Time Well Spent

This program  has been a wonderul journey for me. There were some curves, roadblocks and even a detour, but I made it here safely at the end of the road which is my last course in this program.  Throughout this program, I have learned how adults learn. I have also learned that communition is important when dealing with adults and last but not least I learn that we must learn about others cultures in order to help families and their children. I enjoyed reading the Gonzalez Family Story which inspired me to learn another language and become a translator in my community. This degree will help me to teach adults how to effectively work in the early childhood field. My long term goals to help each school be successful in having a 100% parental involvement at each school, that is a goal of mine. Parents must learn the importance of their input in their child's education. I will begin teaching at the Local University in the Fall and I will be able to share with others what I learned from my colleagues in this program. Thanks for sharing your experiences which has helped me to grow as as educator and teacher.

Dr. Davis and my fellow colleagues, I wish you much success in all that you do. I hope that you all do just what you sat out to do in your speech because I have already started on my journey. I look forward to seeing or even working with some of you in the future, even in post graduate courses. Dr. Davis thanks for all of your feedback it helped  tremendously, I am a better writer.. Good luck and Best Wishes to everyone.



My Contact Information:

Debra Halbert
P. O. Box 1601
Clarksdale, MS 38614
662-645-2223

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

The three organizations that stand out to me is the World Organization for Early Childhood Education, United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Nation Head Start Association and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF. I feel that these three organizations are committed to providing quality early childhood education to children and families. There are several vacancies available at  all three organizations but  the UNICEF organization  interest me the  most. I would like to apply for a Consultancy Assignment: Consultancy to support implementation of monitoring, research, field support activities of ECD. For this position you would need a Master Degree in the EC and I feel that I will be qualified as of May 2013. I feel that that I meet all of the requirements for this position such as 5 years of professional experience, knowledge and experience in ECD As a candidate you must be able to speak English. I think that I would be an asset this international organization.  I feel that the skills that they are requiring for the position, I feel I have experience working with diverse families before, I have working experience in the field of early childhood.

 

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community:National/Federal Levels



Roles in the ECE Community: National/Federal Levels

 

I have always been a part of National Organizations that have assisted me in the work that I do as an early childhood professional. I feel that in order to work successfully with parents, staff and the community, you must be affiliated with organizations that will assist you in the work that you will be doing. I feel that the following organizations represent the work that and the Challenge Question for my capstone project. These resources will be used in m project.

National Coalition for Parent Involvement (NCPIE) I chose this organization, because of the importance that parent play in their children education. The organization provides a variety of resources for parents and teachers.

 
National Head Start Association (NHSA) is an organization that provides services, resources and professional development to local head start agencies to assure quality services to children.

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAYEC) is a program that intent is to assist programs in making sure that they provide education to children through age 8.

 
Job Opportunities that is available in the NAYEC that are of interest to me in the Accreditation Coordinator/ Program Coordinator both positions require a Bachelor or advance degree in early childhood education. Other skills include good oral/written communication skills. I must be able to use MS Office and work in a fast paced environment.

 
Reference:

 http://www.naeyc.org/

http://ncpie.org/WhatsHappening/index.cfm

 

http://www.nhsa.org/about_nhsa/nhsa_history

 

 

 

 



Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

I have been working the Early Childhood Education field for over 15 years. I have always been involved with organizations that promote growth and development for children.

The organizations that I feel appeal to is
 Mississippi Advocate for Public Education (MAE).
Mississippi Head Start Association (MSHA)
School Readiness Leadership Team (local organization)

I chose these organizations because I believe a quality education for all all, but I think that parent play a great role in the education of their child.  Each of these organization attempt to find strategies and goals for students and parent that will prepare them not only for the next grade but for the future.


Job Opportnities that interest me are the Pre-K Coordinator. This person is responsible for the alignment of the LEA's with the local head start, and child care facilities. I have applied for this position and wish that I get it.  I think that I bring great knowledge and insight to the position. some of the skills that I have are good written and oral communication skills, critical thinking. Thuis getting this degree has given the skills I need for this position. I am in my last course and hope that I recieve this jobe opportunity to help my community.

Finally Made It

I would like to say Thank You and I hope to see you in the next course. I have learned many new ideas and insight from each of you. I have enjoyed all the post and blogs.

Collabration in groups

Are high-performing groups hardest to leave?

 

I have worked in groups that are high performing groups in the Head Start where I work. I have worked close within programs in which everyone works as close as family. In the jobs in which I have worked, we have to say good-bye each year from each other. When you work together in a good way, it hard to depart from a group where you have formed a bond. The hardest group for me to leave was the job of center administrator from the center to the administrative office that was a tough decision to make.

