Time Well Spent

From the bottom of my heart, I would like to say that this program, M.S. in

Early Childhood Studies with a specialization in Administration, Management, and Leadership, has

1.     developed my skills that I need to operate a high-quality child care center with effective programs and practices.

2.     increased my knowledge deeply and broadly of child’s development and learning, family engagement, team development, leadership building, etc.

3.     made me aware the need to be an advocate for children and families in order to foster their well-being.

And, this program has motivated me to set a couple of long term goals:

1.     to continue to develop myself to be an early childhood professional by reading widely, engaging in a variety of related conferences and seminars, and networking with others for enhancing my professionalism.

2.     to be an effective agent of positive social change by collaborating with a various of communities of practice that can promote the well-being of young children and their families.

Before parting, I would like to thank my instructor, Dr. Dartt, for her valuable feedbacks and comments to my weekly assignments, and motivation and instructions through her weekly newsletters.  All these inputs have made my learning of this course fruitful and enriching.  Besides, I would like to say a big Thank You to my colleagues: Thanks for your support and encouragement that you have given me in our weekly discussions and blog assignments.  Your kind words have inspired me to move forward to complete this program of study, and motivate me to achieve my professional goals. 

Here is quote I would like to share with all of you:

“Education is all a matter of building bridges” --- Ralph Ellison.

I would like, therefore, to connect with you after parting from this program.  I believe each of us can be a valuable asset to one another.  Let’s get in touch, and please do contact me if you have an interest to work in China as an early childhood administrator, supervisor, or teacher.  My personal email address is:  kokboonwww@yahoo.com.

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

Many existing international early childhood organizations really impress me for what they have done and are doing to foster the wellbeing of children, families, and the early childhood field.  Among these organizations, three of them appealed to me the most:

1.     Save the Children (http://www.savethechildren.org).  Its mission is to create a world in which every child attains the right to survival, protection, development, and participation (Save the Children, 2011).  I chose this organization because it resonates with me, as it is a non-governmental organization that promotes children’s rights, provides relief and helps support children in developing countries.  My country, one of the developing countries, needs such an organization to improve the lives of children through better education and health care.  At the moment, Safe the Children has no job vacancy for my region here, but I can serve as a volunteer by being a fundraiser or spreading Save the Children message through social networks.

2.     United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF, http://www.unicef.org).  Formed on December 11, 1946, headquartered in New York, it provides long-term humanitarian and developmental assistance to children and mothers in developing countries.  I really appreciate what UNICEF has done for the communities of children and families all over the world.  It deserves my salute and tribute.  Currently, UNICEF offers a job opportunity in my region with a position as a Chief Education.  This interests me as it offers opportunities to work in partnership with government and a range of development partners providing leadership and strategic direction to the education sector reform process to deliver quality and equitable results for children (UNICEF, 2011).  However, I need to increase my skills and experience as the job seeks for at least ten years of relevant work experience at national and international levels in field programs relevant to Education programs.

3.     International Step by Step Association (ISSA, http//:www.issa.nl).  Established in 1999, ISSA is a membership organization that connects professionals and organizations working in the field of early childhood development and education (ISSA, n.d.).  I liked this organization as it promotes equal access to quality education and care for all children, especially in the early years of their lives. At present, there is no job opportunity available in ISSA, but it invites individual practitioners to become Friends of ISSA that dedicated to exploring and improving quality, equity, and access in early childhood education and care through innovative initiatives and partnership projects.

References:

International Step By Step Association. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.issa.nl/index.html

Save the Children. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6115947/k.8D6E/O fficial_Site.htm

United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.unicef.org/

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

       One national early childhood organization that appealed to me is the Association of Early Childhood Educators, Malaysia (MAPECE, http://www.mapece.org).  The establishment of this Association is to call upon the society in Malaysia to acknowledge the importance of early childhood education and to accord due recognition of those who perform the crucial task of laying the foundation of the child’s development. I chose this organization because it has an objective of acting as a catalyst and coordinating body for parents, members of Association, government, non-government agencies and early childhood educators to communicate with each other, discuss issues pertaining to children's development, care and education, and work with each other for the promotion of quality child care and education through hosting public forums.   I am interested to join in its Professional Training Committee as it wants to raise quality and professionalism of early childhood educators by organizing forums, courses and training workshops on new frontiers in early child care and education, skills and issues pertaining to ECE. 

        Another federal organization that attracted me is National Association of Early Childhood Care and Education Malaysia (NAECCEM).  A non-profit and nongovernmental organization, NAECCEM aims to promote the inherent rights, education and well being of Malaysian children through competent, trained childcare professionals in the home, school and community. It wants to promote and provide opportunities for consultations and professional development for those charged with the care and education of young children.  This interests me as I have the passion to share with others what I have learned so that they can develop professionally in the field. 

       Last but not least national organization that appealed to me is the Malaysia Association of Kindergartens (PTM) ---the pioneer organization involved in preschool education in Malaysia.  It interests me because since 1973, they have made vast contributions towards the continual training and professional development of preschool teachers in Malaysia.  I hope I can be part of the training team to develop more practitioners in the region that foster the wellbeing of children and families.  

       In order to competently fulfill each of the roles as described above, it requires a master or doctorate in early childhood education and a number of working experiences in the field.