A Note Of Thanks and Support

To my Colleagues and Walden Faculty,
      
               The time has finally come for us to go to the next level. I want to thank each and everyone of you for supporting me in EDUC-6005-7 course. Words cannot express how I feel at this moment. I feel like I know each and everyone of you personally. You have supported me by giving words of encouragement when I felt frustrated, or even lost. Thank you for the comments and knowledgeable information that you have shared with me in this course. I have really enjoyed the collaborating experiences, and listening to what you have brought to this field. It was so nice meeting people that brought all kinds of creativity to this course.

               My colleagues, I hope that you have taken what I have shared with you throughout my journey as an Early Childhood teacher. I have supported you by commented on your post, and giving examples of what I have experienced as a teacher. I have supported you by learning from you and taking that information and sharing with other colleagues. I am glad that I had the experience to be a voice for you!

I want each and every one of you to continue to strive for the best! As you continue this journey always remember that you are the one that will make a difference in those children and families lives. My wish for my colleagues is to become successful learners and to utilize what they are perceiving in this field. I want them to become professional teachers, educators or whatever they choose to be. I want to leave this with you....YOU ARE THESE CHILDREN FUTURE! EARLY CHILDHOOD DOES MATTER! I have really enjoyed everyone! I will see you down the road as we continue our life-long learning!

                                                                                                      

Examining Codes of Ethics

NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct

 

 

Ethical Responsibilities to Families

 

 I-2.2- To develop relationships of mutual trust and create partnerships with families we serve.

I think that it is very important for every family to feel comfortable with their child's teacher. I constantly remind my families that we have an open door policy. I welcome them at anytime so that they can see that their child is in a safe learning environment. I want them to trust me with their child. I always speak in a professional tone, and remind them that I am here for them and their child.

 

I-2.7- To share information about each child's education and development with families and to help them understand and appreciate the current knowledge base of the early childhood profession.

 

I would say this is not only meaningful, but is important as well. I share information with my families regarding their education on a daily basis. I communicate with my parents through letters, portfolios, conferences, and most of all home visits. I let my parents see the progress their child has made by starting the portfolio at the beginning of school. I will always let my families know when I see some development delayed issues. I explain to my parents on the first day, why early childhood is important, and why we need to communicate throughout the school year.

 

I-2.9- To participate in building support networks for families by providing them opportunities to interact with program staff, other families, community resources, and professional services.

 

Our program offers parent involvement, in fact welcomes all family members. The school get a panel of parents that takes the positions as presidents, vice presidents, treasures, and secretary. These parent attends all meetings regarding Head Start issues. They come and ask the teachers what they need, or what they would like for them to discuss in the meeting regarding early childhood. They join other families, professionals, and the community at these meetings. I encourage my parents to become a part of this panel. I tell them this is the time to be heard, and voice their opinions.

 

DEC Code of Ethics

 

5.We shall use individually appropriate assessment strategies including multiple sources of information such as observations, interviews with significant caregivers, formal and informal assessments to determine children's learning styles, strengths, and challenges.

 

I do observations daily on my children. I look for something different, creative, and meaningful. I take these observations and record them into teaching strategy. This is where I level the children to see where they are at the moment. I can also use teaching strategy to see progress. This information goes to the Department of education. We have professionals come in and talk with the teacher about a child's progress. If the teacher see any issues, she and the team get together along with the parent to see what they can do to help the child. We use this assessment to analyze the child's strength, challenges, and learning style.

