Time Well Spent

 October 2012 Our "Amazing Words" Hats

I look back over my master’s journey, and I can’t believe I have made it through such a huge accomplishment.  I feel very blessed to have been able to have had the opportunity to learn so much information, feel like I have all the tools necessary to make a positive change in the early childhood field, and have unconditional support from my family!  I have learned many things from this program, but the top 3 include:

1. Learning about the importance of anti-biased education- Prior to this program, I had never had a course about this topic, and it allowed me to really take a look at my current feelings and practices.  I feel much more responsive to others’ differences now!  Having this knowledge will help me in my career as I work with young children, families, and other educators. 
2. Professional connections- I have never had so many connections with so many people from around the world and with so many backgrounds.  I have learned through this program that having and maintaining these connections can truly help me become a better professional in the early childhood field. 
3. Play is essential- This is not news to me, but after completing my Capstone on this project, I can see how truly important play is in development.  The many studies I came across during my research clearly showed this importance for all children. I was continually shocked to see reports that showed how many early childhood programs, particularly kindergarten, had shown a large decrease in play as well as some programs completely eliminating recess. 

My long-term goal for the future is to advocate for more “play” at the kindergarten level in my school, as well as my school district.  After completing my Capstone, I now feel that I have the proper tools to do this!

I wanted to thank all of you for your feedback, ideas, and support during this journey.  I would love to stay in contact with you in the years to come to continue sharing ideas and offering support.  You can look my up on Facebook under “Kristen VanVleet”, or contact me via email at kristenvanvleet@hotmail.com. 

I will leave you with a picture of me and my girls.  As much as I have enjoyed learning so much over these last two years, I have these two cute faces waiting for some more mommy time! 

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

I have never really thought about looking internationally for different roles in the early childhood field, until this assignment.  After finding these organizations, I am very interested in what they have to offer!

UNICEF- UNICEF is an organization that actively advocates for children’s rights globally.  They have a strong focus on newborn health, girls’ education, immunizations, against the spread of HIV/AIDS, and children’s environments.  When visiting their website you will be excited to find an abundance of information as well as their current focuses.  They have many jobs that are all over the world!  Employment with UNICEF appeals to me because it would be so rewarding to give back to children all over the world, most in very different environments than we are used to.  One particular job that I found with UNICEF is work as an Educational Specialist.  As an Educational Specialist you are responsible for planning, implementing, and following through with the education plan.  This job requires an individual to have a degree in education, social work, or a related degree.  They also need 5 years experience at the national or international level and be fluent in English and the country’s native language.  The only downfall to this job is that the countries that need the most assistance are countries that I would not want to take my own children.   

Save The Children-   This organization is a fantastic organization that works with children and families around the world to make a difference in their lives.  They also come to the assistance for areas that are facing devastation to help rebuild and recover the lives of the children and families involved.  The position here that most intrigues me is the Coordinator for Early Steps for School Success.  As a coordinator in this position, I would be responsible for providing parent education, services for children birth-5, and other training for other early childhood employees.  This position requires a degree in early childhood and 2-3 years experience.  You must have experience working in the homes with children and family.  This job is very similar to my job as a developmental therapist, except it is internationally instead of locally.   

Teaching for Change- This organization provides research and education for parents and family.  They are continually advocating for best practices and developmental appropriate practices.  They also provide professional development for educators.  They currently have a position available for a part-time developmental development specialist.  This specialist will work directly with professionals by training them on specific topics.  Obviously you would need to be an expert on these topics. 

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

During our Master's journey, we have come across many organizations with such great missions and goals.  Honestly, it was very hard to choose just three.  Knowing that the central piece that connects them all is children, makes it all a little easier. 
 

NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children):  Since starting my journey in early childhood education, I have been very interested in the NAEYC.  The NAEYC is a national organization that works very hard to raise the standards and provide quality care for all children age birth through 8 years old.  The NAEYC accreditation programs are well known and families often seek out programs that are NAEYC accredited. A role that interests me with the NAEYC is to become a member of the Council for the NAEYC Accreditation Programs for Young Children.  The duties of the committee members are to approve policies, provide feedback, and oversee all accreditation programs.  When on the committee, you are a member for three years, and attend meetings three times each year. 
 

NAECTE (National Association for Early Childhood Teacher Educators)-  The NAECTE is an association for early childhood educators to come together to learn about current issues and trends, new laws, sharing of information and ideas, and professional development.  I think it is very important for educators to be part of a group in which they can learn from each other.  When we are united, we are stronger.  I know that the NAECTE has officers and regional representatives, who make part of the governing board.  My interest in administration and leadership makes me very interested in being part of a governing board that works to help fellow educators make positive changes in our field.  The governing board members are elected by the members of the association.  Membership is the only pre-requisite to this job. 

Zero to Three- Zero to Three is an organization that I have followed since becoming a Developmental Therapist in 2010.  Indiana’s early childhood intervention system (First Steps) used information and research from Zero to Three in our monthly newsletters.  We were required to read through the information and take quizzes.  Zero to Three is a non-profit organization that provides information and research in order to enhance the lives of children ages birth to three.  They currently do not have a position available for a trainer, but that would be a role that would appeal to me.  Zero to Three provides training through the National Training Institute.  The National Training Institute provides annual training for individuals working in the early childhood field.  A trainer would require a person who is an expert in the field, and has a great depth of knowledge about the content of a specific area.  While I am definitely not at the point yet in my career, it is definitely something to work toward! 

