Time well spent

The last few years have been an exciting ride full of both personal and professional insights.  I am looking forward to putting the knowledge I’ve gained into play but feel a little sad to be leaving this phase of my life and learning.  I have gained a greater understanding of what adults need to be successful learners, a renewed passion for hands on work with children and a very well defined direction for where I want to go in my life.  All of these things have come about from my study and interactions with the professors and colleagues and I thank you all for your insights. 

My goal is to put into place all the things I learned.  I would like to continue to work with the toddler classroom that I am in but also add a part time on-line teaching position where I could teach and hopefully inspire other ECE professionals.  I feel that this would create the ideal situation for me where I can work hands on with children and give back to the profession by helping to train the next generation of ECE professionals.   

I wish each of you the best of luck in all your endeavors and hope to be able to cross paths as we all head down our own roads of professional development.  I have gained a great deal from knowing each of you and thank you for your unique perspectives and how they have colored my life. 

As you move ahead to change the world and achieve your own goals remember, “by small and simple things are great things brought to pass.”

Thanks again

-Denise

International Organizations

Among the international organizations that I would be interested in working with are…

Save the Children:  This group provides help to many throughout the world wherever it is most needed.  When a disaster strikes Save the Children is always there to lend a hand to help rebuild what has been lost.  One of the things that struck me was that this group works with a myriad of other organizations and governments while staying independent and without political agenda.  That is a rarity these days and a big draw for me to become more involved with them.   There are a number of ways to become involved from sponsoring a child to actually going out into the field in different areas of the world and working with the people.  At this stage in my life, I have three little boys at home so field work, while to most intriguing to me, is not too practical at this time.  I will however be much more interested as my boys start out on their own lives in a few years. 

UNESCO:  The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization was one that I had not previously heard of.  While I was familiar with the United Nations, this specific organization was new for me.  The thing that drew me to this group was there mission statement.  They believe in both a holistic and humanistic vision of education for the whole world.  This statement really resonated with me because of my strong belief in both education as well as the rights of each person to receive an education. 

 ACEI:  The Association for Childhood Education International was also a new find for me.  The thing tht I really liked about their mission statement was the idea of coming together to share information, perspective and experiences.  This kind of collaboration is greatly needed and when done correctly can bring about many great changes.  I would be very interested in working with groups that not only see the beauty of children but the value is other teachers as well.  As with the other organizations, I would prefer to be right in the middle of working with the children and families. 

National/ Federal Organizations of Interest

The Search Institute:  http://www.search-insitute.org

The Search Institute is an organization that has pioneered a great deal of research looking into what children need socially and emotionally in order to succeed in life.  They have developed the idea of 40 developmental assets.  These assets are positive qualities and interactions, both internal and external, that have been show to dramatically impact the chances of a child engaging in harmful behaviors as adults.  This particular agency appeals to me because of my strong desire to help children and make a difference in their social/emotional well-being.   I think that it would be most fulfilling to travel around and present workshops to teachers on the importance of these assets and how they can become a force for good in a child’s life.  I also would be interested in being a part of workshops designed for the youth.  Working hands on with these young people and helping them to build a strong foundation of assets for themselves would be very rewarding to me.

To accomplish this, I feel would benefit from more experience in presenting to a large groups.  I would also need to rely heavily on the skills gained from the courses I took that specifically address teaching adults.  Remembering the differences between teaching children and teaching adults would be crucial to my success in delivering these kinds of workshops.      

Washington State Department of Early Learning:  http://www.del.wa.gov

The Department of Early Learning is the organization that oversees every aspect of early childhood care and education in my state.  Licensing, education requirements, training records, health and safety, and The Early Achievers program all fall under the umbrella of the Department of Early Learning.  They are also responsible for providing early intervention programs.  I believe that a number of these programs that have been made available in my state are grossly underused because of the stigmatism attached to them.  I would like to be able to work within the department on creating a more positive public image of special intervention services.  I think the best place to start with this would be a series of public service announcements that could be used throughout the state in various locations.  For example, open-house events at elementary schools, doctor’s offices, childcare centers and early intervention service locations.         

For this undertaking I would need more experience with technology, specifically film design.  As this would be a large undertaking that would require input from several organizations and individuals, I think that teamwork and collaboration skills would be highly valued as well. 

Resources for Infant Educarers:  http://www.rei.org

Resources for Infant Educarers is an organization founded by Magda Gerber and Dr. Tom Forrest, it is  designed to improve the quality of infant care.  This organization is of special interest to me because of my love infants.  I have spent over fifteen years focusing on children birth to three years old and have grown very fond of being a part of the exciting developments children make in their first year.  Resources for Infant Educarers sponsors classes for both parents as well as professionals.  I would love to be able to assist in any way in providing these classes.  Being a part of teaching others the importance of these early years would be enjoyable as well as professionally satisfying. 

