National/Federal Level Jobs and Communities of Practice in ECE

In my previous blog post I explored associations, organizations, and agencies that foster the well-being of children, families, and the early childhood field that were available to me on my local or state level.  This post references an association, fellowship, and community of practice on the national and/or federal level.  They have also inspired my thinking about my opportunities in the early childhood field.

NAYEC

 (National Association for the Education of the Young Child)

The NAEYC is the world's largest early childhood association working for young children.  As a member of the TAEYC and MAEYC the two local associations in my area I get the benefits of membership in the NAEYC also.  This is the same for any early childhood educator that is a member of their local chapter.  This association provides accreditation to many early childhood centers and is the number one association in accreditation.   

JOB - The association as several jobs available one that I would be interested in and qualified for is the Accreditation Coordinator.  This job provides a support person for the work of their accreditation system.  The description is located at http://www.naeyc.org/about/jobs. 

Qualified - I am currently qualified to fill this role as I will soon have a Master's in ECE.  A BA is needed along with 3-5 ears experience.  I have served as a lead pre-k teacher in a public accredited school for eight years.  I have worked to maintain the accreditation of the program.  I would possibly need more experience using MS office and more training in database skills.  This are preferred skills needed for this job.  

The Teaching Ambassador Fellowship

This is a program that I was asked if I would like to be nominated for a couple of years ago.  My response at the time was that I really wanted to complete my Master's degree. Well, here i am two years later with my degree nearing completion.  The teaching Ambassador Fellowship is an organization of sorts make up of educators across America who come together to discuss policy and practices within their state or in Washington to improve education.  Teachers are involved in developing policies on the state, local, and national levels.  

Job- Must be a current practicing teacher int he U.S. serving any grade preschool- 12th grade. Have a minimum of 5 years experience, be a U.S. citizen, and be able to obtain school/district support to sign an Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) agreement.   You can find this information my clicking on the yellow highlighted area above.
Qualified - I am qualified to be a U.S. ambassador for education as a public school teacher with eight years experience.  I am also a U.S. citizen and I have at least two people at our district letter willing to write a letter of recommendation.

Teacher News You Can Use

This is a community of practice that began a year ago with new teacher evaluations and new standards in education.  This groups is located on Facebook and as been a tremendous help and out when you've just had all you can take and need someone to listen or see things the way you do.  It's a group of educators that share stories, comics, and news about what's going on in the education world.  New teachers evaluations, Common Core standards, to have or not to have pre-k, does early childhood make a difference, education budgets, among many other topics are discussed here.  It's a way to advocate and begin to make a difference to one common goal depending on the group you might link up with. It maybe a group you need to be invited too. If you are unable to join just message and you will be asked to join or added to the group.  It is a great community and until this class I didn't realize that it is in part a Community of Practice or way to reach a Community of Practice.

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

You will find below two associations, one organization, and one agency that I have explored that foster the well-being of children, families, and the early childhood field as a whole.  They have inspired my thinking not only about places I might like to work but also places where I could have a role in making a difference in the field of early childhood.  These are all available in Memphis, TN.

Please click on the link in yellow to be directed to their website. 

TAEYC & MAEYC

(TN Association for the Education of the Young Child)

(Memphis Association for the Education of the Young Child)

Both of these associations affiliates of the NAEYC- the National Association of the Education of the Young Child.  As a resident of Memphis, TN I feel it is important to look at both of these associations as opportunities for employment and professional development opportunities.  The Memphis association also includes surrounding counties such as the Lauderdale County where I am currently employed.   There are many opportunities to advocate for young children, their families, and the field through these associations.  Both organizations share in their mission statements to provide professionals with skills to enhance and improve knowledge of professionals in the field through collaborative efforts.  It is their hope that this will improve the education opportunities for young children.  I chose these associations because I could see myself serving on the board for one of these associations to advocate, educate, and actively participate with professionals to improve the field of early childhood.  

