Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

After surfing the web, I have learned that there are several agencies out there that are dedicated to fostering the well-being of children, families, and the early childhood field as a whole. The first organization that I found to be worthwhile is called Save the Children. Their organization mission “is to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives” (Save the Children, 2013). I chose this organization because they serve children all around the world. “When disaster strikes around the world, Save the Children is there to save lives with food, medical care and education and remains to help communities rebuild through long-term recovery programs” (Save the Children, 2013). They have two jobs available in the United States right now, and they are located in Seattle, Washington, and Brooklyn, New York. The job in Seattle seems to be interesting because I will get a chance “to visit sites on as needed basis, support partners with implementation, training and technical assistance to Early Childhood Coordinators” (Save the Children, 2013). I think that would be a good experience for me to step out of the classroom and put some of my management skills to work. In order for me to qualify for the position, I must have a “Bachelors Degree in EC Education or related, training and hands on experience with 0 to 3 years training and working with or supporting home visitors: (Save the Children, 2013).

Reference

Save the Children. (2013). Who we are. Retrieved March 14, 2013, from http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6146355/k.24E9/Who_We_Are.htm

The second organization that I found to be worthwhile is called Tennessee Voices for Children. Their mission is to “speak out as active advocates for the emotional and behavioral well-being of children and their families” (Tennessee Voices for Children, 2013). I chose this organization because they “work collaboratively with parents, professionals, state and federal officials, policy makers and other key stakeholders to ensure that services provided to children and families in Tennessee are family driven, community based, and culturally and linguistically competent” (Tennessee Voices for Children, 2013). They have three jobs available in the Knoxville, Tennessee area, but I don’t think they would suite me because I don’t want to move to Knoxville. In order to qualify for the positions, you must have a “High school diploma or equivalent, Clerical and computer experience, Switchboard experience strongly preferred, Non-profit organization experience, and a work history within child serving systems preferred” (Tennessee Voices for Children, 2013). The other position requires you to have a “Master’s Degree in social science or closely related field with two (2) or more years of work experience in the field. Licensure preferred. Preference given to parents/caregivers or family members of child with SED, Non-profit organization experience, and work history within child serving systems also strongly preferred” (Tennessee Voices for Children).

 

Reference

Tennessee Voices for Children. (2013). About Tennessee Voices for Children. Retrieved March 14, 2013, from http://www.tnvoices.org/AboutUs

The third organization that I found to be worthwhile is called Stand for Children. Their mission is to “ensure that all children, regardless of their background, graduate from high school prepared for, and with access to, a college education” (Stand for Children, 2013). I chose this website because it “offers a dynamic and fast-paced organizational culture which encourages and rewards calculated risk-taking, innovation, entrepreneurial leadership, and learning and personal growth” (Stand for Children, 2013). Although, I like this organization, they do not have any openings in Memphis, Tennessee area, but they do have two job opportunities in Nashville, Tennessee.

Qualifications

·         Passionate and unwavering belief in and alignment with Stand for Children and Stand for Children Leadership Center’s shared mission to ensure that all children, regardless of their background, graduate from high school prepared for and with access to a college education; ·         Demonstrated knowledge of the history and political landscape of Nashville and its constituencies, including the students and families served by Nashville schools; ·         Minimum of 3 years of working closely with community members or parents to achieve change, including teaching, community or political organizing, advocacy, or relevant leadership experience; campaign experience a strong plus; ·         Proven track record of leading and executing visionary strategies for social change; ·         Significant management experience, including hiring, supervising, and developing a team of direct reports; ·         Knowledge of and interest in local and state education policy; ·         Track record of success in maintaining strategic relationships and working collaboratively with diverse organizations and constituencies, including, but not limited to, government bodies, businesses, and funders; ·         Existing relationships with key stakeholders in the education community in Nashville strongly preferred; ·         Demonstrated success with fundraising strongly preferred; ·         Spanish language proficiency strongly preferred; ·         Strong interpersonal, communications, and team-building skills; and ·         Availability to manage a flexible and independent schedule, including attending key community events on evenings and weekends (Stand for Children, 2013).   Reference   Stand for Children. (2013). About stand for children. Retrieved March 14, 2013, from http://stand.org/tennessee/about/memphis