REFLECTIONS ON MY LEARNING

It has been a challenging but rewarding journey and i have learned so much.
I have emerged a professional in my field.

Three profound learnings

   (1)         “Many things we need can wait. The child cannot. Now is the time his bones are being made, his mind is being developed; to him, we cannot say tomorrow, his name is today”_ Gabriella Mistral. Child poet, educator and Nobel Laureate Institute of medicine, 2004 (Laureate education, 2011).  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=VNNsN9IJkws



I have learned that the early childhood stage is not a time to be toyed with but an opportunity to harness and invest in children. Nit only the children gain from this, families, communities, nations and the entire global village can only get better if we make the most of this window.

 
(2) I have learned that those who are the teachers and carers of these children need to be knowledgeable about handling them, otherwise, like abuse being inevitable in a product when the knowledge about usability is the issue, so would the experience of these children be. And at the end, we all have life not being the best it could be for us.


(3), "The greatest genius will never be worth much if he pretends to draw exclusively from his own resources"

-- Johann von Goethe

I am going with the understanding that working with children for best results is the a product of COLLABORATION. We all are needed. We must as professionals must cultivate the interpersonal skills required to foster these relationships.

Short and Long Term Goals

My goal developed as I leave this program is to utilize in both small leaps and big leaps the knowledge I have gained. I am saddled with the responsibility of developing professionals because this is scarce in my locale. I hope to see the field of Early Childhood (EC) gain its own voice and be expressed through passionate professionals, organizations of Early childhood and Associations of EC. My lifetime will not only witness this, I hope to begin a mobilization immediately through social media. In ten years, I hope to see the field as having an identity to be reckoned with and growing. Personally, I hope to obtain my doctorate degree in Early childhood to achieve greater influence.

Farewell

My community of learners. Its been wonderful meeting you all. All my most wonderful instructors, I say thank you for helping me find my own voice, because I have found it and will use it.

resources: http://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/reports_and_working_papers/working_papers/wp10/

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive producer). (2011). EDUC 6990-3: Practical Application in    the Early Childhood Field [Webcast]..Merging Vision, Passion, and Practice. Baltimore,      MD: Author.

 

JOBS/ROLES in Early Childhood international Communities

UNICEF is the driving force that helps build a world where the rights of every child are realized. We have the global authority to influence decision-makers, and the variety of partners at grassroots level to turn the most innovative ideas into reality.  That makes us unique among world organizations, and unique among those working with the young.

We advocate for measures to give children the best start in life, because proper care at the youngest age forms the strongest foundation for a person’s future.

We are active in more than 190 countries and territories through country programs and National Committees. We are UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund.

http://www.unicef.org/about/who/index_introduction.html

UNICEF, NIGERIA: AVAILABLE JOB OPPORTUNITY ___ Nutrition Officer

Required Qualifications:

 University degree in Nutrition or related technical field related to the work of UNICEF.

 One year practical, professional work experience in project administration, including research

and data analysis.

 Fluency in English and another UN language required. Knowledge of the local working

language of the duty station is an asset.

 Commitment, Diversity and Inclusion, Integrity.

 Working with People, Drive for Results.

 Formulating Strategies and Concepts, Analyzing, Applying Technical Expertise, Learning and

Researching, Planning and Organizing.

http://www.unicef.org/nigeria/Nutrition_Officer_L1_VN-NGR-37-2013.pdf

With my training in specialization such as leadership, management  & Administration with Walden University, this position is ideal for me, especially with the courses that pertain to children's nutrition, communication Diversity and inclusion, and researching. 

                                         UNESCO

UNESCO works to create the conditions for dialogue among civilizations, cultures and peoples, based upon respect for commonly shared values.

UNESCO’s unique competencies in education, the sciences, culture and communication and information contribute towards the realization of those goals.

