Time Well Spent

Farewell

     This last eight weeks has taught me so much about myself. I must say that it was definitely time well spent and I have learned a lot about myself and what I must do in order to accomplish my goals. This class was a challenge but I am glad that I was able to buckle down and complete my task.

     Deeply felt learning’s that I have learned from this program is working together with others I can accomplish more. I had so much fun building my community of practice learning that with the support of a community you can tackle whatever the problem is. I also learned that the passion I have for the well-being of children and their families is stronger than before taking this class. And last I learned that I really had to apply myself in order to complete the task that was set before me.

     One long term goal that I have is to acquire a larger building for the Dare 2B Different Program which is presently housed at our church. For the past 14 years we have held the program in the kitchen, we are in need of a larger place. I plan to write a grant to hopefully fund the building. This will allow me to increase the membership of the program and would give us more space.

     I would like to say thank you to Dr. Teri and all my former instructors. I am so grateful for my journey and all the support I have received from my instructors at Walden University. My life has permanently change because of my education. To my classmates I will miss all the discussions and sharing. I feel like I am losing a part of my family. I know as we separate from each other we will be about our business helping to make the lives of children and their families better. If there was one thing that I could say to my classmates it would be thank you for all the times you gave me support even when you did not know you were giving it. Thanks for sharing.

I would love to stay in touch. rhdaniels54@gmail.com

 

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

UNICEF

Consultancy Assignment: Early Childhood Development in Emergencies

     UNICEF is seeking is passionate and committed professional who wants to make a lasting difference for children. Immediately this employment sounded like me because for the past 30 years I have worked towards making a difference in the lives of children. I have even given much thought about possible volunteering and working in another country.

     This particular employment is to help children who have become separated from their parents or primary care givers during a crisis or natural disaster. This Early Childhood Development (ECD) program would assist families who are torn apart by giving children a sense of comfort and stability by meeting their physical, social, and emotional needs.

     During 1999 our town was hit with Hurricane Floyd. It was during this flood that I first experienced working with children who had become separated from family members due to this natural disaster. Our community schools were forced shut down for almost 30 days. There were several homes and business that were destroyed. In an effort to give the children in the community something to do I started a make-shift school which operated Monday – Friday from 9:00 – 5:00 giving the children a place to come learn, three meals a day, clothing, personal needs, and extra food to take home.

Qualification:

• Advanced University degree in Social Sciences, Child Development, Education or any other related field.
• At least 8-10 years of solid professional experience in the areas of ECD, Emergencies and/or related fields.
• Experience with peace building and conflict resolution efforts globally is highly desirable
• Previous experience working with UNICEF and knowledge of UNICEF’s policies and procedures is desirable.
• Excellent writing skills in the English language. Knowledge of another UN language is an added advantage.

Although I am not experience in working with UNICEF I would be interested in training to become qualified. I have taken French in the past but would need to take additional classes. I am willing to travel and this position is one that interests me.

 

United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2011, from http://www.unicef.org/ 

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_temporary_appointments.html

 

Global Health Research Fellowship

   FHI 360 is considered to be a global family of more than 4,000 professionals. They have common values; embracing innovation, mutual respect, passion to make a positive difference, accountability, commitment to excellence and team work. This company also strives to help an individual reach their highest potential as well as offer a competitive benefit package.

     The Global Health Research Fellowship opportunity provides highly motivated master's-level graduates with an opportunity to work with world-renowned researchers in global health. Topics to be researched include reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, and other infectious diseases. What interested me about this employment is that FHI 360’s headquarters is located in my home state Durham, North Carolina. This employment opportunity will allow me the opportunity to work with multidisciplinary research teams from a variety of departments. Having the opportunity to travel internationally is also a great factor of me being interested in this employment

During the full-time, two-year fellowship, fellows will have the opportunity to:

• Learn about clinical and behavioral research studies;
• Participate in FHI 360 research activities; and
• Play a role in developing international capacity in public health research.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply to the Global Health Research Fellowship, applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

• A master's graduate degree with a strong understanding of global health research, obtained within 12 months prior to beginning the fellowship;
• Eligible to work in the U.S. and travel internationally;
• Able to make a two-year commitment to FHI 360 Headquarters in Durham, NC, USA;
• Able to work 40 hours/week.

 I am eligible to work in the U.S. and travel internationally. I am not knowledgeable about global health research but I am willing to receive training.

