Time Well Spent

Class, I have learned a lot about advocacy and addressing a challenge in this class.  I plan to use what I have learned to become a better and more active educator.

My long term goal is to become an administrator in Head Start.  I believe I can make a difference for all children.

I would like to personally thank everyone for contributing to my blog and sharing their blogs with me.  Good luck to you all.

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

The first organization I reviewed was the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which is designed to “promote policies to improve social and economic conditions for people” (OECD, 2013). The OECD currently provides a Young Professionals Program, which helps to develop people to work with the organization.  This is similar to an intern program, and people are required to have a business degree and some management skills.  I would like to enroll in this program to find job opportunities and to work with people around the world.  

The United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is an international organization that helps to conduct research and improve communications among different nations” (UNESCO, 2011).  The organization primarily focuses on combating poverty and developing peace.  One of the jobs offered by the organization is program manager.  The organization also provides membership for people who want to contribute to its efforts.  I would like to work for this organization because I want to help combat poverty and work with third world countries. 

My third organization is Save the Children.  This is a well-known organization that accepts donations to improve the lives of children around the world (Save the Children, 2012).  The organization has a position that is currently open for a Resource Manager.  According to the job opportunities on the website, the manager must have management skills and be capable of securing resources and funding for the organization.  I have actually made donations to this organization.  Therefore, I would love to work with Save the Children to help combat poverty and other issues facing children in the world.  I believe that combating poverty can improve the quality of early childhood education. 

References

Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). (2013). Retrieved June 12, 2013, from http://www.oecd.org/about/

Save the Children. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6115947/k.8D6E/Official_Site.htm

United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). (2011). Retrieved from http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/about-us/who-we-are/introducing-unesco/

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

I chose to research the National Parent Teacher Association, the American Federation of Teachers, and the National Association of Federal Education Program Administrators.  First of all, the National Parent Teacher Association is a national organization that comprises teachers, parents, and communities dedicated to improving the quality of education in schools.  The PTA at local schools are governed by the national organization, which provides resources and research to enhance early childhood education.  After looking at job opportunities for the national organization, I would be interested in becoming a coordinator.  The position is currently open and requires managerial skills and communication skills.  According to the organization, a coordinator “coordinates public policy and works with the staff to create newsletters” (PTA, 2013).  I would like to work in this position to work with schools to coordinate activities and programs to enhance learning and parent participation.

The American Federation of Teachers is a national organization that is affiliated with the AFL-CIO.  Research showed that “five divisions within the AFT represent the broad spectrum of the AFT’s membership: pre-K through 12th-grade teachers; paraprofessionals and other school-related personnel; higher education faculty and professional staff; federal, state and local government employees; and nurses and other healthcare professionals” (AFT, 2013).  This organization provides information and research to educators.  The career section of the site showed an open position for a Director of Organizing.  The job requires an individual to organize events for members.  This is a great position to learn more about educational policies, and it requires organization and planning skills.

The third organization is the National Association of Federal Education Programs (NAFEPA).  NAFEPA works with educators from federally funded programs.  The organization provides memberships in 28 states and assists educators in finding funds for new programs.  Currently, there are no jobs available in the organization.  However, as a member, I could use this organization to find funding for my challenge. 

References

American Federation of Teachers. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.aft.org/

National Association of Federal Education Programs. (NAFEPA). (2013). Retrieved from http://www.nafepa.org/

National PTA. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.pta.org/

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

The Mississippi Association of Educators (MAE) is a state level organization that encourages educators to work together and share information.    The Mississippi Association of Educators has a position for program managers who conduct seminars. This job requires public speaking skills and an educational background in education.  A seminar speaker can help to develop programs to provide educators with information on current research.

I am currently a member of the local Parent and Teachers association.  As an educator, I work with parents to develop field trips and activities for children.  I also help parents to develop learning strategies to use at home.  A primary purpose of the PTA is to encourage parental involvement in education.  Therefore, all positions are voluntary.

The Mississippi Professional Educators (MPE) is the state's largest organization for professional educators. This organization focuses on early childhood education.  The organization helps to develop research and information to improve the practices in early childhood education. The organization has a coordinator position that requires communication and organization skills.  The coordinator works with members to schedule meetings and seminars.

References

http://maetoday.nea.org/

http://www.mpe.org/mpe/index.php

Reflecting on Learning

Greatest Hope

My greatest hope for early chidhood learning is to create and see classes where all children are included and able to grow.  I want to work with people and diverse groups of families to further help develop a more effective anti-bias educational program that benefits all children.  I also want to become an advocate for children to ensure fair and equal access to a quality education.

Words of Thanks

I would like to thank all of you for your contributions to my blog.  I wish everyone the best on their future goals and work in early childhood education.  Thank you.  Tammie Bolden

Impacts on Early Emotional Development

I investigated the area in Central Africa.  This area has a high poverty rates and children are exposed to disease and hunger.  According to the site, “2 out of 10 children  do not live to be five years old because of malaria and malnutrition" (UNICEF, 2013). UNICEF works to combat poverty in the area.  The organization also works to conduct research and create programs that enhance the lives of children.

