Time Well Spent

Throughout this program I have gained a deeper understanding on what is need to be an anti-bias early childhood professional in today’s ever changing society.  Completing my Masters of Science in Early Childhood Studies with a specialization in Teaching and Diversity in Early Childhood has provided me with the needed framework to create an anti-bias learning environment for children and their families.  An anti-bias learning environment provides children with opportunities to demonstrate self-awareness, confidence, family pride, and positive social interactions.  Children are also provided opportunities to express comfort with others from ethnic groups outside of their own as well as increasingly recognize unfairness.

My long-term goal is to continue networking with other early childhood professionals as well as advocate for children and their families around the world. 

Finally, I would like to thank all my instructors that have contributed to my journey as well as my colleagues who have worked so hard to complete this program.  I wish everyone the best in all that they do:)

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

I found the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI), the International Child Resource Institute (ICRI), and the International Early Childhood Education (ICF) to be international organizations or communities of practice that are appealing to me and my journey as an early childhood educator. 

The Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) is an organization dedicated to promoting the optimal education and development of children through various programs and projects that align with ACEI's commitment to bridging the gap between global initiatives and local needs by recognizing the significance of promoting international and intercultural understanding through dialogue and mutual respect.  I found ACEI to be an appealing organization because of their tagline: "Bright futures for every child, every nation".  Their tagline highlights their commitment to the field of early childhood education by supporting and advocating for access to education, equity in educational settings, quality educational content, and the child's right to education.

The International Child Resource Institute (ICRI) is an international organization that envisions a world in which all children and families are able to fulfill their greatest potential.  ICRI addresses their vision by providing children and their families with resources for early childhood care and education, children’s rights, empowerment of women and girls, maternal and child health, and grassroots community development.  I found the ICRI to be appealing because I fully agree with their philosophy of early childhood care and education.  ICRI believes that all children deserve access to high quality, stimulating, developmentally appropriate early childhood care and education. In addition, ICRI believes that early intervention promotes the healthy growth and development of children and their families as well as communities. 

The International Early Childhood Education (ICF) is an international organization that works toward quality enhancement of early childhood programs in India.  ICF established an Early Education Services program to address some of the major challenges facing early childhood education in India.  For example, updated national early childhood education standards; a national licensing and accreditation system; child care resource and referral system; and professional development system.  I found ICF to be an appealing international organization because they provide early childhood education training and technical assistance, conducts research and evaluation, and supports corporate child care in India by guiding children and their families through projects and planning processes that are supported by research.  Organizations like ICF are conducting research that is valuable to the field of early childhood education not just for children and their families in India. 

The Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI), the International Child Resource Institute (ICRI), and the International Early Childhood Education (ICF) are currently not hiring professionals.  However, I will follow their websites as valuable resources to share with children and their families.   

References

ACEI. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.acei.org/

ICF International: A Technology, Policy, and Management Consultancy. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.icfi.com/

International Child Resource Institute. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.icrichild.org/