Time Well Spent

     I am still in disbelief that our Capstone has finally come to an end! All of us accomplished something incredible and I only hope to work with many of you in the future! This program was no easy feat and without the guidance and support from my colleagues and professors, I would not be where I am today. This program has taught me so much on how to run a proper early childhood business, how to work with many organizations and know the many organizations that are out there to help the ECE field, and how to be an effective leader. These courses opened up my eyes to the many paths I can choose from and knowing the education I gained from our texts, learning resources, professors and my colleagues, I believe my options are endless. 

            My one long-term goal is to ensure that I continue on with my education, to never stop learning, and to also encourage others to continue on with their education. As an educator we are never done learning, the number of experiences and knowledge we can gain from one another will only raise our effective methods and strategies to become successful in our field. 

            When I began this program, I was unsure of what road I would head down. Preschool teacher was always as an option but as I continued in these courses I realized I wanted to help the less fortunate. While I know I can do this in a classroom, I believe my voice should be heard if others aren’t, and I can spread awareness and work with families to help in any ways possible. My ideas stemmed from our classes, my professors, and my colleagues. Ther are not enough thanks in the world I can give to you, without my online family I would not have made it this far and found my path in life. Thank you, everyone, for your support and your dedication to these courses, without your insights and perspectives, I would have struggled to see the other side to many topics. Good luck to each and every one of you in the future!

-Nicole

Also wanted to share a photo of my newest love! Jackson James born June 2^ndat 5:05am, weighing 7lbs 10oz and 20 inches long! Another reason why I worked so hard to accomplish this goal!

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

·     The three international organizations that appeal to me are as follows:

o  UNICEF, an associate for Public Relations that would allow me to work with the PR department creating, drafting, and editing campaigns and updating the facts, figures, and talking points for key issue areas. Working as PR associate many years ago I feel that I would be able to coordinate events and lead teams as well as have an understanding of how to spread awareness for early childhood development and education. There are many skills that are needed for this position, which I feel that I meet many of. Ability to work under deadlines, flexibility, Microsoft Outlook, Word & Excel, excellent communication and organization skills, along with many other traits that I possess. A bachelors degree is also necessary, and being a US citizen, by meeting many of there qualifications I feel that I can be an asset to their PR team and really enhance their outreach by having an ECE degree.

o  Save The Children; Program Specialists, School-Age Programs would allow The Specialist, School Age Programs is the front line Save the Children (SC) staff member providing technical and management assistance to partners to ensure the effective coordination, implementation, and monitoring of school-based partnerships and programs such as literacy, nutrition and physical activity (Save The Children, 2018). It requires knowledge of a literacy curriculum, experience working in the school system, willingness to travel, excellent written and oral communication skills, BS in education or child development and experience working in rural communicates with limited resources. 

o  UNESCO: Programme Assitant: I would provide secretarial support in the preparation of UNESCO statutory documents related to the World Heritage Convention and to the UNESCO Governing Bodies, maintain a calendar for the Unit’s timely delivery of these documents (UNESCO). I must have completed secondary education, a minimum of three years in admin or secretarial tasks, good organization and coordination skills, drafting skills in English and/or French, knowledge of UNESCO’s rules, regulations, policies and procedures, and also a willingness to move to France, which would be a dream! 

All three of these jobs allow me to follow my passion while also advocating for younger children in different countries. 

References:

Career Jet. (2018, April 29). UNICEF Associate, Public Relations. Retrieved fromhttps://www.careerjet.com/jobad/cea741447df6c669a322f628af7e8c81.html?utm_campaign=google_jobs_apply&utm_source=google_jobs_apply&utm_medium=organic

Save The Children. (2018, June 13). Program Specialist, School-Age Programs. Retrieved fromhttps://recruiting.ultipro.com/SAV1002STCF/JobBoard/7d92e82b-af74-464d-859b-c5b8cba6e92e/OpportunityDetail?opportunityId=505d1dc7-2655-4d89-a857-3298b3f8ab66

UNESCO. (n.d.). UNESCO Careers. Retrieved fromhttps://careers.unesco.org/careersection/2/jobdetail.ftl

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: National & Federal Level

           As we continue on with our capstone project and researching our challenge as well as the many organizations that coincide with our ideas I have found so many career paths that I was unaware of. Currently, I have been looking into The National SEED Project, which is an organization that is seeking educational equity and diversity in schools, workplaces, and communities. I would love to become a SEED Leader and peer-lead a residential workshop to share concepts and strategies to facilitate social change and a revision of our education programs. What I find to be extremely beneficial is that SEED encourages experienced leaders to mentor new ones on how to do this "deeply personal group work" in local seminars back in their own schools, workplaces, and communities. This process is designed to be supportive, respectful, challenging, interesting, growth-inducing, and often transformative (The National Seed Project). There are many steps that come with applying to become a New Leader and can take up to a year for completion. The candidate is required to design, coordinate and facilitate a year-long, monthly SEED seminar in their school with 15-25 colleagues during at least one school year. You are also expected to go to a retreat where you will also partner with many other New Leader candidates to share your own experiences and to learn more about the program. While this isn’t a typical job application, I would love to get involved with this organization as I believe a multicultural and anti-bias education is key to our future.

