Time Well Spent

Since I began my journey here at Walden, I have learned a lot about myself as an early childhood educator. I have learned how to become a better communicator with my students. I have learned how to connect with my students more socially and emotionally.  My entire experiences here at Walden helped me to discover my passion of caring for children and advocating for their rights. This class and other classes helped me a lot through my first year and a half as a preschool teacher in the public school system. I have learned to create trusting relationships with both my parents and students. It has pushed to continue towards my goal of  opening up my own childcare facility. This journey of obtaining this degree and collaborating with colleagues from all around the world has helped me to build more confidence within myself. I will become a successful business owner and educator in the early childhood field. 


I want to thank Dr. Dart for always giving positive feedback on my assignments. You helped me push myself to do my best. I really want to thank all of my colleagues for your support throughout this journey. The sharing of your personal experiences, responses on all of our assignments helped me tremendously in becoming an effective educator. Thank you for  being so honest and open! It is a great feeling to know you have a group of people that support you. I wish everyone many blessing as you embark on your next journey in the early childhood field!



  

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world" -Nelson Mandela

Contact Info:

Chawandaharris@gmail.com 

Thank You!

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

1. United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF): The UNICEF is an organization that I have always took notice to. I like the fact that they are working towards the rights of every child. They are advocating to giving children the best start at life. They are helping children from all acts of life with getting an education, food, and immunizations. This is appealing to me because they are giving all children hope and they are working to give them a better life. I would love to be able to take part in this form of mission work to help better the lives of not just children in America but all over the world.

Job Opportunities:
One Job opportunity that I took interest in is: Chief Fund Raising, P-5, Geneva (PFP), Switzerland

Purpose of the Position

The incumbent will ensure that UNICEF fundraisers are supported through the following tasks:
- Technical support on digital fundraising
- Fundraising content including video, case studies and human interest stories
- Support for Donor Perfect database users
- INGO benchmarking and analysis of detailed individual donor performance
- Best practice on supporter care management
- Support to effective emergency fundraising that maximizes ORE income
- Best practice sharing through events such as the Private Sector Forum and the PFP intranet

In addition, he/she will be part of the PSFR section management team with an overview of the total development of UNICEF's private sector fundraising.

 

Key Expected Results

1. Develops and guides fundraising strategy for pledge and legacy fundraising and ensures that high quality technical support is provided to countries on the basis of their fundraising portfolio and PFP's market segmentation. This includes setting country objectives and establishing global best practice for these income streams. Establishes and maintains policy in relation to pledge and legacy fundraising.

End results:
Income targets pledge and legacy fundraising are achieved.

2. Ensures technical support is provided to countries on digital fundraising, supporter care management, INGO benchmarking and the use of the Donor perfect database. In close collaboration with the PFP Communication and Marketing section, ensures that fundraising content is produced that supports all income streams and meets the needs of national Committees/country offices. Ensures that fundraising services are prioritized based on market segmentation.

End results:
High quality fundraising services provided on the basis of market segmentation with a core level of support offered to all countries.

3. Drives knowledge management within PSFR. This includes creating a culture of global best practice sharing so that all priority income streams have in place   up to date and relevant materials that can be easily accessed by countries. It also includes leading the development and execution of the private Sector Forum and supporting a programme of skills training and best practice sharing through workshops or clinics on specialized areas of fundraising. Stays in touch with latest thinking and trends in PSFR and contributes to UNICEF's global fundraising expertise.

End results:
Knowledge is created, shared and applied to optimize all priority income streams.

3. Develops strategy and ensures technical support is provided to National Committees/country offices on all aspects of emergency fundraising. Working closely with PFP Communication and Marketing section, acts as the focal point for liaison with EMOPS, PARMO, regional and country offices in providing PFP support to ORE fundraising during emergency situations. Ensures that UNICEF learns from the experience of large scale emergency fundraising and National Committees/ country offices convert new emergency donors into long term UNICEF supporters.

