Time Well Spent

Dear Friends,

After two years this is a very difficult time as to say goodbye to friends is not easy. I have enjoyed every moment here at Walden University, through many ups and downs. My loving friends you've been so important to me and I'll never forget you. In you I had everything; I had the motherly figure, a cool colleague, the smart English humor, a spiritual guide, an experienced professor, an eager mentor, and loving and compassionate teachers. You can say I had it all, so why does it have to end? Because, we have met the requirements, took the challenge, created future plans for ourselves and the children and families we serve as well as, made new resolutions to fight for children and their families.

I won't be far so please keep in touch, my email address is delihtfultan@yahoo.com.

Thank you to you all. I'll have you always in my thoughts.

Three deeply felt learning’s from this program:

1. Having a diverse group of students simply means recognizing that all the people are unique in their own way.

2. Their differences could consist of their reading level, athletic ability, cultural background, personality, religious beliefs, and the list goes on.

3. There has always been diversity in the classroom, but in today society it is important to embrace it and make positive use of it.

long-term goal

• Continuing to network and communicate with colleagues from various disciplines in order to learn from each others' best practices;
• Continuing to do research and readings on teaching practices that I can learn from.

International Organizations

The Hunger Project because of their mission statement which states “To end hunger and poverty by pioneering sustainable, grassroots, women-centered strategies and advocating for their widespread adoption in countries throughout the world.”

World Vision International because of provides a range of interventions tailored to the context, including programs in education, health, economic development, microfinance, agriculture, water and sanitation. By helping community members help each other, World Vision ensures that the process of positive change continues long after development staff has left.

CARE is an organization in Atlanta, GA that “tackles underlying causes of poverty so that people can become self-sufficient. Recognizing that women and children suffer disproportionately from poverty, CARE places special emphasis on working with women to create permanent social change. Women are at the heart of CARE's community-based efforts to improve basic education, increase access to quality health care and expand economic opportunity for all. CARE also delivers emergency aid to survivors of war and natural disasters, and helps people rebuild their lives in the aftermath.”

Job opportunities: CARE is seeking an experienced Senior Technical Advisor, Maternal & Child Nutrition (MCN). S/he will play an integral role in strengthening CARE’s nutrition programming and integrating nutrition into programming for food security, humanitarian assistance, maternal health and early childhood development. Nutrition is critical to the broad range of development outcomes CARE seeks to achieve across sectors and contributes measurably to breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty.

CARE works to reduce poverty and increase social justice for the poor and vulnerable, focusing on the key role of empowering women to bring lasting change to families and communities. The CARE USA Health Equity Unit collaborates with partners in developing, supporting implementation, and evaluating programs to improve health and well-being, and to generate and share knowledge on the relationships between health, equity and empowerment to maximize global impact.

The STA, MCN will provide leadership and technical expertise in maternal and child nutrition programming; measurement of nutrition programming impacts and contribution to multiple health and development outcomes; documentation of the most effective program approaches; and knowledge sharing within CARE and externally. This includes focusing on inter-relationships between underlying social and structural causes of poverty, poor health and under-nutrition, and using women's and community empowerment approaches as one strategy to catalyze scalable and sustainable change. The STA, MCN will work closely with Country Offices in designing, monitoring, evaluating and providing ongoing collaboration and technical support for programming aimed at improving the nutritional status of women and young children. The STA will facilitate the integration of nutrition into other CARE program sectors, specifically the CARE International Food Security strategy and Maternal Health programming, which are priorities for CARE. S/he will develop technically appropriate materials and tools for capacity building that will meet the needs of varying cultures and work environments. The STA will also work closely with other team members to ensure that the most appropriate and up to date technical strategies and tools are used in implementation, monitoring and evaluation (including the use of data for decision-making), communications, and knowledge sharing.

Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership for nutrition throughout CARE International (CI);
• Technical Support to Country Offices;
• Coordinate knowledge generation and sharing;
• Build strategic partnerships;
• Secure funding for nutrition programming;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required skills:

• MPH with at least 7 years experience in global nutrition programming OR PhD in nutrition or related field with some additional training in nutrition, food security or other relevant specialization and at least 2 years experience in global nutrition programming;
• 2-7 years experience in nutrition programming and provision of technical assistance in nutrition, depending on academic background;
• Experience working with non-profit organizations;
• Experience in program design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation;
• Demonstrated technical leadership;
• Experience with research and analytical skills;
• Experience working overseas;
• Experience working with donors, writing or reviewing reports and ensuring adherence to donor agreements;
• Technical expertise in nutrition;
• Support for nutrition programming or provision of nutrition technical assistance in developing country context;
• Relevant experience in community approaches;
• Program design, monitoring and evaluation skills;
• Excellent verbal and written English skills, particularly communication skills for diverse audiences;
• Demonstrated ability to conceptualize and operationalize program strategies;
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relationships with government, donors, community leaders and other development partners;
• Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet software, and data processing;
• Ability to prepare presentations and write articles for publication.

