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

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

• National Association for the Education of the Young Child's (NAEYC) mission is to:

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" (NAEYC, n.d.).

Being a part of this organization offers a load of assistance, guidance, research, proved strategies, and a depth of support as a parent, teacher, or child.  NAEYC is more than just a company that offers accreditation for child development center, they are a well oiled machine for the early childhood field!

• Public Broadcasting Services (PBS) is more than Reading Rainbow as we all might remember as a child.  PBS offers parent and teacher supports in the form of trending topics, articles, and give aways.  They offer information on Common Core, standards separated by age and subject.  Really helpful information as a new teacher, experienced teacher, or anyone looking to gain more knowledge!

• International Society for Technology in Education offers communities of practice for those within the educational field to connect in the area of technology within the classroom.  Offering seminars, online discussions, communities for connecting, and a whole collaboration to involve technology more within the classroom setting and understand the benefits for the classroom, children, and parents.  

• Education Oasis, I love this site because it offers a list of organizations for educators to use and categorizes them by topics.  If you need help with questions, are wondering about trending issues, or just want to search around at sites on a specific topic, this is an awesome site to do so!

Job opportunities (currently available or not) that interest you

• Teach for America focuses on sending quality educated teachers into inner cities or high poverty areas.  They believe that highly educated teachers can make a quality impact on students to make a change for their future that would take them out of low income poverty areas as adults.  Recognized by FORTUNE and LATINA STYLE magazine as one of the top 100 companies to work for, Teach for America offers benefits packages and a rewarding position as a teacher.  They "admit those individuals who show the most potential to succeed in high-need classrooms" (Teach for America, 2014).  Having skills like drive, potential, desire to make a change, commitment, and a proven record of high academics and volunteer work are musts.

• National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) has a position open right now for a Program manager.  Within this position the person is responsible to develop, integrate, and organize grants within the program.  They are also responsible to assist in collecting and organizing for program evaluations while organizing professional development opportunities as well.  This position also manages the budget within the program.  Qualifications include Bachelors degree (prefer Masters) and 5+ years of experiences in program management, strong organizational skills, work as a team and also independently, written and verbal skills, and the ability to use technologies.

• National Council of Teachers of English has offices located in Illinois, Washington, D.C., and California and has a position as a program support specialist.  This position would support council leaders within their specified group, act as a liaison between council board members and their administrative supports, maintain records and also monitor grants.  This position would require a Bachelor’s degree in English, Education or Business and experience with grants, collaborating in a social network scene, administration, and designing presentations/articles.

·         

Education Oasis (2014). Retrieved July 24, 2014 from www.educationoasis.com

National Association for the Education of the Young Child (n.d.).  Retrieved July 22, 2014 from    www.naeyc.org

Public Broadcasting Services (2014).  Retrieved July 22, 2014 from www.pbs.org

Teach for America (2014). Retrieved July 22, 2014 from www.teachforamerica.org

International Society for Technology in Education (2014). Retrieved July 24, 2014 from www.iste.org

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

Three local or state organizations or communities of practice:

·         WVU Extension services offers additional support for educators, parents, the community, and additional professionals. This also includes 4H clubs and other family consumer sciences.  This extension office has helped me within the classroom setting by supplying personnel to come to my classroom and teach healthy eating habits, healthy dental care and cleanliness, and the importance of a garden.  As an adult educator, this is a great tool to suggest to educators as their programs are free and incredible! http://jefferson.ext.wvu.edu/

·         Birth to Three "Growing Together" is an incredible asset to early childhood teachers.  This program offers free assistance for children that fall behind within cognitive and physical development milestones.  Personally we are involved with them for my son and I strongly believe in them! The web address attached is for the WV locations but I'm sure there are separate sites for your state or community.  http://www.wvdhhr.org/birth23/

·         American Association for Adult and Continuing Education (AAACE) is a site full of information that supports adult education.  There is also a section for "Interest Groups" that supplies 29 special interest groups to support their members.  GREAT site!  http://www.aaace.org/

Job opportunities (currently available or not) that interest me with skills and experience that I would need to competently fulfill the role:

·         Kindergarten teacher within Jefferson County Schools.  While I teach the Universal Pre K, and LOVE it; my daughter is now entering Kindergarten and I want to be at the school she is at (and soon my son).  Teaching Kindergarten would enable me to be at their school for at least 5 years.  Another great bonus is that there are adult education classes that I would be able to teach in the evenings through the county.  Being employed at the Elementary school would give me priority for teaching them as well.  http://boe.jeff.k12.wv.us/Page/925

·         Shepherd University has openings for student teacher organizers, this person is in charge of collaborating with the local public or private schools to enlist their student teachers positions for the upcoming semesters.  This person might also be involved in observing the student teachers during their time at the schools.  Requirements, Masters degree in field and 5 years experience working within the field of observation.  http://www.shepherd.edu/hrweb/

·         West Virginia Early Childhood Training Connections and Resources is always looking for capable educators to assist in teaching their courses for adult and high school level students.  ACDS classes give students enough credits to gain a position as an aide or assistant within a head start, pre k, or lead teacher within a day care setting position.  Experience needed is  http://www.wvearlychildhood.org/WV_STARS_Trainer_Information.html