TIME WELL SPENT

A Bitter Sweet Moment!!!!

The time has come for us to say our last goodbyes.  As I sit here and wonder, I think about the song that I use to listen to with my children as Barney tells his friends goodbye at the end of every show.  The lyrics goes something like this "So Long, farewell my friends, goodbye for now until we meet again".   This is not goodbye but farewell because I am sure that in the field of Education and being an advocate for social change we shall meet again.  I have enjoyed learning and discussing what we have learned with each and everyone of you.  I will take with me as I pursue my long term goal of becoming a owner of my own consulting company, the things I learned in this course such as learning about the bias with yourself and addressing that particular issue, form a CoP to help you take on issues that effect the community of Education, and making sure that you are passionate about an issue that you take on as a challenge.

This journey has been fun and informative, but as everything it must come to an end.  I would like to say Thank you to Professor Darragh and my classmate for responding to any question that I had and for the advice and sincerity that was given to me during this course.  I am very grateful to have been able to converse with all of you.  I wish all of you the best in your future endeavors.  I will miss each and everyone.  Until we meet again,  may you be blessed and blessing unto others.

Erica Hines

ROLES AND JOBS IN THE EARLY CHILDHOOD COMMUNITY: FEDERAL AND NATIONAL LEVEL (please see previous post dated March, 2013, same assignment)

Exploring Roles in teh ECE Community: Local and State Levels

Throughout this journey in the Education Field, I learned that it is important to become members of groups or organizations that allows you to have input and support of a common goal . The two local organizations that I found to be appealing are The local boys and girls club, and the Christian Athletic Organization. The state organization that I found to be interesting is the Georgia Association of Educator. This organizations are beneficial in helping find solution to problems of students or finding the necessary resources. The state organization is a support group for Educators. They also fight on behalf of the educators to make sure that fair treatment is received. In the boys and girls club children are given the opportunities to get extra help with homework assignments and also to be exposed to many things that otherwise they may not be able to enjoy. This organization helps children who are victims of poverty. The Christian Athletic Organization is a group of Athletics who explore their religion. The Georgia Association of Educator is an organization who help encourage educators and help educators to be inform of the new changes.
Through these organization there is resources to help one learn about job opportunities. Through these organization I feel that I can obtain employment as a counselor, or maybe an Assistant Principal.
In these organizations, I feel that I can be helpful because I have great communication skills and the ability to get along well with other. I am able to value others opinion and appreciate their opinion without being bias.
Erica Hines

Roles in the ECE Community National and Federal Level:

One of the National Organizations that I explored and find interest in was NAEYC. This organization looks out for the best interest of children. They focus on health and safety, positive interaction between adults and children, and parent involvement. It is a big ordeal for an organization to be NAEYC accredited. This means that your program meets all of the above guidelines mentioned above.

Job opportunity with this organization would be a Program Monitor , this person go to the different center to monitor the programs performance.

The next organization that I researched and was impressed with was the National Education Association (NEA). This organization is concerned about the education of young children and helping educators solve issues that they may be having. This program gives Educators an opportunity to learn from each other by networking with other Educators.

The job opportunity that I see through this organization is maybe a Educator Resource Person , an Academic Coach, or maybe someone in Administration.

The third organization that I researched was The National Association of Head Start. This organization is geared at improving the quality of Head Start programs and ensuring that their educators are well trained and knowledgeable of Early Childhood Standards and requirements.

The job opportunity that I see through this organization is to be Program Reviewer, Director of Head-Start, or a Center Manager.
The skills that I feel I would need to fulfill the qualification of these job opportunities is Knowledge, and a passion on Early Childhood Studies.

References;
www.naeyc.orgwww.nea.orgwww.nationalheadstart.org

Community Organizations

There are several groups that I believe that have the interest of the children in mind.  The first group that I think is very helpful is The Boys and Girls Club.  This is a local and national organization that works in various communities to improve children skills.  It also is a mentorship program in the community.  There are various activities that go on throughout the school term and during the summer that help children build or increase skills that will help them become successful students as well as members of the community in which they live.

The next group is a local organization that has recently been organized in my community that is called saving our Youth; this group also is a mentorship program for young children, more so teens to help them get back on the right track.  This program is like a second chance at life.  People from various walk of lives serves on this committee.  They offer advice, help, or prayer to help children get the resources needed to accomplish goals or get on the right track.

The third group is another local organization in my community that is involved in restoring our youth by mentoring, teaching, and helping them to develop necessary life skills.  This group is CYIA better known as Community Youth in Action.  This organization is developing from local church leaders and community leaders.  This organization helps children develop skills through a Christian outlook.  I am currently apart of two of the three organizations and believe in the motto of all three.

Erica Hines

Reflecting on Learning

THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!

My most passionate hope for my future is to touch the life of a child, and their families as I help them see that behind every cloud is a silver lining by teaching them to empower themselves with knowledge.  I hope to encourage them to reach for the stars and do all they can to accomplish all goals that they set for themselves.

I would like to say thank you to all of my colleagues and my instructor for all the encouragement and support that have been giving throughout this part of my journey to becoming the best Anti-bias educator there is.  THANKS for all you have done and THANKS for being you.  Much, much wishes on your endeavors for obtaining and accomplishing your goals.

Erica Hines

THE SEXUALIIZTION OF EARLY CHILDHOOD

In today’s society there is no surprise to what is being said or done in the early childhood setting.   I heard one child say to another child can I feel your butt.  She said why you want to feel my butt, he said cause that’s what my daddy does to my mommy, he touches her butt then they go to bed.   I went over to him and I said “D”, I can not tell you what you saw at home but I can tell you that here in the classroom we do not touch others in places they do not want to be touch.  I then reference the conversation back to a lesson we had on good touch bad touch and how we do not want people to touch us in places we call our private places that means.  He said well I saw my daddy do my mom like that.  I bet your father got permission from your mom to do adult things.  He then said so I got to wait until I am big to touch her butt.  I said, I am saying that you have to have permission to touch people’s body anywhere preferably when you get married and become an adult.

The next incident, I recall is a child, a young girl, coming to school in heels.  The little boy asked her why do you have on your momma’s shoes, and she stated that these are my shoes my momma brought me to wear in the pageant and I am practice walking in them.  The child had actually sneaked some of her mother’s shoes out of the house and changed on the bus.  Children are growing up really fast even at the age of five.

This week’s resource taught me how to  “ use what I do in early years to pave the way for staying connected with children when the stakes get higher in adolescence” (So Sexy So Soon, 2009, p. 7).

Reference

Levin, D.E., and Kibourne, 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. Retrieved

                from: http://dianeelevin.com/sosexysosoon/introduction