The Urban Child Institute 

The Urban Child Institute of Memphis actively seeks out hands-on projects and initiatives to improve the lives of children in Memphis.  The organization partners with the community through many different avenues, UT medical, partnering with parents to increase reading and literacy awareness with children, etc.  They use data-driven research to approach the issues and increase awareness of development in children 0-3.  This organization interests me and is one that I will look further at getting involved in.  Most of their work is through volunteers, and all members of the community are encouraged to participate.  I chose this institute because it is one of few that increases awareness of development in children from 0-3, and in an urban area such as Memphis.  There needs to be more awareness of this critical time of development in a child's life, and as an educator I feel driven to educate others in this area. 

Memphis Shelby County Schools

This agency/school district is being developed at the present time into one consolidated school system.  It is the merger between Shelby County Schools and Memphis City Schools.  The unified school district will take affect on July 1, 2013.  They are currently accepting applications, but following the completion of the application if the candidate is selected they are entered into a teacher pool.  Their mission is currently to provide staff with the resources they need to help children succeed.  Many things are changes with the school district and are in the process of being developed. A name as not been decided for the new district yer and many new positions such as a possible pre-kindergarten director have not be opened for external applicants.  There are only teacher, librarian, and guidance positions available to date.  I chose this agency because I currently work an hour from home and this would put me much closer to family.  I am not looking to move but I am interested to know what the schools are like where I live.  I have helped build the pre-k program in Lauderdale County and I feel that it is truly a success.  Our former superintendent is now at the state level, over special education and prekindergarten among other things.  I don't know that I am ready to take on such a challenging task as a new unified school districts pre-k program, but as an educator and resident it is important to be to be in the know about the program here in Memphis.  Also, job advancement opportunities that may come available.  These will also perhaps open up in the district I currently teach at in Lauderdale County.  

Skills and Experience Necessary

In order to work with the TAEYC or the MAEYC I would need to be an educator in the state of TN or for the MAEYC I would need to be in one of the counties it covers.   I am currently a member and in order to gain a position in the association I would need to first become much more actively involved than I am able currently able too.  I would also need to express my want and desire to hold a position in the association to the board and stakeholders associated with the associations. 

The Urban Child Institute mostly enlist volunteers through outside organization such as schools.  As an educator this institute is a great community and parent resource that I will be involved in, in any way that I can.  The healthier our children are and the more involved our parents are gives students a better chance for academic success.  

Jobs 

Although, I am not currently looking to move from my current position or district.  The new unified school district for Memphis and Shelby County is accepting applications.  You must provide a resume and proof of highly qualified status.  The page that states what that proof looks like was unavailable at the time of my search.   This was of interest to me and whether or not a new director for their pre-kindergarten program will be hired is also interesting to me.   I will be continue to check for this an listen for this position in our local news.  There have been no decisions on leadership positions for this new district at this time.  Currently the superintendent is an interim that as of today may be looking for a buyout for his contract.  This will be interesting to watch unfold and how children and families could be affected.  At present I believe receiving a master's in early childhood leadership, management, and administration should qualify me for the director position along with my eight years experience as a lead pre-kindergarten teacher.  I will have to wait and see what the qualifications for a position in this district will entail.   Unified Schools Application Process

From Passion to Action - Beginning my Capstone & Remaining Positive

I am in my last class at Walden University.  I have been working to complete my Master's degree over the past two years.  It is finally coming to an end, and I can not wait to receive my degree.  The classes have been challenging, but I have learned a lot that will help me to be successful as a leader in the field.

This week we are talking about what drives our passion to be an agent for positive social change in the field.   Being an agent of positive social change means advocating, working with families, going out into the communities, seeking out their needs, working with children and professionals to grow professionally in the field to find resources to make a change.

Click the link below to view my wordle. 

Pre-Kindergarten Wordle

My Wordle communicates a small part of what I have learned, and what has inspired me during my program of study. The specific issue I chose to highlight is prekindergarten, with these areas pertaining to it in the following order access, affordability, equity, parental involvement, and anti-bias education.  In my Wordle you will notice that equity, access, and affordability are the words closest to pre-kindergarten. These would be at the top of my list with many words following.  At the present time prekindergarten is not mandatory in the United States. Yet, our new common core kindergarten standards appear to assume that every child will have received the skills necessary to begin kindergarten upon entering school.