Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Farewell to Walden

This will be my last post for my graduate studies program. Here are three important things that I have learned over the past 20 months that directly correlate to three goals/commitments that I want to make as I graduate.



I have learned the importance of being a lifelong learner, and commit to continuing to learn!

“Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death.”
Albert Einstein 

I have learned that I have a strong desire to advocate for the field of early childhood in every way possible, and I commit to continuing to be an advocate at every opportunity!

"How our nation treats its children reflects our societal values. Children can't vote. They depend on us...to do right by them, stand up for them, and advocate for what they need to grow and prosper."
-T. Berry Brazelton

I have also realized the importance of being an advocate of social change, and I commit to assuring that all of the work that I do is viewed through this lens!
 
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
-Margaret Mead 
 
Thank you to all of the professors and colleagues that have helped me to grow during my time at Walden. It has been one of the most amazing journeys of my life, and it has been a pleasure sharing it with all of you!! Carolyn

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

International Professional Opportunities



This week we were asked to identify international agencies or organizations we would like to work for.
    1. Save the Children:(http://www.savethechildren.org  
                      /site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6115947/k.8D6E    
                      /Official_Site.htm)
·        The position I am interested in with this organization is a Basic Education and Literacy Advisor. This job entails leading basic education programs in early childhood, literacy, nutrition, and exercise through the technical design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and documentation of activities that promote results for children using the SCI Theory of Change.  
·        This job would be based in Washington D.C. and requires a Master of Education degree plus ten or more years of experience.
·        I chose this position because I am familiar with the reputation of Save the Children and this job description has components that I have learned about in my courses at Walden University.
    2. UNICEF: United Nations Children’s Fund. (http://www.unicef.org/)
·        The position I am interested in with this organization is Education Specialist for the Central African Region in Bangui. This job entails doing analysis, partnering with stakeholders, focusing on education for girls and gender mainstreaming, emergency and post-crisis education, and supporting areas of regional concern such as HIV.
·        This job would be located in Bangui and requires a college degree, fluency in English and French, and at least eight years of experience.
·        I chose this position because it would help me grow professionally and allow me the opportunity to work in a culture that is growing in their understanding of the importance of early childhood
    3. UNESCO: United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization.  (http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/about-us/who-we-are/introducing-unesco)
·        The position I am interested in with this organization is Professional Staff in the Education Sector. This job entails fostering partnerships to strengthen the capacity of countries to offer quality education for all, including working on the publication of the annual Global Monitoring Report which tracks the international community’s progress towards the six “Education For All” goals. These goals are:
 
1. Expanding and improving comprehensive early childhood care and education, especially for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children.
  2. Ensuring that by 2015 all children, particularly girls, children in difficult circumstances and those belonging to ethnic minorities, have access to, and complete, free and compulsory primary education of good quality.
  3. Ensuring that the learning needs of all young people and adults are met through equitable access to appropriate learning and life-skills programs.
  4. Achieving a 50 per cent improvement in levels of adult literacy by 2015, especially for women, and equitable access to basic and continuing education for all adults.
  5. Eliminating gender disparities in primary and secondary education by 2005, and achieving gender equality in education by 2015, with a focus on ensuring girls’ full and equal access to and achievement in basic education of good quality.
  6. Improving all aspects of the quality of education and ensuring excellence of all so that recognized and measurable learning outcomes are achieved by all, especially in literacy, numeracy and essential life skills.
·        This job would be located in Paris and requires a college degree, 10-15 years’ experience, and fluency in French and English.
·        I chose this position because I believe that the six “Education for All” goals are worthwhile, and I believe that I have skills that could create momentum with goal number one.