Local or state organizations or communities of practice:
- The River Bend Association for the Education of Young Children (RBAEYC): The RBAEYC is an organization that works to create high quality early childhood education through education, professional development, and advocacy. They currently hold meetings, discussion groups, and conferences throughout the eastern boarder of Missouri.
- The Association for the Education of Young Children (AEYC-MO): This is an organization for early childhood professionals in Missouri. Their goal, much like the RBAEYC, is to work to improve the well being of all children by focusing on quality early childhood education and developmental services for children birth through age 8.
- The Child Day Care Association works with families to help find quality child care, keep their children healthy, and maintain a work/family balance. They focus strongly on working with the families in identifying quality childcare as well as maintaining a state of good nutrition among their families. They also work with Early Childcare Professionals, Employers, and Community leaders.
I chose these organizations because they all work to improve the quality and accessibility of early childhood education in my area. This is a common goal of mine.
Job opportunities of interest:
- Early Childhood Teacher- This is my current job, and not one that I ever plan to leave. I feel that working daily with young children is the best way to ensure that they are receiving a quality education.
- Parents as Teachers Parent Educator- I would love to work in the homes of underprivileged families to help them work with their children, foster development, find needed resources, and identify any problems or varying abilities at as early of an age as possible.
Skills and experience needed to competently fulfill these roles:
Both of these jobs require a strong passion for children. They also require a large knowledge base of how to best foster development, teach children, and guide families. Knowing how to seek out and utilize resources is another skill that would be needed to fulfill these roles. Patience and respect for children, families, and coworkers are imperative skills in any job in the early childhood profession. Also, the ability not to judge others, and instead attempt to aid others.
References
Association for the Education of Young Children-Missouri (AEYC-MO) (2008). Retrieved from
Child Day Care Association (2012). Retrieved from http://www.childcarestl.org/joom/
The River Bend Association for the Education of Young Children (2009). Retrieved from
Rebecca,
ReplyDeleteWhen we look at the many COP working on behalf of children and families we can testify that we are not alone and we cannot do it alone. As a teacher being involved in COP offer teachers and administrators opportunities to develop and sustain a culture of learning and support which will benefit children and families in the long run.
Thanks for your post!
I also said I would never leave the field of child care when I worked there. But I was pushed into a change by circumstances I could never have foreseen and I am glad of it. There are many opportunities to affect change in the lives of children and their families. The role of Parent Educator through PAT is just one of many!
ReplyDeleteRebecca,
ReplyDeleteInteresting job, Parents as Teacher Parent Coordinator. I think I would like this job. I am currently a fifth grade teacher and my motivation is a little down these days. I told someone the other day that I long for the Ah-Hah moments that I used to have everyday in Pre-K. Little children are such a joy to be around. I love my students, but they can be so much more challenging than the little ones. It takes a toll on your spirit after a while.
Also, your blog immediately reminded me that I forgot to mention the local organizations that I researched!! You did a great job.
Thanks for sharing.
Jennifer
The resources of organizations you discuss in your blog reflect the development of working with early childhood children in the education system. In working with young children the teachers can develop a community for both the early learners and their parents. By creating such organizations the education system is building a strong connection from school to home and home to school for the support of early learners in the classroom.
ReplyDelete