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.