Time Well Spent

Time Well Spent

            

The past twenty months of this Master’s Program has been a great journey and I have learned that providing a safe learning environment for the children and supporting the children, families and the community and focusing on families culture is very important.  Throughout my research I have learned that there are many organizations out there that will help teacher and parents become deeply involved in their child’s education. Organizations such as the Mississippi State University Extension Service in which there mission is to provide research-based information, educational programs, and technology transfer focused on issues and needs of the people of Mississippi, Mississippi State University Early Childhood Institute, which offers a number of programs and services designed to enhance the quality of early learning experiences for young children, National Associations for the Education of Young Children because it is the world’s largest organization working on behalf of our young children.  The organization mission is to “to serve and act on behalf of the needs, rights and well-being of all young children with primary focus on the provision of educational and developmental services and resources” (National Associations for the Education of Young Children) and the National Education Association which is totally committed with Improving Early Childhood Education and is a high quality organization free, publicly funded, quality kindergarten programs in all states.

My long-term goal is to be an advocate in the field of education while working with the Mississippi State University Early Childhood Institute.  I plan to continue the success of our young children and help parents stay involve in their child’s school and education from preschool through high school and college as well.  Parents need to know that they are important and they are their child/children first teacher.  My next goal is to help teachers in early childhood education programs improve their working conditions and practices, provide high-quality systems and include groups who are committee to performing excellence.  I will value partnership with families, parents, communities and other to have quality education.

Throughout the last eight weeks, it has been a struggle for me but we the support of Dr. Davis and my colleagues’ it has became a success.  I thank you all for helping me to dig deep in my thoughts and encouraging me to respond in details to your post and blogs.  These past twenty months have been a journey I will not forget and who to see familiar faces and names in Walden University Doctoral Degree programs. 

My Favorite Quotes 

 "Free the child's potential, and you will transform him into the world."
- Maria Montessori
"Good teaching is one-fourth preparation and three-fourths pure theatre."
- Gail Godwin
"The purpose of education is to replace an empty mind with an open one."
- Malcolm Forbes
"Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed."
- Maria Montessori
"In early childhood you may lay the foundation of poverty or riches, industry of idleness, good or evil, by the habits to which you train your children. Teach them right habits then, and their future life is safe.”
- Lydia Sigourney

To my colleagues, please feel free to contact me via email shortlakeshia@yahoo.com or Short325@gmail.com.  It has really been a great opportunity to share this learning experience with you all and again I hope to see familiar faces and names as we continue to succeed in life.

Thanks

LaKeshia S. Short

References

Mississippi State University Early Childhood Institute

            http://earlychildhood.msstate.edu/programs/index.php

The National Association for the Education of Young Children      

            http://www.naeyc.org/content/about-naeyc

 National Education Association http://www.nea.org/home/19583.htm

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

Association for Childhood Education International

“The mission of the ACEI’s  is to promote and support in the global community the optimal education, development, and well-being of children, from birth through early adolescence, 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” (Association for Childhood Education International, 2011). 

I chose this organization because it gives children all over the world to have a quality and prosper education.  The education that will be provided will prepare children for the real world and to be independent.  ACEI promotes education with dignity and respect and values one’s human rights.  They speak out for education in children so they may achieve social justice, equity, and peace.

There were no jobs listed for ACEI.  One may become a member of the organization by paying a membership fee starting from $30 to $322.  There are no specific skills needed to become a member.

OMEP – USA

OMEP is an international, non-profit, non-governmental organization with members in over seventy countries (OMEP – USA, 2011).  The organizations goal is “to ensure the well-being of the children over the world, rights, and education of children from birth to the age of eight and their families” (OMEP – USA, 2011). I chose this organization because it they promote advocates who speak out over the world to help our young children to become successful in life.  The organization also provide workshops for teachers, parents and its’ members.  There were no jobs available but you can become a member to learn more and provide children with the support needed and speak out to help children all over the world.  To become a member you have to fill out and application and pay a membership fee costing $30.  A member will be entitled to newsletters each month and attend events that will help with hands-on activities and projects that will help children all over the world.  There are no specific skills needed to become a member.

