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Time Well Spent

"Tell me and I forget. Show me and I remember. Involve me and I understand."
- Chinese proverb

"It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men."
- Frederick Douglass

  

         







                           











"It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men."
- Frederick Douglass



   

I have come to know that each person a child comes in contact with can leave a mark whether it be positive or negative an imprint will be left.

Through this program I have learned that it takes each person to make an effort in order to make a difference.

Through my studies it was made clear to me that I will never know everything I need to know about myself, children, families, and life’s knowledge is an on-going process.

At least one long-term goal

My long term goal is to establish a village for young mother to grow into positive early childhood parents, and to be able to give their children a bright future as a result of the early childhood development instructions they have received.

I believe I quoted this song early in this course as I was moving on to the next session.  I learned this song for my sixth grade graduation.  This song had and has insurmountable memories for me, for those of you who read about some of my busing issues that I suffered with in elementary school you know how difficult it was for me in those times.  I struggled through those difficult times and managed to achieve my goals in spite of the difficulties.  At the commencement ceremony I had mixed emotions, I cried tears of joy and I was actually sad to leave. I met some good friends and I learned how to survive the not so good times.  So for the good times and the not so good times I sing this song to you.

     So long it’s been good to know you, 

     So long it’s been good to know you

     So-o long it’s been good to know you            

     For a long time this was my home

     Now it’s time to be drifting along

I would love to keep in touch with you all I really will miss the times we had together.  For those of you who remember The Carol Burnett Show, I am pulling my ear right about now. (:

Thank you for all of your support!

                                      

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community; International

The three international organizations that I chose to explore are; Save the Children, UNICEF, and FHI 360.

     These international organizations spoke directly to my heart and my passion as they expounded on the care and attention that they give to the children around the world.  It is inconceivable how these organizations can aid so many children around the world, and I find it difficult to reach my children around the corner.

     These organizations are changing the lives of children and families by fostering education, nutrition, and mentoring programs,etc.  All of the issues that plague poor children here and around the world are being addressed by these humanitarian organizations.   I truly applaud them. 

     If an employment opportunity was available in the early childhood operative as an administrator, I would jump at the chance to gain the knowledge of these seasoned international childhood warriors.

     I would have to have the ability to speak and or understand multiple languages in addition the position would require me to interface with diplomats and government officials to create a cohesive relationship.   

      The relationship building skills are invaluable for any Community of Practice that wants to establish positive networking with these local and international environments.

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



Young mothers and their babies



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

National Crittenton Foundation

Believe in the Power of Potential

Young Mothers in Foster CareYou +1'd this publicly. 
They work to change behaviors and break destructive cycles that in many cases ... welfare system can better support them in being stable, raising healthy children and being ... are thrilled that so many organizations (see below for list of interested ... the field to better meet the needs of these young mothers and their children.

 

childfocuspartners.com/wp-content/uploads/latest-report.pdf

Teen Pregnancy and Education

This organization appealed to many aspects of my topic.  They are focused on first educating the teenage girls on why prevention is important to their future growth; academically, financially, and socially.  This organization tracks the teenage pregnancy rate and how young pregnancy effects the future of the teenagers success.

www.thenationalcampaign.org/why-it-matters/pdf/education.pdf

Active Parenting of Teens: a newly revised program
for parenting teenagers and 'tweens

I viewed this site and found it to be very interesting and innovating.  This is a site to acquire informational materials to help mentor and council teens before and after pregnancy.

I believe this is a necessary site for organizations that want to help our youth, but may not have funding for a program such as this.   

http://www.activeparenting.com/Teens_main

Children’s Defense Fund

This site has extensive information on all aspects of the effects of teenage pregnancy.  The Children’s Defense Fund’s focus is on the well-being of children and it highlights; teenage pregnancy, hunger, nutritional concerns, infant mortality, education, joblessness, homelessness, abuse, and much, much more.  This site gave me a wealth of information.  

www.childrensdefense.org/programs...for.../portrait-of-inequality.pdf

• Job opportunities (currently available or not) that interest you

Youth Board Executive Director

• Skills and experience you would need to competently fulfill each of these roles

·         Job Title: Executive Director/Chief Executive

·         Function: · To implement the strategic goals and objectives of the organization

·         · With the chair, enable the Board to fulfill its governance function

·         · To give direction and leadership toward the achievement of the

·         organization's philosophy, mission, strategy, and its annual goals and

·         objectives

·         Reports to: Board of Directors

·         Major Functions/

·         Accountabilities:

·         1. Board Administration and Support -- Supports operations and

·         administration of Board by advising and informing Board members,

·         interfacing between Board and staff, and supporting Board's evaluation

·         of chief executive

·         2. Program, Product and Service Delivery -- Oversees design,

·         marketing, promotion, delivery and quality of programs, products and

·         services

·         3. Financial, Tax, Risk and Facilities Management -- Recommends

·         yearly budget for Board approval and prudently manages

·         organization's resources within those budget guidelines according to

·         current laws and regulations

·         4. Human Resource Management -- Effectively manages the human

·         resources of the organization according to authorized personnel

·         policies and procedures that fully conform to current laws and

·         regulations

·         5. Community and Public Relations -- Assures the organization and its

·         mission, programs, products and services are consistently presented in

·         strong, positive image to relevant stakeholders

·         6. Fundraising (nonprofit-specific) -- Oversees fundraising planning

·         and implementation, including identifying resource requirements,

·         researching funding sources, establishing strategies to approach

·         funders, submitting proposals and administrating fundraising records

·         and documentation

Developing Communities of Practice

Long Island Birth Right

Long Island birth Right is a local organization devoted to the life of the unborn child. Their mission is to remove reason for the interruption of life in the womb. Long Island Birth Right provides counseling for the gestating mothers and provides assistants to help the prospective mother. This organization provides brand new clothing for the baby from birth to 2 years old, and formula if needed, and directs the parent to other agencies for additional assistance.

