Time Well Spent

Throughout the course I was blessed to realize that my dedication and passion was accepted and respected. I felt appreciated and I felt recognized by my colleagues. I was also glad that my opinion and my criticism were welcomed and respected. IT open my eyes again to how important it is to communicate and collaborate. When you have teamwork you can achieve so much more. This course has also shown me the importance of diversity, due to all the differences among us I was able to get so much feedback that helped me to understand how the world around me functions and how I can achieve my own dreams. Working with such professionals has shown me that we all need to take our time and work hard to achieve our goals. Lending a hand and making friendship that will last a life time is what will ensure our success. We must all work together to promote and understand our individual needs and desires. Thank you to my colleagues and Professor Dartt for such a wonderful experience. I will treasure all the knowledge I have gained from this courses and each you. I wish you all the best in the future. 

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you should need any assistance in the future or you just need to talk. You can reach me by email natashafoizal@gmail.com. I am always here to help or just lend an ear. 

I would like to start by saying I had such an amazing experience at Walden University. I am excited to take with me all the knowledge I have gained as a graduate student and apply it to my professional life. I feel blessed to have met everyone and made so many friends that share the same passion as I do. Working with all of you has made me realize that their are others who have taken the same steps as I have to achieve so much more. One long term goal that I have set for myself is to not take any day for granted because each day is a new learning experiences and a new opportunity to improve by life by changing the future for all children around the world. 

                                           

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

This week I have chosen to explore three of the recommended sites that were provided by Professor Dartt. These organization are internationally known to the world as organization that help children as well as individuals by bring awareness to all social, political and economic issues. The reason I chose them is because I was unfamiliar with these organizations and would like to learn more about them. 

Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
www.oecd.org

This organization aims to promote policies that support the well-being of people around the world. They provide a forum that helps people to communicate and share experiences that help find solutions. This organizations work with others to understand what economic, social and environmental changes are occurring. they work to provide information that can keep productivity and trends that are positive in order to promote success. 
Everyday life issues are what are needed to help people be aware of what changes need to be made for example taxes, social, security and time off that individuals can have. They look at school system's  and modern life in different countries and how they are being taken care off in comparisons. This organizations aims to promote and design policies that improve people's quality of life.

Building and Workplace Project Coordinator(Job Number: 09413)

Ideal candidate profile

Academic background

• University degree preferably in engineering, architecture, real-estate management or a comparable field or equivalent professional experience.

Professional background

• At least five years working experience in the planning, supervision and management of large projects, preferably in the domain of workplace strategies, building works and estate maintenance.
• Experience drafting technical and administrative documents and analytical reports; experience in architectural design and good drawing skills would be an advantage.
• Experience managing complex projects involving contractors and meeting tight deadlines. Good practical knowledge of planning, project and budget management.

Tools

• Very good knowledge of computerised technical management tools.
• Good knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite.
• Knowledge of Autocad software would be an advantage.

Languages

• Excellent knowledge of one of the two official languages of the Organisation (English and French); a working knowledge of the other would be an advantage.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to convey messages clearly at all levels.
• Ability to draft technical dossiers in one of the two official languages.

In order to achieve a position in this particular organization, i would have to improve my management skills as while as my communication skills. I would have to improve my awareness of issues all over the world in order to create policies that help everyone around the world. Learning different languages would be another great asset to obtain because it would have me to improve my world wide skills and learning experiences. I feel confident in my computer skills but I always state there is room for improvement. 


 International Step By Step Association 
http://www.issa.nl/

This organization aims to connect professional and non-profit organizations that work in the field of early childhood development. They work to promote quality care and education for children from birth to 10 years old.  they also promote professional development that helps to produce high-quality learning and teaching experiences. 

ISSA is open to all organizations and individuals who want to join our efforts to:

• Nurture professionalism in the education and care services from birth through primary school, building capacities and using comprehensive resources.
   
• Promote social justice and respect for diversity in early years services and in society in general through transformative trainings and inspiring resources.
   
• Encourage and support the involvement of families and communities in decision making processes about young children.
   
• Build a strong network of practitioners working with and for young Romani children and their families.
   
• Advocate for inclusive Early Childhood systems and critical issues related to access, equity and quality.

