February 23, 2014

TIME WELL SPENT

Time Well Spent


What I've Learned.................

One thing I have learned from this program is the impact a childhood professional can have on not only the child, but the family as a whole. When we work with a child we think we are making a difference with that one child but that difference is going to expand and affect others around that child. Whether it may be the family he is growing up with or his future family. Through reading extensive research on how family systems work, I have realized what a big weight we carry in our profession.

Another thing the program has taught me is what a massive field the early childhood is. Before entering the program, I was not aware of all the organizations and agencies worldwide working towards a common goal to benefit children. Through the program, I have become familiar with websites, resources, and agencies that are advocates of social change and issues affecting children worldwide.

The third thing I have learned is that there is so much more to explore. As childhood professionals, we should not become obsolete but keep learning new things in order to stay abreast.

What I plan for my future............

One long term goal I have is to become an online instructor and be able to guide students into being advocates of social change.
Farewell to my wonderful instructor Dr.Teri who from day 1 took the time and energy to go the extra mile in not only facilitating the course; but also making it more challenging for all of us to grow in a professional and personal way.
I would also like to say farewell to my colleagues who have been with me in this journey as we complete together a milestone in our lives; although we will go in different directions, our objective remains the same; TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN A CHILD’S LIFE!!As a mother, I thank all of you for your passion in helping our younger generation. I have learned so much from all of you and your experiences through the sharing of class discussions and blogging. I appreciate every one of you who unknowingly have taught me many things just by reading your experiences.
I am sharing my favorite quotes below; all of them have to do with just one very powerful word; which is my advice to you: 

PERSEVERANCE  working with all of you has been a wonderful experience , thank you!!!!









Mrs. Dina Corral
corraldina@yahoo.com

For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding
-Proverbs 2:6

Thanks to  God my Father for His unmeasured love, grace, and another accomplished goal in my life!

February 10, 2014

International Communities of Practice


FH1 360 The Science of Improving Lives

I was drawn to this international agency because of the diversity of topics that it covers. Also by their mission stating that they strive “To improve lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions for human development”

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Staff includes experts in Health, Education, Nutrition, Environment, Economic Development, Civil Society, Gender, Youth, Research and Technology– creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today's interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 60 countries, all 50 U.S. states and all U.S. territories.

A vacancy available is a Regional Educational Specialist located in Asia & Pacific. The qualifications include;

  • 10+ years’ experience with at least 5 years in progressively responsible management positions
  • Recognized as a technical expert with broad expertise in education and at least one area of specialization
  • Business development experience
  • Master’s degree in education, international development, or related field; PhD preferred
  • Demonstrated strong technical, strategic planning, programming and management skills
  • Demonstrated interpersonal presentation and negotiation skills and experience working in collaboration with partners, donors and NGOs
  • Excellent communications skills, both oral and written, applied across multiple channels (email, Skype, in-person) using multiple tools (Microsoft Word, Outlook, PowerPoint) and for a variety of purposes (conference calls, presentations, concept notes, proposals, reports, etc.)
  • Proven ability to work collaboratively as an effective team member in a virtual environment with colleagues in multiple countries
  • Ability to identify and recruit skilled technical specialists and manage their assignments
  • Ability to set priorities; manage multiple, simultaneous assignments; and meet deadlines.

 

  • Retrieved from https://ch.tbe.taleo.net/CH12/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=FHI&cws=1&rid=4430

 

 

 

Save the Children

Save the Children is the world's leading independent organization for children with a presence in 120 countries worldwide. We save children's lives; we fight for their rights; we help them fulfill their potential.

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.

This is an organization that catches my attention just by their name itself. And as I read further about them, I am amazed to find out everything they do to really save the children and honor their name and slogan. One position available is the Supply Chain Coordinator based out of The Philippines.

The Supply Chain Coordinator will lead or coordinate the set up or scale up of emergency response logistics functions and responsibilities and will supervise and manage logistics staff, under the supervision of the Country Logistics Manager.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

  • Prior experience in logistics and procurement management in the NGO sector, within complex/large scale country programmes and in emergency response/humanitarian environments
  • Proven experience in all technical areas of logistics operations especially in procurement, and preferably in transport/distribution, warehousing and stock management, fleet management, asset management, communications, and security
  • Experience of working in remote field bases with limited infrastructure in huge scale emergency with SC
  • Experiencing in managing and supervising others in relevant department
  • Ability to synthesize and analyze information, and make clear, informed decisions
  • Ability to build relationships quickly with a wide range of people, both internally and externally
  • Strong planning, management and coordination skills, with the ability to organise a substantial workload comprised of complex, diverse tasks and responsibilities
  • Cultural awareness, with strong written and spoken communication and interpersonal skills in English


Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development

OECD – BETTER POLICIES FOR BETTER LIVES

The OECD’S mission – Better Policies for Better Lives – promotes policies that will improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world. It provides a unique forum in which governments work together to share experiences on what drives economic, social and environmental change, seeking solutions to common problems. 

