Farewell!

            As I look back on my experience at Walden University, I must say that I have gained a new insight to the importance of self-reflection.  Without this, I think my life in the classroom will become status quo.  With self refection, I can honestly appraise what is working and what is not.  If something is not working, I can reach out to others to gain information to help me.  Also, through self-reflection I learned that I had some biases that needed improvement.  I learned that ridding myself of bias is truly the only way to teach children in an anti-bias environment.

            I also learned the importance of connectivity and accountability.  Those of you whom I have met in this program have helped me become a stronger teacher and person.  You have countered my thoughts at times and helped me stretch my thinking.  Through this course, I learned the importance of having a Community of Practice (CoP) and using research and support from others to strengthen my work in the field.

            As I have researched, I think the most important gleaning has been that every family is the expert on their child and wants what is best.  I have learned it is my responsibility to meet families where they are, and assist them in their journey through school. 

            I have learned to hone my writing skills as well.  When I began the program, it took me loooong hours to write one paper because APA was foreign to me.  This taught me a lesson though.  In a sense, APA is a code to follow.  I thought about English Language Learners who have to work to break the code of the English language.  As it took me time to learn the correct way to communicate in a scholarly fashion, and my patience was tested, I think how the ELLs must feel trying to learn our language.

            A long term goal of mine is to continue learning about ways that I can positively impact families through their involvement in their child’s education.  I will continue to research articles and attend conferences.  I want to go above and beyond the minimum requirements to assist families in becoming involved.  I desire to impact social change beginning in my community. 
            Dr. Teri, I want to personally thank you for all your guidance!  You words of encouragement and feedback definitely helped me grow in just eight weeks!  I appreciate your detailed information and with it, I was able to achieve my goal of finishing strong!  Thanks again! 

            I have never been good at saying goodbye.  To my colleagues, your words of encouragement over the last year and a half have helped me when I felt like giving up!  I believe each of you will make an impact in the ECE field.  To my professors, I want you to know I appreciate your comments and feedback.  I feel as if I am ready to embark on a great journey!  Please stay in touch.  My e-mail address is kristilhargis@comcast.net

Best wishes and may God bless you!

International Jobs/Roles in Early Childhood Education

As I began reading about international organizations that support teachers and advocate for children, I was amazed by how many there are.  International Communities of Practice (CoP) are plentiful!

One worldwide organization that I found interesting was the International Child Resource Institute (ICRI), located at http://www.icrichild.org/.  When I read about the vision of ICRI, I thought it sounded amazing.  “ICRI envisions a world in which all children and families are able to fulfill their greatest potential” (ICRI, n.d., para. 1).  Further amazement came as I read, “Since ICRI was founded in 1981, we have developed or operated over 300 programs in over 50 countries, all with the goal of empowering the village to raise the child” (ICRI, n.d., para. 1).  ICRI does not come in and try to take over the way things are done; instead, they focus on providing resources to educate children and families, and works to advocate for women and girls. The executive director is Ken Jaffe.   As far as employment opportunities, the only listing was for a marketing intern.  This person would need to have strong written and verbal skills as well as a “commitment to changing the world” (ICRI, n.d., para. 3).  More information can be found at http://www.icrichild.org/employment/

Another international organization of interest is Save the Children, located at http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6115947/k.8D6E/Official_Site.htm

This organization works in the United States as well as other countries.  Globally committed to helping children and families, this organization states, “We aim to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children, and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives by improving their health, education and economic opportunities” (Save the Children, 2013, para. 2).  Many jobs opportunities are listed at http://www.savethechildren.net/jobs and the one that sounded interesting to me was a Program Quality Director in the United Kingdom.  This job requires a “Master's Degree in Development Studies or equivalent social science although individuals with significant equivalent experience may also be considered” (Save the Children, 2013, para. 11).  Leadership skills and management skills are also qualifications for the job. 

A third CoP of interest is Global Fund for Children (GFC) located at https://www.globalfundforchildren.org/  This organization will “find and invest in grassroots organizations that enable the most vulnerable children in their communities to thrive” (GFC, 2013, para. 1).  GFC disperses grants to help communities fund their initiatives.  Not only do they provide money, but GFC conducts “knowledge exchange workshops” (para. 8) where locals gather and share their ideas and resources.  This organization publishes briefs about their work as well as having a blog.  A job was posted, but the end date for receiving applications was May 10, 2013. 

I am amazed at the response worldwide to help children.  I am thankful that others are working worldwide to create social change.  At this time, I am not interested in relocating, but sometime in the future I could see this as a possibility and I am pleased to know that job opportunities exist.

References

Global Fund for Children.  (2013). Our approach.  Retrieved August 6, 2013 from https://www.globalfundforchildren.org/what-we-do/our-approach/

International Child Resource Institute (n.d.).  Employment.  Retrieved August 5, 2013 from http://www.icrichild.org/employment/

International Child Resource Institute. (n.d.).  International Child Care Resource Institute homepage. Retrieved August 5, 2013 from http://www.icrichild.org/

International Child Resource Institute. (n.d.).  Our vision.  Retrieved August 5, 2013 from http://www.icrichild.org/our-vision/

Save the Children.  (2013).  Global network.  Retrieved August 6, 2013 from http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6229495/k.A150/Global_Network.htm

Save the Children.  (2013).  Program quality director.  Retrieved August 6, 2013 from http://www.savethechildren.net/jobs/job-details/596