I do not see any links for current job openings, but I see you can become a member. Being a member consists of signing up and getting involved in bring awareness and support to the organizations goals. Working with this organization aims to support our children and families and encourage their involvement in policy making.

Save the Children
http://www.savethechildren.org/

This organization aims to provide children with a healthy start because they deserve the best in life. They want to help children learn and grow at their own pace to help them reach their full potential. This organizations aims to support big change because they want everyone to be aware of the basic needs of children. 


Director, Child Care in Emergencies
Location: US - CT - Fairfield Home Office
Division.: U.S. Programs
The Director, Child Care in US Emergencies is a senior leadership position, responsible for implementing US Programs strategic goals. Child Care in Emergencies includes child care and out-of-school time care throughout the entire disaster cycle (preparedness, response and recovery). She/he is charged with internal and external leadership and representation; programmatic direction and growth, and managerial oversight of all programs, partnerships and operations within the Child Care in US Emergencies realm. The Director, Child Care in US Emergencies is expected to take an entrepreneurial approach to identify and increase public and private funding for US Emergencies work. Additional responsibilities include drive policy and advocacy goals; increase visibility and networking; strengthen partnerships to ensure quality of programs and results nationally.

Responsibilities
• Leadership of preparedness, response and recovery initiatives and programs to reduce risks for children and ensure access to out-of-school time care (including child care, afterschool, summer and emergency care)
• Network and develop productive relationships with state- and major urban area-based key stakeholders, including R&R networks and state human service leaders.
• Advance USPs Policy and Advocacy goals for US Emergencies at the State level
• Identify and pursue public and private funding
• Actively advocate and lobby for State level and Federal funding
• Develop and implement long-term plan for Care for Children in Emergencies Programs
• As budget holder, develop and manage Care for Children in Emergencies budget
• Oversight of administrative and operational activities including compliance with the agency MOS (Maximizing Operational Success)
• Participate in the development of appropriate organizational design and staffing structure for the Care for Children in Emergencies model
• Participate in recruiting the state based staff and ensure that staff are aware of their roles, responsibilities and accountabilities.


Required
•Minimum of a Master’s degree or equivalent in an area related to Education preferred.
•Fifteen years’ experience in a management capacity, of which five years must have been in senior management positions
•Experience with emergency preparedness within Childcare or School settings
•Candidate must have a proven track record of senior program management and accountability across a wide geographic area.
•Experience providing senior representation with high level officials and partners, advocacy and public/private fundraising.
•Candidate must have a proven track record of senior program management and accountability across a wide geographic area.
•Experience providing senior representation with high level officials and partners, advocacy and public/private fundraising.
•Demonstrated experience in financial and sub-grant management, budget control and strategic planning.
•Strong team building and leadership skills.
•Able to deal effectively with ambiguity and change.
•An entrepreneurial spirit and qualities of defining goals, developing staff, take informed risk and decision making are essential
•Must be available to travel 25% of the time primarily to Arkansas, Missouri and Mississippi

When looking through job opportunities this particular title struck me as something that i would be interested in because I feel I strive to a director will help me to achieve all the skills needed to improve myself. Once again communication and business skills are required but also professionalism with dealing with individuals all over the world is needed. I feel this job would be a great learning experience and over time I will be able to fill the position as time goes on. This is an organization where all the members work together because we can only be successful as a team and not as individuals.

ECE field is a dedicated field with many professionals that strive to provide the best for children all around the world and I am glad to be a member of such an important field. I strive to help all children that I can, hopefully I can expand my reach as my career expands.

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: National/Federal Level

After exploring national/federal organizations I am most interested in these three because they are dedicated to the welfare of children. I have used them throughout my career as early childhood professional to help me educate my staff and myself. They have provided me with so many resources that can benefit my professional career and my personal life as a mother. If you are familiar with these sites them you can definitely agree with my interests, if you are not I encourage you to explore them and sign up for their monthly newsletters.

The Child  Help National Child Abuse Hotline, 1-800-4-A-CHILD

http://www.childhelp.org/

The Childhelp organization aims to help at risk-children that suffer from abuse and neglect. They provide advocacy, treatment and community outreach programs that can bring awareness to how much support these children need due to their unstable environments. They believe that every child is unique and serve their own purpose to the world. They want to help these children to develop their self-esteem and promote self-worth as they grow and develop.