 

 



Growing Your Collection of Resources

                                                            Course Resources

Part 1: Position statements and Influential Practices
NAEYC. (2009). Developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood programs serving children from birth through age 8. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/dap
NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on child abuse prevention. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/ChildAbuseStand.pdf
NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on school readiness. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/Readiness.pdf
NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on responding to linguistic and cultural diversity. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/diversity.pdf
NAEYC. (2003). Early childhood curriculum, assessment, and program evaluation: Building an effective, accountable system in programs for children birth through age 8. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/pscape.pdf
NAEYC. (2009, April). Early childhood inclusion: A summary. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/DEC_NAEYC_ECSummary_A.pdf
Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families. (2010). Infant-toddler policy agenda. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://main.zerotothree.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ter_pub_infanttodllerFPG Child Development Institute. (2006, September). Evidence-based practice empowers early childhood professionals and families. (FPG Snapshot, No. 33). Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://community.fpg.unc.edu/sites/community.fpg.unc.edu/files/imce/documents/FPG_Snapshot_N33_EvidenceBasedPractice_09-2006.pdf
Turnbull, A., Zuna, N., Hong, J. Y., Hu, X., Kyzar, K., Obremski, S., et al. (2010). Knowledge-to-action guides. Teaching Exceptional Children, 42(3), 42-53.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Part 2: Global Support for Children's Rights and Well-Being.
Article: UNICEF (n.d.). Fact sheet: A summary of the rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.unicef.org/crc/files/Rights_overview.pdf
Websites


World Forum Foundation
http://worldforumfoundation.org/wf/wp/about-us
This link connects you to the mission statement of this organization. Make sure to watch the media segment on this webpage

World Organization for Early Childhood Education
http://www.omep-usnc.org/
Read about OMEP's mission.

Association for Childhood Education International
http://acei.org/
Click on "Mission/Vision" and "Guiding Principles and Beliefs" and read these statements.

Part 3: Selected Early Childhood Organizations
National Association for the Education of Young Children
http://www.naeyc.org/

The Division for Early Childhood
http://www.dec-sped.org/

Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families
http://www.zerotothree.org/

WESTED
http://www.wested.org/cs/we/print/docs/we/home.htm

Harvard Education Letter
http://www.hepg.org/hel/topic/85

FPG Child Development Institute
http://www.fpg.unc.edu/

Administration for Children and Families Headstart's National Research Conference
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre/hsrc/

HighScope
http://www.highscope.org/

Children's Defense Fund
http://www.childrensdefense.org/

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

Council for Exceptional Children
http://www.cec.sped.org/

Institute for Women's Policy Research
http://www.iwpr.org/

National Center for Research on Early Childhood Education
http://www.ncrece.org/wordpress/

National Child Care Association
http://www.nccanet.org/

National Institute for Early Education Research
http://nieer.org/

Pre[K]Now
http://www.pewstates.org/projects/pre-k-now-328067

Voices for America's Children
http://www.voices.org/

The Erikson Institute
http://www.erikson.edu/

Part 4: Selected Professional Journals Available in the Walden Library

Tip: Use the Journal option under Search & Find on the library website to find journals by title

YC Young Children

Childhood

Journal of Child & Family Studies

Child Study Journal

Multicultural Education

Early Childhood Education Journal

Journal of Early Childhood Research

International Journal of Early Childhood

Early Childhood Research Quarterly

Developmental Psychology

Social Studies

Maternal & Child Health Journal

International Journal of Early Years Education

Additional Resources
Research News You Can Use: Family Engagement and Early Childhood Education By: Kyle Snow Ph.D.
https://naeyc.org/content/research-news-family-engagement
Early Childhood News-Article Reading Center
http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/article_view.aspx?ArticleID=548
Book: Early Childhood Education: History, Philosophy, and Experience By: Cathy Nutbrown, Peter Clough, Philip Selbie 

Words of Inspirational and Motivation

My quotes from writings or speeches of the two people I identified in the discussion.

" Education is not a problem. Education is an opportunity."
                                                                                 - Lyndon B. Johnson

"We have entered an age in which education is not just a luxury permitting some men an advantage over others. It has become a necessity without which a person is defenseless in this complex, industrialized society. We have truly entered the century of the educated man."
                                                                                                         - Lyndon B. Johnson

"We are decision makers. As adults caring for children, it is our responsibility to seek out and intentionally plan the best opportunities for children that support their over-all well being and healthy development."
                                                                                                                - Susan BredeKamp

" Children benefit most from teachers who have the skills, knowledge, and judgement to make good decisions and are given the opportunity to use them."
                                                                                                                - Susan BredeKamp

My quotes about passion, motivation, and wisdom from the professional in the media.