 

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

When I first started my master’s degree journey, I spent many hours researching jobs in the early childhood field.  I was very lucky to start working in early childhood soon after.  I spent two years immersed in working with the birth-three population, and am now currently working with kindergarten students.  Working with young child is fun and rewarding.  During my research I have discovered three very important federal and local programs that are directly focused on the early childhood field, and contain jobs that would be amazing jobs as early childhood professionals. 

Indiana First Steps-Indiana First Steps is an early intervention program that provides services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and developmental therapy for children ages birth-3 years old.  This is a state organization that many others state also have.  I worked for Indiana First Steps for two years as a developmental therapist.  A degree in early childhood education is required in order to be a developmental therapist, or a degree in special education with at least 30 early childhood credits.  This job was very rewarding because I was able to work 1 on 1 with individual children and their families.  I focused on child development and family education.  This is a job that I would consider doing again, and know this is always an option. 

Indiana Family and Social Services Adminstration- Family and Social Services Administration is a state organization that provides assistance for children and families that are facing challenges such as medical, nutrition, and childcare assistance.  They also assist families with rehabilitation and therapeutic services, and mental health care.  A professional career that has always been interesting to me would be working as a case worker.  Many case workers have a bachelor’s degree in a social service field, but can also have a bachelor’s degree in a related field such as education.  I think working one on one with children and families, and making their lives better would be very rewarding.   

Head Start- Head Start is a federal program that provides education services (preschool) for low-income children and families.  This program gives all children a chance to get a preschool education prior to starting kindergarten so that they can be more successful in school.  They promote cognitive, emotional, and physical health in all students.  I would be very interesting in working as a Head Start director.  The qualifications of a director are having a bachelor’s degree in early childhood, administration, or a related field.  The director must also have 2 years of related experience.  As a director, I would also be in charge of the budget and all school operations.  In addition to that, a director should have knowledge of grant programs, and experience working with at-risk families.  This would be a highly stressful, but very rewarding job.      

Thank You!

I have thoroughly enjoyed working with all of you during this course!  I thought it was truly amazing to learn so much for all of your personal stories, and see all of us grow and change personally as well as professionally.  I feel like I was able to learn about the type of communicator I am, and the "why" behind what I do and say.  Last week I mentioned that I will be taking a little break and then starting back up in September.  That is due to changing my specialization to Administration and Leadership.  I hope that some of you are also in that specialization because I would love to continue to work with some of you again!  Enjoy your summers, and best of wishes in your future courses!

Teamwork

The stage of adjourning is very interesting.  I look back on a few meaningful groups I have been a part of and how the adjournment played out.  I have been involved in school district and corporation meetings or staff development days with groups.  In this type of situation, adjourning is usually easy.  You wish people luck, and you know you will most likely see and work with them again since we have the commonality of work.  You have most likely made decisions during these meetings that involved follow-up steps or hard work in order to get them.  I feel that sometimes when you have a goal to work forward to, you adjourn in “task mode”.  

I have been involved in group work with individuals that I did not know prior to and will most likely never see them again, such as jury duty or professional development seminars.  These types of group adjournments can be a little awkward.  You aren’t sure what to say, since you know you will probably never see them again.  Yet you feel like you really got to know them over the course of the day.  

I have also been involved in groups that have been long-lasting.  I worked for 6 years as an elementary teacher.  I formed long-lasting friendships with my co-workers.  When it turned in my letter of resignation, it was the hardest thing I had ever done.  I still keep in touch with many of these former co-workers, and even remain close friends with a few.  It seems as if the groups that are close-knit, and have traveled many ups and downs together have a hard time adjourning.

It will be difficult to say good-bye to the group that I have traveled through this Master’s Program with.  One classmate already said goodbye when she decided to take some time off to give birth and spend time with her new baby.  I will have to say good-bye to many after this course, because I am taking the next class off and starting back up in September with a new specialization.  You feel like you really get to know your classmates, especially those who are very open to share their own personal stories.  I will say goodbye, wish everyone luck, and hope to stay in contact with a few who I feel I have really gotten to know.  Although this stage can be difficult, but it is an essential part to teamwork because I think it brings closure. 

Nonviolent Communication in Action

I am currently working as a developmental therapist.  I have a 2 year old set of twins on my caseload, who will be turning 3 in two months.  At three years old, the children age out of the program and will transition into preschool.  In recent sessions, I voiced my concern about some specific skills that I do not see the children progressing in, and am very concerned due to them starting school soon.  One of those skills is transitions.  These two boys have meltdown and fits when I try to transition from one activity to another.  This would definitely be a problem in preschool in a classroom of 15-20 students.  Mom explained that they don’t have tantrums when the speech therapist is present because she allows the first toy to stay out while she starts engaging them in the second and then puts away the first one when they forget about it.  Mom said that our methods are contradicting each other.  

What would you do in this situation?

My solution to this problem was to first initiate contact with the speech therapist.  We talked some through email, and then scheduled a time when we could meet together for a session to co-treat.  We did that today!  We sat down and discussed what each of our goals were from our specialty, and then planned a strategy that we could use to meet all those goals together.  She admitted that she doesn’t actively think about things like imaginative play, cooperative play, sharing, turn-taking, and transitions because she is so focused on what is going on with the mouth.  It was a great way to learn more about each other’s viewpoints and make a plan to move on from here in the right direction!

Even though there were only two of us, we used group decision making to create goals and plans for these two children.  This is something I learned this week when reading an article from the NVC website.