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

Children's Defense Fund 

The Children's Defense Fund is a nonprofit organization that appealed to me because they advocate for policies and programs that lift children out of poverty; protect them from abuse and neglect; and ensure their access to health care, quality education and a moral and spiritual foundation. Supported by foundation and corporate grants and individual donations, CDF advocates nationwide on behalf of children to ensure children are always a priority. (Children's Defense Fund, 2011). The challenge that I chose to focus on over the course of this capstone project is "play". I am confident that the advocates who are apart of this organization can assist families, policymakers, program directors and educators with incorporating an adequate amount of inclusive and diverse play within early childhood environments. The Children's Defense Fund works to assist children at state, local, federal, and community levels.


 National Child Care Association 

The NCCA in conjunction with advocates and early childhood professionals work to generate information based upon our years of experience of best practice to deliver the highest quality along with what is most practical for its members. This organization consists of center-based providers, providers of professional development to the ECE community, business owners who provide goods and services, or student and individuals that have an interest in early care and education. They all compete for their clients, many times against each other. I chose this organization because they work collaboratively and effectively to support children and their families. 


Center on the Developing Child

The Center on the Developing Child is an organization that uses diverse activities to align with research and development, science-based innovation and policies that center around demanding change.  The Center on the Developing Child focuses on using researched based activities to improve early childhood settings because society pays a huge price when children do not reach their potential, because half a century of policies and programs have not produced breakthrough outcomes, and because dramatic advances in science are ready to be used to achieve a promising future for every child. This organization is very involved and dedicated when it comes to working towards creating innovation-friendly environments in which practitioners, researchers, policymakers, parents, and investors can come together to test new ideas, engage in active learning, and solve complex problems.


Job Title:

Client Services Coordinator for the Georgia Center for Childhood Advocacy 

Function: Represent the Georgia Center for Child Advocacy by projecting a professional, warm and helpful image to clients and their families, callers and visitors; and provide administrative, clerical and other necessary support for the Center and its programs. Position Responsibilities: • Receive visitors and clients in person and notify proper staff of the arrival. • Answer, screen and route incoming calls to the Center. • Screen visitors and callers while maintaining confidentiality and safety. • Become familiar with the Center’s services and with our community partners • Respond to general phone inquiries, provide accurate, helpful responses • Receive and deliver mail daily to the CEO or Office Manager, and sign for and accept deliveries, notifying proper person of the arrival. • Maintain the waiting room area (adult and child), keeping it organized, tidy and clean. • Watch over child or children in the waiting room when the child’s guardian is being interviewed by a staff member. • Assist in coordinating hospitality for all meetings at the Center, including board meetings, group therapy, case review meetings, trainings, and other meetings as needed. • Maintain and order supplies as needed, including basic office supplies, kitchen & housekeeping supplies, CD’s, and DVDs. • Open and/or close the Center each day, tending to alarm system, fresh coffee. • Maintain new client packages • Provide support to Office Manager as needed. • Other duties as assigned by Sr. Staff to meet the Center’s mission. Position requirements: ¨ Human Services Bachelor Degree background preferred. ¨ Flexible Work Hours ¨ Warm, outgoing personality, relating well to adults and children ¨ Ability to respond appropriately to changing work environment, with many interruptions and distractions ¨ Helpful attitude and professional phone manner ¨ Knowledge of standard office procedures ¨ Proficient skill in word processing ¨ Ability to organize, initiate, and attend to detail ¨ Willingness to work as part of the team for the betterment of the Center


References:

Center on the Developing Child (2011). Retrieved from https://developingchild.harvard.edu/about/what-we-do/#building-an-r-and-d-platform

Children's Defense Fund. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.childrensdefense.org/about/#About

National Child Care. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.nccanet.org/default.aspx

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community

• At least three local or state organizations or communities of practice that appealed to you, and explain why you chose them

Georgia Library Media Association- I chose this community of practice because this organization has been around for years working efficiently to bring change to many issues faced by libraries in the state of Georgia. During its 100-year history, the Georgia Library Association has been built on its membership, which now includes librarians, trustees, paraprofessionals, and friends representing the school, public, academic and special libraries. Members unite to discuss common interests and to meet the challenges facing libraries today. These talented individuals contribute hard work, diverse talents, and strong leadership in shaping the future of Georgia's libraries.