End results:
Fundraising for humanitarian crises achieves income goals.

4. Leads and manages the Fundraising Services unit for maximum results, ensuring work plans are developed and objectives and targets are achieved. Also, ensures that the performance of pledge and legacy fundraising is monitored and reviewed.

End results:
Fundraising Services unit works efficiently and effectively

5. Ensures a risk management approach is taken in relation to pledge and legacy fundraising by National Committees/country offices. Also, ensures that risk management is applied to areas such as database support and content production.

End results:
Appropriate risk management of pledge, legacy and fundraising services.

 

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

- Advanced university degree in marketing, economics, social sciences, fundraising, international relations, communication, business administration or equivalent. A first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

- Ten years of relevant work experience with fundraising and management responsibility in a leading non-profit organization.

- Preference will be given to candidates with international fundraising experience and those with experience as a Fundraising/Marketing Director/Head of Individual Giving with responsibility for significant (i.e. multi million $) annual income targets and expenditure budgets and with individual giving as a major source of income in the fundraising programme.

- Knowledge of the UN system is an advantage.

- Fluency in English and another UN language.  Knowledge of the local working language of the duty station would be an asset.

 

Competencies of Successful Candidate

- Has highest-level communication skills, including engaging and informative formal public speaking.
- Creates and encourages a climate of team-working and collaboration in a multi-cultural environment.
- Consistently achieves high-level results, managing and delivering projects on-time and on-budget.
- Has high-level leadership and supervisory skills; provides others with a clear direction; motivates and empowers others; recruits staff of a high caliber; provides staff with development opportunities and coaching.
- Analyzes and integrates potentially conflicting numerical, verbal and other data from a number of sources.
Sets, develops and revises organizational strategy and develops clear visions of the organization's future potential.
- Quickly builds rapport with individuals and groups. Actively nurtures good relationships with people across all organizational levels and boundaries, and with government leaders and stakeholders.
- Anticipates and actively monitors long term local and global developments, constantly seeking new opportunities for advancing UNICEF's mission.
- Negotiates effectively with people inside and outside the organization by adopting a range of approaches.

To for fill the roles of this job I would need to acquire another UN language such as Chinese or Arabic. I would need to gain more education in the areas of business administration, marketing and fundraising. I would also need to obtain 10 years of experiences with fundraising and management responsibility in a leading non-profit organization. I would also need to develop even strong communication skills.

2. Save the Children:  Save the children is the next organization that I took interest in. Not only do they help children in crisis here in America, but in other regions of the world as well. I also took interest to them because of the amount of partnerships that they have with other companies. It is a diverse group of people fighting for the rights of our children. They are giving them a brighter future. .I was also drawn by their six global priorities  which are children are protected; children learn and develop; children are healthy and well-nourished; children thrive in food-secure and economically viable households; children affected by HIV/AIDS are supported; and emergency response is effectively managed. They are working to create change in the lives of children

Job Opportunities: 