"I had a built in passion that was important to make a real contribution in the world and  to fix all the injustices that existed in the world and I wanted to do that through teaching."
                                                                                                                  - Louise Derman Sparks

"When I go to parent meetings and actually see what parents learning how to speak to policy makers, learning how to write letters, learning how to tell their story and share their voice, that's what keep me motivated. Regardless of all the challenges going on."
                                                                                        - Sandy Escobido

"I am not here to save the world. I'm here to make a difference in the community that I'm working."
                                                                                                                  - Raymond Hernandes MS ED
" I believe all women should have a choice."
                                            - Renatta M. Cooper

"Today as a national expert, I continue to be that interpreter and translate."
                                                                                   - Leticia Lara LCSW


                                                                                                                   

Personal Childhood Web

Bobbie Gaston-: Mother- My mother was very soft spoken, humble, and always kept a smile on her face. The first child that her mom had that graduated from high school. She influenced me with her words of encouragement. She said, 'There is nothing that you can't do." She also stated, "Never let anyone tell you that you are nothing." She nurtured me by caring, and keeping me in a safe environment by providing a comfortable life for me. She told me every day that I was her Pancakes! That made me feels so special! The way she told me is why I am who I am today. Because of my mother, I know how to love, be caring, and have a passionate heart. She is why I am in the education field. She passed away in 1993. I miss you angel.

Mary Reed: Grandmother-My grandmother was a very strong minded woman. She was firm, but loving. When I was a child she was very strict! I was to not get out of her routine. Meaning, her words stuck like glue. I remembered her stories that she told when she was a child. My granny nurtured me in ways that taught me to fight and never give up! She was always greeting me with a hug, which made me feel very special. She inspired me by always watching her accomplished her goals. She said, "Little girl, work for what you want." Those words have come a long way for me.


Geraldine Watts: Cheerleader Coach- Ms. Watts was very hard on the cheerleaders. She was very firm, and had an authority voice. I was a cheerleader in my childhood days. I would always have melt downs when I couldn’t get a tumble right. Ms. Watts would say, “How bad do you want it!” I would say,” I want it bad!” She would stand over me and tell me to say, “There is something I want, and I will never use the word, “I can’t!” she nurtured me into being a strong minded young lady. Her words were fierce. Because of Ms. Watts; I tell my students never to say, “I can’t"

Phillip Gatson: Daddy- My dad was a very hard working man that worked hard to provide for his family. He made sure I had the best. He always brought home sugar babies for me to eat. The nurturing that my dad gave was the talks about how one day, I will be famous. That made me feels so special. He would always tell me that I was blessed in so many ways. He said, “Never take this for granted.” He told me that he only wanted the best for me. He said, “There is a star shining very bright, and it has your name on it.” I tear up when I think of those words. He has impacted me to give my children the life he had provided for me.

Mike, Patricia, Tobias: My Children- My children are my biggest supporters now. They were the ones that have encouraged me to go back to school. When I divorced their dad it was very hard. My children said, “Mom go back to school and finish what you started.” Mike said, “Move in with me and let me take care of you, so that you can get your college degree. My children were my motivation. My kids were so proud to see me walk across that stage. My children have made me strong, and have given me the strength to be the best teacher ever.

 

I AM GUADALUPE HILLIARD A HEAD START PRESCHOOL TEACHER

An Inspiration Early childhood quote

" The first five years have so much to do with how the next 80 turn out."
When I started going to school this is the first words spoken out of Mrs. Hamilton mouth on the first night of her class. She said, "As educators and early childhood teachers you should always remember the impact that you will have on every child you teach."