Vacancy: Head of Health Division

Extensive practical knowledge and experience on health issues at a senior management level, through work in a national administration, research institute, or international organization.

· Very good knowledge of key health policies and developments internationally, including both developed and low and middle income countries.

· Demonstrated ability to motivate and manage a high-performing, multicultural team.

· Proven analytical ability, including the capacity to address health issues in a multidisciplinary context.

· Proven ability to manage human and financial resources.

·  Experience in exercising political judgment and in using effective diplomatic and interpersonal skills; proven ability to achieve consensus and to interact effectively with government representatives from OECD and emerging economies, as well as with other senior stakeholders.

· Demonstrated ability to conceive, plan and execute multi-faceted work programmes in co-operation with others.

· Effective communication skills: proven capacity to present work with skill and judgment to stakeholders, to speak and write clearly, to command attention and establish credibility in international policy processes.
Retrieved from http://www.oecd.org/home/0,2987,en_2649_201185_1_1_1_1_1,00.html

January 27, 2014

National Communities of Practice in the Early Childhood Field




 Curiosity.....is the wick in the candle of learning.
-William A. Ward

Photo courtesy of Jessi Marie


 The whole art of teaching is only the art of awakening the natural curiosity of young minds for the purpose of satisfying it afterwards.
-Anatole France
Curiosity must be instilled and fostered in every day of every child's life. We owe this as a service to the young minds who are developing every day they show up in our classroom. As professionals we have the responsibility to stay abreast new technology, research, and methods. I am sharing some national Communities of Practice which I think will be beneficial to everyone in the early childhood field.


                       American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, our current health care system does not meet the needs of children with mental health disorders. Although 1 in 5 children in the United States suffers from a diagnosable mental health disorder, only 21% of affected children actually receive needed treatment. Mental illness is like any other disease; the earlier it is identified and treated, the better the health outcomes. I think this is an astounding fact and it explains why so many children are having discipline problems, they are simply not being diagnosed and thus; their problem is not being treated (American Academy of Pediatrics, n.d).

One employment opportunity they offer is a Program manager, which is grant funded
The person must;
- Be strong writing, verbal and organizational skills who has the ability to activate this phase of the program and manage related tasks in a team environment.
- Provide support to overall quality improvement (QI), research and program implementation goals and objectives related to this program under the purview of the position while providing oversight and support to the expert group involved in the program.
- Coordinate and implement multiple program activities, including clinical provider/family team involvement, meeting planning, report writing, and budgeting. Bachelors degree in public health, health administration, public administration, health policy, education or related field required. Masters degree preferred. .
I was attracted to this agency because they provide advocacy for many diverse issues dealing with children. Some of these include; access to care, safe and effective devices for children, food access, health and nutrition, violence prevention, and children’s mental health.

National Association of Childcare Resources & Referral Agencies (NACCRRA)

National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies is the nation's leading voice for child care. It works with more than 700 state and local Child Care Resource and Referral agencies nationwide. It leads projects that increase the quality and availability of child care professionals, undertakes research, and advocates child care policies that positively impact the lives of children and families (NACCRRA, n.d). This agency attracted me because it advocates the importance of choosing the adequate early childhood center and it also voices to parents how significant the first years are in the child’s cognitive development.This organization is currently looking for a person to;

  • Respond to inquiries and requests for child care by phone, e-mail, live chat, and in person.
  • Clearly communicate differences between types of child care, regulations, and/or exemptions so that families will be likely to choose options that promote safe, healthy learning environments for children.
  • Educate families about the importance of school readiness and how quality child care can support child development.
  • Collect, maintain, report, and use data related to child care supply, demand, cost, and quality.
  • Participate in outreach activities designed to raise awareness and utilization of Child Care Resource and Referral Services.
  • Bachelor’s degree preferred in child development, early childhood education, or related field. Minimum 5 years’ experience in child care setting or Child Care Resource and Referral.



                          National Child Care Clearinghouse Project

 National Child Care Clearinghouse Project  identifies resources that can be used to support family child care providers.


CWLA who leads and engages its network of public and private agencies and partners to advance policies, best practices and collaborative strategies that result in better outcomes for vulnerable children, youth and families is looking for a Social Media Coordinator.