Academy for Educational Development. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.aed.org/en/index.htm  

http://www.fhi360.org/node/1539

 

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundations

    The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation believe that every person deserves to live a healthy productive life. They strive to improve the quality of life across the states and around the world. As leaders they hold a record of high academic standing offering employment to people. At the foundation, our people address the most challenging inequities in our region, our country, and the world, contributing their best on behalf of our global effort. The foundation seeks to employ people who have the right mix of experience, discipline, and humility need to accomplish their goals.

     This sounds like a job opportunity that I would like because you are striving to make a difference in the lives of people. The foundation offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits program that reflects the foundation’s values and culture.

For employees based in the United States, health, vacation, and retirement benefits include:

• Medical/vision and dental for employees, spouses/domestic partners, and dependent children (100% of monthly premiums paid by the foundation)
• Life, disability, and travel assistance (100% of monthly premiums paid by the foundation)
• Employee savings retirement plan and foundation sharing retirement plan (15% of eligible compensation contributed by the foundation)
• Healthcare and dependent care reimbursement accounts
• Minimum three weeks' vacation in addition to 10 observed holidays, 3 personal days, and 12 sick days
• Voluntary benefits plans, including supplemental life insurance, group accident insurance, pre-paid legal, long-term care, pet insurance, and discount auto/home insurance

Opportunities to continue education, achieve personal and professional goals, and support the community include:

• $1,500 annual life cycle lump sum payment for employees' discretionary use
• Business Travel-emergency assistance plan
• Back-up care for children and adults/elders
• Employee assistance plan
• Employee matching gift program with a 3:1 match up to $30,000 per year

Employees based in Africa, China, Europe, and India also receive competitive salaries and benefits, reflective of local pay practices.

http://www.gatesfoundation.org/jobs

 

Blog References

http://rosemary-daniels.blogspot.com

http://c8thomasforece.blogspot.com/

http://amanda-kline.blogspot.com

http://temeka-thatch.blogspot.com/

Jobs & Roles

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: National/Federal

     Searching for jobs this week has helped me to realize that the ideal job I would like will be hard to find in the area I live in. One job that interests me was STEP Aftercare Reunification Worker Supervisor for “The Children’s Village”. STEP is a Non Profit Child Welfare Agency located in Dobbs Ferry (Westchester County). This job interested me because the job description sounded exciting. I would enrich the lives of children and their families while feeling good about myself and my career.

     Qualifications:

·       Licensed Master Social Worker or Licensed Clinical Social Worker is required.

·       3 years of casework experience a must.

·       Knowledge of the child welfare system and connections system required.

·       Supervisory experience a plus.

Starting Salary $55,000

In order to fulfill the requirements of this job I would have to return back to school and work towards receiving a Master’s Degree in Social Work.

 

http://jobview.monster.com/STEP-Aftercare-Reunification-Worker-Supervisor-Job-Dobbs-Ferry-NY-US-120721161.aspx

 

Job Announcement: Early Childhood Education/Center Director

·       This job required a Master’s degree or advanced Degree in Early Childhood Education or Special Education.

·       Must meet the California Community Care Licensing requirements for a Childcare Center Director.

·       Have five years of progressively responsible leadership in management and supervision in Early Head Start

·       Experience in programs serving  childcare and families with disabilities in an early childhood center

Although this job sounds very interesting to me I am not qualified because I have no experience in Early Head Start supervision.

 

Early Learning Coaches

Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge in Beaufort, Bertie, Chowan and Hyde Countries

     This job interested me because it is located close to the county I live in. This job would require me to work with county-level leadership and implementation teams to develop and strengthen each county’s early childhood system.

Requirements

·       Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education

·       5 years of professional work experience in a public setting preferably in an Early Childhood System at the local or state level

For this job I would not need any additional skills or experience.

http://www.hydecountync.gov/employment/job_opportunities.php

 

 

      

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

     A new children’s hospital is under construction at the Vidant Medical Center located in Pitt County. The emergency wing is complete and open for patients. I had the opportunity to visit the emergency department and I met a Child Life Specialist. It only took a few minutes before I realized that this is an employment position that I would enjoy working.

Vidant Child Life Services

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The Child Life Services department is staffed by child life specialists and assistants who strive to make young patients' medical experience as positive as possible. Addressing the unique emotional and psychological needs of children is vital to ensure children continue to have positive growth and development during and after medical experiences. Child life specialists are professionals who hold a bachelor or masters level degree and are devoted to making a child's medical experience as understandable as possible. Our team provides emotional, psychological, and social support to children, teens, and their families to help ease the stress and anxieties that often accompany a health care experience.