 

What sorts of closing rituals have you experienced or wish you had experienced?

Closing Ritual consists of sometimes parties or goodbye ceremonies, balloon liftoff, programs and even dinner. I have had to write goodbye speeches for people when they are leaving a group or an organization.

 

How do you imagine that you will adjourn from the group of colleagues you have formed while working on your master's degree in this program?

 

I have learned that working in an online degree group, you form a closeness with the people in your group, because I can’t wait to get to see what my group has responded to me and others. Sometime you share several classes with the same colleagues. Usually at the end of a course, I always tell the entire group goodbye and hope to work with them in other courses. I always say thanks you for providing me with professional and personal insight that I can share with others.

 

Why is adjourning an essential stage of teamwork?

 My mother always told me that closure is a good thing. I had to rely on that statement when she passed. I would not want to start of project and did not finish it, therefore the same is for talks in group or meeting, they must be closed or adjourned. Adjourning help the team or group the opportunity to say goodbye, good job, and even see you later. I have learned that adjourning means the start of something new and better.

 

 

Communication and Conflict Management

Over the past six months I have been experiencing conflict with one of my coworkers. I have trying very hard to communicate effectively with her. All of my attempts have been unsucessfel because she thinks that she can use her authority to do want she wants to do. I tried to use listening skills with the cowoker because I have found that if you listen to people and let them know you care, you can minimize conflict. I believe that if  you show someone that you respect them and try to listen to their concerns they are going to interact and communicate with you more positively. I think that if you do not have the 3Rs in your professional  and social life you will be someone who is unsuccessful in  the work you do and in your relationships. I will continue to work on this relationship with my co-worker, I can only treat her like I want to be treated. I do do believe that this coworker know what triggers ma and she tries her best to upset me.

I have learned that “conflict is not simply an argument or a struggle, it is negative interaction between two or more independent people, rooted in some actual or perceived disagreement.” (O’Hair & Wiemann, 2012 p. 220). I believe that respect is the most important because when you are respectful to the person who you are communicating with then more and likely you are able to reciprocate and be responsive to their needs in the situation. I believe that one day, this relationships will get better. Thsi course has taught me alot on how to deal with conflicts and strategies to use.

Week 4 Blog

For this assignment, I learned that others are others to communication to well. During the assessments, my husband and my best friend said that they enjoyed when I speak to others in public. Both said that I am people oriented, and I enjoyed speaking and listening to others. My husband tells me all the time that I should have went into public speaking. I speak often at local board meeting and I am the training officer for my agency. I enjoyed listening to others and being able to give feedback to their questions and comments. Communication is a vital part of the relationships that we have with others. I try to look people in their eyes when talking to them. I teach my children never to look down when talking always give eye contact and listen to everyone opinion. This assignment was very helpful to me.

Communication and Culture

In my opinion, cultural differences cause everyday relationships hard to have effective communication. I communicate differently with different people, to my friends, I give hugs, kiss,smiles, and different facial expressions and to strangers, I often say hello or hi. Every situation cause for a different perspective because it may be the language, tradition, or a world issue that causes a lack of communication between the two. I believe that people communicate differently because of cultural differences and things that are related. I am not able to communicate to someone about the presidential election if they are not aware of what is going on or they speak the same language. Communicate is important but can be very challenging when there are barriers. We communicate with those that we feel comfortable around as well. When communicating we must learn culture rules about communication.

Communication is not always straightforward!

For this week's blog assignment I chose to watch a sitcom, that I would not advise anyone to let their children watch if they are trying to teach them good communication skills among family members, peers or other adults. I watch Family Guy for the first time in its entirety.

 

 

Sound Off Observations

  

As a watched with the sound off I notice the family lips moving and facial expressions where as if they were excited and happy  to sit at the breakfast table together at one point and sitting on couch together. The wife hugs the husband, the mother kisses the baby and the sister and brother were conversing back and forth. The dog even had good body language, excitement in the facial expressions. The family gave each other I contact, there were hand gestures, hugs, kisses,  and soft touches. By just looking at the screen with no sound one would think that this is a normal, functioning family with good communication skills which is loving. From looking at the screen and hearing no sound, you would think that the family communicates well together with good language, listening and non-verbal skills.

