Time Well Spent...

Throughout this Capstone journey, I have learned so many valuable lessons, on building a strong foundation, on challenge in which I am so passionate about. I have worked in the early childhood field for over 16 years. In that time, I have completed many courses, towards furthering my skills as a professional.

One important lesson I learned while in this course was how to create a worddle of words, that were powerful, and resonated most in my life. Those words were a reflection of things I had observed in young children and families, feelings I experienced, and goals that are not yet completed, but are on my list to accomplish.

The next lesson I gained from this course, is how to take a challenge in which I was so passionate about, build a team of strong individuals, that will work in collaboration with myself, to advocate for a solution.

Finally, the most important lesson, which resonated most to myself, was finding out the type of leader, I am currently, and finding out the type of leader, I wish to become. Finding your strengths, admitting areas to work on, and setting goals to improvement, will only enhance my skills as an early educator, as well as making marketable, for higher positions in the future.

My long term goal, will be to continue advocating for; Play-based learning, not only in preschool children, but possibly within primary schools as well.

I would like to thank Dr. E, for her strong encouragement, positive, and helpful feedback through each application and discussion. To my colleagues, I have enjoyed getting to know each member on my team, through Blogs, and discussions. I appreciate the peer support, I recieved as well.

Good luck to each of you, and I hope to meet you all, as we walk the stage towards new beginnings in our lives. Please stay in touch!

Contact Information: Cynthia Wright Mickens

cinjean22@yahoo.com

 

cynthia.wright2@waldenu.edu

 

cmickens@verneremail.org

 

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

In this week’s blog application, we were asked to locate International organizations, involved in the early education filed.

The first organization I found was; Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI). This particular organization is of interest to me because;  they share new approaches to the education of children and ensuring that these approaches are delivered in ways that enhance children's individual skills and abilities and provide opportunities for success in life. They participate in global education coalitions and childhood well-being campaigns that advance policies and drive funding levels for education and other social services, thereby impacting vast numbers of children internationally.

At this particular time, ACEI only has volunteer and Internship positions available. You can apply for either program at:

Please send to ACEI via fax or email:
• A cover letter that indicates why you are interested in the internship, briefly describes your qualifications, and indicates the timeframe during which you would be available. You should also indicate whether you are seeking a full time or part time internship.
• A resume or C.V.
Fax: 202-372-9989
Email: mallen@acei.org This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (Michelle Allen, Operations Manager)

The next International organization, International Early Childhood Education (ICF International), was launched in India in 2007 to tackle some of the major challenges facing early childhood education in India, including a lack of:

·         Updated national early childhood education standards

·         A national licensing and accreditation system

·         Child care resource and referral system

·         Professional development system

ICY International is looking for individuals who may have degrees as an; analysts, engineers, technologists, communications specialists, scientists, project managers, and more. The interesting part about ICF not being too specific to certain positions, is that they offer a Professional Development program, which offers trainings, and resources, to enhance your skills in any career.

ICF provides:

From assisting utilities with energy-efficiency campaigns to managing natural resources, ICF is at the frontlines of innovation and solutions for a healthier planet.

Whether developing threat prevention strategies to protect the traveling public or helping child welfare programs more effectively reach at-risk groups, ICF strives to improve quality of life worldwide.

In the field and at home, ICF assists U.S. defense agencies with all aspects of operations, recruitment, training, logistics, and leadership development http://www.icfi.com/careers.

UNICEF organization was my final choice. UNICEF partnerships in early childhood development to promote wider investments in young children, the scaling up of critical programs and the broader fulfillment of children’s rights. 

I chose UNICEF because they provide so many resources to children all over the world. UNICEF has not only provided funding for education in 3^rd world countries, but also water, housing, and farming resources.

UNICEF also provides resources involving”

·         Child protection and inclusion.

·         Child survival.

·         Education.

·         Gender equality.

·         Relief funding/National disasters.

Employment:

For warehouse employment:
Individuals interested in employment in the Supply Division warehouse in Copenhagen should have a command of English and be in good physical health. Possession of a Class B Forklift certificate is advantageous. Female applicants are encouraged.

http://www.unicef.org/supply/index_employment.html