Childhelp believes that a child can heal when they are provided with unconditional love and support and their entryways all reflect one message “All Who Enter Here Will Find Love.” They aim to provide a safe and nurturing environment that help all children the best care possible.

The organization has several jobs opening that are available:

Activities Coordinator

• High School Diploma or equivalent; BA/BS degree is preferred.
• Experience in activity planning and recreation with children.
• One-year experience working with special needs children.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in the Commonwealth of Virginia only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Activities Manager

• In addition to education requirements, employee must demonstrate, through prior work experience, competency in consistently exercising professional judgment and discretion in the execution and implementation of milieu management techniques and methodologies.
• Minimum of one year experience working with children and demonstrated competency and skill in the implementation of the Milieu Treatment Program preferred.
• Must have successfully completed all of the Alice C. Tyler Village new hire orientation and training requirements.
• Must be current on all mandatory annual retraining and in-services.
• Must participate in a minimum of 15 hours annually of in-service training applicable to specific job duties and responsibilities.
• Must possess a current certificate for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid.
• Must possess or willing to obtain a life guarding certification.
• National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (CTRS) strongly preferred.
•  

Direct Care Staff

• Must be 21 years of age
• Must have one of the following:
• Bachelors degree (preferred)

      OR

• Associates degree AND 3 months experience working with children

      OR

• High School diploma or equivalent AND 6 months experience working with children
• Must pass a complete background check
• Must possess a valid Virginia driver license
• Ability to write concise, accurate, and informative reports
• Ability to verbally redirect and/or de-escalate behavior to prevent or minimize the need for physical restraints
• Ability to participate in the therapeutic holding of out-of-control children ages of 2-15           
• Ability to empathize with children with special needs and from different backgrounds

These jobs are interesting to me because they require a skilled professional that is capable of working with children while promoting growth and development. The organization stress that you need to be a person with good standing and minimum educational requirements which after completely my Master’s Degree I would be greatly looked upon as an applicant. The only requirement that I would need to work on would relocation because these primary job offers are for Arizona and I would need a driver’s license. I do feel I would be a great candidate due to my commitment to the children and my eleven years of services. I have also completed child abuse workshops that provided me with value information as to how to approach children that have been abused or neglected. These jobs would be a good fit for me as I would be expanding my resume while learning about more prominent facts that can help me support children.

NCSEA (National Child Support Enforcement Agency)

http://www.ncsea.org/

NCSEA provides support to professionals, agencies and partner throughout the world to help them provide professional development, public awareness, communications as well as emotion and financial support to help parents provide for their children. This organization believes parents are not only financial responsible for the welfare of the children but emotional as well. They are obligated to provide love and support as they grow.

NCSEA helps children by advocating on their behalf to ensure policies that are enacted with benefits for them. They publicize child support programs to acknowledge the awareness and importance of such programs. They provide additional support and resources about child support to professionals and parent all around the world. They also promote education for parents to support programs that provide child support.

• Executive Director, El Paso County Domestic Relations Office
  Location: El Paso, Texas
  (Posted: July 9, 2014)
  The Executive Director of the Domestic Relations Office (DRO) is responsible for performing a variety of complex management, technical, and professional work directing and supervising the strategic operations and planning for the Domestic Relations Office. Responsible for establishing the strategic plan and goals and objectives for the DRO; developing policy; reviewing guidelines, procedures, rules and regulations; establishing priorities, standards, and measurement tools for determining progress in meeting goals; coordinating and evaluating program activities; and developing budgets; Collaborates and maintains communication with the Family Law Center and other county offices. The incumbent will advise Commissioners Court on matters pertaining to the DRO.
• Director, El Dorado County Department of Child Support Services
  Location: Placerville/Shingle Springs, California
  (Posted: July 7, 2014)
  El Dorado County is seeking a dynamic Child Support Services Director with exceptional management, interpersonal, and communication skills to lead one of the State’s most highly regarded county Child Support Services Departments. This at-will executive level position reports to the Board of Supervisors. The successful candidate for Director of Child Support Services will have the unique and exciting opportunity to continue to build upon the reputation and success of this Department, ranking in the State of California’s top 10 in meeting Federal Performance Measures for 9 of the last 11 years. The Child Support Services Department is supported by approximately 60 full-time capable employees with a fiscal year 2014/2015 operating budget of $5.9 million. 

