This has been a journey I will never forget with my main supporter, my Mom, passing away, my daughter moving to Georgia, my best friend/sister passing away, my stepfather’s passing, my oldest daughter getting married, to keeping a struggling business from going under, to me taking a leave of absence, and the list can go on and on but then God knew I needed somebody, somewhere, something to get me through in order to fulfill a challenge I created for myself over 3 years ago and that was through all of my teachers, classmates far and near, my friends, the librarians, the tech support, everything that became a focus point to distract my mind from the obstacles I faced, all of you!  I couldn’t have made without all of you and it is with appreciation I say “Thank You!”

Through Walden I have learned so much.  I have confirmed my passion and have a greater love for the Early Childhood field.  I have learned a great deal about the “isms” and realized African-Americans aren’t the only targets for biases, prejudices and stereotyping.  Without intentions, we somehow all could very well be found in one of those.  I learn that in this journey you can’t go alone, you need the help from others and it’s not asking too much to reach out to others in the field. 

My one long-term goal is to make sure every child who comes through my center enjoys learning through play.  I want their early education to be a good, positive experience one they can reflect on throughout their entire educational lives.  I want families to know they play an important part in their child’s life and offer them opportunities to be involved.  My ultimate goal is to remain positive in whatever I do whereas my children will reflect a positive image of their teacher.

There are so many people I want to thank and I’m sure I will miss some but I am so thankful for every instructor who pushed me to dig in more and to put what I already know, what I am already doing down on paper.  Thank you Dr. Embree for listening to me through the tears and giving me that extra push when I had chosen to throw in the towel and settle for my Bachelors.  You wouldn’t let me stop there. To all my colleagues, thank you for those who chose to comment on my post.  I will never forget one of my very last post one of my colleagues, Leigh D., suggested I should be a speaker!  Hmmmm, something to think about!  This degree will be that key that opens the door to the blessings God has stored up for me.  So it is with sadness on one hand, but JOY on the other that I say “FAREWELL!”  May God forever bless and keep you.  As Early Childhood Educators, may we continue to make a great impact on the little lives and their families we touch daily and be the voice to be heard for those who cannot speak as we strive to reach the next level in early childhood!

God’s Blessings,

Roslyn Brooks

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community:  Internationally

In exploring the International Community of Early Childhood the organizations/jobs which most appealing to me are the UNICEF, I choose the UNICEF because of everywhere you go you hear about the great efforts and work people who are connected to this organization are doing.  UNICEF works to give a fair chance in life to every child, everywhere, especially the most disadvantaged (www.unicef.org).  UNICEF works with governments, civil society, communities and other stakeholders to design and implement intersectoral evidence-based ECD programmes and policies that help young children reach their full potential by supporting families and communities, and by increasing access to quality early childhood (www.unicef.org). 

A job that was appealing to me the most was the Child Protection Specialist.  My job responsibilities would to overall create a protective environment for children against all harm and to protect their rights to survival, development and well-being (www.unicef.org). 

Qualifications are an Advanced university degree in social sciences or other relevant field, preferably Social Work/Social Welfare.  Work experience include a minimum of five years of professional work experience at national and internal levels in child protection, including field work experience, strong background in Social Work Practitioner and/or Social Welfare Services Manager, International work experience/developing Country Experience, fluent English and another UN language, knowledge or willingness to learn local language of duty station (Nepali) is an asset care and education (www.unicef.org).

The second international organization I chose was Save the Children.  Save the Children invests in childhood – every day, in times of crisis and for our future in the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm (www.savethechildren.org). 

A job that is interesting to me would be an Advocacy Manager.  Basically, this person works together with our partners to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives (www.savethechildren.org).  However, I do not meet all the qualifications to apply.

The last international organization I saw interesting was the World Forum Foundation.  I have been a member of this organization for the past and I found it to be interesting.  The World Forum Foundation’s mission is to promote an on-going global exchange of ideas on the delivery of quality services for young children in diverse settings (www.worldforumfoundation.org). 

There are no job offerings.  Basically 600-800 early childhood professionals from more than 80 countries gather to share ideas on a wide range of issues impacting the delivery of quality services for children and families (www.worldforumfoundation.org). 

The International Job Opportunities do require more education than what I currently have but they do seem very interesting with the possibility of pushing towards that goal.

www.savethechildren.org

www.worldforumfoundation.org

 

www.unicef.org

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

The four national/federal organizations or communities of practice that I took interest in for this assignment are found below:

  

      1.  Association of Childhood Education International (ACEI).

I choose this association because it promotes as well as supports the global community in achieving the optimal quality of education and development of children, and to influence the professional growth of educators and the efforts of those committed to children’s needs in a dynamic world.

No job opportunities offered

Training opportunities – sharing expertise

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

I chose this association because the NAEYC promotes high-quality early learning for all children, birth through age 8, by connecting practice, policy, and research (www.naeyc.org).   The ultimate goal is to reach full potential of every child.  All children thrive and learn in a society dedicated to ensuring they reach their full potential.

Job opportunities:  Consultant Early Childhood

Skills/experiences – Social & Human Science

3.  Zero to three is a national non-profit organization that provides parents, professionals, and policy makers the knowledge and know-how to nurture early development.  Their mission is to ensure all babies and toddlers have a strong start in life (zerotothree.org).

Job opportunities – Resource Development Director

Qualifications: 

Bachelor, Master’s, or Doctoral degree preferred. 6 years of experience in Early Childhood Education minimum; Public policy or community development;

Experience in Head Start and/or Child Care a plus;

Experience in project development

                Salary:  Open, Full-time.

4.  Kentucky Association for Early Childhood Education (KAECE)

Mission:  To serve and support the early care and education community to improve the lives of children and their families (www.kaece.org).

Job opportunities -  Assistant Director, Louisville, Kentucky

                Provider of private Childhood Education

                Child Enrichment Coordinator