There are so many wonderful
organizations out there for educators. I realized just how many when I started
this program at Walden. I chose some specific ones that I will talk about here
as well as include in my CoP.
First, I have always found the
National Association for the Education of the Young Child, [NAEYC] to be one of
the best organizations for educators and children. They focus on the overall
health and well-being of children, their safety, and encourage positive
interactions with families, as well as promoting parental involvement.
Initially, I felt like I already held one of the best jobs; however, after
looking through this site, I would enjoy being the Program Coordinator for
NAEYC. Below are the qualifications for this position. I would very much enjoy
helping programs with Accreditation, and ensuring they are meeting the
standards of a high quality ECE program.
Program Coordinator
"NAEYC is seeking a Program
Coordinator to support the work of our early childhood program Accreditation
System. The Program Coordinator is a customer service professional in the
NAEYC Academy who supports the work of the accreditation system. Duties
include providing technical assistance on the accreditation process, policies
and procedures to accreditation consumers, including program staff and the
public. The Coordinator is also responsible for working with NAEYC
consumers throughout all aspects of the accreditation process and providing
administrative assistance to the Accreditation team.
Knowledge of NAEYC’s early childhood
program accreditation system, 1-2 years clerical/administrative experience, and
experience handling a high volume calls are required. Call center
experience and an Associates degree preferred. Experience in the field of
early childhood education and a sound understanding of its practices is
plus. Excellent oral and written communication, MS Office and database
skills are also required. Must be able to meet deadlines, work
independently and work as part of a team in a fast-paced environment"
(National Association for the Education of the Young Child).
Next, I also want to be affiliated with
the Texas Association for the Education of the Young Child, [TAEYC]. One of the
main reasons would be I am a Texas educator, and I can keep up with the
Texas laws and requirements for ECE programs. Second, the TAEYC is
"committed to promoting professional development and evidence-based best
practices in early childhood education" (TAEYC, 2010). Unfortunately,
there are no job opportunities available within this organization. However, if
there was another Program Monitor/Coordinator within this organization, I would
apply for it. I would like to ensure all programs are high quality within the
state of Texas.
Another organization that I am most
interested in is the Texas Education Agency, [TEA]. They provide educators with
resources. "The mission of the Texas Education Agency is to provide
leadership, guidance and resources to help schools meet the educational needs
of all students" (Texas Education Agency, 2013). Currently, there are no
positions available that would appeal to me within this organization. The
majority of positions that are currently posted are geared more toward the
technology field. It is State level, but also could be considered Federal. It
is a great resource for any Texas Educator, but others can certainly use it
that are educators out of state for comparisons.
If there were job openings within
this agency, I would like to be on a panel that reviewed ECE programs, and put
laws in place that enforce high quality prekindergarten. For example, class
size; teacher to student ratio; and funding for preschool.
Next, I am interested in the
National Education Association, [NEA]. "The National Education Association
(NEA), the nation's largest professional employee organization, is committed to
advancing the cause of public education. NEA's 3 million members work at every
level of education—from pre-school to university graduate programs. NEA has
affiliate organizations in every state and in more than 14,000 communities
across the United States" (National Education Association, 2002). This
association provides numerous resources for the educator. There is a wealth of
publications within this site that would be great aids for all educators. They
provide tools and ideas, as well as grants that may be available.
W
ithin this organization, there is a
listing for an Organizational Specialist. The summary of the position as well
as job requirements are:
"Position Summary: The incumbent serves as a member of the Center for
Organizing (C40) reporting to the Director of Organizing. The incumbent
will provide organizing advice and assistance to assigned local and state
affiliates on a variety of areas, such as developing and executing strategic
organizing plans, organization development, strategic planning, capacity
building, team building, and education reform. The work includes
partnering with other NEA Centers to organize around state and federal policy
issues and develop strategies to assist affiliates in achieving NEA’s strategic
goals. The incumbent will model and provide hands-on coaching and training to
organizing projects and campaigns, with the intent of developing skills and
capacity among field staff, UniServ staff, local leaders, worksite leaders and
activists for the purpose of increasing membership and organizing successfully
in new markets. The incumbent will partner with state and local affiliates to
recruit and train trainers in the basics of organizing, develop a variety of
materials to support, present and report on progress in the targeted sites and
promote mutually developed, effective strategies and programs to affiliates and
NEA. The incumbent will also coordinate with NEA and state communications
staff to deliver strategic communications in targeted sites to grow and engage
membership as well as aid the field teams in assessing and sharing their learnings
with our stakeholders as a basis for developing and scaling effective
membership organizing strategies in all affiliates. The employee uses effective
interpersonal skills and an understanding of group/human dynamics to develop
and promote organizing/capacity-building strategies. To carry out these
responsibilities, the incumbent submits regular reports and uses a personal
computer, associated software, and other office automation technology and
travels extensively by various conveyances, including driving a car.
Minimum Education
Requirement: Bachelor's degree or equivalent. Minimum
Qualifications: Experience as an employee on an Association staff or an
advocacy organization with primary duties in one or more of the following
areas: organizing, strategic planning, crisis management, collective
bargaining, public relations, communications, and/or legislative/political
action. Other Requirements: Writing samples (training,
facilitation, strategic planning, reports, etc.) may be required at time of
interview. Must be able to work weekends and late evenings.
Extensive travel (over 90 overnights per year) is required. Must possess
a valid driver’s license" (National Education Association, 2013).
Finally, I chose National Institute
for Early Education Research, [NIEER]. This organization provides research to
educators that will ensure their preschool programs are high quality. Their
mission statement is: "The National Institute for Early Education Research
(NIEER) conducts and communicates research to support high-quality, effective
early childhood education for all young children. Such education enhances their
physical, cognitive, and social development, and subsequent success in school
and later life.The Institute offers independent, research-based advice and
technical assistance to policymakers, journalists, researchers, and
educators" (NIEER, 2013).
Currently, NIEER has a job
opportunity titled "Senior Communications and Policy Specialist."
This would certainly be a position I would enjoy. The qualifications are:
"Requires a master’s degree in
Early Childhood Education, Education Policy, Development or Psychology. Earned
doctorate strongly preferred. A minimum of three years of experience
working with others to: plan, develop and implement research-based technical
assistance to a variety of early education policy-makers and practitioners,
including those at the national level; contribute to ongoing strategic
planning, development, management, and implementation of programs; engage
in research and policy analysis. Experience should include conducting and
disseminating education research, including developing instruments, data
collection and analysis, writing and presenting research-related reports.
Requires advanced knowledge of current early education policy and practice
including issues of finance, governance, and assessment, and ability to
develop, deliver, coordinate, and evaluate high-level technical assistance
informed by the latest research (requires an ability to discern research
quality in these areas), that can demonstrably increase the ability of regional
and national early education entities to enhance early learning outcomes, as
required per Rutgers University agreement with the Department. Requires
experience that demonstrates comprehensive knowledge, skill, and understanding
of writing, formatting, proofreading, publishing, promotional advertising,
organization coordination, and/or facilitation" (NIEER, 2013).
While I do not hold a PhD, I would
enjoy this position because I would get to view policies and practices for
early childhood education.
References
National Association for the
Education of the Young Child. (2010). Retrieved from
National Institute for Early
Education Research, [NIEER]. (2013). Retrieved from
Texas Association for the Education
of the Young Child. (2010). Retrieved from
