Final Walden post

Time Well Spent

My time at Walden was very well spent.  I do not have one negative thing about this wonderful University and the Early Childhood Studies Program.  I am a firm believer in the philosophies of NAEYC and was not disappointed to find that they were all affirmed by the curriculum at Walden.  I am so grateful to all of my instructors who were fair, kind and always helpful in their suggestions and comments.  I have been enormously blessed to work with so many amazing fellow Early Childhood Professionals who have encouraged and inspired me throughout the program.  I look forward to following everyone's careers and hope to meet many of you at graduation or wherever our paths may cross in the future!

Big Ideas

The Three Lenses

I really grasped the idea that we can analyze any situation through the lenses of our personal life, our professional life and our local setting.  When I did my capstone project I really came full circle when I realized that it is when my three lenses line up to show the same vision that I will be the most fulfilled.  The conclusion of my Capstone project was that I will be happiest then I include my family in my professional life and together we touch our local community and the world through Intergenerational Programming.

Some Things Remain the Same

Another idea that took hold of me is the constant of being an Early Childhood Professional.  No matter how the world changes and the pendulum swings, my commitment to children, families and the Early Childhood Community, including myself,  will always remain the same.

It's A Small World After All

It was wonderful attending school on-line because of the exposure I had to so many people from different parts of the country and world.  Yet in spite of having different cultural backgrounds, our basic needs to be connected with other people, to be heard and understood and to feel needed and fulfilled are the same everywhere.

Inspiration

I remember listening to this song and learning to conduct to it in my Elementary Music Teaching class when I got my undergraduate degree.  It touched my emotions and inspired me then and it still does today.  But I feel I have been surrounded by heroes here at Walden and the hug she gives to her teacher at the end is for all of you!
http://www.vevo.com/watch/whitney-houston/Greatest-Love-Of-All/USAV70000013

My Own Intergenerational Community

We will all be in one picture at my daughter's wedding in September!

Please contact me at wendynewland@yahoo.com.

International Organizations for Early childhood

International Organizations Benefitting Young Children and Employment Opportunities

About Us (www.worldforumfederation.org)

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The mission of the World Forum Foundation is to promote an on-going global exchange of ideas on the delivery of quality services for young children in diverse settings.

Core Values

The World Forum Foundation’s core values are exemplified by the words: Children. Change. Relationships. Spirit. Differences.

All who care about the well-being of the world’s children are invited to participate. Leadership is collaborative, globally diverse, provided by a multitude of diverse volunteers and a small, dedicated staff.

ISSA (www.issa.nl)

A learning community for inclusive, equitable and high-quality care and education for all young children

ISSA is a vibrant network connecting professionals and non-profit organizations working in the field of early childhood development. ISSA’s community stretches across the globe with members in over 40 countries, primarily in Europe and Central Asia. Building upon the Step by Step Program initiated by the Open Society Foundations in 1994, ISSA aims to ensure equal access to quality care and education for all young children from birth to 10 years old. More about ISSA »

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) (www.oecd.org)

Our mission

The mission of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is to promote policies that will improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world.


The OECD provides a forum in which governments can work together to share experiences and seek solutions to common problems. We work with governments to understand what drives economic, social and environmental change. We measure productivity and global flows of trade and investment. We analyse and compare data to predict future trends. We set international standards on a wide range of things, from agriculture and tax to the safety of chemicals.


We also look at issues that directly affect everyone’s daily life, like how much people pay in taxes and social security, and how much leisure time they can take. We compare how different countries’ school systems are readying their young people for modern life, and how different countries’ pension systems will look after their citizens in old age.

Drawing on facts and real-life experience, we recommend policies designed to improve the quality of people's lives. We work with business, through the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD (BIAC), and with labour, through the Trade Union Advisory Committee (TUAC). We have active contacts as well with other civil society organizations. The common thread of our work is a shared commitment to market economies backed by democratic institutions and focused on the well being of all citizens. Along the way, we also set out to make life harder for the terrorists, tax dodgers, crooked businessmen and others whose actions undermine a fair and open society.