Looking these two particular job openings, I am very much interested in them because they are very important roles in the organization. As a candidate I have to have high quality leadership skills and a solid foundation in business and communication. Having early childhood experience is a plus but I still need to be an established leader. I will be financial responsible for particular division and with that comes with numerous responsibilities. I would have to improve on my communication skills and as a team leader I have to refresh my skills on how to effectively manage a team. Being a good delegator is another important quality as I would be responsible for such a big department in the organization.

CDF (Children’s Defense Fund)

http://www.childrensdefense.org/

The Children’s Defense Fund is a non-profit advocacy organization that has worked to help children have the same and equal opportunities as others. Their work aims to remove children from poverty, ensure healthy lifestyles and prevent or remove them from unsafe environments. This organization is funded by private/public grants and other corporations that believe in our children. CDF has many locals and their advocate nationwide on behalf of children to bring awareness of their priority to the world.

CDF mission is to “Leave No Child Behind” because they all deserve a healthy start in life. This organization gives children the voice they need to be heard and represented because they are too young to voice their own opinions.

Job Position: Senior Public Policy Associate

The Senior Public Policy Associate is an integral member of the policy team, responsible for providing leadership and support for CDF-NY’s entire policy and legislative agenda. The successful candidate must be able to promote the integration of the policy work to ensure that CDF-NY is advocating for the whole needs of New York's children. This is a highly visible role; therefore, s/he must possess excellent written and oral advocacy skills.

The Senior Public Policy Associate is charged with assisting in the planning and implementing legislative campaigns, analyzing and drafting policy proposals, developing CDF-NY’s position on key legislation and drafting legislation, lobbying state and local policymakers, preparing and presenting testimony, analyzing city and state budgets to assess their impact on children and families, building coalitions and engaging community stakeholders.

After looking through their job opportunities which were very limited, I found this listing with a short description. I do not know how qualified I would be for this position but I love to strive for the opportunity to be involved and eventually determine the types of policies that are established and enforced. As for the other job opportunities that I am interested in I would definitely have to possess strong business and communication skills and once again the knowledge in the field of early childhood would be a great asset. These jobs would take lots of strategic planning and I would definitely need some training and essential workshop to build up my leadership skills. Every job takes time to learn and conquer but as long as I dedicate myself to learning new things I can achieve many new talents and preform to the best of my abilities. 

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

NAEYC, AACTE, and ECM

I have chosen these three organizations because I am familiar with their purposes and goals as I have also used them to further my education as vital resources for finding information. They have helped me to learn how people come together to promtoe one cause. It is amazing what can be accomplished when we are working together to achiee the same goals.


National Association for the Education of young Children (NAEYC)

This organizations state three main goals:

1)Improving professional practice and working conditions in early childhood education.
2)Supporting early childhood programs by working to achieve a high-quality system of early childhood education.
3)Building a high-performing, inclusive organization of groups and individuals who are committed to promoting excellence in early childhood education for all young children.

They also have provided a clean cut vision statements that they abide by since they were established:

1)All children have access to a safe and accessible, high quality early childhood education that includes a developmentally appropriate curriculum; knowledgeable and well-trained program staff and educators; and comprehensive services that support their health, nutrition, and social well-being, in an environment that respects and supports diversity.
2)All early childhood professionals are supported as professionals with a career ladder, ongoing professional development opportunities, and compensation that attracts and retains high quality educators.
3)All families have access to early childhood education programs that are affordable and of high quality and actively participate in their children's education as respected reciprocal partners.
4)All communities, states, and the nation work together to ensure accountable systems of high-quality early childhood education for all children.

This organization has been established to put children and their families first as we need to make sure that all their needs are met as they continue to grow and learn.