National Black Child Development Institute

The NBCDI mission is to improve and advance the quality of life for Black children and their families through education and advocacy” (National Black Child Development Institute, 2013).  The organization is similar to the others because it focuses on the well-being of children.  The organization wants to make sure that young Black children ensure a successful future.   Over the past years the organization has helped children over the world and has helped those who are from low poverty and those who suffer from racial discrimination as well.

I chose the organization because as an African American it stood out and so many of our young black children are dropping out of school before they even reach the 9^th grade.  The organization is one of the only national organizations dedicated exclusively to the success and well-being of Black children.  There were no jobs available but one can join by becoming a student member, regular member, or an independent member for less than $35.  The organization provide resources that will help teachers in the classroom, parents at home and make a positive impact on the lives of Black children and their families.  There are no specific skills needed to become a member.

References

Association for Childhood Education International (2011). http://acei.org/

OMEP –  USA (2011).  http://www.omep-usnc.org/?3e3ea140

National Black Child Development Institute (2013)

            http://www.nbcdi.org/who-we-are/who-we-are

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

National Associations for the Education of Young Children

The NAEYC is the world’s largest organization working on behalf of our young children.  The organization mission is to “to serve and act on behalf of the needs, rights and well-being of all young children with primary focus on the provision of educational and developmental services and resources” (http://www.naeyc.org/content/about-naeyc).  There goals are to help teachers and early childhood education programs improve their working conditions and practices, provide high-quality systems and include groups who are committee to performing excellence. 

The NAEYC interest me because it offers conferences for teachers and parents, discussing developmentally appropriate skills, the organization invites you to become a member and it will help you parents find the best care for their child.

The job that attracted me was a System Integrity Specialist.  The specialist will be responsible for supporting the System Integrity and monitoring child care programs.   “To apply for the job a candidate must have a “Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Early Childhood Education/Child Development, Human Development or related field. Have experience with the NAEYC, excellent oral and written communication, analytical, customer service skills, MS Office and database skills are required. The candidate must be able to meet deadlines and work in a team in a fast-paced environment. Some travel may be required. The job salary will start from $40,000 with good benefits” (http://www.naeyc.org/about/jobs).

National Education Association

The National Education Association is totally committed with Improving Early Childhood Education.  It is a high quality organization free, publicly funded, quality kindergarten programs in all states. The NEA provides federal funds to make pre-K classes available for children ages 3 to 4 years old for families with disadvantages.   

“The National Education Association (NEA), is the nation's largest professional employer organization.  It is committed to advancing the cause of public education. The National Education Association have 3 million members work at every level of education—from pre-school to university graduate programs. NEA has affiliate organizations in every state and in more than 14,000 communities across the United States” (http://www.nea.org/home/19583.htm).

The organization interest me because it speaks out to the community, help parents and offer jobs to better educate our young children. The organization values partnership with families, parents, communities and other stakeholders for quality education.

The job that interest me was the Division of Field Services Director.  A candidate would need a letter of application, resume and three references.
“The person employed will: plan, coordinate and direct seven regional field staff and operations to achieve the Association’s goals and objectives and to maximize membership growth in all levels (national, state and local) of the educational community” (http://www.wvea.org/Resources/WVEA-Employment-Opportunities.aspx). The candidate will need a Master’s degree, successful experience, computer skills, and be able to relocate.

Early Reading First

The program supports the development of early childhood centers of excellence that focus on all areas of development, especially on the early language, cognitive, and pre-reading skills that prepare children for continued school success and that serve primarily children from low-income families. It helps to engage children’s learning through language, cognitive and early reading skills.  The program gives children a good start so that they may grow smart.  It is designed to improve centers of excellence by providing high-quality early education to young children. 

The Early Reading First program interested me because our facility used the program assistance with the guidance of Dr. Lea MaGee.  This program helps to make reading skills a success so that children will learn to pronounce words by sound and syllables through phonemic awareness and phonemes. 

The job that interest me was an Education Program Specialist with a salary ranging from $51,000 – 67,000.  However, one must relocate for the job.