I chose these organizations because they have been operating for several years and are dedicated to identifying common problems around the world and sharing solutions that have worked.  Each website lists opportunities for visiting different countries to learn about their operations.  That is the benefit I see for me in following these organizations.

As an employee of one of these organizations I would need to be willing to relocate, travel a lot, operate on a one year at a time contract and have an understanding of the economics involved with funding childhood programs around the world.  I do not feel I am ready for such a position at this time but you never know.

Organizations and CoP on a national and international level and additional job ideas

Early Childhood Organizations and additional Job possibilities

The Terri Lynne Lokoff Childcare Foundation

  www.tllccf.org

From their mission statement:

"The TLLCCF was founded in August 1987 by Kay and Fred Lokoff to honor the memory of their daughter Terri who died tragically in a car accident in 1986. The TLLCCF is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization is dedicated to making America better by improving early care and education. Our role is to enhance the lives of children and child care teachers and providers in the child care community, and to heighten the awareness of the public to the need and definition of quality child care. We support nonprofit, nonsectarian childcare programs dedicated to excellence and raises awareness of the critical role high-quality early care and education plays in commerce and society. The TLLCCF’s funds have directly benefited thousands of children, program providers and students studying early care and education. The Foundation also recognizes and rewards teachers nationwide for excellence and dedication."

I like this organization because it is founded by the loved ones of a deceased early childhood teacher.  They are uniquely acquainted with the needs and dreams of early childhood professionals.  I especially  like their efforts to enrich children's lives through museum collaborations and their efforts to reward great teachers.

The High Scope Educational  Research Foundation

www.highscope.org

About Us

"WHO WE ARE — MISSION AND VISION

HighScope Educational Research Foundation is an independent nonprofit research, development, training, and public outreach organization with headquarters in Ypsilanti, Michigan. HighScope's mission is to lift lives through education. We envision a world in which all educational settings use active participatory learning so everyone has a chance to succeed in life and contribute to society."

The High Scope Educational Research Foundation began with the Perry School project in the 1960's in Ypsilanti, Michigan which led to the beginning of the Head Start program.  Today they have a wealth of information for teachers, administrators, parents and researchers.  Their research work is on an international level.  A search of their website took me to many great articles on intergenerational programs to use for my Capstone project.

Generations United

www.gu.org

"About Us

Generations United’s mission is to improve the lives of children, youth, and older adults through intergenerational collaboration, public policies and programs for the enduring benefit of all. For nearly three decades, Generations United has been the catalyst for policies and practices stimulating cooperation and collaboration among generations, evoking the vibrancy, energy and sheer productivity that result when people of all ages come together. We believe that we can only be successful in the face of our complex future if generational diversity is regarded as a national asset and fully leveraged."

It was like Christmas when I found this organization.  They are all about developing and supporting new intergenerational programs!

My Job Search

This week I looked at two jobs that would require traveling on a regular local route.

One is for the local library.

Ready to Read Program Supervisor - FT - Master's Degree required
Columbus Metropolitan Library - Gahanna, OH

Seeing that this job requires a Master's degree did my heart good.  So many of the jobs that catch my eye only require a high school graduate.  I know I would not have been ready to supervise other adults with just a high school diploma so that can be disheartening.  Unfortunately, I think the thought behind it is if they hire someone with more education they have to pay them more.  This is a sad state of affairs in our country that everything great for children has to be done on the cheap.

Another job is for the local Help Me Grow.  Several of my friends do this particular job and I plan to have specific conversations with them about the travel and home visiting it involves.  It is on a flexible schedule which could be something I'd enjoy.  It requires a minimum of a Bachelor's degree.

Help Me Grow - Home Visitor
Youth Advocate Services - Columbus, OH