References:

http://www.thp.org/what_we_do/mission

http://www.wvi.org/wvi/wviweb.nsf/maindocs/018080C3FFC683ED88257387007D112C?opendocument

http://www.care.org/about/index.asp

national/federal organizations

NCCP: National Center for Children in Poverty

The quote of the director as well as her passion which states “For young children to thrive, they need high-quality health care and early learning experiences, as well as nurturing parents who are economically secure,” said Dr. Jane Knitzer, report co-author and Director of NCCP. “Poor and low-income children regardless of where they live—have the same needs, but we found significant inequities and inadequacies across the states in their early childhood policies.”

UNICEF: United Nations Children’s Fund

Because their belief and values of children having rights, knowing the world is setting goals for the children, knowing that poverty can end if we focus on the children first as well as us saying “yes” to children.

NAEYC: National Association for the Education of Young Children

Because of their

Goals

1.      “Improving professional practice and working conditions in early childhood education.

2.      Supporting early childhood programs by working to achieve a high-quality system of early childhood education.

3.      Building a high-performing, inclusive organization of groups and individuals who are committed to promoting excellence in early childhood education for all young children.”

Vision Statement

·         “All children have access to a safe and accessible, high quality early childhood education that includes a developmentally appropriate curriculum; knowledgeable and well-trained program staff and educators; and comprehensive services that support their health, nutrition, and social well-being, in an environment that respects and supports diversity.

·         All early childhood professionals are supported as professionals with a career ladder, ongoing professional development opportunities, and compensation that attracts and retains high quality educators.

·         All families have access to early childhood education programs that are affordable and of high quality and actively participate in their children's education as respected reciprocal partners.

·         All communities, states, and the nation work together to ensure accountable systems of high-quality early childhood education for all children.”

Executive Director:

A Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education ( Masters degree preferred) or related field. 5+ years of center management experience in an early childhood setting. Excellent written and oral communication and knowledge of early childhood curriculum needed. Ability to build strong relationships with staff, parents and the Board of Directors.

References:

http://www.nccp.org/media/releases/release_24.html

http://www.naeyc.org/about/mission

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

The CDF better known as the Child Defense Fund

UNICEF better known as United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund

Head Start

The three organizations above all focus on young children in poverty. Knowing that these organizations are making a difference in a child’s life is beneficial to me. With my assistance whether I am an assistant director or director in either organization, I can set forth the vision to empower.

Reflecting

Hi All,


I have enjoyed my time here and will miss the team. Thank you for all the support, insights, and help you have provided me over the past 8 weeks.

Team Building and Collaboration

In the winter of 2004, I left a job that I had for 15 years. It is a non-profit organization that inspires girls between the ages of 6 to 18 years of age to be strong, smart and bold. I started Girls Incorporated of Albany as a member to being a membership clerk to tutoring to have my own classroom as well as being a manager for my own center. Leaving that job and those girls was the toughest job, I ever had to do. The reason why I left is because I wasn’t making enough money to support my lifestyle as well as me wanting to go to school and better myself. As I look back, I’m glad I did what I did however; I still volunteer from time to time teaching and aspire the girls to be strong, educated, nurtured and loved. A lot of the girls, I taught back then still remember me and remember quotes and comments I gave to them. To this very day, I have to come by my job and tell me of her success and what I meant to her. At times, I want to cry, but then I look and smile and remember it was me that did that, it was me that helped her.

Nonviolent Communication and Conflict Management

Even though, I have been a manager in my department for nine months now, I have an employee that still compares to the manger before. I have tried to comprise, listen and give her my viewpoint of who I am and what I do and that I’m nothing like the manger before me. The manager before would yell at her associates; hound them like they were little children who don’t understand. She is the type of manger that does not respect most of her employees unless you were her favorite. At times, I feel she needs to move to her department and work back under her, because of the control the other manager has, but she is good at what she does and she has a respected amount of cliental. When I first took the position, I told each associate that I’m not there mama and we are here to serve customers and work as a team. I told them, I will respect, and listen and honor any request or any situations that may occur, however, all I want is respect and in open mind to any task that I may need done. What am I to do about this employee that refuses to listen and still compares me to the other manager?  My store manager already knew about her attitude so talking with him has failed he figures by me being a manger I can figure something out but I can’t, I don’t know what else to do.

