:
                               

and
again to everyone
                                                                                            

Jobs Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

For this assignment we have been asked to search for jobs in different world organizations. It was a very interesting research experience getting to know more about these organizations I chose. However, I am aware that maybe my qualifications for some of these jobs are not up to par but the job they do is incredible. These are my three organizations:
Save the Children 

This organization gives children in the United States and around the world what every child deserves – a healthy start, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. When disaster strikes, they put children's needs first. We advocate for and achieve large-scale change for children.

The position is for Director of Program operations, this position would share in the overall responsibility for the direction and coordination of the Country Office program. As a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT) in the Occupied Palestinians Territory (oPt), the Director of Operations is responsible for the implementation of all programs in the Country Office, including the management of all sub offices, emergency preparedness and response (including DRR), and logistics/procurement for the Country Office in the oPt. 

Unicef

This organization  is the driving force that helps build a world where the rights of every child are realized. We have the global authority to influence decision-makers, and the variety of partners at grassroots level to turn the most innovative ideas into reality. That makes us unique among world organizations, and unique among those working with the young.They believe that nurturing and caring for children are the cornerstones of human progress. UNICEF was created with this purpose in mind – to work with others to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease and discrimination place in a child’s path. We believe that we can, together, advance the cause of humanity.

The position is Educational Specialist in Cote'dIvore. It's purpose is to under the supervision of the Chief of Education, accountable for  planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluation of the work on access and quality of education to ensure overall efficiency and effectiveness of the program management, delivery and accomplishment of program goals and objectives.

Collaborates with the rest of the programmes, notably Health, Nutrition, Water and Sanitation and Child Protection.

FHI360-The Science of Improving Lives

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in Health, Education, Nutrition, Environment, Economic Development, Civil Society, Gender, Youth, Research and Technology; creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today's interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 60 countries, all 50 U.S. states and all U.S. territories. 

 The position is for a Contracts and Grant Officer I who is primarily responsible for managing the administrative processes for contract administration from pre-award to contract close-out. He/she will provide professional expertise in contract administration to ensure full compliance with donor rules and regulations. The functions of the position include: a) Comprehensive analysis of contract terms and conditions to ensure that the organization has the organizational capacity or is able to acquire the necessary capacity to successfully perform and meet contractual obligations; b) Expert interpretation of donor (USG and non-USG) rules and regulations; c) Standardization of administrative procedures for efficient award and sub award management; d) Development of contractual documents including templates and ancillary business forms; and e) Capacity building and replication of contract portfolio management systems and best practices in award and sub award management. A Contracting Officer will lead or supervise other staff in the efficient operation and maintenance of an effective contracts portfolio management system. Contracting officers will work in partnership with operations staff and other enterprise services staff to achieve successful and compliant contract performance. The scope of contract administration may include contract interpretation, compliance with regulatory requirements and restrictions, sub award administration, and donor relations among others.

References

Save the Children (2014). Retrieved from //www.savethechildren.net/jobs/job-details/1365

Unicef (n.d.) Retrived from http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/

FHI360 (2013)  https://jobs-fhi360.icims.com/jobs/14607/contracts-and-grants-officer-i/job

Job Roles in the ECE Community: National/Federal Level

For this assignment we are asked to find places of employment or job opportunities within the state or federal level. I have found three employment opportunities those are:

 The first one is with the Department of Health and Human Services through the Administration of Children and Families. The position is a program specialist whose some of their duties are to serve as a focal point and resource to regional staff, and provides expert advice and technical assistance to Head Start/Early Head Start (HS/EHS) grantee agencies that includes programmatic and fiscal oversight responsibilities to ensure compliance with Federal statue and regulations.  Provides expert guidance and technical assistance to grantees and regional staff in program planning, management and fiscal operations in the areas of Head Start and/or early childhood development by promoting quality and comprehensive services for the children and families served.  

The second position is through the Department of Early Learning for the State of Washington. This position is Head Start State Collaboration Administrator. Their duties are to facilitate collaboration among Head Start agencies and entities that carry out activities designed to benefit low income children and their families from birth to school entry. The HSSCO provides a structure and a process for the Office of Head Start (OHS) to work with state agencies and local entities to leverage their common interests around young children and their families to formulate, implement, and improve state/local policy and practice. 
For this position would be essential to have intense knowledge about Head Start policies and procedures.

