Since attending my program here at Walden, I have found a plethora of
organizations that will assist me in the future. However, those organizations
have been instrumental in assisting me with my classroom now. I am so very
thankful I have found these organizations! I will use them as long as I am in
the field of education!
I have found some very useful international organizations I want to be
affiliated with. The Division of Early Childhood, [DEC], is one I am very
interested in. DEC is the largest international professional organization
dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with
exceptionalities, students with disabilities, and/or the gifted. This
organization works with children with special needs, ages birth through eight
years of age. Their mission is “The Division for Early Childhood promotes
policies and advances evidence-based practices that support families and
enhance the optimal development of young children who have or are at risk for
developmental delays and disabilities” (The Division of Early
Childhood, 2013). This is especially interesting to me because of my current
challenge. I want all preschool children with disabilities to feel welcomed and
embraced within their classrooms. This organization is a vital tool to ensure
this is accomplished. Within this organization, there is a special section for
professionals in the field of education; there are tools and webinars that will
assist educators. I would encourage any and all educators to look at this
website and become a member.
Unfortunately,
there are no jobs that I found within the actual organization. There are jobs
that are outside of the organization, but none that I would be interested in.
Next, I
chose the Association for Childhood Education International, [ACEI] as another
international organization I want to be affiliated with. Their mission is “to
promote and support the optimal education, development, and well-being of
children worldwide and to influence the professional growth of educators and
the efforts of others who are committed to the needs of children in a changing
society” (Association for Childhood Education International, 2011). Their
vision is equally important, “Every child in every nation will
have access to a quality education. This education will prepare children to
become responsible and engaged citizens and ready them for life in a changing
world” (Association for Childhood Education International, 2011). There is an
enormous amount of information within this organization’s website; too many to
even attempt to list here. However, again, I would encourage all educators to
look into this organization. It is a very useful tool to aid in educating
children, especially those with special needs.
Within this organization, I did not find any current employment
opportunities. However, I did find internships that were available this summer
that just past. It would have been quite an opportunity. Had I been able to, I
would have very much inquired about this. Below is the description.
“ACEI has two internships available for the summer
of 2013. Interns are given the opportunity to gain work experience consisting
primarily of online research and data gathering that will contribute to the
development of briefing papers and other types of resources. In addition to
their day-to-day assignments, interns will have the opportunity to attend
various meetings related to childhood education.
Interns should be enrolled in a graduate degree
program that focuses on global education issues with a particular interest in
children's education. A focus on one specific aspect of childhood education,
such as basic education or early childhood development, is also acceptable.
Interns, who have had some international experience working or living outside
the U.S., are preferred.
Internships typically range from 8 -12 weeks. All
interns must reside in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area during their
assignment and are responsible for arranging their own housing and
transportation. Interns are based at the ACEI Headquarters located at 1101 16th
Street NW, Washington DC, 20036, a few blocks north of the White House.
ACEI offers a monthly stipend” (Association for
Childhood Education, 2013).
The next international organization I chose was Save the Children. “We work
to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children and to achieve
immediate and lasting change in their lives. Across all of our work, we pursue
several core values: accountability, ambition, collaboration, creativity and
integrity” (Save the Children, 2013). Within this organization, they are
advocates for health, education, child protection, and child right’s
governance. They encompass everything and anything for the child. What a
valuable organization to be a part of. “We work together, with our partners, to inspire
breakthroughs in the way the world treats children and to achieve immediate and
lasting change in their lives. We have over two million supporters worldwide
and raised 1.6 billion dollars last year to reach more children than ever
before, through programmes in health, nutrition, education, protection and
child rights, also in times of humanitarian crises. Following a major
transition, our international programmes are now delivered through a merged
operation with c14,000 staff, managed through seven regional hubs and reporting
to a relatively small, central office. We're changing to become more efficient,
more aligned, a better partner, a stronger advocate, a magnet for world-class
people and relevant for the 21st century” (Save the Children, 2013).
Within this organization, there is a
job opening I would love to take. Unfortunately, it would require me to locate
internationally. I am unable to leave my husband and daughter at this current
time, but I would so love to be a part of this team! Below is the listing as
well as qualifications. (I also would not be considered because I am unable to
speak their native language).
Contract length:
12 months
The role:
The Education Programme Manager will be responsible for
the realization of the Emergency Education programme in the field.
Responsibilities include participation in technical assessments, collection of
education data, implementation, monitoring, documentation and reporting of the
project, as well as supervision of the education team in two locations,
contributing to overall Education program, its appropriateness and quality. As
the emergency Education intervention is integrated within a multi-sectoral
response along with NFI, Food Security, Shelter, Health and Nutrition and Child
Protection, the Education Programme Manager will link closely with other
respective sectors to ensure maximum possible integration of the project
activities.
Required qualifications and experience:
- Degree in
related field
- Previous 3
years of working with an NGO in emergency education
- Experience
of staff training and capacity building of organisational staff and
partner staff (MoE)
- Flexible,
adaptable, ability to improvise
- Results
orientated
- Familiarity
with SPHERE standards guidelines and other humanitarian standards
- Ideally
fluency in written and spoken Arabic
- Strength
in interpersonal communication and presentation skills
We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment
to the protection of children from abuse.
A second job opening within this organization is
quite interesting to me, as well. It is for Senior Education Specialist. Sadly,
I could not accept this job because of having to relocate internationally and
not being fluent in Thailand’s language. However, I can certainly dream!
Contract length: 3 years
The role:
Provide high quality technical support and advice to Save
the Children's education programming in Thailand, with a particular focus on
our ACCESS (Assisting Conflict-affected Children Enrol and Stay in School)
programme.
Required qualifications and experience:
Essential
- Demonstrated
knowledge and experience of education programme design, implementation and
evaluation
- Experience
of undertaking, commissioning and managing applied education research
- Experience
of education sector policy development and influencing
- Experience
of senior level representation
- Experience
of working with implementing partners in a consortium and of building
coalitions to affect change
- Experience
of developing and negotiating successful partnerships with institutional
donors
- Ability to
write clear and well-argued research and policy reports
- Excellent
communication skills with a high level of written and spoken English
- Politically
and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy
- Postgraduate
qualifications in a related field
Desirable
- Technical
experience in programs that focus on improving access to education,
particularly community outreach, enrolment and retention of primary school
students
- Knowledge
and/or experience of ethnic minority education
- Knowledge
and/or experience of designing and implementing programmes that use mother
tongue based multilingual education
- Experience
developing and successfully implementing an advocacy plan
- Experience
working in Thailand and/or Myanmar
- Master's
Degree in a related field
We need to keep children safe so our selection process
reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.
References