As an early childhood educator, I have seen children living in poverty.  The cases are not as extreme as those in the Africa; however, poverty impacts children's development.  Therefore, I work hard to work with families and to act as an advocate for children.  My goal is to help famillies living in poverty to provide the best opportunities for their children to learn and grow.

Reference

UNICEF. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/index.html.

The Sexualization of Early Childhood

•What is your reaction to the ideas shared in this reading?

It is very shocking how the media targets young children.  Today, marketers attempt to sell children clothes that are designed to make them look like adults.  Levin and Kilbourne (2009) stated that “many industries make an obscene amount of money using sex and violence to market their products to children” (p. 2).  These practices are not productive, they are predatory.  Young children are not capable of making the decisions to wear the type of products and clothing presented to them.  As a result, it is evident that children are being sexualized in the media and companies profit from this behavior.

•In what ways have you observed the sexualization of early childhood in your own personal and professional experiences? What examples have you encountered in store advertisements, television, the Internet, other types of media, and/or other types of environments?

In the Head Start classroom, I have personally seen young children wearing tight clothes, lip gloss, purses, and earrings.  The parents actually buy these clothes because celebrities wear them or they want their daughters to look like models. 

•How might these messages impact children and their healthy development? Consider the ways they might influence gender identity, what children learn about being a girl or a boy, the expectations children may develop about gender, and other related concerns.

The sexualization of children is unhealthy for their development.  When parents dress their girls in a sexual manner, it can demean their self image.  Boys can also develop a misconception of girls as sex objects.  Levin and Kilbourne (2009) stated that “today’s cultural environment bombards children with inappropriate and harmful messages, and as children struggle to understand what they see and hear” (p. 4).  Therefore, parents and teachers have to work together to create positive examples for the children.

 

•What can early childhood professionals do to tackle this problem and reduce the negative effects that it has on young children?

Educators can discuss appropriate developmentin the classroom.  Educators can also work with parents to help them understand how to avoid media pressure and how to work with children.  Everyone has to work together to help children develop a healthy image.  

Reference

Levin, D. E., & Kilbourne, J. (2009). [Introduction]. So sexy so soon: The new sexualized childhood and what parents can do to protect their kids (pp. 1-8). New York: Ballantine Books.

Evaluating Impacts on Professional Practice

Diverse families have different needs and various consequences due to the isms that exist.  For example, LGBTism is based on the discrimination against LGBT parents. I have admitted that I was not very comfortable working with homosexual parents.  I do not discriminate against parents.  However, my personal biases can impact my ability to work with these families.  As a result, I have to overcome my own biases to protect the children of these families.  Children from LGBT parents can experience teasing because of the family structure.  Therefore, it is important to address issues with the children and to ensure that children understand that families are diverse.  I would explain to children that some families have to mothers or two fathers.  As a result, it is not nice to tease children from diverse families.  This is a key element of anti-bias education.

Observing Communication

I observed a child asking a parent why a woman was riding in a wheelchair in the grocery store.  The woman was riding a hoover round and was uanble to walk.  The parent simply told the child that the woman was old.  The child then asked how come grandma walks; she is old?  The parent then replied that some old people can walk and some cannot. 

In the communication, I do not believe that the child was satisfied with the answer.  The parent should have taken the time to explain that some people are disabled or they become weak as they get older.  As a result, some older people have to ride hover rounds to help them get around.  Parents and teachers should take the opportunity to teach children about diversity and ensure that the children learn how to identify and accept diversity in others.

Creating Affirming Environments

I work in a Head Start environment.  The Head Start classroom would have sections and learning areas to promote learning activities for children.  The materials in the classroom would include photos and books that represent the diverse group of children in the class.

I would include:

1. Books that promote diversity
2. Images of people who represent the children in the class
3. Music
4. Toys and activities
5. Art

The classroom would have a active play area, a reading area, and a learning center.  The children would work in small groups at tables in the class.

What I Have Learned

What I Have Learned

One hope that I have for working with diverse children is that all families are included and have a fruitful learning experience.  My hope is to provide a quality education for all the children in the class and to establish effective relationships with the families.

My goal is to become an advocate for children to improve their experiences in early childhood education.  As advocates, early childhood educators can improve the quality of early childhood education for disadvantaged children.

I would like to thank everyone for contributing to my blog.  I wish all of you the best in your future goals as early childhood educators.

Creating Art

Diversity Poem.

Children are unique with different abilities and needs,
They learn and play as teachers plant seeds.
Chidlren from different cultures, backgrounds, and all walk of life,
Work hard to learn and overcome personal strife.
As an educator, I will do my best to teach acceptance in a class that is bias free,
So that every child can grow and develop and learn to see...
That diversity is beautiful.

This image illustrates diversity to me.

Start Seeing Diversity Blog: "We Don't Say Those Words in Class!"

About one week ago, I was in Walmart and I saw a woman riding one of the carts.  When the woman passed a man and his son, the young boy said, "Daddy, that woman is too fat to walk."  The father appeared embarassed and told the son to stop saying that.  This was not the right way to handle this situation.