 

Sound on Observations

 



When I watch the show with the sound on, I found myself in aw of the communication between the family members, there were ugly remarks toward each other, the husband was affectionate toward the wife, the baby seemed to hate the mother by the tone of his voice, the sister and brother argued throughout the show. The dog seemed the be one with the positive remarks, eye contacts, and good body language. The dad would try to belittle the daughter during the breakfast table, and the baby called the mother out of her name. The communication for this family was very dysfunctional and there was a lack of positive verbal communication, eye contact, and the body language much better between the dad and the mother. Once I watch with the sound, I had a different opinion about what I head from the family. Being able to hear what someone say really makes a difference.

 



Competent Communicator



Every since I was about twelve years old I have known a competent communicator. Ms. Blackburn who is a pioneer in my community, she is 82 and is still a good volunteer in our community. She know how to listen, hear, understand and share with you. Ms. Blackburn smiles with everyone, hugs small children and others. She is a excellent listener. She looks you into your eyes when you are talking, sometimes pats you on your back and she gives you great feedback. She worked in the head start program where I work as the nutritionist. All of the parents and children loves her. I enjoy hearing the questions and positive comments that she gives to the parents about any concerns they may have concerning allergies, picky eater, diet, and substitutions. Ms. Blackburn accepts that not everyone is going to agree but she does not show any negative body languages, eye contact or voice tones. Ms. Blackburn talks with knowledge and wisdom and when she starts to talks everyone begins to sit and listen.

I find that a competent communicator is able to communicate through both verbal and non verbal communications by smiles, laughter, honesty, eye contact and good body language. I hope that when I am 82, I am able to be just like Ms. Blackburn. I have learned that different communications can be very difficult to understand such as written communication, such as text or letters. I have learned that some people voice tone is just loud and boisterous but there is no harm. I am willing to learn how to communicate to others in all ways rather it is oral or written.

Professional Hopes and Goals

As I look back over the past eight weeks and begin to think about working with children and families who come from very different and diverse backgrounds I hope that I can offer an environment that has trusting relationships, love, compassion,patience, respect, and consideration for all children and families that I come in contact with. This course has really touched my heart in so many ways,  I hope that I am able to take what I have learned from this course and help others who have struggled with diversity, culture, inequities and use the knowledge to help them understand about similarities and differences. 

A goal of mines when it come to to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice is to see anti-bias education for children, parents and all education people who deal directly with children and families. I think that if better understanding of culture and diversity was to happen, better communication will transpire between everyone.

I would like to thank all my colleagues because I have learned something from everyone. I enjoyed reading the discussion, blogs and learning about how others have dealt with situations similar to me, it made this experience some what easier. 

Welcoming Families From Around the World

As a early childhood professional are working in an early childhood setting.You receive word that the child of a family who has recently emigrated from a country you now nothing about will join your group soon. You want to prepare yourself to welcome the child and her family,in order to support families who have immigrated you need to know more than surface facts about their country of origin.”

I chose the country of Hungary, Hungary is located in the Carpathian Basin of Central Europe. I believe to in order to truly help this child/family, I want to first learn about their country's food, customs and belief before I can do anything else. I want to help them  feel comfortable in their new environment. I want to learn their customs upon greeting others so that they don't get offended. 

I would make them feel comfortable fixing food that is similar to what the family eat or are used to, such as Hungarian cuisine, goulash and chicken paprika, but their food are associated with much more.  I would also try to find little artifacts that are from their country such as clothing, pictures, and others.  I would also create a photo album with picture of their country so they can have things are related to what they are used to. I would try to learn Hungarian (Magyar) language by purchasing the Rosetta Stone series. I think all of this strategies will help the family feel welcomed.

As an early childhood professional, I would see if there is anyone in the community who is able to help the family by translating their language and I would take the family to local markets, schools, community events so that they can feel a part of the community in which they are in. 

I would encourage the local school that the child will be attending to make their classroom as culturally sensitive as possible with poster, pictures, books, artifacts that are welcoming and inviting. 

