Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local & State

My three roles: Executive Director, NAEYC/ Superintendent of Education/ Educational Specialist

NAEYC

Position: Executive Director

I chose this organization because it resonates with me and my desire to work and advocate for children.  I understand that the 501(c-3) status of non-profit status has allotted for a nice compensation for the position of director.  Washington is a place that I’ve never been, but will to relocate depending on the compensation.

NAEYC is dedicated to serving and acting on behalf of the need, rights, and well-being of children from (birth to 8), with primary focus on the provisions of Educational and developmental services and resources.  The Headquarters is located in Washington, D.C.  NAEYC has an annual operating budget of $20 million with a staff of 100.

Qualification: B.S. degree in Education, business or related field is recommended, an advanced degree is desirable, and designation as a Certified Association Executive is an asset Candidate must have strong communication skills, and the ability to foster creative, inclusive, and transparent and engaged relationships with members and staff.

Apply for position at www.assnstrategies.com/current_searches.php

Montessori Educational Programs International (MEPI)

Position: Educational Specialist

I chose this COP because they adhere to the practice and education of young children by following the teachings of Maria Montessori. We have a school located within our community and it is the only one in Mississippi. Its teachings and principals have produced children with the necessary skills to succeed, by building a strong early childhood foundation. My niece is ninth grade and has scored a 24 on her ACT Test the first time out. This is because of the foundation she received at the Montesorri School in Jonestown.

MEPI offers education programs across the US, and in 7 foreign countries. In addition, MEPI insures cooperation with MACTE by having a seat on their board, and working in conjunction with MACTE through periodic reassessment and revision of policies, procedures, standards, and criteria.

MEPI fosters and generates authentic Montessori education by developing and offering programs to educate and certify Montessori professionals and provides continuing development and networking opportunities.

MEPI aims to promote the rights of all beings, particularly children, and to bring about peace in the world through Montessori education.

 Job Requirements:
In order to be considered for this position, you must meet all state licensing requirements, including:

Educational Specialist with Montessori Certification and experience, as well as Special Education training and experience preferred.

Visit:   www.msnv.org/about_jobs.html

 

Mississippi Department of Education

Superintendent of Education/ Jackson, MS

No position available

I chose this position because I want to make vital decisions about the education and welfare of our schools across Mississippi. Although there is currently no position listed. We presently have an interim Superintendent of Education, Lynn J. House, PHD.   The office is located in Jackson, MS.

The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) provides resources and technical support to Mississippi’s public school system. The department also functions as a resource for federal education requirements and funding.

The Mississippi Board of Education elects the State Superintendent of Education, sets public education policy and oversees the MDE. As the administrative arm of the Board, MDE is responsible for implementing state and federal education laws, disbursing state and federal funds, holding schools and districts accountable for performance and licensing all educators.

The MDE seeks to create a world-class educational system that gives students the knowledge and skills to be successful in college and in the workforce, and to flourish as parents and citizens. To make this vision a reality, all students must be given multiple pathways to success, and teachers and administrators must continue to meet the challenges of this ever-changing landscape of public education.

Experience: Must hold a PH.D.  Have extensive experience in educational classroom setting.

This website can be found at: www.mde.k12.ms.us/state-superintendent-of-education

 

Capstone "Final stretch"

I'm thankful that we all have made it to the last course of this program. I wish all of you the best of luck.  I've grown more passionate about the strategies that we can use to inspire learning and engagement in our classrooms. I've also found passion about the homeless and how in today's societ our children are still suffering from lack of food and shelter.  Even in my home town, we have homeless families, and not shelter to hourse them.  I look forward to continuing our educational endeavors.

Keeping Communication Open

It has been a pleasure working and collaborating with each of you. During this course I have learned a great deal about collaborating and communicating with groups. I feel as though we all have grown. I especially like how respect was shown during our class discussions and our blog post. Walden prides itself on building a community of learners, and I've enjoyed collaborating within that community.

I wish all of you the best, and I look forward to continuing our journey through our chosen profession at walden. It has been a journey, but one worth the effort. My mother use to tell me that "nothing ventured, nothing gained". We have ventured and we have gained knowledge and skillsets that will be beneficial to our professions.  Good Luck! It's been a pleasure.

