Time Well Spent

What an amazing journey we are accomplishing!  Finally doing it, for some of us we ran through this program quickly.  Others, we casually accomplished each class full of work and growth.  The point is that we have each finished.  I'm expecting this arrangement of balloons to fall from the sky or a choir to begin their final song when I hit that "send" button turning in my last assignment.  While that probably won't happen, the feeling of accomplishment and success during this journey is evident!

During my time at Walden, I have grown within my professional life.  Learning communication and how to better communicate in tough positions was a course that came at the most perfect time.  I recall having many challenges during that school year, and having coursework that directly related to what I was battling professionally gave me the encouragement and "know how" as to new tactics to use (that worked).  I feel prepared to do more within the early childhood field!  I am leaving this program with the encouragement that I can do it.  I am empowered that I am capable.  Most importantly, I believe it!

Thank you to each colleague that contributed either to postings that I made on the blog or discussion where you wrote responses and those that wrote challenges positions that caused me to research more and find our more details.  These types of experiences and cognitive growth will continue to be strengthened throughout my career!

Dr. Dartt, thank you for sharing your words of wisdom where needed while also asking challenging questions that required me to think "why".  Your direction throughout this course supplied feedback while also allowing us to choose for ourselves instead of forcing a one way thinking, thank you for allowing us to think and grow without forcing opinions on us.  I needed that!

My next goal is National board certification and continuing to develop my training status within the state of West Virginia (STARS Trainer).  Then on to my doctorate.  Life is a forever journey of learning and I do not want it to stop. 

Hoping to stay in contact with you, I was very encouraged when Reem sent an email about the facebook page information.  What a great avenue, that most of us are on daily, to stay connected and encourage each other!  Thanks Reem for thinking ahead and being proactive!  Also Walden has a FB page if you haven't already become a "fan" of their page.

Walden University's Early Childhood FB page

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

At least three international organizations or communities of practice that appealed to you and why you chose them

• More Than Me Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization started by a Katie Meyler from New Jersey.  This organization empowers girls with education and opportunity in the West Point Slum of Liberia.  Through this organization girls are gaining diplomas, staying out of prostitution, furthering their lives and bettering their community!  Katie was a classmate while at Valley Forge (undergraduate program) and was led by passion to pursue this non profit.  Seeing her fulfill her dreams and making dreams happen for others is amazing.  This organization is about more than just education, but it is about empowering girls to be strong and to give them something more.  I am gifted the ability to have been born an American, with that comes freedoms and responsibilities that many people take advantage of.  Katie is showing that education for girls should be given to all!
• Positions like Assistant Principal, Communications specialist, guest house manager, primary school teacher, school nurse, social worker, keys to success manager, and transitional coach are available now.  Qualifications range from degrees with years of experience but all require an agreement with what More Than Me Foundation stand for.  These positions are very intriguing for me as giving back to communities that are less fortunate have always been on my heart.  If you are interested in a position overseas with an organization that believes in women and a change for little girls, this is one for you!
• INTESOL Worldwide Ltd. is an organization that acts as head hunter for finding educators to travel to other countries (usually Korea is the largest need) to teach either English as a foreign language, English as a second language, or teaching English to speakers of other languages.  These programs usually provide funds for flights (after contract is completed) and offer a decent stipend for the work.  Included in the stipends traditionally is housing (although this could mean sharing a small flat or traditional country's housing with strangers).  The work is rewarding the time away from family is challenging, but the travel and opportunity to experience the world on "holidays" is wonderful! This organization is an asset to people that don't have connections to serve as an educator in another country and enables the contacts to grow in depth.  Having a friend that was affiliated with INTESOL, I saw the many bonuses of giving back in this way.  Awesome opportunities!
• For positions like teachers, most countries require a Masters degree in education and a teaching certificate, but with Korea they are in such a high need that accepting a bachelors degree with one year experience could qualify a person.  Taking a TEFL course to be certified in teaching abroad would also be required.  BUT as a reminder, in places like Korea where these teachers are in such high demand, a bachelors degree would suffice.
• NAFSA "believe that international education advances learning and scholarship, fosters understanding and respect among people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives, is essential for developing globally competent individuals, and builds leadership for the global community." (NAFSA, 2014).  They also believe that "international education lies at the core of an interconnected world characterized by peace, security, and well-being for all" (NAFSA, 2014).  I think this organization is a dream for someone that wants to surf around and find a great fit for a position internationally or connected internationally.  The search engine is amazing!  I dream all the time through these jobs :)
• There is a career center on this website that offers the ability to search for a position or look through resumes for a great fit to a position you want to hire, either way the search engine offers a load of opportunities.  There is also an "advanced search" option where a person looking at open positions is able to . . . To obtain a position with NAFSA, you need at least a bachelors degree with strong recommendations for a Masters degree in the specialized field.  While some positions may detail that possession of degree can be obtained within a specific amount of time, few are able to gain the position this way.  Positions are offered all around the world. 
  
  

More Than Me Foundation, Inc. (2014) Retrieved August 5, 2014 from:      https://morethanme.org/

NAFSA, Association of International Educators (2014).  Retrieved August 5, 2014 from: http://www.nafsa.org/

INTESOL Worldwide Ltd. (2013) Retrieved August 5, 2014 from: http://www.huntesl.com/