Education Advisor

Location: Bangui, Central African Republic

Contract – Full-Time

Closing date: Tuesday 9 December 2014

Contract length: 12 months

TITLE: Education Advisor
TEAM/PROGRAMME: PDQ Team/Education Programme	LOCATION: Bangui, CAR
GRADE: TBC	CONTRACT LENGTH: 12 months
CHILD SAFEGUARDING: Level 3:  the role holder will have contact with children and/or young people either frequently (e.g. once a week or more) or intensively (e.g. four days in one month or more or overnight) because they work in country programs; or are visiting country programs; or because they are responsible for implementing the police checking/vetting process staff.
ROLE PURPOSE: The Education Adviser has the responsibility for overall technical oversight of the Education portfolio in Central African Republic (CAR), and for identifying, designing/developing and managing Save the Children emergency Education projects in CAR. This includes the provision of technical support, training and capacity building, advocacy and representation and participating in control of financial and other resources.
SCOPE OF ROLE: Reports to: Programme Development and Quality (PDQ) Director Staff directly reporting to this post: Education Program Managers
KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY: Programme Support Oversee start-up and implementation of the Education activities in Save the Children country programmes Ensure the effective development, management, and technical quality of the emergency Education programme in Central African Republic (CAR) through regular monitoring, review and evaluation and within the framework of the overall national and global Save the Children strategy. ·         Continuous work on the existing Education strategy to intervene in the education sector in CAR and adapt it for 2015 in line with the regional Education strategy. ·         Liaise with potential donors to establish funding possibilities and shared strategy ·         Lead on technical assessments in coordination with other Save the Children thematic areas and/or other external sector agencies, ensuring assessment findings are documented and that all assessments include a specific analysis of children’s needs. ·         Working with the Director of Program Development and Quality (PDQ) to develop sector response plan and master budgets and contribute to Save the Children’s overall response strategy ensuring that it is compatible with both the overall Education Sector Strategy (facilitated by the Education Cluster). ·         Working closely with Director of PDQ, lead on establishment of funding for the sector, including development of high quality concept notes and proposals, and engagement with donors’ technical advisors. ·         Prepare timely programme and donor reports on project activities in compliance with internal Save the Children requirements and any relevant external donor requirements. ·         Working closely with the Human Resources (HR) team, identify technical staffing needs (both national and international) for emergency programmes, and ensure rapid recruitment, induction and training of new staff. ·         Identify programme supplies needs and coordinate with the logistics team to put in place a sensible phased procurement plan. ·         Working closely with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning team put in place a sector Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) plan, ensuring this links to reporting requirements, and capacity build technical field staff in carrying out the work. ·         To ensure that the minimum standards of humanitarian relief are maintained in accordance with the Sphere Charter, the Red Cross Code of Conduct and with International Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE) Minimum Standards for Education in Emergencies. Capacity Building Identify learning and training opportunities for Save the Children staff and partners and work as a mentor and role model for new staff that you may hire and those with little or no education experience Representation & Advocacy & Organisational Learning Ensure that Save the Children's planning and work is coordinated with efforts of other agencies and Government, and take a leadership role within Interagency Coordination forums (including the Education cluster), ensuring the specific needs of children are being addressed. This may involve taking the lead in coordination working groups. Take steps to document lessons learned for wider dissemination. In collaboration with senior programme staff, assist in advocacy activities that target decision-makers at all levels. In collaboration with Education colleagues, feed in learning, experiences and evidence to relevant global advocacy objectives. General Comply with Save the Children policies and practice with respect to child protection, code of conduct, health and safety, equal opportunities and other relevant policies and procedures.
SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (SCI Values in Practice) Accountability: ·         holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values ·         holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved. Ambition: ·         sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same ·         widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others ·         future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale. Collaboration: ·         builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters ·         values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength ·         approachable, good listener, easy to talk to. Creativity: ·         develops and encourages new and innovative solutions ·         willing to take disciplined risks. Integrity: ·         honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE Essential Education to MSc/MA/MEng level in a relevant subject or equivalent field experience Significant management experience working in an emergency response contexts or fragile states Previous first phase emergency response experience Demonstrated experience in managing education in emergencies for international NGOs. Experience of applying relevant interagency humanitarian frameworks and standards in education in emergencies (for example INEE Minimum Standards) Previous experience of managing a team Previous experience of project management Experience of and commitment to working through systems of community participation and accountability Demonstrated monitoring and evaluation skills Ability to work both in an advisory and a hands on implementation capacity Proven capacity to supervise, train and coach staff Experience of representation, including Cluster coordination, and ability to represent effectively in external forums. Experience of preparing successful funding proposals for donors Ability to write clear and well-argued assessment and project reports Excellent communication skills Strong influencing skills and experience in advocacy Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy A high level of written and spoken English The capacity and willingness to be extremely flexible and accommodating in difficult and sometimes insecure working circumstances. Commitment to the aims and principles of Save the Children.  In particular, a good understanding of the Save the Children mandate and child focus and an ability to ensure this continues to underpin our support Fluency in written and oral French
Date of issue: 05/07/14                 Author:

For this job I would need to learn the language of French and be very fluent in it. I would also need Emergency response training, strong communication skills. I would need to gain more experience with project management. 