Adjourning Groups

I personally file that adjourning any group where active participation has taken place is somewhat hard because ties and connections have been made and new found friendships have occured. When you belong to a high performing group who has made it through the norming and performing stage, you pretty much know a little about the person. I once belonged in a group through my job. I became acquainted with the people within the group at a best practices workshop. We had a week to work closely together. We had to come up with a group presentation to present before the class. This was a high performance group. We followed the five steps that I've became acquainted with this week. At that time I did not know about the steps, I just know the procedures we went throught. Although my group did not make everyone feel valued, I was happy and sad at the end of the week. One group was to be chosen for the best project, and we would have won if they had let everyone talk, like I suggested. They wanted the young man from the group to talk and represent us all. After the session had come to an end, the professor said that we had the best project, and would have won if we all had something to say about the project and the contributions toward the final project. I believe that when you work with groups in a high performing status, you become familiar with each member and creating bonds. By the time the group comes to an end, you hate to see everyone go their seperate ways. Only rarely do you continue networking with your acquaintences. While attending Walden, I have networked with a variety of people. The group participation has been great and the bond are meaningful ways to meet the educational task we have to meet. I believe that at the end of our educational journey I will wish everyone good luck and congratulate them for a job well done, and for their participation within each course. Adjourning is an essential stage because all good things must come to an end. Closure is always adequate for showing appreciation and gratitude. I also think is is important for closure, because you never know when you will need to contact people again, so it's best to adjourn properly.

Managing Conflict

Recently I had a conflict with a colleague. The conflict was about a conversation that was held about her recent lost due to a house fire. Her fiance was in our area discussing the situation. I came in on the discussion,ut for some reason he went home and told her that I was inquiring about her personal business. She confronted me the next morning at work. I'll admit, I was kind of surprised since I was merely a listener. I could tell that she was upset, so I listened until she got finished. Then I told her that I was sorry about the misunderstanding, but that I was not the one inquiring. I couldn't understand why he would go back and lie about the conversation I wanted to confront him, but instead I asked the other co-worker about the conversation and she said I should have told the lady that she was the one asking personal questions. Then I started reading about how to resolve conflict, and one of the positions of NIV is to be an empathetic listener. I believe I did that in the onset of the disagreement. The next step I took was to wait a couple of days, then I brought her a card that gave her praise, while also expressing sympathy about her recent loss. When she got the card, she phoned my office and was very appreciative, and expressed that she was not angry but that she couldn't understand why someone would get all in her business like that. After she finished, I simply said, people will be people, and that I really don't have time to strategies about her problems because I have some of my own that needed attending too. Based on this weeks assignment I understand that part of defusing an argument or confrontation is to be an emphatic listener. Respect the person for their feelings and views about the situation, because it might not be that situation that has them upset. A good listener will allow the person to vent without verbally attacking them back. Another way to prevent conflict is by implementing the 3 R's when involved in conversations, respect, responsive, and reciprocal behavior. It is o.k. to disagree, but respect the person's opinions, while also being responsive in a respectful manner. Finding a way to resole the conflict in a way that emulates respect toward the person and their feelings will lead to a more peaceful solution to the problem. Yelling is not the answer.

As a Communitor

This week's assignment lead me to explore and find out how people viewed me as a communicator. One things that surprised me was that myfamily members said that I don't think before I say things that may hurt others feelings. If I think it, I say it. This surprised me, because I thought I was a careing individual. I thought it was o.k. to relax when communicating with family. Now I'll have to reconsider my communication skills with them. The second surprize was with my co-worker, she said that I talk with my eyes and if I don't like something, or even if I'm having a bad day, she can look at me and tell. I found out that she could read my moods through my fascial expressions without even saying any words.

In our resources we read about self-concept and self esteem. These two terms play a major part in my ability to communicate effectively. Self-efficacy describes how I'm able to deal with stress & failure in my live. In my readings I discovered that  depending on the situation, my communication skills differ because I have built up a defense machanizm to strike out before being hurt. Mainly because my self esteem must be low.

Learning about my self-concept and how people are able to read me by my facial expressions has caused me to think about my communication skills and my opinion of myself. Understanding that people can tell what I'm thinking without talking will affect the way I'm able to communicate with families and co-workers. I've also found out that it's not o.k. to say what I feel without considering the feelings of others in both my professional and personal life. In order to succeed, I must be able to sell myself as well as my opinions. I believe that being an effective communicator is one of the major areas I must work on for my future succdess.

situation

Communication & Diversity

Considering my family structure, colleagues, community, and neighborhood, I find myself adjusting to the situation. With family and friends, I can be who I am even with my flaws. When communicating with colleagues and people from the workplace, I tend to be more professional in my delivery. Not that I am two different people, but in the workplace, I want to be professional and mindful of what I say and how my body language contributes to my message.

While being careing of what you say and how you say it, people may still receive a different message that the one you intended. I had a conversation with one of the custodians, and a colleague. I didn't think anythng about the conversation, but the custodian went home and told his girl friend that I was asking her personal business. It was not I who asked but my colleague. I don't know if my body language or facial expressions gave a different response, but my mouth did not. One strategy that I will use from that encounter, is to avoid sitting in areas where people discuss their personal business.

When I conversate with my family, I just say what I feel without any reservations. On a job the situation is different. I must be mindful because children, families, and other professionals may be impacted by what and how I express myself. I have some diversity in my family in regards to culture, race, religion, political affiliations and sexual orientations. Some strategies I could use would include, better listening skills,  avoid stereotyping, and working on any perceptual barriers that I might have that will prevent me from being an effective communicator with my diverse family and working environment.