UNESCO’s mission is to contribute to the building of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication and information. The Organization focuses, in particular, on two global priorities:

Available and chosen Job opportunity is Director, Education for all (EFA) and global agenda coordination team

Qualification required is  Advanced university degree in education, the social sciences or related area.

• Strong global professional network.
• Sound judgement and decision-making skills.
• Ability to identify key strategic issues, objectives, opportunities and risks.
• Ability to interact with a wide range of high-level partners, as well as demonstrated partnership development and fundraising experience. 

https://careers.unesco.org/careersection/2/jobdetail.ftl

My professional network with an international classroom graduate program gives me an advantage for this job

Finally, I will love to get involved with SAVE THE CHILDREN

Save the Children gives children in the United States and around the world what every child deserves – a healthy start, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. When disaster strikes, we put children’s needs first. We advocate for and achieve large-scale change for children. We save children’s lives.

SAVE THE CHILDREN provides job opportunities in form of volunteering and I will love to grow my advocacy skill which is yet quite tender by serving to advocate for children. I will love to see and learn how to speak for the children in my country by seeing how America speaks and translate their advocacy to acts and funds. http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6115947/k.8D6E/Official_Site.htm

I am particularly passionate about the education of young children and will love to get involved with the organizations vision of education of young children

 

Education

The Power and Promise of Education Education is the road that children follow to reach their full potential in life. Yet many children in need around the world do not get a quality education where they can learn and develop. To advance learning, Save the Children supports education programs for children in the classroom and at home. ·         We train teachers to engage their students through more effective teaching practices. ·         We coach parents and caregivers to help their children learn early on, so they are prepared to enter school. ·         We offer ways for parents and community volunteers to get kids reading and doing math outside of school hours. ·         We introduce children to the power of artistic expression — drawing, painting, music, drama, dance and more — to help them heal, learn and do better in school. ·         We make sure that children don't stop learning during a crisis, and we help to keep kids healthy so they don't fall behind or drop out. In 2012, Save the Children's education programs reached 9 million children, thanks to the many families, teachers, government officials and community volunteers who help inspire these little learners. http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6153015/k.E633/Education.htm

 References

United Nations Children’s Funds UNICEF (2012)     http://www.unicef.org/about/who/index_introduction.html

http://www.unicef.org/nigeria/Nutrition_Officer_L1_VN-NGR-37-2013.pdf

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/

https://careers.unesco.org/careersection/2/jobdetail.ftl

Save the Children. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6115947/k.8D6E/Official_Site.htm

http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6153015/k.E633/Education.htm

Transformational Leadership

A transformational leader. 

                        

How to Become a Transformational Leader

In our How to Lead workbook, we distill Bass' ideas into a process that you can use to become a transformational leader.
To do this, you need to:

1. Create an inspiring vision of the future.
2. Motivate people to buy into and deliver the vision.
3. Manage delivery of the vision.
4. Build ever-stronger, trust-based relationships with your people.

- See more at: http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/transformational-leadership.htm#sthash.oOautdPH.dpuf

 

 

 

 

                                                       

How to Become a Transformational Leader

In our How to Lead workbook, we distill Bass' ideas into a process that you can use to become a transformational leader.
To do this, you need to:

1. Create an inspiring vision of the future.
2. Motivate people to buy into and deliver the vision.
3. Manage delivery of the vision.
4. Build ever-stronger, trust-based relationships with your people.

- See more at: http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/transformational-leadership.htm#sthash.oOautdPH.dpuf

            

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JOBS/ROLES IN ECE Communities

CONTRIBUTING TO THE FIELD OF EARLY CHILDHOOD THROUGH JOB OPPORTUNITIES AT THE NATIONAL/FEDERAL LEVELS

The Niger Delta Development Commission has brought a lot of hardship alleviation to its people.  The aim of NDDC is to establish in the Niger Delta Region (NDR) a strong and progressive society in which no one will have any anxiety about basic means of life and work; where poverty and illiteracy no longer exist and diseases are brought under control; and where our educational facilities provide all the children of NDR with best possible opportunities for the development of their potentials. http://www.nddc.gov.ng/projectsandprograms.html

The First Job I seek to do:

A facilitator who creates the awareness of the importance of the early years and who plans programs and events around this created awareness.

