Resources for Fostering Early Learning

One real-life examples that I think represent innovative or inspiring approaches to fostering learning during early childhood is incorporating technology.  With the way technology is expanding through the world, children need to have access to it whenever they can.  School systems, teachers, and other facility that caters to a child’s needs, needs to provide the materials that help enhance that child’s learning ability. For instance, I think that every school and classroom needs to have a smart board in the classroom.  Children can learn so much more when things are much visible to them.  As a teacher, they are able to reach every child learning ability.

According to the Huffington Post, there are many states in the USA that falls below nation ranking of Math and Science education.  Incorporating technology in the classroom will be a good way to give the students an opportunity to see math and science from a different point of view.  There is a program called Building Blocks.  Engaging Young Children in Mathematics: Standards for Early Childhood Mathematic Education, Building Blocks is a new Pre-K to Grade 2, software-enhanced, mathematics curriculum designed to comprehensively  address  the year 2000 standards of the National  Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Principles and Standards for School Mathematics (Clements, D, et. al. 2004).  Building Blocks is designed to enable all young children to build solid content knowledge and develop higher-order, or critical, thinking (Clements, D, et. al. 2004).    

By applying this program in young children’s lives, I feel like they will have a better chance of have higher math skills.  Founding ways to that are creative for young children are important, especially in math and science.  Often children get discourage when trying to learn math and science skills. 

Reference

Clements, D, et. al. (2004). Engaging Young Children in Mathematics: Standards for Early Childhood Mathematic Education.  Lawrence Erlbaum Associate, Inc.

A Child Development Issue

ADHD, is it real or just prescribed??

While talking to a friend (Bobby Mack) about ADHD, I found that our perspective is somewhat the same.  We both feel that when children at a young age are placed on medication for ADHD, it hold them back to allow maturity development.  I feel that a child should not be tested until the first or second grade.  Over the past years, we have seen the curriculum change throughout the grade levels.  Bobby and I feel that the curricula are based on the European style.  Testing should be more applied science to learning styles.  As educators we are taught to say that a child has ADHD or their attention span is where it supposes to be. We are pushed so much to and not teaching, we are shortchanging the child when it comes to learning.  Now days we teach a child to read by memory not to read to understand what is being read. As we continued to talk about ADHD, we come across the question if children were getting enough exercise and if the classroom overload?  Bobby stated, “Not the lack of exercise but the lack of engagement of materials and the terrible routines”. 

In contrast to our opinion about ADHD, I found a blog about ADHD.  Here is the website http://consults.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/15/when-the-diagnosis-is-a-d-h-d/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0.  After reading through some of the comments that were made about the article I feel that many people have different perspective about ADHD, some say medicate and some say do not medicate. 

Bobby Mack is a motivation speaker.  He is co-owner of a non-profit organization called M-Powering Choices, Inc.  “M-Powering Choices is created to design and present programs to young men and women that will empower them to make responsible choices in their lives. M-Powering Choices targets all young men and women, with a special emphasis on “at-risk” individuals, from third through twelfth grade.  The programs emphasize making responsible choices, such as dressing responsibly, which leads to positive performance in the classroom and ultimately a successful life” (M-Powering Choices, 2013).  Here is his website check it out its really good http://mpoweringchoices.net/index.html.   

 

References

M-Powering Choices, (2013). http://mpoweringchoices.net/index.html     

The New York Times Company, (2014). http://consults.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/15/when-the-diagnosis-is-a-d-h-d/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0

Introduction for my Specialist in Early Childhood Education

Hi my name is Felecia Towler. I am from Statham, Georgia, a small rural area outside of Athens, Georgia. I am pursing my Specialist Degree in Early Childhood Education at Walden University. I have recently completed my Master's Degree in Early Childhood Studies with a specialization in administration, management, and leadership. I have found Walden University convenient with my busy schedule which includes me working full time and part time, caring for three children and a husband, house duties, and life itself.

This is my fourth year teaching in a Head Start. I have been the lead teacher all four years. For three and half years I taught Georgia Pre-K ages 4-5. At the Head Start, I work for we are a dual program receiving both federal and state funds for the program. So it is twice the paper work with a dual program. This year 2013-2014 has been an interesting year already. First with a classroom combined with three, four and five year old children, second with children entering and leaving in the last few months (8 new students), and finally work itself.

When I begin my first year of teaching I was fresh out of college. I graduated December 2009 and was hired March 2010. Coming in the middle of the year of 4 and 5 years was the toughest thing I have encountered in my teaching career so far. I cried for two weeks trying to figure out how I was going to get these children getting for kindergarten in the next few weeks. My assistant and I did not see eye to eye, and on top of that I did not have any idea about Head Start beside the few hours that I observed in college and when I attended myself. I felt like my undergraduate degree which was Bachelor in Early Childhood Education did not prepare me for this. My stress level was beyond what I could handle. However, by the end of year I had a little understand of what I was supposed to do as a Head Start teacher.

