On from here....

I chose this rendition because the ideas that I have been able to articulate in writing and through discussion will look very different in the reality of this country. Even well intentioned acts will be held suspect unless each situation is not considered carefully and with respect. Even as I type, I have been blocked from posting this blog. Coming from a North American mind set, I 'know' that anything is possible and change is the stuff of success. What do I do in the face of thousands of years of satisfaction.

With this in mind let me talk about what I have learned and wish to take away from this Masters experience.

I have learned that I cannot close my eyes to inequity. The days of my allowing things to go on as they are from a place of comfort are over. The resources that I have had the privilege to have and acquire  must be used for the improvement of the lives of the very young, their families and communities.

I have learned that I can make a difference. I do have a voice. Setting my thinking up against the standard of Walden has given me the confidence to speak out on issues.

My belief in the crucial period of the first two years of a child's life has been informed and more firmly founded. Perhaps with this age even more with others, educators are seen as care givers only. Little by little, I am seeing my Chinese assistants take pride in their role and take confidence in the importance of their work.

My long term goal is wrapped up in the capstone project. I will use my passion for the first years of life to make a difference. Starting with a curriculum on dvd, I look to collaborating on a book for the Chinese market.

I will be sad to leave this community. Even though I have only been with this group for two courses, you have offered me encouragement, ideas and support. We cannot imagine how our lives may intersect in the future. I look forward to each opportunity.

Dr. Shephard, thank you for your encouragement and many, many helpful resources. You have helped bridge the gap between the classroom and our mission. Thank you.

International Child Care Organizations

            My first port of call on the international search was the Association for the Childhood Education International (www.acei.org). Their mission is the ‘optimal’ education, development and well-being of every child. They also are interested in developing quality educators. They are dedicated to collaborate with any ongoing work. I am drawn to the use of ‘optimal’ and ‘global’ in their definition. Their vision is for every child in every nation to have access to quality education.

            ACEI is planning a second annual event, Institute for Global Education Diplomacy in 2013. People from around the globe who are interested in building a sustainable solution to education challenges will present and attend. This is held in Washington, DC. It is a joining of forces to find a solution for all.

            ACEI is affiliated with the Global Campaign for Education (www.camapign foreducation.org). This is a civil venture that holds governments responsible for providing free quality public education for all their citizens. The current campaign is Education for All Campaign for 2015.  They aid in providing quality resources, sharing programs and fighting for issues like gender discrimination.

            GCE has contacts in countries around the world that help report how the education system is faring. This could be one way to become a part of this organization. Their connection with UNESCO and the World Bank provide a job opportunity in Kampala, Uganda, Africa as an Education Programme Specialist. I will soon have the Masters Degree requirement; I have the international experience and English background. They do require strong IT skills which I probably could not meet but with a little work, perhaps.

            The sweeping education for every child in every nation has a strong appeal to me. They are not working presently in China but are in Mongolia. The future could cause our paths to cross again.

            The next stop was the International Step by Step Association (ISSA). Located in the Netherlands, it seeks to connect educators with organizations around the world. They provide education services and advocacy tools for children from birth to Primary school age. Their vision includes equal access to quality care and education. Their mandate is to help families, communities and professionals join forces for the empowerment of the young child.

            The resources offered include distance learning and online collaborations with NGO’s and interested educators. Included in their resources is Big Universe Learning. This is a book resource (www.readingcorner.org) with literature from publishers from all the countries they represent and in those languages. They are working at an organizational level to provide the means for changes to be made around the world.

            There are no jobs posted just not but I can become a member, free of charge and have access to what is being done worldwide. I have access to their library and their organizational member list. I can learn also about their annual conference.

            My last stop is Save the Children (www.savethechildren.org). I would invite you to visit this site. I thought I knew this organization but was unprepared for the wealth of success stories and positive innovative steps this organization takes. The mission is to go into the center of communities and help them help themselves. They educate and support projects like organic gardening in back yards, maternal health care to support children through their first year, and showing the value to governments of changing child labor into education experience. They begin with health care, then early childhood care and build quality elementary education access. They respond to natural disasters and remain to help the families and governments rebuild an empowered society.

            There is a job in San Luis Valley, Colorado. It is for a coordinator of Early Steps to School Success program (ESSS). This program recruits and supports pregnant women in good health care and their children through 5 years of age. I would help to provide parent training: building a good learning home environment. I would screen for and support developmental delay. I would build a book exchange literacy program. There is nothing about this job that I do not like or feel prepared for. In fact this is akin to my capstone challenge.

            There are always people who will need assistance and support but it is encouraging to read of these many successes.