NAEYC
http://www.naeyc.org/

American Association of Colleges for Teachers Education (AACTE)
A national organization that was establish educator preparations programs that are dedicated to promote high-quality preparation that allows for teacher the capability of teaching all learners. This organizations aims to provide the resources that are needed to promote learning at every age and the preparation that will give learners the opportunity to receive high-quality educations form teachers that are effectively qualified.
Giving the children the opportunity to learn and grow with high-quality educations is the main purpose of the organization. They also provide scholarships and appropriate funding where it is needed to help support families and children that need extra support.

AACTE
http://aacte.org

Every Child Matters Educational Fund(ECM)
This organizations was established in July 20, 2001 as a non-profit organization that invests in the awareness of children, youth and families as a political importance. This organizations promotes and helps enforce the adoptions of policies to create opportunities such as :
1) access to affordable, comprehensive health care services
2) open up more early-care and learning opportunities such as after-school programs
3) prevent violence in homes and communities against children
4) eliminate poverty

ECM aims to accomplished these goals by policy-makers, letter to editors, radio ads, and newspaper ads that can bring awareness to the issues that area actively affecting our youth. They have established outreach programs, distributed resources and information that has been specific to state to state data. They have created numerous amounts of child advocates that help individual communities become more aware of what can be done.

This organizations aims to help children have the opportunity to succeed in life form the very beginning. It is important to them that we acknowledge the changes we can make and promote in our communities.

ECM
http://www.everychildmatters.org/index.php

All three organizations have job opportunities because they are all looking for professionals that want to help children. The most admirable skill that anyone should possess is the dedication to children and their future. You must be a professional, educated and advocate for all children that promotes awareness for all factors that can affect their development. I would hope I would be a positive assets to all these organizations should I have the opportunity to become a members or an associate in cooperation with their initial purposes.

Prac App Early Childhood

Welcome to Week 1.........Very excited to start blogging again and getting to know all my colleagues on a more personal level. Hope everyone is having a great summer!

Final Thoughts for EDUC 6165 Communicating and Collaborating in Early Childhood

Though I am excited to wrap up another class, I am left wondering will I meet my colleagues again. I have experiences great discussion forums and exchanged lots information with you all. You have trusted me with your personal experiences and all your personal thoughts. I have valued your comments and suggestions throughout the eight weeks. I hope that you all know I am here and you can reach out to me for future help in your courses. It has been a pleasure working with all of you and I hope to bump into you again. Please feel free to always keep in touch and I hope the experiences we have shared has been as beneficial to you as it was to me. To Professor Johna Darraugh Ernst, thank you for opening my eyes to world of communicating and collaborating. I feel more confident that I can continue to strengthen my communication skills while passing on all the knowledge you have bestowed on me. Here is a little quote I read on a shopping bag that made me smile:

"As we grow as unique persons, we learn to respect the uniqueness of others."

Robert H. Schuller

Please feel free to contact me at natasha.khan@waldenu.edu or natashafoizal@gmail.com. 

Team Adjournment (Reactions and Expectations)

This week we learned about the five stages of team development: forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning. When considering the adjourning phase of the numerous groups that I have been involved in, I am not impressed by the memories. Due to the lack of communication that existed in the group, I think many of the members were so happy the project was over that they just wanted to move on without any attachment. I think it was a relief when we could end the team work.

I did not have very positive interactions during my group projects. I worked with many people and I did learn about. I was more sad that we could not maintain professional working relationship. During all the groups we successfully completed our task but I also that it could be better if we had a more effective system  that organize the group. 

The groups that I was apart of, I did not feel sad when it ended, I just felt as though the job was done but not to the potential it could have been done. We did not having any closing rituals. we just said good bye and good luck in the future. Some members did not even say good bye at all they just left. That showed the other members that they were never effective team members and did not share the same vision.

Concerning my Walden University colleagues, I can tell that I do not want to adjourn this team. I feel privilege to be working with other individuals that share the same goals and want to establish themselves in the field of early childhood. I have enjoyed sharing personal stories and learning about how other perceive me and my work. I have enjoyed all the constructive criticism and compliments. I feel even though we are classmates online, we have established a trust level that shows we feel comfortable sharing our personal as well as professional  experiences and goals.   

Adjourning is an important part of the teamwork because it creates a level of respect and understanding for all the participants in the team. It allows everyone to offer their appreciation and celebrate together for the achievements that they have created. This always everyone the opportunity to exchange numbers and think about future collaborations.