Once again, I feel would benefit from more experience presenting to a large groups and would rely heavily on the skills gained from the courses I took that specifically address teaching adults. 

Exploring Roles in the ECE community

There are a number of resources within our community that address the needs of children and families.  The three that I find more interesting are as follows…

·         Alternatives to Violence on the Palouse (ATVP)

ATVP is designed to address the needs of those caught in violent or unhealthy relationships.  Several years ago I worked with a domestic violence consortium in my previous community, specifically taking care of children while their parents were in court on DV related cases.  This experience changed my life and gave me a whole different perspective on the cycle of violence and how hard it can be to see a way out.  The ATVP is a similar organization in my current community so I am drawn to their cause.  Within the program the position that would be of most interest to me would be working directly with the children, while their parent is getting the guidance and help they need.  Often children in these situations are witnessing things that would rock an adult’s world.  They are in need of a safe adult they can count on.  One who can help provide them with a little peace and maybe some guidance during a traumatic time in their lives.  The Search Institute has developed a theory about 40 different developmental assets that children and young adults need in order to find success in life.  While the different assets themselves are compelling, it was the research on what kind of an effect they can have on a life that really got to me.  The chance of a child or young adult participating in destructive behavior like illegal drugs, unhealthy relationships and abusing alcohol drops dramatically as more of these assets are a part of their lives.  I would like to be that extra asset that tips the scale and helps a child to believe in themselves and make a better choice for their future.           

·         Child Find

Child Find is an organization that helps screen young children for possible learning delays.  They provide assessments that cross several different domains and collect information from parents and teachers.  All of this data is then used to help provide the proper intervention or teaching techniques to help the child find success.  I am drawn to this organization because I have first-hand experience with them.  As a parent of a child with a language delay, I have gone through the process of having my child screened, determining his need and forming a team to address it.  While it was a wonderful experience at the beginning, my husband and I were very nervous.  We grew up in a time where special education had a very negative stigmatism.  The children in the resource room were teased mercilessly and called all kinds of horrible names.  When I think of how different things are now and how positive our experience was, I think the job that would most interest me would be one in public relations for the organization.  I would like to be able to take our story to the parents.  To let them know I understand their concerns and assure them that things are different now.  Sharing with parents that early intervention really is the best thing and helping them to find the courage to take the first step would be very rewarding for me. 

·         Washington Association for the Education of Young Children. (WAEYC)

Washington State requires each profession in the field of early care and education to obtain a number of continuing education hours annually.  WAEYC is the state’s version of the NAEYC, and as such, create and provide many of the seminars, trainings and conferences that make these continuing education hours available.  The position that is most intriguing to me would be conference committee.  Each of the conferences that WAEYC puts on every year has a variety of topics that address issues within the field.  There are classes that focus on administration, literacy, parent interactions, and art among other things.  Many of the classes I have attending over the years have been very good but as I have progressed I have found that the classes offered at these conferences haven’t necessarily kept pace with my professional development.  I would like to be a part of the committee to help bring a layering effect to the conferences as well as a variety of topics.  The idea of helping to design a program that will address a variety of needs by having a beginner, intermediate and advanced setting is really intriguing.

 

For each of these positions I would need an understanding of early care and education, team work and collaboration skills, the understanding of policy surrounding each organization, and a desire to help make a difference.

A note of thanks...

One of my favorite quote is-

"by small and simple things, great things come to pass."

Over the last several weeks you have each done a few small and simple things.  A word of encouragement, offering a different perspective, a moment of reflection, and fostering a feeling of comradery.  Each of these things on their own have contributed to a greatly to me and my educational goals.  I feel more enriched and prepared to meet the demands of the ECE field from just simply having a small interaction with each of you. 
The little things that each of us have done and will continue to do, combine together to create something great.  Strong, educated leaders who will advocate for the future of our children.  Thank you to all of you who have made such a great contribution to who I am now!  Best of luck and remember:  "Teach daily, and when necessary, use words."

Adjourning Phase

While I have been a part of several different groups over the years, I have yet to experience a real high performing group.  I’ve been in a couple that were close but still not quite out of the norming stage.  Leaving these groups was bitter-sweet.  On the one hand there were several great relationships forms over the weeks and it is always sad to say goodbye, but on the other hand we knew that we would get a chance to come together on other things again.  We knew what we had accomplished was good and had laid the ground work for future projects and that was good enough for now. 

