FAREWELL!

      Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.

                                     ~  Harriet Tubman~

Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out~ Robert Collier


     What a great ending to an amazing journey. When I decided 18 months ago to attend graduate school, I did not know what to expect. I did not know how I would fit in, especially being an older adult in her 50's. But I have really enjoyed this journey working with people that had the same passion, and vision, which is to help young children develop to their full potentials. The knowledge that I have gained will continue to help me to be instrumental in my teaching career. As I begin to make ant--bias education a part of my classroom, I will be able to work diligently with the children and their families in knowing and how to do the right things when it comes to providing for them all the elements that are necessary to help them in being successful. Since learning about bias, I have grown to accept the obstacles and challenges that were hindering me, especially from being open-minded and also being able to listen to others. The amount of learning from Derman-Sparks & Edwards was so inspiring and heart felt. As she stated "all children need to be able to blossom, and every child's particular abilities and the gifts they have are able to flourish (p.2). I am so overwhelmed and appreciative for all of the knowledge and tools I have been given in learning about anti-bias education.

     One long- term goal for me is to continue to be a role model for the young children and families I work with daily. I hope to become the best leader possible in order to lead them in the directions they desire to be in. My hope for the future is to one day see all children and their families living in peace and harmony in their communities and society without having to be judged by all the things that makes them different.

     I would like to thank Dr. Teri, and all of my professional colleagues for making this journey so special. I would also like to thank you for helping me in continuing my dream. Always remember to never give up, and always remember to keep pushing forward until you get the results you desire. I wish each and everyone of you a successful future...... Never give up the hope, the vision, and the passion for what you do.

Linda

References

Derman-Sparks, L., Olsen-Edwards, J. (2010). Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves. National Association for Young Children. (NAEYC).

Inspirational quotes. www.inspirational-quotes.info.

     Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally


     The Three International organizations  I chose were: The International Recue Committee, Save the Children, and Women for Women International.

                                                          International Recue Committee

     The International Rescue Committee, founded in1933, responds to the worst humanitarian crises, helping people to survive and rebuild their lives in over 40 countries and 22 United States cities. This committee works in relief, rehabilitation, post-conflict development, resettlement services, and advocacy for those affected by conflict and oppression, helping people to survive and rebuild their lives. International Rescue Committee supports children and youth who have been affected by armed conflicts and war, by providing support for refugees through formal and non formal education, emergency development. IRC also provide a number of health care services as well as women's empowerment and protection programs. The IRC also works to safeguard the human rights and well-being of people affected by conflict, by ensuring their safety, dignity, and legal rights. It also provides specialized services to victims of human trafficking, and also works to improve economic recovery. This organization appealed to me due to the long range of services provided in crises situations. Another reason was this organization called for a large amount of diverse training and background in order for staffing.

The job I located for employment was for a Health Coordinator, located in South Sudan,  in the category of working full-time.
The description for this job was: The Health coordinator will be the focal point for health care programs in South Sudan. They will ensure the implementation of a quality primary healthcare program in communities in Northern Bahr el Ghazal and the Unity States, with the possibility of expansion, in accordance with accepted national and international standards. They will also have the responsibility of supervising the HPF Coordinator, three reproductive health managers and an emergency health response manager and reports directly to the Deputy Director of Programs. The home base is in  Juba with regular trips to the IRC's primary and reproductive health programs throughout South Sudan.
The skills and Requirements for this job would be for the Health professional (MD or RN with MPH) to have a strong public health background. Five years experience in coordinating, implementing and managing health programs in developing countries and/or refugee settings. Their background in situation analysis, health assessments and program implementation. They will also need additional  qualities, such as the ability to multitask, the ability to handle pressure well, and the ability to improvise, flexibility, adaptability to transitions. Free Housing is provided. This is a high security level job.

     The second International Organization I chose was Save The Children.  

     Save the Children is the world's leading independent organization for children. Their work is around 120 countries. Save the children mission is based around saving children lives in fighting for their rights, in order to help them fill their full potentials. They work to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives.  Across all of their work, it is aimed at several core values; accountability, ambition, collaboration, creativity and integrity. This organization appealed to me because of the educational benefits children get. Education improves their long life health, income and prospects. Save the Children work to ensure that every child receives a good quality education and gain the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in the 21st century. This for me is a plus, whenever anyone looks out for the best interest of the well-being  of children and families, it makes me respect the work that we as professionals in the field do. It also makes me proud to be a part of this field.

     The employment opportunity I chose from this organization was: Chief of Party-DFID Education Consortium. The length of this job is 12 months. The Chief of Party is a senior management role of providing oversight of the 4 year, 15.8 million GBP, DFID-funded education consortium programs in South Sudan. The post holder leads in terms of giving support and direction to the program, as well as managing the relationship and information flows between the key stakeholders. The qualifications for this job includes a post-graduate degree in education or in any social science subjects. 4 years in a Chief of Party or senior program, good technical knowledge of policy and practice in the field of education and development. A good understanding of development issues and the policy context of fragile states, and states effected by conflict. High level of communication and people skills. Strong leadership skills, proven ability to maintain oversight of elements of the programs, proven international skills, preferably in Africa, previous experience in donor, and the proven ability to work in hardship and insecure environments.

The last International organization I chose was Women to Women International.

     Women to Women International works with socially excluded women in 8 countries where war and conflict have devastated lives and communities. Women who enrolled in the one-year program learn job skills and receive business training so they can earn a living. The most appealing things of this organization was women who come to this program learn to understand their rights and how to fight for those rights in their homes, their communities and their nations. They learn how to become leaders.  Their belief is that lasting change can only be achieved when women have access to both knowledge and resources( WfWI).  The place I chose to work was Nigeria. I felt that working with this group of women was where I am needed the most because of all of the hardship women have to endure in this country. Of women for Women International-Nigeria program the graduate level was good. 86% report improved health, 88% are actively participating in key household decisions, 80% leave the program with knowledge of their legal rights, 98% are earning an income, and more than 60% of graduate are saving income to invest in their future. This is position is a voluntary position. It does not come with an income.

References

http://www.rescue.org

http://www.savethechildren.net

http://www.womenforwomen.org/global-initiatives-helping-women/help-women-nigeria.php