The third position is for Puget Sound Educational Service District as a Early Learning Senior Educational Coordinator.This position will  provide leadership and partnership within early learning systems to ensure equitable educational opportunities and sustainable child development and academic outcomes.  The EL Senior Coordinator, Education will coordinate regional educational program services and provide technical assistance to staff on the establishment of cohesive early learning systems. This position requires only a BA in the field of Early Childhood.

I must say searching for job opportunities at a National and Federal level was very interesting and at times challenging. I could not find much opportunities within my state which I feel qualified for. Overall, it has given me a more broad sense of opportunities in the field to consider.


https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/374535500

http://www.del.wa.gov/about/jobs.aspx

http://www.psesd.org/job-openings/el-sr-coordinator-education/

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

For this assignment, I have been asked to name three organizations, local or state, which I would have and participate in as communities of practice as well as to name several job opportunities I would enjoy being a part of.
My three organizations are:

PSESD (PUGET SOUND EDUCATIONAL SERVICE DISTRICT)
I choose this organization because they over see and contract with school districts and child care centers in order to provide Head Start programs and ECEAP the support and guidance in order to meet standards. Their goal is to create success for each child as well as to eliminate the opportunity gap.

WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF EARLY LEARNING
I choose this organizations because it works closely with child care providers and ECEAP providers in order to provide and maintain state regulations. Recently there has been a increase of required trainings  and curriculum implementation within child care and in home centers.

WASHINGTON STATE ASSOCIATION OF HEAD START AND ECEAP
I choose this organization because I feel most familiar with. As a past parent and a present teacher, Head Start programs have been part of my life. I strongly believe in their mission and goal among children and families of low income.

Job opportunities:

Teacher Mentor: This job I might say is my dream job. Mentoring teachers for Head Start programs is my main goal. This job requires to have a Master's in Early Childhood Studies. Their main focus is to provide instructional leadership and reflective/ administrative support to early learning teaching staff.

Instructor for South Puget Sound Community College for the department of Early Childhood Education. For this position I have to have my Master's in the field of study. I always have been curious of teaching early childhood classes on line or face to face. The only other requirement is for the employee to have teaching experience.  

Early Learning Technical Assistant Coordinator-Education. For this job as the first job mentioned their duties are to provide guidance and professional development opportunities for the ECEAP programs in the area. For this job only a BA/BS is required in the field of Early Childhood .


                              

WEEK 1 - MY WORDLE

                                                   

                                                           

The words I used to make my WORDLE were"

PLAY
LEARNING
NURTURING RELATIONSHIPS
DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE

A note to Thank You

It is amazing how quick these eight weeks have gone by, I want to say Thank You for all your replies of support, feedback, encouragement throughout our discussions and blogs. Most of all, thank you for letting us learn from each others experiences in the field. I have no doubt that each one of us will provide to their highest potential within the field of Early Childhood field. As we come to an end, I wish everyone a wonderful and relaxing winter break and hope the best to each one of you. I hope to see some of you in my future classes...until then

Adjourning Phase

Thinking back, one of the times where I had the hardest to say goodbye was working as the teacher with two other girls (t.a's) which we made the best team in the center when working with the kids and together. Each one of us had our own strengths and weaknesses but we were there to support one another, read our body language and know what each other needed. The funny thing was that we were the only team out of four others that did not have any issues with each other and was not sitting in the directors office every other day. We worked together for a whole year until the director decided to split us up. We were all in shock and did not know how to react or say. I told the director why had she decided to break up the best team and all she said was to strengthened the others so I got two totally new T.A.'s the next year. I wish sometimes that things could have been handle differently.

When I started this journey of getting my Master's, and especially on line, I did not know what to expect. Now as I reflect, I have learned so much from every one I had some sort of communication and dialogue. I think it will be different for me leaving a group whom I have learned and seen other perspectives from. It has been an amazing ride.

For me adjourning is essential because is where as a team can look back and celebrate what has been accomplished and move on to a new phase. No matter what paths each one takes team members will be connected one way or another.