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/

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.

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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