Roles in the ECE Community on the National Level

I was excited to search for national organizations this week because there are so many that interest me!

1. Zero to Three, as stated on their website, is a “national, nonprofit organization that informs, trains, and supports professionals, policymakers, and parents in their efforts to improve the lives of infants and toddlers” (2014). Their mission aligns with my own personal mission, which is to foster and encourage the healthy well-being, growth and development of infants.

CURRENT JOB OPPORTUNITY through Zero to Three: Senior Information Specialist

Department: Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Technical Assistance Coordinating Center (TACC)

Summary: “The TACC Senior Information Specialist prepares and delivers universal technical assistance (TA) in the form of webinars to MIECHV grantees and related audiences. Additional responsibilities include leading the development of a monthly newsletter, and serving as a content and information resource for the TACC.”

Skills & Experiences necessary (some): Experience in the early childhood field, experience developing and delivering webinars, using technology for professional development, excellent verbal and written communication skills, presentation skills, and interpersonal skills, detail oriented and experienced in managing multiple tasks

Essential Qualities (some): Is self-reflective, encourages and practices critical thinking, collaboratively and creatively supports the work efforts of colleagues at all levels.

Education: Master’s degree in early childhood or related field.

My thoughts about this position: I do have the educational background, many of the essential qualities, and some of the skills and experiences necessary for this position. The most fascinating thing to me about finding this was the mere fact that Zero to Three has a department called Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV). I think this is really cool, and shows me where I might possibly fit in outside of my current job position. 

2. National Center for Families Learning (NCFL). This organization is one that I have just begun researching during our Capstone class. I have had great interest in the NCFL because I see such value in parent education and teaching families as a whole.  Their focus is family literacy because family, home, and community are the drivers of a child’s education.

The job opportunities for this organization were only accessible if you sent a resume and cover letter.  However, there was a lot of volunteer work available.  They use their volunteers as primary teachers, rather than just aids.  They go through an extensive training program and work with both adults and children.

My thoughts about this position:   I am extremely interesting in this organization, and was pleased to see how highly they think of their volunteers.  I am not looking for volunteer work at this time, but it is great to keep in my back pocket or even to pass on to younger students looking for volunteer opportunities.

3. National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). This organization was a natural choice for me to investigate since I work at a center that is NAEYC accredited and I read so much from their YC publication. As stated on their website, “Founded in 1926, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is the world’s largest organization working on behalf of young children with nearly 80,000 members, a national network of more than 300 state and local Affiliates, and a growing global alliance of like-minded organizations” (2014).

CURRENT JOB OPPORTUNITY through NAEYC: Accreditation Coordinator

This position provides information and technical assistance on the accreditation process, policies and procedures via phone and email to the NAEYC customers.

Job responsibilities include working with administrators, assessors, and decision makers throughout the accreditation process.

Qualifications include (but not limited to) a BA in Early Childhood Education or Child Development, 3 – 5 years of experience in the field, experience with a high quality program and NAEYC accreditation, excellent oral and written communication skills.

My thoughts about this position:  I would be honored to work for such a prestigious organization, yet serving as an accreditation coordinator would not be my ideal job. I love what I do because of the children and families with which I work.  Even though my work would indirectly effect these children and families, I feel I would be caught up more in the rules, regulations, and policies than doing the work I love.

References:

Zero to Three (2014). Information retrieved from www.zerotothree.org

National Center for Families Learning (2014). Information retrieved from http://www.familieslearning.org/

National Association for the Education of Young Children (2014). Information retrieved from www.naeyc.org