Time Well Spent

I have gained so much knowledge since beginning.  my Masters Program in Early Childhood Studies. I learned that diversity is not just about race and culture. Diversity is about building responsive relationships, honest communication, looking at one's personal biases and respecting that the beliefs of one person may not be the same as another. Another deep felt learning is how important it is that we form positive relationships with children and their families. Effective communication is essential for building school-family relationships. Without the relationship, children will not be successful. I also learned about the numerous organizations around the world who are dedicated to advocating for children’s rights and ensuring they have everything they need to be successful later in life.

  

One of my long-term goals is to be part of a community of practice that supports and recognizes all dimensions of human differences. To advocate for the rights of children and their families no matter here they come from or who they are. To make a  positive difference in our children’s future.

        

To my colleagues I cannot believe our time together is coming to an end. It has been a very rewarding journey. I am elated that I have finished my Master’s Program and at the same time sad. I feel that I know all of you through sharing our experiences, perspectives, and knowledge even though we have never met face to face. Thank you for sharing. I learned so much and am grateful that you were a part of my growth and development in the field.  I have adopted some of your ideas and look forward to using them in helping me form strong positive relations with children and their families. You have helped me to step back and reflect on myself and appreciate that all of us are different, but we are the same. I wish you continuous success in your future endeavors. I will continue to post to my blog to share any new and exciting news in the early childhood field.

Thank you to my instructors throughout the program. You challenged my thinking and always provided constructive but positive feedback to help me along my journey. I hope to one day be that mentor/teacher who can guide the future generation of early childhood educators as you have done for me throughout my Master's  program

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

The three organization's that I chose are the United Nations International  Children's Emergency Fund( UNICEF); Save the Children and the United Nations Educational,Scientific and Cultural Organization(UNESCO)


 

I chose UNICEF because they have been helping children and families for many years.When I was growing up, I remember taking UNICEF boxes during trick or treat to collect donations for the organization.

UNICEF aligns with my professional goals of ensuring children have access to services that will help them thrive and be successful later in life. It gives them a chance to survive and reach their full potential. Children should be treated fairly and equally no matter where they come from and UNICEF is active in this fight. UNICEF looks out for the well-being of children all around the world. Their priorities include but are not limited to, basic education and gender equality; child survival; development and policy advocacy and partnerships( UNICEF, n.d.).

 

There are numerous job opportunities listed for the United States and different countries  One new initiative that interested me is called the “New and Emerging Talent Initiative(NETI)”. The program recruiting new people from entry to mid-career levels to grow and to develop within the organization. They will work actively in multicultural environments within the development and humanitarian arenas while contributing to delivering results for children( UNICEF, n.d.)

Interested candidates  must:

·        Share the United Nations values and ideals

·         Listen to and understand the ideas and concerns of the people UNICEF serves.

·         Communicate and work strategically and effectively with others critical for candidates to

·         Be geographically mobile and willing to serve in emergency and hardship duty stations.

 

I chose Save the Children because they not only want to ensure that children are successful, but play a big part in child protection and child safeguarding practices around the world(Save the Children, n.d.).

 

Save the Children is an international organization that promotes children's rights, provides assistance and helps support children in developing countries around the world(Save the Children, n.d.). “By helping children early in their lives they are changing the course of their future and ours (Save the Children, n.d.).They work in over one hundred twenty countries around the world.

There are international positions available in Greece, and the United Kingdom that interest me but, I  don’t meet the minimum requirements at the present time and require more education and experience in relationship to child protection.  Most positions require a second language. One position is the Child Safeguarding Coordinator in Athens, Greece. Some qualifications required include but are not limited to:

·         Experience in child protection/child safeguarding practices in a humanitarian setting.

·         Experience of planning and undertaking training programs/workshops in child protection/safeguarding at a range of levels.

·         Excellent verbal communication and report writing skills

·         Excellent interpersonal skills

·         The existing right to work in the EU.

                                       

I chose the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization(UNESCO) because i its primary goals is “attaining quality education for all and lifelong learning”(UNESCO, n.d.) UNESCO is committed to” building a sustainable world with just societies that value knowledge, promote peace, celebrate diversity and defend human rights”(UNESCO, n.d.).

On the international level, I would love a chance to work in Europe. I was stationed in Europe for twelve years of my twenty-six military career. There are not many positions opened for which I am qualified. Combining my education,  military knowledge, leadership, and expertise may help this become a reality in the future  They have excellent benefits that include 30 days annual leave, family allowance, home travel, educational grants for children, pension plans and medical insurance(UNESCO, n.d.). UNESCO reminds me of all the benefits that I received for serving in the military.

An example of positions that are currently open includes Director, UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning( Hamburg Germany).  Qualifications required include:

•    Advanced university degree, preferably at Doctorate level, in education, science, social sciences or related field (UNESCO, n.d.).

•    At least 15 years of relevant experience in the field of education at national and international level backed by several years of experience in senior management positions(UNESCO, n.d.)

References:
 
Relief Web.(n.d.). Child Safeguarding Coordinator .| Retrieved from http://reliefweb.int/job/1791141/child-safeguarding-coordinator
 

Save the Children. (n.d.). Official USA Site - Retrieved from http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6115947/k.B143/Official_US

 UNESCO. (n.d.).Education for All Crowdsourcing Challenge - Retrieved from http://www.unesco.org/new/fileadmin/MULTIMEDIA/HQ/ED/temp/EFA%20Challenge%20broc

UNESCO.org. (n.d.). Unesdoc. Retrieved from http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0024/002466/246652e.pdf

 UNESCO. (n.d.).Education for All Crowdsourcing Challenge - Retrieved from http://www.unesco.org/new/fileadmin/MULTIMEDIA/HQ/ED/temp/EFA%20Challenge%20broc

  UNICEF. (n.d.). What is NETI? | About UNICEF: Employment |  Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_74417.html?p=printme