Georgia Association for the Education of Young Children- I chose this particular community of practice because it consists of professionals who have an interest in promoting health, education, and development for children, from infantry all the way up to school aged. The GAEYC is affiliated with the NAEYC. Through collaboration this organizations solves many inequity issues, and promote the spread of the best practices through engagement, effective ecommunication, meetings, conferences and eventss.


State Support Network Community of Practice (Georgia)- I chose this particular community of practice because it focuses on how to continuously improve EBPs to support low-achieving schools. It will bring together States and districts to discuss how to build capacity for this work, such as by identifying and adapting frameworks for engaging in cycles of continuous improvement, identifying common implementation challenges and developing strategies to improve the likelihood that selected practices improve student outcomes, and supporting districts in establishing or building an evidence base for practices.

• Job opportunities (currently available or not) that interest you

The job opportunities that interests me are leadership, administrative, and management positions including childcare director positions, elementary, middle, and highschool principal positions, advocate and leadership positions for public policy, resources, nutrition and health positions etc. 

One job in particular that I am interested in pursuing at this current time is the Assist Principal - MS - Administration - School position in the Gwinnett County school system.

• Skills and experience that you would need to competently fulfill each of these roles 

• License and Certification Qualifications: Georgia Professional Certification in Educational Leadership at Level 5 or higher required. Education Qualifications: Master's degree in related field required. Specialist or doctorate degree in a related field preferred. Experience/Qualifications: Three years successful teaching experience preferred, preferably at the same level of the administrative position to be held. Skills Qualifications: Knowledge of most effective practices in curriculum, instruction, and child development; ability to work effectively with teachers and other education colleagues; proficiency in oral and written communications; demonstrated skills in interpersonal relations; and demonstrated skills in organization and planning. Primary Responsibilities: Assist the Principal in leading and implementing a cohesive educational program specific for the grade levels in assigned schools. 1. Provide instructional leadership. a. Assist in building and sustaining a school vision. b. Assist in facilitating shared leadership. c. Assist in leading a learning community. d. Utilize data to make instructional decisions. e. Monitor curriculum, instruction, and assessment. 2. Oversee school climate through communicating clear objectives. a. Assist in fostering and sustaining the school climate. b. Address internal and external dynamics at work in the school. c. Support a learning environment based on high expectations and respect for all individuals. d. Manage conflict and crisis in a timely and expert manner. e. Practice shared decision making. 3. Execute human resource administration functions. a. Assist in selecting quality teachers and other employees. b. Induct and support new teachers. c. Mentor novice teachers. d. Provide professional growth opportunities. e. Establish mentoring programs based on effective practice. f. Assist in retaining quality staff. 4. Oversee the teacher evaluation process. a. Provide a positive climate for teacher evaluation. b. Demonstrate a commitment to teacher evaluation. c. Document teacher performance in multiple ways. d. Follow legal guidelines for teacher evaluation. 5. Participate in organizational management planning and activities. a. Assist in coordinating safety, daily operations, and maintenance of the facility. b. Utilize data in organizational management. c. Assist in seeking and allocating fiscal resources. d. Organize and manage technology resources. 6. Oversee communication and community relations for the local school. a. Demonstrate effective communication. b. Communicate with teachers, students, parents, and families. c. Communicate with the larger community. 7. Exhibit professionalism and demonstrate professional standards. a. Exhibit ethical behavior. b. Serve as a role model. c. Participate in professional development for continuous improvement. 8. Influence student achievement at the local school. a. Exert influence on teaching quality and student learning by encouraging, supporting, and facilitating. b. Set, support, and sustain a focus on school goals and school-wide student achievement. c. Utilize data to guide school success. 9. Perform other duties as assigned. Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit for extended periods of time. Employee is also required to talk, hear, stand, and walk. The employee may be required to use hands to finger, handle, feel, and/or reach. Employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

References:

https://statesupportnetwork.ed.gov/state-support-network-communities-practice

https://www.google.com/search?ei=3ORHW-r4IMqk_Qaf5b2QBg&q=educational+administration+leadership+and+management+job+opportunites+in+ga&oq=educational+administration+leadership+and+management+job+opportunites+in+ga&gs_l=psy-ab.3...7029.13058.0.13299.25.24.1.0.0.0.158.2459.7j15.22.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..2.7.887...0i22i30k1j33i22i29i30k1j33i21k1j33i160k1.0.FjhbteqjOvE&ibp=htl;jobs#htidocid=EnAY1e2gOLfuvLGbAAAAAA%3D%3D