3. United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

What drew me to this organization was it mission, which is: to contribute to the building of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication and information. They are fighting for Equity which is something I take strong belief in and will advocate for. I also took noticed to their objectives:

• Attaining quality education for all and lifelong learning
• Mobilizing science knowledge and policy for sustainable development
• Addressing emerging social and ethical challenges
• Fostering cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue and a culture of peace
• Building inclusive knowledge societies through information and communication

Job Opportunities

A professional career at UNESCO An international professional career at UNESCO may be open to you depending on your level of expertise in the field of education, culture, science or communication or in management and administration. You will be providing expert opinion on global issues and handling the planning and execution of UNESCO’s programmes and projects, at the centre of the Organization’s intergovernmental activity. Your responsibilities will be exclusively international and, accordingly, you will be under the authority of the Director-General and may not receive instructions from any government or from any other authority outside of the Organization. It is your skills which will qualify you for a vacant post. Given equally qualified applicants, the degree of representation of your country may be a determining factor since staff at UNESCO are recruited on as wide a geographical basis as possible.

  

Like the other United Nations agencies, UNESCO offers to its international professional staff the following career steps: Junior professionals (grade P-1/P-2) Your principal goal will be to demonstrate your expertise by participating in the execution of programmes and projects, moving in the course of your apprenticeship to higher levels of responsibility. Middle-ranking professionals (grade P-3/P-4)  As a project leader in charge of a small team, you will launch and develop particular facets of the UNESCO programme and gain further professional experience. Management professionals (grade P-5 and D)  Your responsibilities as head of a section, director of a division or director of a UNESCO field office will include direct participation in the preparation and execution of the Organization’s strategy. You will manage a budget and assume a leadership role. Although there is no current positions open at this time I would take interest in becoming a junior professional.

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

Some National/Federal organizations that I would be interest in joining are:NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER EDUCATORS (NAECTE),  THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATORS OF YOUNG CHILDREN (NAEYC)  and National association for the education for the education of homeless children and youth (Naehcy) .  I would also be interested in joining into to the Zero to Three community.
I am interested in joining NAECTE because it is an organization composed of early childhood educators from around the world. This organization provides a lot of information on bettering yourself as ECE professional. It focuses on quality teacher education. NAEYC is an organization that takes my interest the most because when I own my own center I would like to be accredited by them. They promote high quality education for young children. They are a great resources for finding out the latest topic in the early childhood field. They give opportunities for you to come together and collaborate with early childhood educators from all over the world and share information about the ECE field. I like the fact that they look at the bond/relationship of the family and the child. NAEHCY is an organization that I am interested because they are helping children receive a quality education that are homeless. One thing that I want to do is serve children that are underprivileged, low income and or homeless. They also have agents in school assisting children in this situation stay in school. Becoming apart of the Zero to three community will allow me to stay up to date with changing policies in the filed. I'm interested because this organization focuses on teaching us how to properly nurture early development.

Job Opportunities

Early Childhood Education Journal Editor

NAEYC is seeking a Journal Editor to assume a major role in our Publishing Department.  This position requires identifying, editing, and writing excellent content for a peer-reviewed, research-based professional journal. Responsibilities include reviewing manuscripts submitted for publication to ensure that they address the most current research; meet our high standards for clarity, readability, and accuracy; reflect the principles of developmentally appropriate practice; and meet the professional development needs of a diverse audience.  Essential functions include reviewing submissions and providing comments/suggestions to authors, contributing and managing editorial content, writing and editing, and researching and oversight of contracts and projects.  In addition, the Journal Editor will contribute to the Publishing Department’s growth and evolution in writing, editing, and repurposing content for our digital audiences. 

