Exploring Roles in the ECE Community:
Local and State Levels
I found one
local community, Sara E. Raymond School of Early Education (part of District 87
public schools) of interest to me. I
chose this school because it is a pre-kindergarten program for at-risk children
for academic difficulty. In addition,
the program also serves young children with special needs. The program offers half days, either morning
or afternoon. Young children are taught
language, social, research-based curriculum skills, and the program values
structured play. I like that the program
mentions ‘play’ as part of its curriculum.
I also like that teachers are licensed ECE and receive public school
salaries as well!
Sarah E. Raymond: http://raymond.district87.org/pages/Sarah_E__Raymond_School_of_Ear
My second
local community I found is the Child Protection Network (CPN). This organization is also within my community
and serves to protect abused and neglected children. I like this organization because of who and
why it serves. This network is for the
rights of children, even to provide legal assistance, and believes serving
young children serves the greater good of the community. So true!
The organization also receives most of its funding through grants and
donations.
Child Protection Network: http://www.mcleancpn.org/what-we-do/mission-vision.html
My third organization is found
within my state and is the Illinois Association for the Education of Young Children. I like this organization because it is a
strong advocate for young children and their families, like the NAEYC, and is
connected to the NAEYC. This organization
is current on trends, policymaking decisions, opportunities for professional
development, and issues within early childhood along with research, ideas,
policies and standards all adhering to best practices.
Illinois Assoc. for the Edu. Of Young
Children: http://illinoisaeyc.org/
Job opportunities that currently
interest me are becoming an owner/director of a learning center, teaching
college-level courses, and/or any opportunity to be a strong advocate for young
children and their families that provided livable wages. For the aforementioned jobs, I would likely
need training/mentoring and the help of a team of people (within my CoP) to be
able to efficiently and effectively do my job well.
Jana, I really enjoyed reading your post and was impressed with the services that the Sara E. Raymond School of Early Intervention offered. I also am very interested in working with at risk children and those who are experiencing developmental delays. It is refreshing to see that your community is doing their part in this area to ensure that these children are receiving much needed services. Being connected to your local childhood protection agency is a must for all early childhood educators. These children rely on us to be their first line of defense and if we are not willing to be active in this area, their voice will never be heard. Thank you for sharing the great information that you found.
ReplyDeleteHi Jana,
ReplyDeleteThese are great organizations you found within your community. I especially enjoyed reading about the Child Protection Network (CPN). I am not familiar with this organization but was truly drawn to it. Having an organization that helps and protects abused and neglected children is a wonderful support for children and families. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Jana,
ReplyDeleteGreat job selection from local and state agencies. I work with my school district teaching Early Childhood education at the post-secondary level. I enjoy it everyday! I have the opportunity to teach ECE to new preschool teachers and use the pre-k units in my district.
We do have something in common eventually opening a preschool of my own and becoming a community of practice within my community I treasure and love dearly. Great posting, thanks for sharing!
TP
Jana,
DeleteThe organization’s that you selected are very good choices. The Sara E Raymond School of Early Education sounds like and awesome school that I would definitely like to be a part of their organization. I would like to work with children who were at risk of academic difficulty. Illinois Association for the Education of Young Children is an organization that I would definitely benefit from the advocacy for children to the professional development this would definitely help with my career.
Jana
ReplyDeleteI too enjoyed reading your post this week. I share your interest in teaching college level courses to future and current early childhood educators. Your Raymond school sounds like out ECE program that we have here in my school district. Thanks for sharing.
Andrea