One of the hardest adjourning phases I have been through took place this last year.  This particular exit was especially difficult because of the lack of communication, professionalism and closure.  The actions of others had made is clear that my participation in this particular group was no longer wanted.  In short I was being pushed.  Another employee had found favor with the leader of this group and was slowly very calculatedly taking over my responsibilities and position within the group.  Instead of the leader of the group come directly to me and discussing the vision for the future of the group, there was a great deal of talk behind my back with several other members.  There was little to no explanation given to the rest of the group as these changes were made and no closure for me or those within the group who actually supported me.  This was a difficult group to leave mostly because I feel as if I have been wronged and betrayed.  Those who I felt were there to support me, did not.  While getting out of the group was the best thing for me, the way in which it happened has scared me. 

It is hard to imagine how we will adjourn from one another as we move forward to complete our education.  For some of us this could be our last class together as the next step in this phase begins our individual focus within the Master’s degree.  I have learned a great deal from many of the interactions we have had and will continue to use many of your insights in my daily work.  So I guess in reality we will never really be apart from one another as long as we keep the knowledge we learned from our time together.    

A few months ago I was asked to take over the young nursery class at our church.  The class is composed of children between the ages of 18 mo. – 2 yrs. old. With my experience and education in the ECE field I was excited to see what I could offer the classroom.  Typically the classroom is staffed by volunteers who have little or no experience with children outside of their own.  It is not that there are not professionals within the church it is just that often, those of us who work with children for a living, are not sought out for Sunday child care, in effort to give us a break.   

 
The first week I was assigned to the classroom, the previous teachers were there so that I would have the opportunity to just observe and start the process of building relationships with the children.  One child in particular was having a difficult time that day.  Marie had just turned 18 months old and this was only her second time in the class.  Her mother stayed for an extended period of time in effort to help her assimilate.  This also gave us time to talk about Marie and for mom to give me some ideas on the kind of things she like, her personality and disposition and mom’s philosophy on discipline and guidance.  We had a great conversation and I felt that I had a pretty good jump start on getting to know this little girl. 

About half an hour before the end of the nursery time Marie’s mother said goodbye, handed her off to me and left the classroom.  At this point Marie began to cry and ask for her mom.   Both her mother and I knew that this would be a difficult few minutes with Marie but it would be an essential part of me building a relationship with her as well as teaching her that “mommy always comes back”.  While she continued to cry, I simply walked around the room with her, talking softly to her.  I asked her about different things in the classroom, what she would like to do or play with, validated her feelings and reminded her that her mom would be back.  Marie’s crying was loud and it was obvious that she was distressed.  A handful of people stuck their heads into the classroom to see what was going on and see if they could help.  I smiled and let them know we were fine and would get through this.  Towards the end of the class, Marie and I were sitting on the floor in the far corner of the classroom.  I continued to talk softly with her and validate her feelings.  While she was still crying and not wanting to be held close I noticed that she also did not want to let go of me.  She had a hold of my fingers or legs at all times.  With only five minutes left in class, a parent volunteer came up to us and without even asking about Marie she simply said “she is taking it out on you”, scooped her up and walked away with Marie in her arms.  This only intensified Marie’s behavior and quite honestly made me mad.  Here I had just put 30 minutes into trying to build a relationship of trust with Marie only to have someone wipe that away in one action.  This individual didn’t see the progress we had made.  She didn’t see that although Marie was still upset, she was beginning to attach to me as someone whom she could trust.  I was shocked by the incident and left speechless.  Being that we were at church, and the teachers and parents in the classroom were volunteers, I did not respond to this parent right away.  Within a few moments, Marie’s mother came back to get her.  I followed up with her and let her know about the time went and the progress I felt we had made.  However, I was still so frustrated at this parent volunteer. 

 

Looking at the principles of NVC and the 3 R’s there are a lot of methods I could use to defuse this situation and move forward with positive interactions between myself and this volunteer.  The first thing I could do would be to take the time to look at it from her perspective.  I’m sure that her intentions were not to undermine the relationship I had been working on with Marie.  My guess is that she was trying to help or save me from “going crazy with this screaming child by my side”.  Most individuals with little or no experience with other children are just trying to survive the moment.  They often will just give in and try to make it all better for the time being.  If I take into consideration that she doesn’t have all the training and experience that I do and is only going by what she knows, it becomes easier to realize that she didn’t see the importance of the ground work that was being laid.  I was looking at this interaction with Marie in the long term while she may have been looking at it in the here and now.  With this in mind I could take the opportunity to talk with her once all the children had been picked up and share with her my philosophy on early care and education.  I could share with her what I know about attachment theory and ask her about her experiences with the concept.  If I were to come at it from a spirit of getting to know one another and sharing what we have each experienced working with children rather than a “I’m a professional and you need to listen to what I have to say” attitude, I believe that it would  be a constructive conversation rather than a potential explosion.