Completion🎓

Dearest Colleagues,

I would be remiss if I didn't finish this blog with a note about graduation. Tomorrow is the big day!!!! I don't know who still reads these things (I don't), but I needed to say goodbye and express my feelings the night before the big day. I am looking forward to meeting someone from our group and I feel excited, elated, anxious, nervous, sad, and inspired. I'm feeling inspired to continue on to my doctorate---umm, Dr. Mimi Bronson 😊. I also feel very, very proud. We put in a lot of hard work over the last two years and we were there for each other. It finally comes to an absolute end and I am feeling a special sense of joy and closure. 

May you all continue to be blessed and I wish you well!!!

Smooches💋💋💋💋💞😘

Love Mimi

Time Well Spent

Finit!

We have finally completed the final leg of what at times felt like a never-ending journey. This program has taught me the importance of building strong relationships with others because you never know who you may need to turn to for help. I found myself reaching out to colleagues all over the world for help in getting through various assignments. I would not have been able to complete those assignments without their help.

I have also learned the value of life experiences and their impact on our lives. Our courses gave us many opportunities to reflect on our experiences, our life events, and our past learning and connect them to what we were learning in the program. It has indeed been quite eye-opening.

Lastly, I was awakened to becoming an agent of positive social change. Something I had never given much thought to before Walden. I have always been an advocate in small ways, but I now find myself wanting to make greater strides in the field. As I wrote my speech I realized how deeply I really wanted to make it a reality. I have so much to aim for now!

One long term goal I have is what I actually wrote about in my speech. I would like to write a book. I would like to start writing articles for ECE journals in the short term, so look for my name!

FAREWELL!

I have prepared for this moment for almost two years and now I find myself quiet. How do you say good-bye to people who you have relied upon for so long? 

To all of my colleagues and instructors, I thank you for your time. I thank you for your passion. I thank you for your collaboration. I thank you for listening. I thank you for responding. I thank you for your questions. I thank you for your comments and suggestions.

To the wonderful, intelligent ladies of this Capstone course, I thank you for lively and refreshing discussion boards. I am thankful for having had the opportunity to learn from and with you all.

To Dina Corral and Shawna Kushner, thank you for challenging me. You ladies made me go the extra mile and I am grateful for the push.

To Lynda, Mary Jo, Nadia, Melanie, Nina, Sha'Keema, Antowah, Lauren, Tinka, Danielle, Misty, Jennifer, Bethany, and Lorren. I started with you ladies and we pushed each other through some difficult moments. I benefitted in more ways than I can say from you sharing your knowledge and passions. Thank you all!

A very special, heart felt thanks to Tina. You were my rock! Thank you for letting me vent (whine, cry) so many times when I needed to. Thank you for being there for me and with me from the very first day. The summer of terror! We had such a hard time those first few weeks trying to figure out all of those technological hiccups. It was like stumbling in the dark. And for me, I was in the dark. It was the summer of storms and no power! You have inspired me to embrace my granola crunching/fashionista self and go climb mountains. I intend to!

Thank you Dr. Teri for your efforts in providing us with information to get us through the course and all of your support. 

Thank you ALL FOR TIME WELL SPENT!!!

I leave you all with this:

http://youtu.be/OpECBDzOITE

Week 6 Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community:Internationally

Week 6

Save the Children

I have always been very interested in Save the Children. Save the Children is a humanitarian organization that protects children. What stands out for me is that they declare, "We save children's lives". That is powerful! They provide programs in health, nutrition, education, child protection, and child rights. I would want to work for an organization whose mission is to ensure children around the world have access to food, education, and medical care.

One position that really interested me is Advocacy Advisor-Humanitarian and Education because of its role:

The Advocacy Adviser will lead our influencing work in the African Union (AU) on humanitarian issues, peace and security and education - engaging widely with the AU Commission and delegations, and civil society organisations active in this arena. He or she will make a key contribution to our global advocacy success in these thematic areas, especially our organisational breakthrough of ensuring that children in humanitarian crises have access to a quality education.