Who Am I as a Communicator?

The similarities I have are actually the same. I am known as a people person. I do listen to others and follow the platinum rule; however I do not get the same response back I return by others at times. If you were to acknowledge or know me you would say the same. The best way to improve communication is to identify what needs to be communicated, establish an organizational culture of opened doors, collaborative sharing and giving support. 

3 Strategies of Effective Communication

Yes, I communicate differently with other people from different groups and cultures. With my family, communication opens the door where we understand, trust, and respect each other. When a member of my family feels the need to talk to someone who will listen to them when life gets rough, they feel more secure in the family they are in. Being able to trust and rely on family can make for a happier family environment where both the parties can feel healthy, safe and secure as well as loved. With my neighbor’s it’s hard to describe, but we have mutual respect for each other’s property, but when it comes to listening to another we all seem to have different opinions about what is right and what is wrong. My colleagues at school, the feelings are mutual as well, we give viewpoints and express how we feel about certain situations, however, we understand one another. With my co-workers, I have to set myself as an example, because I am a business manager in the department store, I work in. However, I listen, I treat them like I want to be treated, and I put everything in writing that goes on as well as make myself available to them. Regardless if its family, colleagues, neighbors and co-workers, three strategies I would use to be more effective in all aspects is by me listening, respecting, and understanding each and every one of them.

Communication on Television

As I sat here on Tuesday, I began to watch the television show, called “It’s worth what” starring Cedric the Entertainer. Viewing the show with no sound, I could tell that the two contestants were probably married or either boy friend and girlfriend. As they were guessing the price of the different antique items, I could tell that they had feeling for one another due to their body language as well as showing empathy as they trusted each other on their judgments to win the prize money. As I continued to view the show without words, I also noticed the disappointment in their facial expression, as well as their posture when they received the correct answer for the antique car. Re-watching the show with words did approve my assumptions. They were a couple who was engaged to be married. She trusted his judgments as well as him trusting hers. When they did answer some the question correctly he politely hugged her and kissed on her forehead, indicating thank you. The words they expressed and the facial expression of excitement proved that they were happy and continent with one another.  My overall assumption however, would still remain the same regardless of what television show I watch. We can make assumptions on many different things but the vibes, facial expressions, the tone of a person voice, the words they say and how we listens portrays the character of being a communicator.

What is Communication?

Michelle Obama is a competent communicator. She demonstrates the ability to express her feelings and the rights of others. She portrays being direct, open and honest, and clarifies her needs to other people.  I would want to model some of Michelle Obama communication behaviors, primarily because her values and beliefs interest me. As an educator we have to be open, honest, direct and understanding and she portrays the image of an educator. However, being an effective communicator takes real skills. Communication skills have to be developed, honed, and added to on-going basis. Communication is the heart of our interpersonal skills and the more we are aware of this the better we will be.

Reflecting on Learning

Hi Everyone!!!!!
My most passionate hope is for children, their families including myself to build a solid foundation in collaboration with parents to insure the best education for that child.


I have enjoyed my time here and will miss the team. Thank you for all the support, insights, and help you have provided me over the past 8 weeks.

Jamaica

Jamaica, I’m planning a trip for me and my husband as an anniversary present and I would like to know more about this country and the struggle they face.


Challenges children in Jamaica face are identified by the struggle that deeply affects them by the violence that is a part of their daily existence. Some of the challenges include exposure to sex, to being shot at; being robbed, and being a victim of violence due to the loss of a family member or close friend to murder. These experiences traumatized these children so bad that they cried, while others whimpered quietly or were unnaturally withdrawn as well as students telling stories of their fears sketched in their drawings illustrating stick figures holding and shooting guns, children armed with weapons, portraits of their parents, siblings and grandparents dying by gunfire.

Intervention strategies to reduce children's exposure to violence should include community education on the impact of exposure to violence on children, particularly the loss of a significant person, and the development of a range of school-based violence prevention programs. The thought of the teachers doing praises dances in the classroom, to help children cope with the fear of violence is a great success. The children are able to open and express themselves spiritually.

As an educator, we are good at guiding, leading, loving and showing children that it is okay to open up and express themselves. If they see us do it, they will be inspired.

Reference:

http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/index.html.