The child life team provides services in inpatient units such as pediatrics, pediatric intensive care, and neonatal intensive care as well as outpatient areas like radiology, surgery, sedation, and the emergency department. These services are also available as consults for children of adult patients. Our highly-trained staff uses play, education, and self-expression to promote the patient's wellbeing and development and to explain procedures to help children and families’ master unfamiliar environments and experiences.

https://www.vidanthealth.com/vidant/ServicesDetail.aspx?id=4096

 Child Life Specialist Qualifications

To become a Child Life Specialist, the following qualification should be met:  

Education
A Bachelors or Master’s degree in Child Life, human development or related field. Beginning 2012, a minimum of one course taught by a Certified Child Life Specialist is required. 

ExperienceCompletion of an internship in a pediatric setting under the supervision of a Certified Child Life Specialist. Experience with children and families in a non-healthcare environment.  

The following clinical skills:

Knowledge of behavior and development

Leadership

Good communication

Knowledge and understanding of group dynamics and its principles

ability to organize

Ability to play

There are presently no job openings in this position

http://www.blankchildrens.org/child-life-specialist-qualifications.aspx

Mount Olive College

     The next employment I chose was Mount Olive College where I received my Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood. To have the opportunity to return back to Mount Olive College and teach students what I have learned would be awesome. I will never forget the first day of class when one of my instructors walked in and I realized she grew up and lived in the same neighborhood that I lived in. Ms. Dixon taught me and I would love to have that same opportunity to teach someone else.

     I have received an application from Mount Olive College and have been encouraged to return application upon graduation from Walden University.

http://www.moc.edu/

 Arendell Parrott Academy

   The last job opportunity I chose is Arendell Parrott Academy located in Kinston. I had the opportunity to take a tour of this school. The school starts with transition school age 4 and continues on until 12^th grade. I was very impressed with the transition teachers who not only were teachers but were concerned about the wellbeing of the children. The classes included play time, nap time, class time, movement classes, computer classes, music classes in which the 4 year olds learn to play the violin. I am a violinist and seeing the children learn to play at such a young age was something for my eyes to behold. Meal time in the cafeteria reminded you a home cooked meal provided by Chef D. This school has so much to offer and I am so glad that my grandsons were blessed with a scholarship and are students at Arendell Parrott Academy.  

ARENDELL PARROTT ACADEMY

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

      For 48 years, Arendell Parrott Academy has attracted talented faculty and staff dedicated to nurturing the intellect, the character, and the civic values of children. The Board of Trustees is committed to retaining top employees through competitive salary and benefits, and the school offers a uniquely supportive work environment where motivated staff members have the freedom, opportunity, and resources to grow as professionals.

Mission Statement

 Arendell Parrott Academy upholds a tradition of fostering each student's intellectual, creative, social, physical, and moral development in a positive and challenging educational community.

________________________________

IMMEDIATE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

 No immediate employment opportunities are available at this time.

http://www.parrottacademy.org/apa/employment_opportunities

Family

This is actually a hard time for me realizing that this is actually the last post we will share together a this group. I have cried with you, laughed with you learned a great deal from you and become close to you. But most of all you have become like family to me. I looked forward to receiveing your encouraging words. We are now looking forward to our future which we are now even closer to. Thank you for everything. I would love to stay incontact with you my personal e-mail is rhdaniels54@gmail.com stay in touch. Have a blessed holiday and please remember to keep the familys in prayer that lost their love ones.

Blankets

 Teacher to Teacher

 

     When one of the teachers that I work with came up with the idea to do something for the Sandy victims I was more than happy to help her set plans in motion. The forming of the group began with our principal giving permission to allow us to have a blanket drive for people in need especially the Sandy victims. Our principal agreed to allow the students to bring in a blanket and as a thank you the students were allowed to wear jeans, Wearing jeans to school means a lot to the students because we wear school uniforms.

     In three days the students and teachers collected 103 blankets for those in need. Our goal was to collect 300 blankets. In an effort to help I agreed to match the blankets by asking members at the church to donate blankets. The blankets were then moved from the school to the church where they were on display for others to see and hopefully be encouraged to help us reach our goal. It was a success and we now had 200 blankets. Not wanting to give up on our goal we began to reach out to other churches and we even purchased more blankets. Once again we were successful collecting approximately 300 blankets.

