Saturday, September 12, 2015

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

This week I enjoyed researching job opportunities within my local and state ECE organizations. 
My dream job would be to teach evening and/or weekend classes in the Child and Family Studies Department at Napa Valley College (NVC) in California. NVC “prepares students for evolving roles in a diverse, dynamic, and interdependent world. The college is an accredited open-access, degree- and certificate-granting institution that is committed to student achievement through high-quality programs and services that are continuously evaluated and improved” (NVC). I would love the opportunity to share my passion for (and experience with) serving young children and their families in our community. The qualifications for a part-time instructor include a Masters Degree in Early Childhood and five years experience working in the field. Previous community college teaching experience is preferred.

Child Start Inc. provides Napa and Solano counties in California with NO COST infant/toddler and preschool services. Their mission is “to support the educational, social, and emotional development of children, ages 0-5, by providing high quality, comprehensive and family-focused early childhood services in partnerships with the community” (Child Start Inc.) I am on a local QRIS team with the executive director of Child Start and respect her passion for the wellbeing of children and their families.

There is currently a job opening for a Regional Program Manager for Head Start and Early Head Start. The qualifications include an AA degree in Early Childhood Education (BA preferred) and two years previous experience teaching in an early childhood setting; 5 years experience with supervision, management or coaching; experience managing an infant/toddler or preschool program; bilingual Spanish/English preferred and knowledge of infant/toddler and preschool health and safety licensing requirements. Child Start also seeks applicants with experience in collaborations and community partnerships! A friend of mine has this job and loves coaching childcare providers and teachers on strategies to improve their environments and quality!

I have learned that there are several organizations in the Napa Valley that truly care about the wellbeing of our residents and Action Napa Valley is one of them. Auction Napa Valley issues grants from an annual wine auction to agencies within Napa County that are meeting a documented, demonstrated community need in the areas of community health and children’s education. Their goal is “to invest deeply rather than broadly to have meaningful, measurable impact on the community. The majority of grants support organizations providing programs for Napa County’s neediest residents, focusing on strategies for prevention and early intervention” (Auction Napa Valley). I recently met a consultant working for Auction Napa Valley and we were brainstorming on how to educate donors on the vital importance of quality early childhood development and education. I would be honored to be the voice of children in our community, especially the 25 percent who live in poverty. I believe this masters program and my experience in the field have prepared me for such an endeavor!
References
Auction Napa Valley. Retrieved form http://auctionnapavalley.org/
Child Start Inc. Retrieved from http://www.childstartinc.org/
Napa Valley College. Retrieved from
http://www.napavalley.edu/HR/Pages/JobOpportunities.aspx





3 comments:

  1. Christine,

    Child Start seems like an awesome organization to be apart of. Child Start offers opportunities for teachers and your experience and educational level will surely ensure you a position for the organization. I have enjoyed reading the posts from fellow classmates are learning of different organizations that are not so hard to apply for or that any teacher that graduated from Walden have a opportunity to graduate and get a quality job in their field of study!

    Thanks for sharing,
    Marlena LeBlanc

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  2. Christine,
    I would also like to teach at a community college but based on my research, getting a permanent position is going to be a challenge. I find it frustrating that a lot of positions require or prefer previous experience. How can we get the experience if experience is a requirement for the position?
    Melissa

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  3. Hi Melissa
    I believe if you become increasingly involved in your community, the director of early childhood at the community college will know who you are. I would also make an appointment to visit with the director of ECE at all colleges of interest. It can't hurt to say hello and share experience and passion!
    Good Luck!!

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