Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: National/Federal Level

Thinking globally for impacting the field of early childhood what we could all strive to do. While our daily contributions locally are attributing to this, it is important to not limit ourselves for expanding further and using our influence for the betterment of young children and other professionals.

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Child & Youth Services (CYS) offers programs for military members families such as Child Development Centers (CDC )for childcare to Teen Centers for recreation, and other programs to cover the middle years for school-age children. CYS has a great effect on the military community services and provides high-quality and affordable care for young children. Child & Youth Services (n.d.) explains "at CYS, we have the most important clients in the world" military families and their kids". Seeking employment for one of the many programs is completed through USAJobs. Through this website you can view many opportunities for employment worldwide. 

One position that stood out to me is CYS Coordinator. This job is summarized as "Applies extensive, professional knowledge to plan, implement, and supervise a comprehensive program that promotes positive growth and development of children and youth. Provides program oversight and accountability for the performance of staff and the safety and well being of children and youth IAW Department of Defense (DoD), Army and local policies and standards. Ensures staff follow risk management procedures (i.e., abuse prevention, identification, and reporting procedures; etc.)" (CYS Coordinator NF-05, n.d.). As with many of the positions with CYS, a background as well as a preferred undergraduate degree with early childhood is a qualifying factor. Preferred experienced with CYS or other accredited programs as well as leadership roles.

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National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is the pinnacle of the early childhood field. From standards to publications to conventions, this organization is one that every early childhood professional should be familiar with and even refer to on a regular basis. I hope to one day become a member.

Current job postings were more administrative with a Book Director and a Sales Coordinator, which neither interest me as both are not fully within my passion when it comes to being an early childhood professional. One position I would aspire for with in NAEYC would be a contributing author either within YC: Young Children or on the blog. For this assignment I would need to be credible as well as knowledgeable about the full scope of issues, trends, and other varying topics that are all current and relevant for other professionals. Earning a higher education can attribute to this but also maintaining previous employment that can promote myself as an expert professional could aide in being prepared for this position.

Photo Credit: NHSA.org

National Head State Association (NHSA) offers a programs that all children are welcomes to  learn and develop within as well as encompassing the whole family. The Head State Model (n.d.) is explained simply as developed over the decades has been build on evidence-based practices and is constantly adapting - using the best available science and teaching techniques to meet the needs to local communities".  

While the current job openings list was vacant, I did explore the internship section. If I were in the area  of these internships I would strongly consider one to further myself as an early childhood professional. NHSA's Internship Program (2019) presents itself as "designed to introduce college students to the daily workings of a nonprofit advocacy organization, including national and grassroots advocacy, research, communications, and more". The two internships that I would be highly interested in would be the Government Affairs or the Effective Practice Intern and are described as: "The government affairs intern will have the opportunity to attend congressional briefings and hearings, participate in team meetings and discussion, and will participate in bi-weekly professional development lunches" and the effective practice intern's "will gain valuable understanding of the high-quality early care and education services that Head Start provides, policies that impact these services, and how NHSA can support the field to improve these services. Interns will have the opportunity to communicate with the Head Start field at a national level to understand current challenges and concerns for addressing the immediate and constantly changing needs of individual children and families" (NHSA's Internship Program, 2019). Each of these would provide me with a wealth of knowledge and experience to apply to many area of the early childhood field. 

References
Child & Youth Services. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.armymwr.com/programs-and-services/family-assist/child-youth-school-services
CYS Coordinator NF-05. (n.d.) Retrieved from
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/540860300
NHSA's Internship Program. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.nhsa.org/nhsas-internship-program
The Head Start Model. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.nhsa.org/why-head-start/head-start-model

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

Photo Credit: http://headstart.gbaps.org

The Head Start program is one that tis always near to my heart. The mission of serving families and providing a high quality whole child learning environment encompasses much of my passion for this field. I had several siblings attend this program and I also had the opportunity to intern in a Head Start in New York. The knowledge and experience I gained in this short twelve weeks is still something I carry with me in my present position.

While none of my local programs are currently hiring, I do know a bachelor's degree or higher is required by many programs to be a lead teacher. If the degree has a concentration of early childhood  then you are a prime candidate. Knowledge of knowing how to plan and implement curriculum is important for this position. 

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While many of us utilize the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), it is important to become involved with the state level programs. While living in New York and North Carolina, I was able to attend yearly conferences to grow my breadth of knowledge and I look forward to doing the same here in Washington. The values of bettering early childhood professionals in our own state and communities is a powerful message that still holds the national values and brings them home to make an impact locally.

Currently WAYEC is currently not hiring at the moment. I am sure experience in the early childhood field is important as well as higher eduction.

Photo Credit: lynnschools.org

Child Find is a program that is known by varying names dependent upon the community/location but this program offers free screenings for young children who may have varying developmental concerns. This program is very important for any early childhood professional to support a family who may have concerns because early intervention is often the key to future success for every child.

While I was unable to locate any openings in my local area, I did  locate other forms that listed requirements and Frederick Public Schools Special Education Early Childhood/Child Find Services Coordinator  seems to be the most thorough with requiring immense experience as well as education. 

While I currently love my position as a preschool teacher in a private setting, I know my heart yearns for me to help other early childhood professionals progress in a manner that reaches more young children. Occasionally I will do some job searching while watching television and recently I came upon a position that spoke to my heart and I knew it is what I want to do in the future. The opening was for an Education Specialist/Teacher Trainer. The description detailed a collaboration amongst myself and teachers to build valuable curriculum and also train teachers on classroom skills. Another aspect of the position is to ensure young children with varying abilities are supported in a manner that allows for full participation. 

I am still quite young within the early childhood field, I know I want more experience in the classroom prior to stepping into this role. The listing did not require any more education that I have obtained thus far and there were not any extenuating certificates needed. I know I would need a dispositions and passion for wanting to help others to succeed and this is something that has been building in my throughout this my graduate journey. I often share my knowledge with my colleagues because I want everyone to be able to offer each child his/her best.