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

Websites and Dream Jobs

For my Walden Capstone Challenge I will be researching and developing a plan of action for supporting and developing intergenerational programs where children and older adults can interact and elevate each other's quality of life.

The Links below are to programs that already exist in Ohio.

The Jennings Center for Older Adults   www.jenningscenter.org

Quotes from Jennings Website

"Jennings is an extended family of compassionate health care professionals, volunteers, children, family members and benefactors. Each person offers qualities that continue to help our campus grow and thrive."

"Providing quality care and services depends on people pulling together toward a common mission. By extending our hearts and hands to others, we form relationships that inspire growth and enables us to become whole. Our connection to others defines our existence and allows us to capture the life-giving power within us all."

Friends Care Community of Yellow Springs   www.friendshealthcare.org

A Quote from their Website

"Through its facilities and programs, FCC strives to provide a welcoming, vibrant, and homelike environment.  The buildings and campus include a pre-school program for children, dogs, cats, birds, fish, a greenhouse, playground, community garden, and paved walking paths through woods and gardens.  A broad range of activities is offered for all levels of ability.  The facilities are also frequently used by community members for a variety of activities."

Dream jobs

My ultimate dream job is to be a Professor of Early Childhood Education at a University.  However, this requires a PhD. and experience teaching adults.  I will work on the PhD. later, for now I can work on the experience teaching adults.  I will still need this experience to teach at the Community College level although my M.S. degree is bringing much closer to that more immediate goal.

As the Activities Director at a Nursing Home I would gain experience leading adults.  I would also be able to work in conjunction with a Preschool to arrange frequent visits between the two programs.  However, in order to get this job I need experience so I will need to work as a volunteer first.

A job that I am going to apply for right now is at the local Center of Science and Industry as a Camp and Offsite Programs Teacher.  The job description states:

* In conjunction with camp management, maintain a vision for Camp COSI (on and off site) and Offsite Education Programs to confirm they meet COSI’s mission and values.
*Implement each program in a developmentally appropriate manner focused on individual discovery and guaranteed fun, memorable, and educational experience for each camper.
*Model for and coach paid and Volunteer Team Members to help with their growth.

I believe the modeling and coaching part would be excellent experience while working towards a professor position.