Since the organization is primarily concerned with development of its people, I have the understanding that crucial to that vision is how we bring in the proceeds of research in Early childhood (EC) to affect the early years of the lives of our people.

I hope to bring to light this awareness with the help of promos and jingles on radio, television and on the net. The nature of this awareness is that they shall be proceeds of research and undeniable facts about early childhood development. I hope I can work with the Center for the developing child http://developingchild.harvard.edu/  to provide these information for the good of the children in our region.

NDDC sees to the implementation of its mandate by executing relevant projects in the entire region. Projects are conceptualized, designed and executed based on extensive consultation with locals, input from interested parties and critical analysis by experts. Projects are awarded based on their ability to give maximum impact to the local region and beyond the constraints of allotted budget. 

The second job I seek to do                                                                                                                   The execution of project NDECDI   (Niger Delta Early Childhood Development Institute)

While I engaged in thoughts about the state of early childhood in my locale, this idea occurred to me. I believe that when we have created sufficient awareness, we can take off with a project. I propose the establishment of a Niger Delta Early Childhood Development Institute (NDECDI). The institution shall be concerned with the enrollment and training of early childhood teachers and caregivers. It shall admit candidates who are passionate about children, having understood the importance of the early years. This institution shall work with already established international bodies and other national bodies external to the country such as NAEYC, NCATE, both in the US to create adoptable standards. This will be the beginning of monitor-able quality and accountability

The nature of its exclusiveness is intended to produce quality early childhood teachers while also fostering the awareness by demonstrating the importance of the early years through professional teaching practices in the private and especially public early years program, which the terrain finds inadequate for now. This institute shall increase access into the early years and seek ways make it lucrative for more interested people to come on board.  

Finally, I shall seek opportunity with the Universal Basic Education Commission to work as: A facilitator who creates the awareness of the importance of the early years and who plans programs and events around this created awareness.

The Universal Basic Education (UBE) Program is a nine (9) year basic educational program, which was launched and executed by the government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to eradicate illiteracy, ignorance and poverty as well as stimulate and accelerate national development, political consciousness and national integration.

It is said that the UBE program has embraced the early years. According to the home page publication, http://ubeconline.com/ , the UBE Act 2004 makes provision for basic education comprising of ECCE, Primary and Junior Secondary Education. However, a critical look at the vision, mission and the scope depicts commitment to the first nine school years which begins at age 6. UBEC is yet to demonstrate commitment to the preschool and infancy years.

Scope of UBE: Programs and initiatives for early childhood care and education, Six-year Primary Education, and three (3) years of Junior Secondary Education http://ubeconline.com/

 
The job I therefore seek with UBEC is to create the awareness through education, publications and advertisements on the importance of the early years. It is an advocacy work and my goal here is that early childhood program is given autonomy within the UBEC program. That EC in UBEC be allowed to live develop and thrive as a national successful program.

I have chosen these three opportunities because they are already existing platform on which the advocacy that I am making for the early years can succeed if given the opportunities. One or two things may require fine-tuning, but definitely, collaborative efforts can help surmount hitches that will make the field of early childhood see a new hope in the country.

Skills & Experiences I need:                                                                                                            

The skill I require for all is knowledge of current trends in the field of EC, ability to influence policy and communicate policies and procedures to all interested parties. I require a very strong communication and collaborative skills if I must reach the policymakers with the understanding of the early years and do so with the voices of several others in the field who already feel my plight. I also must be someone who has been working and who is working with young children and with those who work with young children. I require a B.sc, a masters or a doctorate degree in early childhood. 

References:

 http://www.nddc.gov.ng/projectsandprograms.html

 
http://developingchild.harvard.edu/

http://ubeconline.com/