     The journey of the blankets had only begun. When the teacher came up with the idea it was agreed upon that we wanted to directly put these blankets into someone’s hands that would be responsible for seeing that those in need would receive the blankets. A native of New York I agreed to take the blankets from North Carolina to New York. Little did we know that what started out an idea for a blanket drive was about to turn into a journey.

     Last Saturday around 12:00 noon someone broke into our church stealing the after school programs 51’ Flat screen TV off the wall, 3 computers, their Blue Ray DVD among other things. We were naturally hurt but in the midst of the hurt a miracle had appeared to have happened. All the blankets for the blanket drive were located under the TV that was stolen. In order to get to the TV a person would have to throw blankets on the floor, knock the Christmas tree over and stand on the donated food that was around the Christmas tree in order to step on the table to take the TV. None of the above happened. The blankets were in place, the tree was upright and the food was still in place. That means whoever stole the TV knew that the blankets were very important to us, enough that they removed some blankets, stood on the table, stole the TV and then took time to place the blankets back.

     Well I am in route on my way back home from New York. With a team of 8 volunteers, 4 men, 2 ladies and 2 students we successfully went to New York and delivered the blankets. Through fate and my cousin we were linked together with a group of outreach volunteers called Manna of Life who faithfully work with people who are displaced, in shelter homes and they help with feeding the hungry in the area. Before we actually left there was a lady who came in the office asking for a blanket (conformation). The beautiful thing about the trip and giving the blankets was Manna of Life had been given toys for children, this group was touched so much with our donating the blankets they donated over 100 Christmas toys for our youth in the after school program.

     As I was leaving the lady who had been so kind and thankful for the blankets put her arms around me and said I am a school teacher and I work with children. What an ending, from teacher to teacher what started out as a desire for a teacher to reach out and show ended up in the hands of another teacher to carry her dream on. As I passed all the beautiful blankets which now had a new home, I reached out and picked up a colorful new blanket and held it real tight, this was the adjourning stage the final journey of the blankets with me.

     There was a moment of sadness so much had transpired since the children first began to bring the blankets. The blankets had survived a robbery, and traveling over 500 miles to reach their new destination. At that moment it was not important how much money had been spent, or how many tolls had been paid, or even the hundreds of dollars spent on gas, what mattered most was that it was done from the heart. After all this is the season of giving and because of these blankets over 100 toys will bring joy to several children at Christmas time? The team of 8 had completed their goal walking away with a better feeling of self-worth.

 

Reference

 (Adapted from O'Hair and Wiemann, 2012,

 

Disagreements

Disagreements

     Daily I disagree with students in regards to how they disrespect their teachers. Students try to explain to me why it is alright to argue back at a teacher, be rude and disrespectful to their teachers, use profanity or harsh words and sometimes threaten their teachers. Regardless to how upset these students are with their teachers I try to hear them out and then offer some good sound advice. I have stated in the past that I am old school and regardless to what the teacher said under no circumstance were we allowed as we were told to talk back.

     The biggest disagreement that I have with the students is that no one listens to them and everyone believes the teacher. It’s hard to explain to a student that you are not saying the teacher is always right but what I am saying is that you have no right to be disrespectful. My instruction to them is if there is a problem go home and tell your parents, they are the adults and let them handle the situation.

     Big mistake, the student’s remarks to me is if I tell my mom or dad they will come out to the school and curse the teacher out and then the teacher will really be mad. So the students prefer not to tell their parents for fear of their parents making matters worse. This puts me right back where I started at telling the students if they will not tell their parents then they must be responsible enough not to try to handle adult situations themselves.

     Trying to explain to them that being disrespectful will not help their situation and it will only make matters worse. Usually after talking to them for a while the student usually calms down and I am able to talk to them and reason with them. My ultimate goal usually is to  bring the student and teacher together to talk about the situation. Prior to the meeting I ask the student to apologize to the teacher for being disrespectful. Most of the time they feel that they do not owe the teacher an apology but the teacher owes them an apology. My answer to them is you are not apologizing for what they have done to you but you are apologizing for being disrespectful.

     After the student is willing to apologize I bring the teacher and student together. I introduce the two to each other as if it were the first day of school. This sets the tone for a new beginning for both the teacher and the student. They shake hands, the student apologizes and often the teacher apologizes and states that they are sorry if they have caused any hurt.  This approach sometimes does not work but I am thankful for all the times that it has worked and teachers like the idea of starting all over and giving it another try.