A farewell to All

My Dear Instructor and Colleagues,

it is a mixed feeling—excited and sad. I am excited because YEAH, I almost finished this program just in few days, which takes a year and eight months! However, I am sad because I am not able any more to discuss about topics regarding the early childhood field with this group of professionals from Walden University who offer insightful perspectives, advice and thought-provoking questions. I hope that we still can keep in touch in the future personally and professionally.

This program is a gift to me. It is a gift of knowledge, which makes me learn and know about child development, issues and trends regarding the early childhood field, practical strategies about how to create age appropriate practices and curriculum, some basic skills about research, equity and inclusion in the classroom, anti-bias curriculum, and so on. It is a gift of relationships, which teaches me how to communicate with children, families, and colleagues from my workplace as well as from Walden, thus building up and strengthening relationships with them. Especially the relationships that are built up through the platform that Walden offers, I would cherish the meaningful learning time and interactions with them. Hopefully after this program we still can learn from each other and have some more interesting and meaningful discussions. It is a gift of dream, which inspires and motivates me to envision myself in the early childhood field, to regard myself as an emerging early childhood educators rather than just as a teaching assistant, and to dream big and stick to it.
After this program, I develop my long-term goal that relates to my Capstone Project. Since I have learned some knowledge about how to create an ongoing, daily anti-bias curriculum that reflects diversity, I would like to seek more opportunities and gain more practical experience on how to become anti-bias educator. Along with this goal, I want to be self-reflective so that I can make an adjustment if needed. As well, if possible, I would like to work abroad to experience the "real" diversity to gain more practical experience, which I think is good for attaining the international teaching certificate.

I would like to take this opportunity to say "Thank you" to my instructor and my colleagues. Thank you for your company in this journey and your valuable insights and comments. You made my completion of Capstone Project possible and a success. I would like to leave my contact information and hopefully some day we can meet each other and collaborate with each other. My personal email is karolchen2012@gmail.com. Thank you all!


Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression.
– Dr. Hiam Ginnot

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

The three international organizations that appeal to me are Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and Save the Children.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) interests me because I can see this organization has a strong collaborative team and representatives in this organization share very clear responsibilities; as well, OECD’s way of working shows a very strong connection among members to ensure the accuracy of events that are worked on (Two pictures below are “who do what” and “OECD’s way of thinking”). There are around 26 job openings, like Mediator for Human Resource Management, Director for Financial and Enterprise Affairs, Policy Analyst, Programme Officer, Telecommunication Economist, Translator, and so on. The OECD looks for talented individuals “with higher academic achievements, professional credentials, and a successful record of demonstrated performance and results” (OECD, n.d.). Candidates from different backgrounds are welcome as this organization seeks to broaden and enrich its knowledge base. Strong interpersonal and communication skills are required to work in this international, team-orientated collaborative environment. As stated, “We work in English and French and look for an excellent command, with proven drafting ability, in at least one of these languages with a willingness to learn the other” (OECD, n.d.).

The United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) works to create the conditions for dialogue among civilizations, cultures and peoples, based upon respect for commonly shared values. It is through this dialogue that the world can achieve global visions of sustainable development encompassing observance of human rights, mutual respect and the alleviation of poverty. It appeals to me because of its mission--“to contribute to the building of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication and information” (UNESCO, 2011). Especially it aims to protect heritage and forster creativity. As stated, “Heritage constitutes a source of identity and cohesion for communities disrupted by bewildering change and economic instability. Creativity contributes to building open, inclusive and pluralistic societies. Both heritage and creativity lay the foundations for vibrant, innovative and prosperous knowledge societies”(UNESCO, 2011). As for the job opportunities, I am quite interested in its internship programme, which aims to “offer selected graduate and postgraduate students in a field related to the work of UNESCO the opportunity to supplement their academic knowledge with practical work assignments and to enable them to gain a better understanding of UNESCO’s mandate and programmes” (UNESCO, 2011). Some requirements are as follows:

Students enrolled in a graduate or post-graduate degree program in a university or equivalent institution at the time of application. Applicants pursuing their studies in a country where higher education is not divided into undergraduate and graduate stages must have completed at least 3 years of full-time studies in a university or equivalent institution towards the completion of a degree. Applicants must be undertaking studies in areas related to UNESCO’s fields of competence (namely, education, culture, sciences, communication and social sciences) or in other areas which support UNESCO’s work (such as law, human resource management, management studies, international relations, etc.).

Additional Requirements:

•Languages: An excellent knowledge, both written and spoken, of at least one of UNESCO’s working languages (English or French). A working knowledge of the other language is an asset, and may be required of candidates for internships in secretarial/assistant assignments at Headquarters.

•Computer skills: Ability to use computer systems, email and office-related software (MS Office).

•Attitude: An awareness of the many facets of a multicultural world and a commitment to international public service are essential. (UNESCO, 2011)

Save the Children aims to give children around the world a healthy start, the opportunity to learn and care when disaster strikes. It supports education programs for children in the classroom and at home, as stated, “We train teachers to engage their students through more effective teaching practices. We coach parents and caregivers to help their children learn early on, so they are prepared to enter school” (Save the Children, 2011). Children will be introduced to the power of artistic expression—drawing, painting, music, drama, dance and more—to help them heal, learn and do better in school. If I could work in this organization, it would be great to see how children become more resilience and to see the smiles back on their faces.

Refereces:

Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2011, from http://www.oecd.org/home/0,2987,en_2649_201185_1_1_1_1_1,00.html

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

United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). (2011). Retrieved from http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/about-us/who-we-are/introducing-unesco/