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

This week I have the chance to share about an incident where I have experienced bias, prejudice, and/or oppression, or witnessed someone else as the target of bias, prejudice, and/or oppression in this day and time.. I choose to discuss an incident that will never leave my mind and I will always try to best to change the attitudes and  behaviors of the people in this town. On July 27, 2012, a friend and I chose to go to a local restaurant in a small town in Mississippi, the same town where I have lived for 36 years. We entered to building and a sign said, please wait to be seated by waiter, so we waited and waited and waited so after after five minutes or so we seated our selves. After a minute of being seated a man walked over to our table, please let me remind you that this man is the waiter who was supposed to seat us when we entered to building. He blatantly said " you can't sit here, you have to sit back yonder", my mouth dropped and my friend begin to drop her head because she knew what was about to come out of my mouth. I explained to the man that we were not going to move and I did not see a reserved sign that said " white only"" or "colored". I asked the man why was he whispering did he not want all the professional people in the restaurant to know that there was a table for " colored only" in this day and age. So I let the people know that they were eating in a restaurant that had "hidden prejudices". I asked to speak with the manager and he came over along with some other people in the restaurant and I explained my story, several people asked for us to sit at their table, the restaurant was fill with white people. I joined a white couple who was so polite and she explained to us, that they was not aware that blacks was asked to sit in the back, she had never noticed it and the lady got up and went to every table talking to others, so many people came over to us apologizing for what we had went through and paid for our lunch to eat at the same restaurant for the next week. My friend and I have been enjoying lunch on the locals and we will eat our last meal on Monday. The people are much friendlier as we walk through the door, but there are still a few stares and whispers, but we will continue to eat there even when our free spree is over, we change change some attitudes if not all. 

I was so hurt because everything really thinks that prejudice like this instance does not exit, but they do, I call them " hidden prejudices' and they will never go away. This incident reminds me of what I see in movies not real life situations, and it disturbs me to think that with all the changes in the world we still have situation like the one me and friend encountered just last week. I don't think it's nothing I can do to change these types of situation, people are going to want to change from the old into the new, and people refuse to change and that's just final. Education and knowledge key if we are going to change the mindset of people. 

Practicing Awareness of Micro aggressions

Micro aggressions  in my opinions are a persons way of using little stereotypical statements or emotions to others. Most micro aggression  are negative and unintentional but some are intentional, people know what they are doing.  After reading the resources and listening to Dr. Sue I understand that people really don't know they are doing this things so harmful to other. The week has taught me that I have said things that I didn't mean that were not nice but now that I know better I am not going to say or act that way again. A lady came into a Chinese and ordered food and decided to cancel it and didn't order anything, so a lady who was standing there said that these Chinese people are mean because of the lady look

I have been at fault for using micro aggression toward a people some point in my life.  I have learned a lot about myself this week, and about others that I come into contact with. Learning and educating yourself about other culture and diversities will help you understand better better about others and what you say and do harms other people's feelings.

When we work with parents their children,and our co-workers we must know how to effectively communicate both verbally and non verbally. Parents will be key in this change in communicate effects to change the way we see others. 

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

This assignment ask us to call, write to, or talk to at least three friends, family members, acquaintances, and/or colleagues. Include at least one person who you believe is in some ways culturally different from you (a different gender, race, class, religion, abilities, age, etc.). I asked the following people about culture and diversity.
Friend
What is your definition of culture?" Culture is how we talk, walk, the way we see the world around us."
What is your definition of diversity? "Diversity is a combination of all the different types of people in the world. based on race, religion, language."
Family Member
What is your definition of culture? " Culture is one's behavior in a particular group of people such as the way they sit, foods, the way they talk, things they do on holidays"
What is your definition of diversity? " diversity is everything that makes you different in your life
Colleague
What is your definition of diversity? "Culture is the differences that we see in people"
What is your definition of culture? " Diversity is how you see yourself by the way you were reared and your family background"


     Over the past three weeks we have been studying that some pieces of our culture is  easily seen  such as the music we listen to , the clothes we wear , and  the food we eat and even what holidays we celebrate, but I have learned that culture is more than skin deep, there is what is called deep culture and that the part of our cultures that is seen such as our tradition, beliefs and values we use with our families.  “ When early childhoods educators think about culture, they think about the surface things that are easy to see, taste and define.” (Derman-sparks L and Olsen Edwards J.). 


     After this week reading and videos and what I have learned so far about culture and diversity none of the people I asked about the definitions mentioned deep culture, surface culture  or family culture, power, or social identity. No one mentioned how we can help children understand the differences in each other.  I have learned so much  about culture and diversity. I think that all educators should be able to use the knowledge about culture and diversity to help them in their classrooms. 

References
Derman-Sparks, L., & Edwards, J. O. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves

My Family Culture

This week assignment allowed me the opportunity to to image if a major catastrophe would almost completely devastated the infrastructure of our country. 

If there was a major catastrophe that caused me to have to leave the United States I know that I would have to be  selective in the items I had bring with me as I relocate with my family. The first item I would bring would be my Bible. The Bible is my sense of spirituality and calmness at all times, during the good and the bad times.

Second, I would bring my family's birth certificate as a source of identification. i think that in a situation like this you will need your identification so that you will be able to tell your race among things. 