There are so many mothers that just need a helping hand without any strings attached, this agency provides that. We have witnessed the gratefulness of needy parents receiving assistance from the Long Island Birth Right it was and is a wonderful experience.

The Long Island Branch of the Catholic Charities

This local chapter of the Catholic Charities provides shelter for young unwed mothers. This chapter has a small gated community within the general community where these young ladies are sheltered. These prospective young mothers are guided through the process for being parents. They are taught proper nutrition for themselves and their children, proper hygiene, and how to care for a child. Budgeting, shopping, and caring for a home is also taught and demonstrated.

I admire this agency for giving these girls and children a head start. This service is needed for the good future of the participants and the good for the future of the community.

The 4 H Club

The 4 H Club is sponsored by the Department of Agriculture and is administered by the local chapter. In the city or non-rural areas the 4 H Club addresses urban issues. This chapter of the 4 H Club addresses nutrition for children and families. This organization trains community residence to teach the residents in their community, i.e. day care centers, community centers, senior citizen centers, and also church organizations about; proper nutrition, how to cook inexpensive nutritious meals, and the ills of fast foods.

This is an organization that has been around for years in fact as a young mother I was taught recipes that I continue to use and pass on to others.

I am interested in the position of administrator of the universal pre k program in my school district. The children in this program are not receiving appropriate early childhood direction.

• Skills and experience that you would need to competently fulfill each of these roles

The administrator of this program will need the skills to reach the existing staff, and additionally

provide professional development to the staff. I would have to let the parents and staff experience my passion and seniority for the children and the program, so that a trust between the parents, staff, and administration will develop.

Team Building and Collaboration

Trust us we got you!

The group that was the hardest for me to leave was the religious organization that I was a part of for five years.  This group consumed my life; I lived and breathed this organization.   I was there for the forming stage of this group, and went through the storming stage as we began experiences, individual and group conflicts, while setting rules and regulations.  As we established the agreed norms that governed our organization, I settled into what I felt was a comfortable fit with a group of people whom I considered my equals both religiously and socially.

     We accomplished tasks that some recognized as impossible.  First we established a not-for- profit organization, formulated and established a food co-op, and involved the entire community in the venture. Together we formed a cooperative Sunday religious class for the adults and children including an informal childcare setting for parents who had to bring their children to class. 

     The organization was going well until the leadership changed.  This person did not have a clue as to how to lead a group, she had a bullying leadership persona.   She had to have the last word,oftenf in fac,t the only word.  The group adjourned shortly after her appointment.

     I was saddened by the dismantling of our group, and I have never had the opportunity again to be a part of such a dynamic group of people.  The religious organization that we represented was also saddened and as a result of our dismantling, lost many services and funding.  As individuals we are contacted periodically hoping that the Phoenix will rise again, but it has not happened as of yet.

     I think the groups with the clearest norms are the hardest to leave.  For me I understood the direction we were moving in, and the goals that were needed for the participants and the community.  The closing of this group was devastating to me due to the lack of a closing ritual. 

     I am not sure how I will adjourn my relationships with my Walden University colleagues.  I imagine that I will keep a long distance writing relationship with most of my colleagues at Walden University.  It is difficult to fathom not communicating weekly as I do now.  However I will give my email to everyone and ask the same of my colleagues.  Adjourning is an important part of life.  When proper adjournment is not preformed it leaves an incomplete feeling.  Proper closure is important and necessary  for many aspects of life.

Communication Skills: Language, Nonverbal, Listening

I am obsessed with  The Cooking Channel, and the show “Chopped” is my favorite show.  When I received this assignment I was stumped because I watch a limited amount of television because most of the other shows are full of sex, violence, and stupidity.  When I watch this show, I get a chance to learn more about the art of cooking and I am entertained at the same time.

This show has a  panel of three notable judges and a host.  The show starts off with four cooks, each cook is given a basket for the first course of the most unlikely food items to cook.  The judges select the one that should be chopped (eliminated).   This continues course by course for a total of three courses until the last cook is standing.  This cook will win $10,000 by the process of elimination.  

I tuned the program off and watched without the volume, and it was amazing that I could read the faces and body language of the judges and the contestants as cooks competed and were judged.   The contestants that were frowning and sweating seemed to be having the hardest time constructing the meal, and the ones that looked comfortable seemed to have the basket under control.  

Once the plates were presented to the judges, their body languges comfirmed the looks on the contestants faces.  One judge smiled and nodded her head after tasting the dish and put the fork down, the second judge after tasting the food looked at the plate and with a look of disappointment fell back onto the back of his chair. The third judge picked the fork up, but he did not touch the food on the plate.

When I played this segment over with the volume, their body language had told the story.  The contestant  that was sweating did poorly.  The judges’ expressions  and body language clearly showed their feelings.  The first judge that smiled and nodded after tasting the dish said her food was delicous,  then said  that the seasoning was perfect. The second judge (fell back on the back of his chair) then said this rice is under cooked, and the third judge (who did not touch the food) said the his meat was raw.  From this exercise I learned that the body can speak unspoken words.

The communication and listening skills and strategies that would be most effective for fostering the well -being of children and their families would be the nonverbal listening skill.  We communicate so much of our inner feelings with our body and our silence.  If we listen carefully, silence can actually be deafening.  We must also understand what our own body language is communicating to others.  A smile goes a long way, and a frown goes even farther, so we must be mindful of how all of the languages we process, and how we communicate them.