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.