In early childhood education, children are very open and honest about their comments and views of the world.  The woman was obese and could not walk around the store.  However, the child did not understand that the woman was disabled.  In teh early childhood classroom, I would inform the child and other children that it is not nice to tease or meddle people who are different.  I would further explain that some people are disabled and that when they see a person who disabled, they should not point out the difference.  The child in the store did not realize that his comment hurt the woman's feelings.  Therefore, parents and educators have to work together to teach children the proper way to address people in public.  Children need to understand and accept diversity, and they must be taught to respect others.

Gender, Gender Identity, and Sexual Orientation

How you would respond to a parent/family member who informed you they did not want anyone who is perceived (or self-reported) homosexual or transgender to be caring for, educating, and/or interacting with their child

I would explain to the parents that a teacher's sexual orientation has no bearing on the teacher's ability to teach.  Teachers are diverse and complex as other members of society.  As a result, sexual orientation does not impact the quality of care.  Furthermore, I would explain that children need to be exposed to diversity because the world is diverse. 

If you have ever used or heard homophobic terms such as "fag," "gay," "homo," "sissy," "tom boy," or "lesbo" as an insult by a child toward another child? Or, by an adult toward a child? Describe what occurred. How might these types of comments influence all children?

I have heard children use the term "that's so gay".  It is an expression that refers to something that is stupid or ignorant behavior.  Children also use this to describe acts or behavior that is considered homosexual.  This is very offensive to children and it makes them feel ashamed or embarrased.  As a result, it is important for educators to explain to children that it is wrong to use these terms.  Children need to understand that it is stereotyping and it presents gay as a bad term.  Therefore, I would teach children not to bully or tease, and not to be biased.

Note of Thanks

I would like to send a personal thanks to all of my fellow scholars who have contributed to my blog.  I have enjoyed working with you and sharing information.  Please feel free to continue to follow and post to my blog.

Tammie Bolden

Adjournment

I have had positive and negative team experiences.  In the positive experience, the adjournment consisted of a party and unofficial ceremony.   The group had a good time and achieved its goals.  During the adjournment, the group was happy and members wanted to continue working together.  In the negative experience, the adjournment was abrupt. The group members had a lot of conflict and when the project was over, people simply left.  There were unresolved issues in the groups, and members did  not get along well.  As a result, the group members did not have any type of  adjournment ceremony.  Therefore, the adjournment phase is affected by the group experience.

Conflict in Communication

Conflict management and conflict resolution strategies can be improved with nonviolent communication and the three R's.  The best strategies to resolve conflict is to use compromise for both parties to resolve their issues.  I have had conflicts with my fellow teachers and I have always tried to use compromising or mediators to resolve the conflict.  Communication is also a key element of conflict resolution.  When people use nonviolent communication, the conflict is less likely to escalate.  The three R's can also show others that you are willing to respect their opinions and views and allow them to present their side of the story.  Therefore, these concepts can help improve conflict resolution.

Communication Assessment

After taking the Communication Anxiety Inventory, Verbal Aggressiveness Scale, and Listening Styles Profile, I learned a lot about my communication skills.  I scored fairly well on these assessments.  As a result, I learned that I need to work on my aggressiveness in communication and my listening skills.  This information has helped me become a better communicator in my school.  I work with a diverse group of teachers and parents.  Therefore, I need to be more aware in my communication to ensure that I do not offend others.  I also learned this week that schemas can affect my perceptions in communication.

Cultural Diversity in Communication

I work with children, parents, and other educators.  As a result, I realize that I communicate differently with different groups.  I tend to be more standardized when I communicate with educators.  I use one strategy and try to be professional at all times.  When I communicate with families, I tend to treat all families the same if they share the same culture.  However, different families have diverse needs even when they are from similar cultures.

To improve my communication, I will apply the Platinum Rule.  This rule helps me to communicate with people the way they would like to.  I also plan to start using other orientation with my communication.  My final change would be to avoid cultural myopia in communication.

Character evaluation and communication

This week, I watched my favorite show, "Dallas", with the sound off and on.  The first time I watched show, I watched it with the sound off.  I could tell by the actions of the characters that they were upset or having fun.  After watching the show, I rewinded it and played it with the sound on.  I was correct in assuming that the characters were upset based on their facial expressions.  However, what I thought was fun was actually a scheme to stop JR from drilling oil on South Fork. 

Based on what I have learned, I realize that nonverbal communication is not always straight forward.  People can smile when they are scheming or happy.  Frowns and hard looks are typically associated with anger or mistrust; however, not all emotions are communicated through nonverbal communication.  Therefore, I have learned to pay attention to facial expressions, distance, and character behavior, and I understand the importance of nonverbal communication.

Competent Communicator

One of my favorite communicators is the director of my agency.  Mrs. Lloyd is a competent communicator because she addresses all members of the organization.  Mrs. Lloyd uses inclusive language to ensure that no one is excluded.  She also provides information that is clear, concise, and easy to understand.   There is a range of diversity in the organization; however, Mrs. Lloyd manages to communicate with everyone.  I also like her open door policy.  If anyone has trouble understanding information, Mrs. Lloyd takes the time to explain further.  Therefore, she is my role model as a competent and effective communicator.