Job Description:
The Child Welfare League of America, a nonprofit organization located in downtown Washington, DC, is seeking a full-time editor and social media coordinator for its publications department. The person in this position will:

  • Assist with Children's Voice magazine. This includes reporting and writing feature articles and columns; collaborating with other staff, interns, and freelancers to rework their stories for Voice style and audience expectations; and proofreading each issue.
  • Manage CWLA’s social media accounts. This includes maintaining an active presence on Facebook and Twitter; enhancing CWLA’s presence on other networking sites, including LinkedIn and YouTube; and evaluating metrics of online engagement.
  •  Serve as project lead for assigned book projects. This includes completing all aspects of editing; working with authors to ensure required permissions are obtained and queries are answered in a timely fashion; working with staff to develop a production schedule and achievable deadlines; and writing cover text and marketing copy.

Qualifications needed for this job include;

-Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills.

- Familiarity with the Chicago Manual of Style; knowledge of APA style a plus.

- Ability to work with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Experience with InDesign or Final Cut Pro a plus. Ability to do internet research.

                                        References

National Childcare Clearinghouse Project. Retrieved on January 24, 2014 from

http://www.cwla.org/programs/daycare/clearinghouse.htm

National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies. Retrieved on January 24 , 2014 from http://www.naccrra.org/

American Academy of Pediatrics. Retrieved on January 24, 2014 from

http://www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/federal-advocacy/Pages/mentalhealth.aspx

January 15, 2014

Communities of Practice For The Early Childhood Education Field


Texas Department of Family Protective Services

A state organization that appeals to me is the Texas Department of Family Protective Services (TDFPS) I have worked in the past with a branch which falls under the same umbrella which is Child Protective (CPS) on a volunteer basis and I have found the work to be very tiring and demanding but yet, very satisfying and a passionate cause.  Unlike CPS whose only focus are children, TDFS focuses on the whole family, including the elderly; and this is a population I have great respect for. Some opportunities currently available are caseworkers, social workers, investigators, and substance abuse counselors. The skills and experience necessary to fulfill these roles include ;

 

  1. Knowledge of child development.
  2. Knowledge of family dynamics.
  3. Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
  4. Skill in effective verbal and written communication.
  5. Ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
  6. Ability to work with other professionals in the community.*

 

Texas Education Agency

Another place that attracts my attention is The Texas Education Agency (TEA). I think it would be interesting to belong to this community of practice because they are the ones who set forth the educational laws and standards in my state. Some jobs available in the TEA include Directors, Investigators, and Programmers. While these jobs are more demanding and they require more skills, they are also in the six figure annual salary. Some requirements to be met are;

 

  1. Organize and direct program activities
  2. Establish program goals and objectives that support agency strategic plans and legislative mandates;
  3. Educator preparation programs, 
  4. Facilitate and manage stakeholder meetings with diverse participants in order to make recommendations based on stakeholder input/feedback and policy needs.*

 

Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas

 

I find myself drawn to this agency because I have always been an advocate for children. I think I started being one since I was in the playground at kindergarten and always wanted to defend the children’s rights; even if it meant getting in trouble sometimes. Children’s Advocacy Centers™ of Texas, Inc. (CACTX) is the statewide membership association in charge of representing all local children’s advocacy centers in the state. The jobs listed include family support counselor, center coordinator, and lead therapist. Some requirements include;

 

1.   Bachelor’s Degree (Master’s preferred) in social work, psychology, or related field.

2.  Working knowledge of child abuse dynamics

3.  Good organizational, communication and networking skills

4.   Successful completion of a background check, including criminal/CPS clearances*

 

 

*References

 

Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Retrieved January 14, 2014 from


 

Texas Education Agency. Retrieved  January 14, 2014 from http://www.tea.state.tx.us/

 

Children’s Advocacy Center’s of Texas. Retrieved Jan 14, 2014 from


 

 

June 24, 2013

Farewell !

Thank you to all of you who communicated and collaborated with me during this EDUC - 6165 - 2 course ! It is through all of your insights and shared experiences that I have grown both professionally and personally . I wish you all the best and hope to see you at graduation ladies !


June 10, 2013

Adjourning from a team



The five stages of any team or group are forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning. During my undergraduate program, it was very difficult to go through the adjourning stage with my classmates. It was a very complex bittersweet feeling because although we were all eager to graduate and get it done with, that feeling of emptiness was there because there was not going to be any more long study nights, team meetings, and shared assignments.
I do not anticipate having the same feeling once I am done with my graduate program because Walden is an online University and is very different when you get to know the people face to face like my undergraduate on ground studies.
The closing rituals we experienced was just agreeing we would meet at least monthly to catch up no matter how busy our lives would get. Unfortunately, shortly after graduation I moved out of town and that never happened making it even more difficult for me. I do think that high performing groups are harder to leave because we learned to have pride in our team and work hard to achieve our goal together