Community of Practice - State & National levels

Parents every day trust educators with their most precious commodities, their children and as educators it is our responsibility to be adequately prepared to work and educate the children and families that come through our doors.  The face of early childhood education has changed and teachers have also had to change and evolve to continue doing the important work of education, what has not changed however is compensation.  I believe teachers need to have an increase in their wages, but even more importantly, I feel early childhood education teachers need to pursue higher education.  Sadly there isn’t a national standard in terms of education when it comes to early childhood educators.  From state to state and from program to program there is great discrepancy.  For this reason, I have chosen some of the following organizations as I feel they provide a voice for teachers.

Center for the Child Care Workforce (http://www.ccw.org)

I was attracted to this organization because of the focus on educators as the facilitators who prepare children as “the next generation of citizens” (Centers for the Child Care Workforce).  The organization’s focus is to create and promote policy for better wages for teaching professionals, and higher education and professional development.  In am extremely passionate about this.  For the last few years I have been working within my organization advocating for higher education and increased wages.  Many of our teachers earn sub-par wages often times wages that are below the poverty line—these professionals are entrusted with the education of our children yet they too struggle to survive.  I am happy to say that all my teaching teams have made the commitment to higher college education. 

There were no job postings but many avenues to exercise a voice on important issues that effect child care professionals and create opportunities for building relationships and networks with peers in the field.    One needs passion and commitment to fit the bill for advocating for teachers and children. 

National Education Association (http://www.nea.org/) has its focus on public education for students and that through that public education students can attain tremendous opportunities in their life as well as contribute to positive change in society.  The NEA also believes in partnerships between families and the education system, which then lead to successful student outcomes.   As a director of a pre-school program, I understand the importance of family partnerships.  It is important to build those relationships. 

One position that I found interesting is, Associate Director of Human and Civil rights.  According to the job description the position advocates for social justice, equity, and equal access for public school employees and students in order to achieve the goal of a great public school for every student.  The individual would be a member of NEA’s Center for Advocacy management team, participates in the development and administration of the Association’s strategic plan/initiatives/core services and budget; provide leadership in developing the social and economic justice agenda for the NEA (National Education Association).

With this job and some of the others listed, the NEA requires not only higher education; masters, but the job requires one to have at least 7 years experience in human and civil rights experience at the state level, as well as public policy advocacy work.  I was attracted to this position because the job would allow me to work towards develop9ng leadership roles for women.  Although I am not qualified in the sense of policy work, I do feel I have a better understanding of what route to take to gain experience in public policy and that would be working perhaps within the public school system in my area representing other teachers and administrators. 

The final agency I chose to examine is the Urban Institute (http://www.urbaninstitute.org).    The institute is an independent, non-partisan research organization that has influenced numerous policy decisions.  The institute has an Education Policy Center that focuses on education reform and federal funding.  The Education Policy Center also focuses on children’s well being, neighborhood revitalization programs, affordable housing, crime and readiness to work. 

One job opening of interest to me was the Center Director in Education position.  The director would address and evaluate evidence-based strategies for effective teaching and learning, the persistence of achievement gaps and strategies for narrowing them, measurement of school performance and quality.  Through the position, the Center Director will research and explore policy challenges as it relates to school finance equity, barriers to school readiness and, residential, segregation and poverty concentration, housing affordability and instability. 

Although I am not qualified for either of the above position, it is good to know what is available as I feel through this kind of research one can begin to think about the future and think about what it is exactly one can do or how one can contribute.  The process is also a bit intimidating because I question whether I will ever have enough experience or where I will be able to apply the experience and education I currently have.  

Local & State Communities of Practice

One organization that would serve as a positive community of practice is PEP, a Parent Encouragement Program.  Its focus is to build positive, healthy relationships between adults, parents, teachers, and children through training, discussion and support.  The organization is a non-profit and offers a variety of services, classes, and one on one consultation for parents and lectures.  PEP services are geared towards adults raising and working with children ages 1 ½ year olds to 12 year olds.  The appeal to this organization is that it examines individuals from a holistic point of view stating that human beings need to viewed as whole beings and that they are ever changing and developing.  At the core is viewing others and their behaviors from their point of view, taking a perspective different from our own.  To understand our ever changing diverse communities and families, we have to step back from ourselves in order to gain greater understanding of what needs to be met and what methods must be put into place to meet the needs of everyone involved.  This organization is also a wonderful resource for parents and families of all structures to further develop their parenting and interacting skills.  At this time there are no employment opportunities. 

I live in Montgomery County Maryland, one of the richest counties in the country, however people are still going hungry, especially young children.  Within my own preschool community, I work with teachers and families who are on various ends of the economic spectrum, however many of my teachers and families are living below the poverty line.  “There are thousands of people in Montgomery County relying on emergency food programs to put food on the table for their families” (Manna Food Center). Another organization I have chosen is the Manna Food Center whose mission is to eradicate hunger in the Montgomery County area.  It serves area food banks as well as elementary school children in the area through its weekend Smart Sacks Initiative, providing children with backpacks full of nutritious foods every Friday so that they have food to eat over the weekend.  The organization is not just about providing food for the poverty stricken members of the community, including soup kitchens, group homes, shelters and food pantries, but to provide education regarding hunger and poverty as well as to be an advocacy voice in the community.  Working with young children, it is important to understand the ill effects hunger can have a child’s development.  The impact is great, effecting social/emotional, cognitive and physical development causing poor learning academic outcomes (Manna Food Center). Although Manna Food Center is not hiring, there is a long list of volunteer opportunities that range from sorting food and packing boxes with food to Manna Ambassadors who go out into the community to raise awareness about poverty and hunger in the area.  The skill set is based on one’s desire to participate. 

One last organization that would serve as useful, educational community of practice is Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), a non-profit organization located in Washington, DC.   The organization promotes the positive well being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons while also providing “support, to cope with an adverse society; education, to enlighten an ill-informed public; and advocacy, to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights” (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays).  Through the website one can find appropriate terms, answers to questions and facts, family stories and experiences as well as information for parents of gay and lesbian children.  An area of interest to me was on creating safe schools for our children; “9 out of 10 LGBT students experience some form of mistreatment in school” (PFLAG).  Some of the professional opportunities include Corporate Foundation Coordinator, Planned Giving Officer and Chapter Services Coordinator.  The jobs require a financial piece with a focus on giving funds that I do not have nor have in interest in.  In addition, I would need to expand my resource base of organizations in order to be effective in these positions.

These organizations, although varied are useful resources in my work.  It is important to know where and how to direct families and educators to find support, help and information. All families, regardless of culture or family structure need to know how to cope and work within a society that is different and at times intentionally and unintentionally cruel.  The organizations are also useful tools for me to grow not only in my knowledge but to grow in terms of future resources in my work.  I too can be a voice at the opposite end of the table representing young children, teachers and families. 

Resources

Parent Encouragement Program (PEP). http://www.pepparent.org/

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG).  http://community.pflag.org/

Manna Food Center. http://www.mannafood.org/