Required Qualifications:

• Education to degree level - an academic background in a directly relevant field s desirable.
• Proven record of advocacy success and ability to develop and implement strategy, preferably at the regional level in Africa.
• A background in influencing African national governments and engaging civil society partners in the region
• Experience of creating networks of influence, and an ability to manage diverse professional relationships, thereby securing significant new opportunities for the organisation
• Proven ability to speak and communicate effectively, and to tailor messages to different audiences
• Experience of successfully operating in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Experience of solving complex issues through analysis, definition of a clear way forward and ensuring buy in.
• Demonstrated understanding of development and humanitarian issues, including in education.
• Knowledge and understanding of the AU, and its role in development, human rights and humanitarian issues.
• Commitment to Save the Children's values.
• Experience of, and willingness to travel widely, often at short notice and in conflict- and crisis-affected settings
• Ability to work in English and French essential. Other official AU languages would be an advantage.

The website for Save the Children is: http://www.savethechildren.net/

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

UNESCO is also a humanitarian organization that strives to ensure children have access to quality education as a fundamental right; promotes intercultural understanding; and protects freedom of expression. I am drawn to this organization because of their mission to establish peace based on the morality of humanity.

The position that I felt would be my "dream" job is Assistant Director-General  for Culture.

The Culture Sector’s mission is to promote the pivotal role of culture, heritage and creativity as means of achieving sustainable development and peace, in order to demonstrate the role of culture and its power as a driver and enabler of peace and sustainable development through the Organization’s programmes and standard-setting instruments, as well as through various partnerships. 

The Requirements for the position:

Education

• Advanced university degree or equivalent professional experience in a discipline related to UNESCO’s mandate.

Work Experience

• Extensive and relevant professional experience from senior leadership/executive positions in areas directly related to UNESCO’s Culture Programme, including assignments at the regional and/or international levels.
• Several years of exposure to the requirements of international and inter-governmental cooperation, preferably within the United Nations system context.

Skills/Competencies

• Knowledge of, and commitment to, the Organization’s mandate, vision, strategic directions and priorities.
• Leadership capacities, a sense of objectivity and neutrality, strong analytical skills and intellectual capabilities, professional integrity and diplomacy.
• Ability to exercise well-founded and balanced authority, as well as to provide and manage advisory services and functions.
• Demonstrated managerial skills and ability to direct change processes within large institutions of national or international scope.
• Sound knowledge of general management practices, including results-based management and budgeting principles, governance and accountability, use of information and communication technologies, as well as of techniques of quality assurance and risk management.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to manage relationships at all levels of the Organization.
• Demonstrated strategic planning and management abilities.
• Excellent communication skills with strong representational abilities.

Languages

• Excellent knowledge and drafting skills in one of the working languages of the Organization (English or French) and good knowledge of the second language. Training will be mandatory in order to acquire the required level of the second working language within a reasonable timeframe.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• A Ph.D. level degree in the social and human sciences or one of its sub-disciplines would be an asset.
• Other university degrees or short- to medium-term training in disciplines relevant to the post would be an advantage.

Work Experience

• A proven record of senior management and professional experience at the international and intergovernmental levels.
• Awareness and knowledge of UNESCO’s strategic objectives and of wider processes within the United Nations system, especially with regard to the elaboration of the post-2015 international development agenda.
• Professional experience gained in multicultural working environments.
• Experience in conducting complex negotiations diplomatically and tactfully in the overall interest of pursuing UNESCO’s mandate and mission.
• Experience in guiding staff and motivating teams in a culturally diverse environment, in performing supervisory and monitoring duties, and in ensuring training and staff development.