            Teach For America also has many job openings in my surrounding area as well as areas that I would be willing to relocate to. Teach For America helps to ensure equity within the classroom and have access to many opportunities that young children can learn from. The job opportunity I found most appealing is a Vice President of Regional Support and Engagement, which allows me to work with national teams and, to collaborate effectively to set a vision for the TFA. I can build relationships and help grow Teach For America’s mission. While this job is a reach, it would be an amazing position to have. I must work for TFA full time prior to applying, 9+ years of management and leadership background, and well versed in Teach For America’s mission and foundations. 

Administration for Children & Families offers The Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership (EHS-CCP) that brings together the best of Early Head Start and child care through layering of funding to provide comprehensive and continuous services to low-income infants, toddlers, and their families (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2017). While I am unable to view any job openings within this sector, I have viewed their brochures and explored other webinars that are associated with this program. All students deserve the right to a high-quality early childhood education. Without government funding and successful partnerships with many other organizations, these programs will not succeed. 

Each of these organizations fuels my passion for the early childhood field and I can only hope to make such strides in my career as these organizations have made in many families and students lives.

References:

The National Seed Project. (n.d.). New Leaders Week. Retrieved from https://nationalseedproject.org/be-a-part

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2017, July 6). Early Head Start - Child Care Partnerships. Retrieved from https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ecd/early-learning/ehs-cc-partnerships

Our Final Chapter

Hey Classmates!

I look forward to working with each of you over these next eight weeks, I cannot believe we are almost done! Good Luck!!

Warmest Regards,

Nicole

Reflecting on Communication in the Early Childhood Field

            These blog assignments allow us colleagues to share our personal stories and experiences to give others a different perspective on each topic we learn about. We have all come a long way, and I am sure many of us can finally see that light at the end of the tunnel. Only four more classes before we have out Masters in Early Childhood Studies! I am so thankful for everyone that has contributed to my learning abilities and successes here at Walden. Without the support and additional knowledge from all of you, I would not be where I am today!

            If anyone is taking the Administration route, I am sure I will see your name shortly! Also, I have recently joined the Walden University Early Childhood Education – WUECO on Facebook which honestly has been a lifesaver. It allows alumni and new students to all connect on one page, offer advice, discuss the hardships of online learning and working full time, and even provide job opportunities! I can also be contacted by email; n.magri89@gmail.com

I wish all of you nothing but the best on the rest of your journey and look forward to working with some of you in the future. Here’s to the last leg of our education! Good Luck everyone!

Adjourning

            When I first got my foot in the door for early childhood education, I got a lead teacher job for the toddler classroom. The facility had 8 different classes and had about 12 different ladies working in the building. At first, I felt on the outs, I was the new girl, and many of these teachers were already together for 4-5 years. As we had professional development classes and monthly meetings, I began to open up some more and indeed made some fantastic friendships. I was there for about 4 years before I moved on to become a nanny due to my director having a hard time with me going back to school. I respected my director and had no problems with going to her to discuss any ideas or issues I was having in my classroom. When I told her I was going to go back to school to get a degree in Early Childhood, she said to me that it was unnecessary and a waste of money. What I realized was that she would have to increase my pay due to my higher education and she was not prepared to do so. I had to do what was best for me even though leaving my colleagues killed me.

            We had an incredible bond, we were always there to help one another, and our students gained the education they deserved because of our collaboration. As my last day approached, we had a goodbye party, and I cried as if I was losing a family member, I didn’t realize how all these girls became my work family and how much we all cared about one another. Without the support of these ladies, I probably would not have gone back to school, and I would not have made lifelong friends. Even though many of us have gone our own separate ways, we are still all in the early childhood field, and we all help one another when needed.

            As my colleagues and I are extremely close to finishing our Master’s Degree I know that it will be a great day for all of us. We all had similar goals and as a collective group, we have all helped one another succeed in this program. I am hoping to stay in contact with most and I know Walden’s Facebook group is a great way to do so. As we go our separate ways we all can help one another in the classroom. We know how successful this group was and of course it will be a bittersweet day, but I know that we will continue to support one another in life and as an early childhood professional.

Nonviolent Communication and Conflict Management

          My husband and I have recently become homeowners, and it has been a real blessing. My brother has recently re-enlisted with the United States Navy and got orders for recruitment in Staten Island. We currently live on Long Island and since his apartment was not ready to be moved into we decided he could live with us for a few weeks before moving to Brooklyn. With three adults and a large dog, it is pretty tight but we have managed, and my husband has been a saint about the situation. I currently work 12-13 hour days and am out of the house a majority of my day while my husband is a schoolteacher who works 2 miles from home. My husband tends to call me every day around the same time saying how my brother hasn’t left the house, there is a pile of laundry, there are dirty dishes in the sink, and I usually become annoyed with these conversations. Instead of coming to me with problems, how about coming to me with solutions. Since it is my little brother, I tend to enable his bad behavior and just clean up after him, and it is taking a toll on my relationship with my husband.

            As soon as I walk in the door, I already have an attitude because I am prepared to be doing laundry and cleaning for the next two hours and I snap at my husband. I have a sense of entitlement since I feel I work harder and longer hours and he should pick up some of the slack. These arguments are causing us to go to bed angry and have us continue being upset with one another. I know that this situation isn’t forever, but it seems that way.

            What can help us resolve the conflict is to come up with some type of agreement and to also have a conversation with my brother. For someone who is at home ninety percent of the day should be able to clean up after himself. The three of us must sit down and come up with some solution for us to work together. I also need to keep my outbursts to a minimum. I tend to jump down my husband’s throat and say things I truly do not mean and once I say it I can no longer take it back. I must think before I speak and ensure my reactions are positive and not hurting someone else’s feelings or their character.