“The responsibility of the job is to provide grant program management, administration, and evaluation; conducts and coordinates review panels and prepare materials for slates; recruits qualified scholars for inclusion in the Field Reader database; coordinates close-out processes.  A candidate would need a degree in the field or related field with 24 semester hours, combination of education and experience, four years of experience and at least one full year of academic year of professional teaching experience” (http://jobview.edhires.ed.gov/getjob.aspx?JobID=122404566&test=1&LogGetJobChannelID=6570). 

References

The National Association for the Education of Young Children       http://www.naeyc.org/content/about-naeyc

 The National Association for the Education of Young Children      http://www.naeyc.org/about/jobs

National Education Association http://www.nea.org/home/19583.htm

National Education Association http://www.nea.org/home/18959.htm#Mississippi

http://www.wvea.org/Resources/WVEA-Employment-Opportunities.aspx

Early Reading First http://www2.ed.gov/programs/earlyreading/index.html

http://jobview.edhires.ed.gov/getjob.aspx?JobID=122404566&test=1&LogGetJobChannelID=6570

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

The local or state organizations I would like to work with is Jefferson County Board of Education, Parent Committee at the Jefferson County School District and last but not least the Quality Stars. 

Jefferson County Board of Education where they are willing to serve everyone in the process of making the district better.  The Board of Education fosters an atmosphere of teamwork and cooperation.  As a parent, and education I want to work with the board and work diligently each day to help the children in the district.  With the Board of Education you need prior work experience and a Bachelor of Science Degree.

Parent Committee at the Jefferson County School District get parents involved by inviting them to the classrooms, having fund raisers, working together as a whole, and openly communicate with each other to on a daily basis. With this organization there is no education needed.

Quality Stars is developed by the Mississippi Department of Human Service Division of Early Childhood Care & Development.  This programs help childcare facilities who volunteer to participate in the program earn quality stars with Infant/Toddler using the Infant/Toddler Rating Scale (ITERS) and Preschool age children using the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS).  This program focuses on the best education for our young children in the Mississippi area. It helps childcare centers provide the best quality care for our young children focusing on communication with children, learning styles, cleanliness and exploring the world with a different outlook.   With Quality Stars you need a bachelor’s degree and prior work experience with children.

Reflecting on Learning

My hope for the future in the classroom is to educate my parents as well as the students on this anti-bias world. I will learn about my own bias and the bias of each parent and child and educate them to the fullest.   I will promote fairness in the classroom and the center and educated the students on diversity and equity to the best of my knowledge. 

To my fellow colleagues, I wish you the best in your future and I thank you all so much for the comments and positive feedback throughout this course.  We have truly learned a lot about the anti-bias world and there is much more to come our way.  Good luck and be blessed!

IMPACTS ON EARLY EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Philippines

In the Philippines there has been a devastating flood which affected 15, 000 families.  These families need water and sanitation supplies.  The children are affected because they need water and sanitation, health and nutrition, education and child protection.  Over 200,000 children were affected by the flood.  The flood killed at least 957 people, with at least 49 still missing.   

The children are highly vulnerable to diarrhoeal disease and dehydration. UNICEF is on the ground to support the government’s efforts, and is working round the clock to provide for the many children and families affected. The water systems of the two main areas affected, Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities, have been totally destroyed leaving most residents with no safe, reliable source of water. With the help of Unicef water kits, hygiene kits, temporary pit latrines and a mobile water units have been brought over to the country. 

The families in the Philippines really need as much assistant that they can get.  The country is mainly focusing on water and food and the education of the children has been put aside.  The families also need shelter, blankets and counseling to help them through this rough time.  UNICEF will stay as long as needed to get these families and communities back on their feet.

Reference

http://www.unicef.org

IMPACTS ON PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

As an African American in a small town I totally fit in with my surroundings.  However, as I travel to different Professional Development Seminars people look at me as though I am uneducated because of the color of my skin.  I have faced the issue of racism at grocery stores, Wal-mart or at the Laundry Mat.  Unfortunately, I have never experience racism in the classroom.  I have had the opportunity of working with Korean families and Caucasian families.  I have the affect with my parents and students that is very open and tend to get along with all individuals.   I make friends where ever I go because I like learning new things and learning about people. 