The Sexualization of Early Childhood

If you think about it the average child in the United States today has countless opportunities for exposure to sexualized messages every day. Television, music, billboards, prints media, Internet, and cell phones offer children numerous possibilities where they can encounter sexual messages of all sorts. In some homes kids are only a click away from seeing sexual intercourse. Others children however, (like me at a young age) are being exposed to actual sexual behavior in their daily lives that gets played out by the adults and older siblings around them.


If you look at the photo above you can see, how the little girls are dressed up like grown woman. I personally feel that a child needs to be a child, when they are about 16 its okay for them to be in pageants. Doesn’t everybody remember Joan Marie Ramsey? She was a pretty little girl, who grew up to fast. I personally feel that the mother was living her life through her daughter. Another show that comes on television is “Toddlers and Tiaras”. This show brings out the cruelty in the parents as well as exposing the little toddler’s sexuality. For some people, they think that it helps build confidence and instills great values in the children. I personally say no.

Reference of picture image:

mrscottyl.blogspot.com

Evaluating Impacts on Professional Practice

Classism is held in place by a system of beliefs and cultural attitudes that ranks people according to economic status, family lineage, job status, level of education, and other divisions. Middle-class and owning- or ruling-class people (dominant group members) are seen as smarter and more articulate than working-class and poor people (subordinated groups). In this way, dominant group members (middle-class and wealthy people) define for everyone else what is “normal” or “acceptable”. People who are poor/working class sometimes internalize the dominant society’s beliefs and attitudes toward them, and play them out against themselves and others of their class. However, schools play a central role in maintaining classism. All (from every socio-economic class) children’s learning is diminished by the effects of institutionalized and personal class bias. For example, a child living in poverty cannot afford a persona; computer to complete homework assignments because their family being of the poor working class.  When I was in middle school, I witness an incident, where a girl at my school wore the same clothes at least twice a week, because her parents could not afford to buy and wash her clothes. She was a very bright student, but could never complete online assignments because she did not have a personal computer. One of the teacher, at times allowed her to go to the library to complete her assignments. I felt that this was noble of the teacher however, regardless of what class a family is in, they deserve a chance.

Observing Communication

Communication is the sending of information from one person to another. Before parents and their children can communicate, both must feel comfortable enough to do so. While their children are very young, parents should begin setting the stage for open, effective communication. Parents can do this by making themselves available to their children when they have questions or just want to talk. Furthermore, parents who provide their children with plenty of love, understanding and acceptance are helping to create a climate for open communication. Children who feel love and acceptance by their parents are more likely to open up and share their thoughts, feelings, and concerns with their parents.


Just the other day I was in a toy store, picking up a gift for my nephew for his birthday. I overheard a parent complementing their child for picking up a toy in the aisle, another child left behind. The parent quoted “Daniel, I appreciate you picking up that ball that was in the aisle that was an excellent choice you made”. The child however, made eye contact back with the parent and said “thank you, I did not want anybody falling or hurting themselves.”

Listening and observing the communication between the parent and child was an excellent scenario. The parent immediately gave praise to their child as well as making eye contact and observing what David did. When it comes to my own interactions with children, I will do is keep my conversations brief. Primarily because, the goal is for us to pass on information a little at a time while checking to see if the child is paying attention to what is being said. We should let the child decide when enough is enough. We can look for clues that the child has had enough. Some clues include fidgeting, lack of eye contact, distractibility, etc. We need to know when to communicate with the child, because what they have to say is just as important. Often times too, we are distracted when the child is talking.

My Family Child Care Home

Based on the reading “visual and material environment from Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves by Louise Derman-Sparks and Julie Olsen Edwards, I have come created a vision of my family child care center. In my family child care center I would have books, magazines, toys, furniture, poster and various art pieces that will engage young children and their families. Books would include age appropriate books such as big books for 2 through 4 years old as well as having different books for the other ages that are fiction, nonfiction, and nursery rhymes just to name a few. Magazines would be books related to science such as the national geographic, and any other books that goes along with their subjects. Toys would consist of dolls, play dough, trains, blocks, etc. Furniture would be at the level for students. For example, for toddlers it would be small chairs and tables. Poster and various art pieces would tie into the different cultures in the classroom. I love green plants, it enhances the room. Besides a welcome sign, guidelines, rules, expectations and a huge smile on my face, is all the indication I need to assure parents they are in the right place.


As Adriana Castillo mentioned, I would also like to create a special place for students to bring something from home that is sentimental to demonstrate that you are welcomed and loved.