Skills/Competencies

• Proven ability to interact effectively at the highest governmental levels, as well as with leaders of the private sector and NGOs, and to build collaborative partnerships and networks with and between a wide variety of stakeholders.
• Demonstrated capacity to mobilize financial and other resources efficiently.
• Capacity to grasp global trends and developments, as well as to adapt and re-orient UNESCO strategies accordingly, in an innovative and creative manner.
• Skills in administration and the management of financial and human resources.
• Skills and knowledge should include a solid understanding of global operational risks.

Languages

Knowledge of other United Nations languages (Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish).

The website for UNESCO is: http://en.unesco.org/about-us/introducing-unesco

fhi 360: The Science of Improving Lives

"Everything is connected. Health. Education. Nutrition. Environment. Economic development. Civil society. Gender equality. Youth. Research. Technology."

I was absolutely blown away by this organization's "360˚ perspective."

Its perspective is that human development is integrated. "Everything is connected". They view human issues holistically and customize their response by connecting ideas, resources, and people.

I am actually considering applying for is Teacher Trainer/Education Specialist in Benue, Nigeria because I have been interested in working in a girls' school in Africa for quite some time. There are so many countries that underserve girls or where girls do not have access to an education. As an educator, I am motivated to champion the rights of children who are unable to secure equitable human rights.

The Requirements for this position are:

The Teacher Trainer/Education Specialist will be responsible for working closely with FHI 360 team members in Benue to implement the main objectives of the project: to improve the quality and relevance of girls’ education and boost retention rates for OVCs in select LGAs in Benue State. The Specialist is responsible for working closely with teachers, school officials, school administrators, and local education officials to ensure that teachers are trained in pedagogy, gender sensitivity, and other subjects, especially Math and Science, as needed. S/He will follow up with teachers in the classroom on a periodic basis to provide additional support to teachers’ use of methods learned during training

Minimum Recruitment Standards: BSc. in Education, or a HND in Teacher Training and/or Education A relevant second degree will be an added advantage Minimum of 5 years work experience Excellent skills in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Power Point, and other email systems Must be able to provide three references from previous employment or university

The website for fhi360 is: http://www.fhi360.org/

Week Four

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: National/Federal Level

Council for Exceptional Children
Its Core Values are what attracted me to this site:

• Dignity and worth of all individuals.
• Diversity and inclusiveness.
• Advocacy and social justice.
• Professional excellence, integrity, and accountability.
• Full participation in society.
• Effective individualized education.
• Family engagement.
• Collaboration and community.
• Responsibility to members. 

The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is an International membership organization for special education professionals. 
The available position that interests me is Professional Development Manager. The Professional Development Manager develops, coordinates, and conducts customized trainings and also participates in needs assessment activities.

Requirements include:

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of  four years experience in the areas of special education (preferred), product development, and professional development or equivalent background;
• Demonstrated knowledge in professional development and experience in developing, execution and evaluation of training;
• Demonstrated knowledge of special education teaching methods and learning strategies;
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in database management, including report development and production;
• Strong oral and written communication skills and effective interpersonal skills with a keen ability to collaborate across the organization;
• Demonstrated excellence in customer service skills;
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task and respond positively to changes in activities and priorities;
• Demonstrated ability to maintain accurate and detailed records and materials in an organized manner;
• Computer proficiency in applicable software applications, including Microsoft Office Suite;
• Ability and willingness to travel within the DC Metro area and out of town periodically for meetings as assigned and the CEC annual convention and expo.

The website for CEC is:http://www.cec.sped.org/


Zero to Three
Zero to Three promotes the health and development of infants and toddlers. This organization provides up to date information and resources for parents, professionals, and policymakers. I chose this organization because I have used Zero to Three as a resource for training information and to learn more about infants and toddlers. I have also found their resources regarding child abuse to be very helpful in my work.

The available position that interests me is the Senior Writer/Training Specialist.