I enjoy what I do as a teacher, but I feel like I would benefit more if I was able to share it with others. Recently I have applied for a new position within the job of an Education/Disabilities Specialist. My fingers are crossed that I receive the position.

As a child in third grade, I always wanted to be a teacher. From that day, that dream never changed. I had the biggest imagination a child could have. I would play with my stuff animals and even pretend that they were students in my bedroom when I would play school at home. I remember teachers given me worksheets and notebooks to play with over the summer. I used to make my cousins play school with me until I got tired of playing with them.

I had mentioned before that I was a Head Start kid. I feel like I had a great experience when I was in Head Start. Here is a picture of me in Head Start in 1991 and a picture of me in third grade. To me Head Start was the foundation that was needed to be successful as well as the great experiences my teachers gave me throughout my elementary, middle, and high school years. I have to say that all my teachers in some way have impacted my life to push me farther to continue my dream to become a teacher.

                                                                             

Time Well First

Time Well Spent

I have no idea where to start to thank my instructors and colleagues.  This has been an exciting journey at Walden University.  I have learned and accomplish so much throughout these last past two and half years.  I would like to thanks everyone for their taking the time for commenting, giving suggests, and communicating personal to.  Thanks everyone for everything. I wish everyone best of luck in their choose of Master’s program.   

As I reflect on this program three things that stick out to me are: 

1. The passion that each everyone in this program share.

2.  How everyone support each other during the process of earning their Master’s

3.  How everyone has grow professional during this course of this program. 

4.  Communications Skills

I feel like these three things have really open several doors for me and my colleagues. Having a passion for something that means a lot will enhance the community as well the field of education.  During the process we were able to support each.  I find this to be very important.  Sharing what you are passion about with someone else makes learning more about it more enjoyable.  I feel like I have grown tremendously in the education.  I find myself at work tell my center manager that things are not right and that their communicate skills in the corporate office is not right.  I hate the way corporate communicate with their teachers.  I found it unprofessional and last minute about a lot of things.  So if anything that I take for this program is how important communications skills are to employees.  For my long term, which opening my own child care, I will make sure my communication skills are superior with my staffs. 

   

 

Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.
Helen Keller

Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.
Benjamin Franklin

We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community... Our ambitions must be broad enough to include the aspirations and needs of others, for their sakes and for our own.
Cesar Chavez

Creativity is a great motivator because it makes people interested in what they are doing. Creativity gives hope that there can be a worthwhile idea. Creativity gives the possibility of some sort of achievement to everyone. Creativity makes life more fun and more interesting.
Edward de Bono

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.

Nelson Mandela

The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn and change.

Carl Rogers

Here is my email personal s.fetowler@gmail.com, 7062488686, 494 Hammond Rd, Statham, GA 30666.

You all are welcome to contact whenever. 

Once again I would like to thank each and everyone for taking the time out to communicate on my blogs, discussion boards, and live chats.  I appreciate everything everyone has done for me.  

References

Briany Quotes, (2013).  http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/achievement.html

Briany Quotes, (2013).  http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_education.html

Rosalie Primary School, (2013).  https://www.google.com/search?q=Images+that+reflect+what+your+experience+and+learning+in+the+early+childhood&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.51156542,d.eWU,pv.xjs.s.en_US._-554IbEZc0.O&biw=1600&bih=769&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=DngZUouICOqg2QWE54DYAQ

 

Internationally

http://www.unicef.org/education/bege_61625.html

I found that United Nations Children's Fund will be beneficial to my CoP because of the different areas they focus on.  Just to name a few of the focus areas that would contribute to my CoP would be priorities in education, early childhood education, and school fee abolition.  Priorities in education, early childhood education, and school fee abolition is focusing on the children give the under privilege the opportunity the same quality educations that are more fortunate.  UNICEF thinks about the overall children life.  They ensure that the children are nurtured, educated, and mental and physical health is in good standing.     Another thing that I am very passion about is breastfeeding.  I feel that every mother should breastfeed their babies.  I feel that there should be a law about breastfeeding, which should be a recommend for all mothers. 

While view UNICEF employment nothing really stood out that was appealing to me.  There were a lot of listing listed outside USA and the ones that were listed in the USA was located in New York.

 http://www.issa.nl/services.html

As I was exploring International Step by Step Association I found this organization would be beneficial to my CoP because of their commit to provide each child with the opportunity develop at their full potential.  I would use ISSA to provide training for my CoP to help them to provide support to children and families.  Through ISSA my CoP will learn how to interact, diversity, and family and community. 

I do not feel like becoming an employee for ISSA would be something I am interested in. 

http://www.fhi360.org/partner-us

After look at FHI 360 website I found that including them in my CoP will help with build relationship with other governments, civil society organizations, the private sector, universities and communities.   Building these relationships will help provide more school supplies for the children and families in the community. 

However with FHI 360 there are no job opportunities available at this time.  I would love to be a part of this organization especially because of their relationship building with  private sectors and communities. 

