Final Blog Assignment

I am so sad to know that this class is almost over. This class has been my favorite thus far. When I first learned that we would be e-mailing an international contact, it was a bittersweet moment. First I didn't know where to start to find my contact, and I didn't really know how to greet my contact. I am so thankful that I got Atica and she was so patient with me. She literally answered all of my questions and responded promptly.

The three consequences of learning about the international early childhood field for my professional and personal development is...

1. Gaining insight to the trends of early child care programs in the Dominican Republic. Atica really shared stories with me, and painted vivid pictures. I thought I had an idea of what life for a child in the Dominican Republic would be like, but I was wrong. Just like American, the Dominican Republic have the rich, middle and poor class. Families who are rich have access to high quality programs, and families who are poor, not so much.

2. Another consequence of learning about the international early childhood field is realizing and respecting that the early childhood movement is happening world-wide. Often I get so stuck on America, but it's what I know, that I forget that other countries are doing what they can to provide quality care to the children.

3. The last consequence that I learned from Atica, is that education is important in the Dominican Republic but it can be difficult for children in the rural areas to gain education, just because of the distance of a school. I found this to be interesting because in America we are so used to getting around in cars, that distant usually doesn't stop of from doing what needs to be done. So I learned that what we take for granted in American, such as education, can be considered a blessing in another country.

The one goal that I have is that our community takes time to learn about issues/ trends around the world, and offer assistant when needed. I think sometimes we get so focused on our community, that we forget about the people around us. So I think it would be beneficial, if at the next EC community meeting, I bring up my conversations with Atica, just so they can be aware of what is happening around the world.

Getting to Know Your International Contacts-Part 3

This week was a busy week, but Atica and I was able to Skype each other, which was really nice. The video quality wasn't great, so we ended up chatting on Skype, but it was nice to finally meet my pen-pal.

Atica is really nice and has a lot of experience in the Early Childhood field. I asked her what is her dreams, and she actually wants to move to America. She is currently working on a team where some of her researchers live in the Dominican Republic and some of the them live in Florida, so she gets to visit Florida a lot, and she loves it there. She shared with me that she is currently looking for open positions in Florida as we speak.

Atica asked me what I wanted to do in the future, and I shared with her that as of right now, I am not sure. I have only been a National trainer for nearly 2 months, and I absolutely love my new job. I told Atica to keep my contact information, and ask me the same question in 3 years.

I asked Atica the following questions,

1. What issues regarding quality and early childhood professionals are being discussed where you live and work?
-Atica response: Right now we are working are research to find the link to children's school success based on their parent school success. We have just started the research and still have sometime to go. We know that there is currently research that has made the link. but of course we are linking it to children in the Dominican Republic.
2. What opportunities and/or requirements for professional development exist?
-Atica response: I feel like anytime something is new, we have a training on it. The company is always pushing us to get more education or to attend some seminar,
3.In your opinion what makes a quality teacher?
-Atica response: A quality teacher is someone who can do the job of taking care of children effectively. This person usually has an education in early childhood, experience and knows and does what is takes to be a quality teacher.

Meeting Atica was the highlight of my week. I find it so fascinating that the love for children and how they develop is everywhere!

Cierra

Sharing Web Resources

Hi Everyone!

This week, I went back and observed the Head Start Association website. This week I explored the Knowledge Center link. Inside the Knowledge Center link, I clicked, on the Top issues link. I explored the Top issues link, and found a familiar topic, school readiness. Head Start is focusing on school readiness, different funding approaches,different Head Start Regulations and re-authorization methods (National Head Start Association,2014).

I explored the Head Start Act link, which was about School Readiness. President Bush signed the Head Start Act on December 12, 2007, titled Pubic Law 110-134" improving Head Start for school Readiness Act of 2007 (National Head Start Association, 2014). The Public Law 110-134" was an act the reauthorize the Head Start program (National Head Start Association, 2014). The link had the original draft of the amended Head Start.

The research I did on the link, really helped me make the connection of School Readiness that I had done in week 5 discussion post. School Readiness is a big deal, and quality programs are trying to ensure that children are prepared for school. As School Readiness becomes part of the big plan, I am expecting to see change at the State levels. As of right now Texas has a curriculum that is dedicated to School Readiness, and children who are in poverty or at low-economic status level, can currently attend a child care program who is using the curriculum. I expect to see a larger push as time progress, and I am interested to see how Head Start will incorporate this trend.

When I gave a training in Seattle, I had the chance to train some Head Start teachers, and I asked them what is currently the big focus of Head Start. Many of the teachers shared with me that, Head Start site Directors are making a giant push for Expanding Children's Learning. For example, when a child says something, the teacher is supposed to be expanding what the child says. The teachers link this to school readiness. So school readiness is already a part of the Head Start process.

Have a great week everyone!


Reference:

National Head Start Association (2014). "Poverty's Effect on Child Development."Research Blast (n.d.): n. pag. National Head Start Association,

Getting to Know Your International Contacts-Part 2

This week was a great week for communicating with my international contact Atica. Atica is currently living in the Dominican Republic and works as an early childhood researcher. She shared with me that she is currently conducting research with a team of colleagues to look at behaviors of children from maternal mothers who have received a college education in comparison to children whose maternal mothers haven't. The purpose of the research is to provide funding for a project that will assist in helping children who are at risk. Atica also shared with me that she often travels to America because some her research team is based in Florida. I asked her what were the education requirements for early childhood teachers because that was the topic that I chose for my week 5 application. Atica shared with me that where she lives, early childhood is not as big as it is in America. A lot of children stay at home with their mothers or grandmothers, first grade is usually the first start of school. Atica mentioned that even though a lot of children stay at home with their mothers or grandmothers, there a a few early childhood programs and they tend to start at the toddler age. When we were talking about teacher education, Atica mentioned that it depends on the location, but degrees are not required until grade school.

It was great touch base with Atica, we are trying to set up a Skype call, but the difference in time, makes it a bit hard, so e-mail is so much easier.

I hope everyone has a good week!

Cierra