Requirements include:

Support efforts to deepen understanding of the needs of the EHS community and develop innovative approaches through the following:

• Lead the development of up to 3 EHSNRC deliverables (i.e. webcasts, webinars, podcasts) 
• Lead the development of at least one written product (i.e. TA papers, tip sheets) and contribute content to other written products
• Serve as content lead on AIAN specific issues; infusing cultural content specific to AIAN programs into all aspects of EHS NRC work; 
• Ensure presence of infant-toddler materials and resources specific to AIAN program staff and family needs on ECLKC and EHS NRC websites; 
• Provide training for federal staff, TA providers and EHS/MSHS programs (including specialized trainings focused on content pertinent to American Indian and Alaskan Native programs) as requested; 
• Ensuring there is a robust session offering with a cultural perspective for content that is relevant to AIAN programs, for the annual Birth To Three Institute; 
• Serve as a liaison between EHSNRC and other technical assistance providers and National Centers.

The website for Zero to Three is: http://www.zerotothree.org/

National Head Start Association

The National Head Start Association (NHSA) works to empower all at-risk children to succeed in life. I have always been attracted to its advocacy for at-risk children and their families and its strong vision:

• All children should reach their full potential,

• Every child can succeed,

• We can impact the success of at-risk children, and

• Quality early education fundamentally transforms children and families

The available position that interests me is the Policy, Data, and Research Fellowship. Although this position is only a year long position, I thought it was a great opportunity to learn research and data analysis.

Requirements include:

• Familiarity with and commitment to Head Start and the diverse communities Head Start programs serve.
• Strong academic success, including a bachelor’s degree at a minimum and coursework in statistics and/or quantitative research methodology.
• Demonstrated analytical abilities for synthesis of information and identifying themes and relationships.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to be comfortable and assertive working with large and small groups. 
• Strong attention to detail, superior organizational skills, and computer literacy. 
• A high level of energy, ability to multi-task, and sense of humor. 
• One to three years relevant work experience. 

The website for NHSA is: http://www.nhsa.org/

Communities of Practice

Maryland Association for the Education of Young Children (MDAEYC)
The first organization that appealed to me is my local affiliation chapter of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), MDAEYC. The reason why I chose this organization is because I feel they do exceptional work for and with the early childhood professionals in my state. There are always opportunities to work with other professionals in my area and discuss common problems that are sometimes relative only to the state of Maryland or my specific county.  The mission statement of this organization is very inspirational to me as an adult educator: "To empower those who care for and educate young children." It is also a good source for what is happening in the field and in the community. They are very hands-on when it comes to advocacy and public policy. There are always opportunities to get involved with public officials and fight for children and families.

Working at MDAEYC is mostly voluntary, which would be a great way for me to explore advocacy and public policy.

Family Services, Inc.
I chose Family Services, Inc. because of the services they offer the community, schools, children, and families. Family Services is committed to supporting the needs of families in Montgomery County, Md. through early childhood, educational, clinical, and behavioral health programs. They support children and teenagers struggling with substance abuse and mental health issues. They support teachers in the classroom and build relationships between home and school. They also provide training and workshops for early childhood teachers.
This organization provides valuable social services to residents who otherwise would not have access to  counseling and therapy. The therapists and trainers have been very beneficial to my work in supporting teachers and children in the classroom with behavioral and learning issues.

Positions within this organization that interest me:

Early Childhood Trainers-Master's Degree in Early Childhood; Completed the Train the Trainers Course and Orientation; experience working with children 0-8 years old; knowledge of child development and best practices.

Available position:
Residential Advocate-provides support at facility serving women and children who are fleeing domestic violence. Duties include assistance with intake and orientation to shelter life, recreational activities, food service, transportation and facility upkeep. 
Qualifications: High school graduation or equivalency and two years experience in relevant program area. Oral fluency in Spanish language preferred, Must have valid driver’s license and availability for evening and weekend shifts. Must be able to lift 30 pounds, stand, sit, stoop, bend at the waist and knees and possess overall body flexibility. 