The “isms” I have experience are racism and homosexuals.  However, I have not let these “isms” reflect my behavior as an educator.  I learned through resources on how to communicate and be professional in my field with these individuals.  I believe that diversity should be taught in the classroom and that we should discuss different issues at hand.

OBSERVING COMMUNICATION

Observing Communication

 

                I am the teacher and Director at the center where I work.  My hands are full throughout the day!  However, I brought in a substitute and went to visit another center.  I visit Amazing Grace Learning Center.  The teachers were full of life and seem to enjoy what they do.  I observe Ms. Turner who worked with the three and four years old.  She had a great schedule that she followed however, she did not communicate with the children well in the learning centers.  The students ask her to come and eat with them and she told them in a minute.  She never stopped what she was doing and visited the children in the centers.  Children learn through communication.  She let the children play with the toys but there was no interaction with the students and teacher doing center time.  Ms. Turner seemed to enjoy the time to do other things than engage with the children in the learning center. After observing the children and Ms. Turner for over twenty minutes I intervened and visit the children in the learning centers.  Before intervening, I ask Ms. Turner will it be okay if I visit with the children in the learning centers.  The children were very excited.  In Dramatic Play the girls ask me could they comb my hair, I said “yes.”  Zadaisha and Carmen told me that I was at the Beauty Shop and they were going to wash and roll my hair because I did not need a perm.  So I asked them what is a perm, Zadaisha said “a perm is what you put in your hair to make it straight.”  I talking with Zadaisha and Carmen I visit the Block Center.  Zadarian and Kenji were in the block center building a farm house for their animals.  As you can see these children had great vocabulary and were very eager to have conversation.  I ask them what kind of animals live on the farm.  Kenji and Zadarian said that on a farm there are pigs, horses, cows, chickens, goats and sheep.  They told me they were going to put the pigs in the sty with some hay and mud.  Kenji told me that a sty is where the pigs sleep.  I told him that he was right and ask him where did he learn that from?  He said, “My mother read me the story Big Red Barn.” 

            The students had great communication skills whether they learned it from school or home.  The students were great, but Ms. Turner was poor at communicated with the children during center time.  Ms. Turner could have been learning the children as they played in the centers.  As Lisa Kolbeck stated, “You learn a child by watching them play.”  Learning children is getting to their level.  You have to interact and intervene to establish learning in the classroom.  She could teach the children but she seems to be unaware of the best teaching experience that may happen in the classroom.  Children learn from teachers and teachers learn from their students.

Reference

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2010) "Communicating with Young Children"

 

CREATING AFFIRMING ENVIRONMENTS

Creating Affirming Environments

The visual of my at home care child facility would provide every opportunity for parents and children to feel that they belong here.  Keshia’s Kinder Care Learning Center will be an anti-bias environment.  When entering the building their will pictures of people from all over the world with different background, representing cultural diversity. The center name and labels throughout the building and classroom will be written in Engalish and Spanish. In the dramatic play center I will provide food from other cultures so the children my explore and learn the types of food that other cultures such as Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Mexican, Caucasian and African Americans may eat.  I would provide a variety of cultural diversity of dolls in the center as well.  In the reading center and the other centers as well, I would provide a variety of books that represent cultural diversity.  The books may focus on foster children, children with disabilities, same sex parents and families that are mixed.  In the block center, I would provide people with different disabilities, puzzles that display disability and teach the children that we are all different but we should still be treated equally and with respect.  I would display pictures of individuals from different cultures and famous people.  There will be plenty material for the children to choose from in the art center.  The children will have their free choice to create their very own portrait with its own unique style.  I will invite the families to come to the center and teach us about their own culture.  Children are living in a diverse world everyday but are unaware of the term because it is not spoken of in the home.  Keshia’s Kinder Care Learning Center will be a “Learning community that truly nurtures and supports all children, and will make our efforts worthwhile and exciting” (Derman-Sparks, L., & Olsen Edwards, J. 2010).

 

References

Derman-Sparks, L., & Olsen Edwards, J. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, D.C.: National Association for the Education of Young Children       (NAEYC).