Candidates must have a BA degree in early childhood education (ECE) or a related field, 10 years of related work experience with significant autonomy, including teaching in an ECE setting, developing and delivering professional development, writing, and developmental editing.  Successful candidates will have extensive knowledge of child development and best practices in the care and education of children from birth through age eight and of the state and Federal policies applicable to early childhood settings.  Also essential are excellent editing, writing, proofreading, and organizational skills, and experience in overseeing the production process for periodicals and other publications including print and digital products and professional development guides. Experience in managing the editorial process, including coordinating and reviewing the work of others is essential.  Excellent MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint skills, the ability to use or learn InDesign, Photoshop, Adobe, and other publishing software is also required.

This position reports to the Chief Publishing Officer.

Salary $70-$75k with excellent benefits.  

To Apply:  Send resume, cover letter, 3 professional references, and work samples as one document to Journal Editor/HR by November 30, 2014. 

For this position I would need 8 more years of experience in the ECE field so that I can gain extensive knowledge. I like writing but I would need to take more writing and editing classes. I would also need more training in Photo shop and adobe

Zero to Three: 

Job Title: Assistant Director 

Pay: Competitive

Department: Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Technical 

Assistance Coordinating Center (TACC)

FLSA Category: Exempt

FTE: 1.0 (Full-time)

Reports To: Project Director

Work Location: Flexible 

Posting Date: September 10, 2014

Summary

The Assistant Director provides oversight to technical assistance delivery from the Learning Coordinator, the management of all consultant agreements, and coordination with partners and other TA providers, ensuring that all technical assistance activities are carried out in a high quality manner. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide weekly individualized support of TA Specialists and the e-learning 

Coordinator

• Provide weekly group support to the TA Team;

• Work with HRSA to plan TACC/HRSA PO calls, as scheduled;

• Coordinate with TACC subcontractors on TA-related activities, as relevant;

• Review all MIECHV program grantee technical assistance requests. Determine 

the appropriateness of all requests and make initial assignment to TACC staff 

and/or partners, consultants, or TA providers outside of the TACC based on 

expressed needs;

• Recruit, develop, and coordinate TACC consultant pool, including development 

of contracts and oversight of deliverables;

• Work with the assigned staff, subcontractor, and/or consultants as well as the 

Contracting Officer Representative (COR), and the HRSA Project Officers (POs) 

to develop and execute plans to meet the technical assistance needs of the state 

grantees;

• With input from the Technical Assistance Specialists (TASs), other staff, and 

subcontractors, work with the E-Learning Coordinator to plan and implement 

universal technical assistance activities including conference calls, issue briefs,

the e-newsletter and webinars;

Coordinate with other federally contracted TA providers (such as DOHVE and 

Tribal HV Programmatic TA Center);

• Work with the subcontractors, TASs, and consultants to plan for and provide peer 

learning opportunities for the grantees; and

• Ensure that all technical assistance activities are carried out in a high quality 

manner that meets the needs of the state grantees.

Skills and Experience

Ten or more years of experience in evidence-based home visiting, state policy 

and infrastructure development, creating a continuum of care using multiple 

home visiting models;

• Experience planning, coordinating and providing individualized technical 

assistance to programs and state systems, and MIECHV state leads;

• Knowledge of TA resources that reflect home visiting models;

• Experience with co-managing large projects;

• Experience leading multi-disciplinary staff and supervising direct reports;

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, presentation skills and 

interpersonal skills;

• Excellent leadership skills;

• Strong supervisory skills, including experience providing reflective supervision;

• Ability to interpret and analyze data and complex documents;

• Excellent conceptual, written and oral skills;

• Strong interpersonal skills;

• Effective time management skills; 

• Ability to be flexible; and

• Travel, including overnight stays, required.

Education

Master’s degree in social work; early childhood development or a related field

For this position I would need 8 more years of experience in the ECE field. more knowledge on the state policy and infrastructure development and working with developing knowledge about the state systems and managing large groups of people.