Maryland Family Network

The mission of this organization is to ensure that young children and their families have resources to learn and succeed. They provide programs to promote high quality child care, family support and services. They have taken initiative to develop a statewide, comprehensive system of support for pregnant women, children (birth-5yrs), their families and caregivers. This is my go to organization for early childhood resources.

They are currently looking for a Director, Baltimore City Child Care Resource Center, which I find very interesting.
The requirements for this job include:
• Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field; Master's preferred;
• Minimum of 10 years progressively more responsible experience in early childhood education, program management, and supervision;
• Strong communication and marketing skills in one-on-one settings, in large, diverse group settings of public and private entities, and in all situations in between;
• Knowledge of child development and the profession of child care;
• Proven ability to recruit, train, and supervise staff;

For more information, please visit:

http://www.mdaeyc.org/

http://marylandfamilynetwork.org/

http://www.familyservicesagency.org/index.html

From Passion to Action

I am hoping this Wordle will remain on my page. My Wordle communicates my passion for equitable inclusion for ALL children and families and the actions needed to provide high-quality care for ALL children.

Wk 8-Thank You!See You At Graduation!

Wow, we're almost there! Here we are in our last class as a group before branching off into our individual specializations. Some of us will continue this journey together, but some will be saying,"so long".

I hope to "see" many of you in my next course. My specialization is Teaching Adults. I have been training preschool teachers for many years now and I have facilitated or taught all of the courses we have had up to this point, but the Communications course was new to me. I have learned and grown in so many ways thanks to this course. I thought I was a great communicator, but I have really examined my communication skills and changed how I communicate with others and how I listen to others. I am also learning to talk to my children in a more collaborative, respectful way. My cultural background taught me that the parent has all of the power and commands respect ("That's why I'm the parent and you're the child" "Do as I say and don't question me"). How's that working? Not great. I am working to build trustful, open, respectful relationships with my children. It's never too late.


I am very grateful for all of the words of encouragement and support that I have received from everyone. We are all different ages and from different backgrounds with different experiences, yet we have been able to support each other and form relationships through cyberspace. I have been inspired by each and every one of you to keep pushing and moving forward. We have all had to deal with the stress and realities of real life while trying to be successful students and keep up with our studies. At times, it has been difficult, but having your words and thoughts have helped support me in many ways. You should see me every Sunday when I open up the new week's assignments. I am at a loss each and every time. "THEY WANT ME TO WRITE ABOUT WHAT? I DON'T HAVE A CLUE HOW TO START THIS PAPER! OH, NO, I'M NEVER GOING TO FIGURE THIS OUT!"I am a hot mess! And my daughter just rolls her eyes. "Mom, you say this every week. Month after month. And you still manage to do it. Oh, please!" LOL

I am looking forward to our final project-GRADUATION!
I wish you all good luck and opportunity and I thank you for our time together.
Thank you to Dr. Hampshire for your patience with my questions and anxieties.

Please stay in touch, I'm just an email away-michelle.bronson@waldenu.edu

Good Luck,
Mimi

Week 6-Adjourning

The last team of teachers that I had to leave were very special to me. We knew each other's strengths and weaknesses. We knew how to fill in when one was down and anticipate each other's needs. We didn't take long to make decisions because we were not in competition with one another. Whatever needed to be done, we could come up with ways to get it done. They protected me and I protected them. It is a special kinship when you belong to a high-performing group. The trust and commitment that is established takes time to build. It was a learning process that wasn't perfect, but one that taught us about each other and how to work together as a team.

It is always very hard for me to leave a high-performing group. We become so in sync with each other like pieces to a puzzle. It is especially difficult for me to leave a group of teachers that I have formed trusting relationships with.

The rituals I typically experience in adjourning are usually informal gatherings centered around a meal and gifts; or just warm hugs and well wishes; or team building exercises such as trusting your team to catch you when you fall backwards; and sometimes tears because we know we will not be together again. There is almost always the promise of staying in touch or reconnecting, not wanting that bond to end.

