Best Wishes and Thanks!!

I am so excited and proud to have completed my Masters in Early Childhood Studies at Walden University. At the same time, I am also a little weirdly sad that it is over. I think it is because I have given so much of my energy, time, and self into my studies and I am deeply connected to them. It is bittersweet. Over these past two years, I have grown so much and gained so many new tools that I now use in my work and advocacy efforts for young children. I have met so many intelligent and nice people in this program. I loved learning form each of you. I now turn my thoughts to me as a skilled practitioner in the field. I have gained much more confidence in my decisions and knowledge of the Early Childhood field. Now, I practice and use it!

One huge thing I learned in my studies in how to be a leader. Before starting this program as an infant room teacher, I did not view myself as a leader. Now I am much more confident in the type of leader I want to be and how I can lead. To have this skill and the tools needed are invaluable to me. Another big thing I learned was how to network better in the field. I see much more clearly just how beneficial it is for my work. I also have a better understanding of how to do it specifically in my state and country. I have joined more EC organizations and started volunteer efforts in my state. It is amazing how many people I have met doing this. Another big thing I have learned is how deep my passions actually go. I am more passionate about my work and more dedicated to my advocacy efforts and duties. I feel more ready to face any issues I come across. This is priceless to me. These are the three biggest things I have gained in my studies during this program.

The instructors in these courses have been so informative and sweet. I definitely was challenged all along the way. I am thankful for all the feedback I received from my instructors. I especially love feedback on my papers and school work. I like constructive criticism and each one of my instructors provided that for me. I also was to thank my colleagues. I have learned a tremendous amount from you all. The new perspectives I gained because of your input and responses to my posts are invaluable to me. I would not have learned them if you had not responded and felt that I needed your advice so thank you. I wish you all the best in your new journeys as educators, leaders, and early childhood practitioners! Many Thanks!!

International Organizations

As I researched international early childhood organizations, I found so much on how they support and advocate for the healthy development of all children around the world. I took a lot of time looking at the job opportunities and memberships available. The opportunities really look like something I might involve myself in in the future.

The Save the Children organization was one that I wanted to find out more on because I see commercials and advertisements for them all the time. After looking at the website, I found out that they have been working for children for a long time. Eglanyne Jebb founded the Save the Children Fund in England in 1919 to aid children in war-ravaged central Europe. By the 1930’s the Save the Children network was established in the U.S. and working out of 5 states. They have several job opportunities available. One that interested me the most was the Program Specialist in Early Childhood Development. They provide training, technical assistance, and management support to program partners to ensure quality program implementation and results for children. This particular job is located in Omaha, NE. You have to have a Bachelors degree in Early childhood or related field and experience as a mentor, trainer, and coach. This position would be very interesting for me if it wasn’t located in Nebraska. This leads me to what is being by this organization in my home state of Alabama. Only three counties use their programs so I am going to research further to see about getting more schools in need to use their programs.

Another organization I like is the Academy for Educational Development. I admire all the effort they put in to improve the lives of every person in the world. They create projects all over the world to meet the unique needs of each person and each area. They have many job postings and only 4 in the U.S. The Grantee Specialist job requires applicants to have a bachelor’s degree and 8 years experience in finance management. Duties include providing technical assistance and training to Head Start Grantees in the areas of fiscal operations and program design and management. The other job posting require additional finance experience; something I do not have.

The United Nations Population Fund advocates helping improve the rights of young children all over the world and works to improve the lives of woman and young children. One of their biggest efforts is to eradicate child marriage; something that is all too common. Most of their job postings are in other counties like Africa. Since they support rights of people and the family in general, their benefits package is amazing for people raising families. You can telecommute, get paid maternity leave, and free preschool for your children. I am glad I ran across this organization and will work with them as I advocate for children.