Exploring Roles In the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

Three local and/or state organizations or communities of practice that appeal to me and why I chose them are (links and information about my choices are listed in references:

1.     Teacher Research Initiatives: Teacher Communities Of Practice is an organization that advances the knowledge of teaching and learning in the early childhood field.  Though this initiative is sponsored by a national organization, the NAEYC, the communities of practice that it provides contact information for anyone to participate in are from all over the United States, including locally…for me or even for you.  This organization provides contact information about multiple projects for educators to learn more about and participate in communities of practice surrounding the specific goals and methods for that project in the early childhood field.  I was drawn to this organization because it continually posts multiple projects and communities of practice with the contact information to become involved as they become available.

2.     The Center For the Study of Child Care Employment is a local organization out of Berkley, CA that conducts and provides cutting edge research surrounding the early childhood field that is aimed at proposing policy solutions geared towards improving how early childhood educators are prepared, supported, and rewarded for the work they do to ensure children’s optimal development.  I chose this organization because I believe that children’s optimal development in early childhood settings begins with the early childhood professionals that work in them.  Preparing, supporting, and rewarding early childhood professional’s for the extremely important job that they do is vital in providing quality care for children.

3.     Child Action is a local organization that supports Sacramento County families, educators, and childcare networks.  I chose this organization because it offers communities of practice for both families and early childhood educators.  This organization supports educators in changing and enforcing state policy, provides employment support, training, and employment listings for parents and educators, and assists families financially in order for their children to attend quality programs.  This organization also funds several programs that provide financial assistance for educators to pursue professional growth and further their education.

Job opportunities (currently available or not) that interest me are:

1.     Licensing Program Analyst for the State of California: LPA’s are responsible for licensure of public, private, and (just recently) in home early childcare facilities enforcing guidelines set by Title 22.

2.     Early Education Specialist/Consultant for new and starting early childhood programs of all kinds.

3.     Teaching ECE classes at local community colleges.

4.     One of my aspirations that is non-paying and not necessarily a job, but the next step in my professional experience that I would like to achieve is presenting at NAEYC, CAEYC, and/or SAEYC conferences about an aspect of diversity, my journey as an early childhood professional, or the importance of reflection in any aspect of working with young children.

To fulfill each of these roles will be challenging, but not beyond reach.  While I believe education is very important in the early childhood field, I also feel much credit can be given to those who strive, learn, benefit, and improve from experience.  I would not be where I am today in my thinking and passion for the early childhood field without both the education and experience I have received.  Throughout my journey at Walden I have also come to value the importance of reflection in accomplishing my professional goals in any aspect of the early childhood field.  It is because of all this (my passion, education, and experience) that I feel in order to become an “effective” early childhood professional all these aspects are equally important and necessary.  While every individual brings any one of these aspects to the field of early childhood, an individual that possesses all three will surely make a change or be the driving force behind change!

References

Child Care Law Center (n.d.). Child care law center. Retrieved September 14, 2013, from

http://www.childcarelaw.org/

CSCCE (n.d.). Center for the study of child care employment. Retrieved September 14, 2013,

            from http://www.irle.berkeley.edu/cscce/

NAEYC (n.d.). Teacher Research Initiatives: Teacher Communities of Practice | National

Association for the Education of Young Children | NAEYC. Retrieved September 15, 2013, from https://www.naeyc.org/content/teacher-research-initiatives