WHAT I HAVE LEARNED

The hope that I have when working with children is to treat them the way I would like to be treated.  To encourage them to be the best they can be and be the one that they look up to for advice and answers.  I want to be the one who makes a difference in each child’s life that I touch. The goal I would like to set is to always teach diversity in the classroom and increase the children’s learning of other countries, religions and biases. 

I would like to thank my colleagues for the support and comments during the past eight weeks.  I have learned a lot from each of you as well as myself.  I pray that we are the best educators for our preschoolers and great communicators for our children, parents and community.

Thanks,

LaKeshia S. Short

shortlakeshia@yahoo.com   or

Short325@gmail.com

My Creative Art on Diversity

My outlook on diversity………………………………………………

  

                                         

 

It’s ok to be different,
It’s ok to be the odd one out
You see black isn’t white and white isn’t red
I’d rather be different than the same instead

What I mean by different is not the same
I might be short but I am not to blame
You see my twin brother he is 6 feet tall
Because we’re not the same it doesn’t matter at all

What I mean by different is not the same
Some might be blind or walk with a cane
Some might get around in an old wheel chair
Because they’re not the same hey I don’t care

What I mean by different is not the same
Some might like to holiday and camp in the rain
Some might like to travel on a second class train
But I like to travel up the front of the plane

Yes black isn’t white and white isn’t red
I’d rather be different than the same instead
Oh yes I’d rather be different than the same instead yea

By Prue  Whoo

This picture and song will help to teach children in the classroom that we accept people the way they are and they should not be treated different from other.  It is a wonderful thing to be able to accept others even those with disabilities.  You want children to learn about different culture and disabilities.  Teach them what they need to know so that they will teach and treat others with respect as they continue to grow and better understand this world. No one is perfect and God did not make all of us the same.

We Don't Say Those Words

We Don’t Say Those Words

 My experience happened to me with my own children.  We were in at the laundry mat when this African American lady came in to wash her clothes.  Immediately my children stop and stared at the lady and said she was ugly and looked funny.  I told them that they should not say things like that because it hurts the person feelings.  I then told them that she was different to them because she had had a 4^th degree burn all over her body and her face was disfigured from normal and her legs were wrinkled from plastic surgery I assume.  I also told my children that they should not stare at talk about individuals who are different.  I explained to them that she had been burned really bad both she is no different from us and she is a blessing to be alive.  My children start talking to the lady, and ask her name.  She told them that her name was Mary and that she was checking on the hot water heater because it was making noise, and she went in the storage room the heater exploded living her with the 4^th degree burn on her body.  I told my children that Mary was like their Uncle Cedric but he only had 2^nd and 3^rd degree burns and his burns were not as bad as hers.  My children look at the lady different at first, but after talking to Mary I believe they have learned a variable lesson.  Never judge a book by its cover.

Gender, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation

 

In high school , there were a group of girls and only one guy would hang around with us.  As girls we already know that Jason had a secret he was not telling.  The other students would call him fag or guy.  He would play church and dress up in dresses as though he was a mother of the church or in the choir singing.  However, the older he got the more he hanged with girls.  After graduating from high school he went to college and begin to blossom as a young woman.  He had a transgender operation and now SHE  wears dresses, get her hair done and now is a beautiful woman.  I see her no different from me.  I am not fond of what he has done but I treat her no different than my other female friends. 

My other encounter is a student years ago told another student that he was gay.  I ask her why you said that, she replied because he is always playing with the girls and never the boys.  He stays in dramatic play and cooks and cleans.  I then told her that young boys and men can clean, cook and take care of children just like young girls and women.  I also asked her what does gay mean.  She told me that gay is when two boys like each other.  The child was three years old and she could tell you a lot about gay and lesbian. 

I believe that diversity should be taught in the classroom and that we should discuss different issues at hand.  I have had a parent who did not want her son to play with baby dolls.  I told the parent that playing with dolls will not make him gay or less than a man we he grows up.  The dolls may help and encourage him to be a great father in the future.  Parents are very denial but eventually they come around to reality.