What I have enjoyed most in my 20-year career in early
childhood is the fact that I can touch hundreds of lives every year. As a Head
Start teacher, an Infant Toddler Specialist, and now in my role as a
Professional Development Coordinator, I have worked with thousands of children,
families, early childhood teachers, program administrators, and community
advocates. Through my work, I have shared my education and experience to help
these groups of people grow in various ways. Exploring an international
perspective, I have found three new positions that would compliment my goals to
help children, families, and early childhood professionals.
The mission of the Association for Childhood Education
International, “to promote and support the optimal education, development, and
well-being of children worldwide, and to influence the professional growth of
educators and the efforts of others who are committed to the needs of children
in a changing society,” (
http://acei.org/)
compares to my professional mission. I am interested in being a Country liaison
for this association. In this role, I would discover the Early Childhood world
in a particular country and then covey their work, issues, trends, and needs to
advocates and professionals who can impact their work.
“The Consultative Group on Early Childhood Care
and Development works actively to identify gaps, critical issues and emerging
areas of need and interest related to ECCD for its work in awareness-raising,
advocacy, and dissemination, and to seek out new partners” (http://www.ecdgroup.com/ ). As
one who designs professional development to address issues and trends of the
early childhood field, I would flourish working in this environment. One of my
strengths is to improve practices to bring about positive outcomes.
A third international non-profit organization that caught my
attention is RTI International. RTI is “dedicated to improving the human
condition by turning Knowledge into practice” (
http://www.rti.org/).
This organization is focused on improving conditions through research,
professional development and training, and advanced technology. I have recently
found a renewed enjoyment in researching topics and subjects that effect
education and early childhood. Working as a researcher at RTI International, I
would be able to combine my research skills with my love of impacting children
and families.
To be job-ready for these international positions I would
need to become highly educated on various national perspectives and cultures
from around the globe. Additionally, I would definitely need to learn various
new languages to be effective in this work. The education I have gained through
the MSECS program, specifically in research and cultural diversity, is an asset
to this work. I was enlightened in this research and exploration of so many
organizations that are working to better the field of early childhood.
References:
Association for Childhood Education International. (2011).
Retrieved from http://acei.org/.
The Consultative Group of Early Childhood Care and
Development. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ecdgroup.com/.
RTI International. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.rti.org/page.cfm?obj=9F0847E9-EC67-4EE6-BDB730D37AD56D61.