 

References

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

International Step By Step Association. (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2011, from http://www.issa.nl/index.html

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

 

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: National/Federal Level

Organizations

Christian Foundation For Children and Age:  Their approach to sponsorship provides basic necessities like food, education, clothing and access to medical care – but then it goes much further. Our unique style of sponsorship is effective because we know "one size does not fit all." Project coordinators and staff members listen closely to our sponsored members and their families, then tailor benefits and services to meet their specific needs. In many projects, parents of sponsored children are given opportunities to participate in skills training or livelihood initiatives, so that they can begin to rely less on sponsorship and more on their own abilities to provide for their families. They also have an church outreach that helps with poverty as well.

http://www.cfcausa.org/topmenu/sponsor2?gclid=COqasZ3G0LgCFQsV7AodQDwA3Q

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. The benefits you help provide extend to each child's family, their community, and other children in need. That's because World Vision plans and works alongside local community members to find solutions that will change the future for their children, and their children's children.

Office of Child Care

The Office of Child Care supports low-income working families through child care financial assistance and promotes children's learning by improving the quality of early care and education and afterschool programs.

Using the Child Care and Development Fund to Support a System of Quality Improvement for School-Age Programs (Strategy Brief)

This strategy brief is intended to provide information and considerations for State child care administrators and other policymakers for improving access to high quality school-age care that reflects the unique needs of school-age children. A systems framework illustrates strategic approaches to using the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) and other resources to build a strongly aligned system of quality improvement for children birth through 12 and older, as applicable. This State self-assessment tool provides a framework for identifying the strengths, opportunities, and gaps in a coordinated system of quality improvement for programs serving school-age children. The framework elements include: Governance, Regulations, Program/Practitioner Standards, Program/Practitioner Supports, Financing, and Accountability Systems. They also partner with Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning, Department of Education’s Office of Early Learning, Head Start National Center on Quality Teaching and Learning, and Head Start National Center on Program Management and Fiscal Operations

Job Opportunities

Bilingual Phone Liaison

Christian Foundation for Children and Aging (CFCA) is seeking a bilingual phone liaison for our Sponsor Services department. This position represents CFCA by phone (inbound and outbound), email, mail and instant messaging. It addresses concerns and interests of sponsors and donors and nurtures the sponsor experience with CFCA. This position must provide excellent customer service. It serves sponsors and/or donors in both English and Spanish.

Incumbent must have 3+ years of customer service experience, excellent customer service skills and experience with proven results. Incumbent must possess the ability to listen to clients and resolve concerns while maintaining composure and professionalism, excellent organizational skills, and excellent writing skills. The position requires the ability to multitask (talk on the phone and type on the computer at the same time), work on a team and be a team player while working independently, understand and follow through on instructions, type 45 to 50 wpm and have strong computer skills in a Windows environment.

Qualifications: High school diploma or general education degree (GED) required, 3+ years related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Fluency in English and Spanish required.

Preferred qualifications: College degree preferred.

I really have interest in this job however I do not me the qualifications.

Reference

CFCA, (2013). http://www.cfcausa.org/topmenu/sponsor2?gclid=COqasZ3G0LgCFQsV7AodQDwA3Q

World Vision, Inc, (n.d.) http://www.worldvision.org/content.nsf/pages/search-for-a-child?open&campaign=110719141&cmp=KNC-110719141&ttcode=helpchild&gclid=CLaD9tzK0LgCFY5r7AodNSwA3g

Office of Child Care (OCC), (n.d.). http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/occ

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

Three local or state organizations or communities of practice that appealed to me

1.  The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) is dedicated to improving results for infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities ages birth through 21 by providing leadership and financial support to assist states and local districts.  Here is the website http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/osep/index.html. 

2.  Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (Bright from the Start) is responsible for meeting the child care and early education needs of Georgia's children and their families. Bright from the Start oversees a wide range of programs focused primarily on children ages birth to school age and their families. Here is the website http://decal.ga.gov/BftS/EmploymentOpportunities.aspx.

3.  The Educator's PLN is a ning site dedicated to the support of a Personal Learning Network for Educators.  As I explored this site that where a lot of interest things from videos, blog, and resources.  This page was loaded with a lot of information.   There were people from all over the world use this site.  You have to become a member to see the videos, blogs, and etc.  Here is the website http://edupln.ning.com/. 

Job opportunities (currently available or not) that interest you

The only job that interests me is becoming a Pre-K consultant.  There are no jobs listing for a Pre-K consultant with Bright from the Start.  I currently hold the position as a lead Pre-K teacher and would love to share ideas and suggestion with others in Pre-K. 

Skills and experience

1.  Education Program Specialist 

 Degree: that included or was supplemented by at least 24 semester hours in a field related to the work of the position to be filled, of which at least 9 semester hours must have been in education courses or Combination of education and experience or Four years of experience that demonstrated a thorough understanding of the principles and practices underlying the work of this series or At least 1 full academic year of professional teaching experience

2.  Bright from the Start Pre K Consultant

There is no current position for a consultant.  To be a consultant you must a have a bachelor degree.