Lastly, I would bring my photo album box with all of my memories in it. The album has been in my family for 30 years and we just add to it each time someone dies, have a birth, marriage, divorce, birthday parties,  first kiss, graduations, etc. The book also has our family tree information from my great-great grandmother and father. The album has something personal  from all of my family members.

I think that all of the items that I have chosen represents who I am and my culture and someone on the outside will be able to understand my culture. This assignment made me think real hard about if this was to happen and what would I really do, so I took a walk around my house and those three things I feel I would need with me if this was to happen to me. 

 It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength. 

-- Maya Angelou

When I Think About Research.......

 What insights have you gained about research from taking this course?


Over the past eight week I have learned a lot about research that I did not know prior to this class. Research was not my strong point. After the reading the book and the learning from everyone post, I have greater insight about research and the process. I learned that research is a process that must be followed in order to have a successful study.

·        In what ways have your ideas about the nature of doing research changed?

I     Since this course, I have learn that research is not easy and you must take research seriously. I learned that research is necessary to help others learn and continue to improve the fields. Research allows us to continue to learn from literature and enable you to take information to help others. I did not know that research was so in dept and there was so many steps that had to followed in order to get the study correct. 

I·     What lessons about planning, designing, and conducting research in early childhood did you learn?


        During the past eight week I have learn that research is a process that must be followed. Over the course of the time I learned about research process, ethics in research, but the most important piece was how to interview young children and direct observation. I feel that learned an important piece of information because I will be working with young children. I gain so much insight from the weekly readings. 

·      What were some of the challenges you encountered—and in what ways did you meet them?


      One challenge that I faced was the choosing a research topic, I had to rethink my research topic a couple of time with the help of Dr. Davis. The feedback that was given really helped my in attempt write a good research question. The feed back help me to narrow my question down. 


\    What are some of the ways your perceptions of an early childhood professional have been modified as a result of this course? 


     Since taking this course I have learned that the early childhood field will benefit from the research it will allow others to learn about the change it helps other to give their input on how to help children and their families. I have learned that research is a great part in what we know about the field but you have to follow the process in order to make sure that the data is valid and reliable. 

Research Around the World

This week assignment allowed me the opportunity to to read and think about international early childhood research. Here are links to three influential international web sites dedicated to early childhood:

Early Childhood Australia: This is the Australian equivalent to the U.S. based NAEYC. You can access several links to early childhood research from the menu on the left side of the home page.
http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/

For this Blog Assignment, choose one of these links, and explore the available research. Let the following questions guide your search:

What are some of the current international research topics? Some of the research topics include:

• The Early Years Learning Framework-Getting Started
• Learning and Teaching through Play
• Everyday learning about responding to emotional need of children 

What surprising facts/insights/new ideas about early childhood did you gain from exploring this international early childhood website? After exploring the website this is what was so insightful, the following question was asked:

• Can we make our children smarter?’ On Sunday morning of May 6, 2012, the program 3Q aired on SKY asking this question.
  Pam Cahir, the CEO of Early Childhood Australia spoke to 3Q about the biggest improvements to early childhood education in 25 years.
  More Australian babies and toddlers are in childcare than ever before. And they’re there when their brains are laying down the pathways vital for later learning, intelligence and social capability.
  Pam Cahir tells 3Q how new national reforms are ensuring childcare centers provide a nurturing environment that will have a long-term beneficial effect on our future society.
  The website is very diverse and meets the needs of all of its reader, the website offers many early childhood topics. I also had never seen a web site that offers strategic goals for two years, this was a great idea to incorporate into a website. 
• What other noteworthy information did you find on this website? This website offered a wealth of knowledge and information about memberships, code of ethics, and research in practice series. All of the information was very informative.

Research that Benefits Children and Families—Uplifting Stories

For this blog I chose option 1 which was to share a positive example of the effects of research on children and/or families: I will provide a  real-life examples of research benefits to children and/or families; I am familiar with stories of people who have been positively affected by research that I would like to share with my colleagues.


For this assignment I chose to talk about my mother who was a participant in research study on leukemia, she received a treatment to help get the chemotherapy out of her body. The antidote was given to help with the leukemia in her kidney. After the medicines was given she was better and the chemo left her body immediately. I am so grateful for the research and it helped my mother. The research was done on children at a local children hospital and it help them so my mom gave permission and consent to receive the same treatment and it worked. The medicine was given to my mother so that the chemotherapy would not paralyze her by staying in her kidneys. 

If we knew what we were doing it wouldn't be research.

Albert Einstein