I am looking forward to ending this program. There have been aspects of my life that I have sacrificed for this program and I am ready to return to them. But, I will miss this learning environment with my colleagues. Sharing personal and professional experiences with a group of strangers has definitely taken us out of our comfort zones. Yet, we are not really strangers anymore. We have formed a culture that is built on what we have brought to this program and is made up of all of our personalities and identities. It has been inspiring and encouraging. I have learned and perhaps taught. I have trusted and entrusted. I hope to meet as many of my colleagues at graduation as possible and perhaps we will be able to say good-bye in a celebratory way. Let's PARTY ladies!!

(I was so hoping graduation was going to be in Miami, but I think ours is in Minneapolis).

In answering the question, I am not really sure how I am going to adjourn from this group. I think of us as colleagues and so I hope to leave as colleagues who will continue to network and contact each other whenever needed. I think this is a high-performing group and as Abudi (2010) contends it is likely that we will keep in touch!  

The adjourning stage is important because it provides the opportunity to reflect and to acknowledge the accomplishments of the group (O'Hair & Wiemann, 2012). This stage also provides the opportunity to open another door into future endeavors, be they work or friendship. It is a way to give closure to the relationships of the group.

Reference

Abudi, G. (2010). The five stages of team development: A case study. Retrieved from http://www.projectsmart.co.uk/the-five-stages-of-team-development-a-case-study.html

O'Hair, D., & Wiemann, M. (2012). Real communication. New York: Bedford/St. Martin's.

Week 5-Conflict Resolution

                                                                                                                  

Being a parent of teenagers and young adults can sometimes feel as if I am in a constant power struggle. There are times when I will ask a question or make a comment and the response is completely inaudible or it feels as if I have just disrupted the universe because I dared to ask a question or say something "motherly". The other day my 17 year old (18 today) said something I didn't understand or actually hear. Well, I asked him to repeat it. He did. I still didn't hear what he said. I asked him again and I still didn't understand a word he was saying. We were standing at arm's length apart, so I should have been able to hear every word he said. I asked a third time and his response was, "You know mom, if I have to repeat something for the third time it's no fun. I'm not saying it again." 

Really? (Insert my puzzled face, head cocked to the side, hand on hip here)

(I straightened my body language) I explained to him that if the person he is speaking to can't understand what he is saying, then it doesn't matter whether it is fun for him or not, he's going to have to repeat himself so that he is understood.  I had no idea what he was mumbling and with each response he was mumbling even lower than the previous time and I was becoming frustrated. He left the room mad and then remembered we were going out together, so he came back. Unfortunately, I still needed his answer, so I asked him again to repeat his statement. He repeated it loudly and it was such a simple statement that I couldn't believe how much time was wasted on it. I calmly responded to his statement and then thanked him for speaking up. I thanked him for doing something that should have been natural to him when communicating--speaking clearly, because I felt we needed to have a respectful and pleasant afternoon together. Although I used a challenging strategy by being assertive and having him answer my question, I decided to respond to his statement by being cooperative with a supportive answer to help nurture our relationship and offer a solution that would benefit us both (O'Hair & Wiemann, 2012).

A second strategy that would have helped would have been to use the 3R's by acknowledging that I expected my son to respond to me in a certain way because of how I was raised and the expectations my parents had of their children. Practicing respectful, reciprocal, and responsive interactions with my son will help us to build a solid, trusting relationship that will last a lifetime and hopefully, with his children as well (Corso, 2007).            

                                                                                            

I would love to hear any advice or words of wisdom from my colleagues in relation to how they have learned to effectively resolve conflict (especially with teenagers and young adults ☺).

References

Corso, R. M. (2007). Practices for enhancing children's social-emotional development and preventing challenging behavior. Gifted Child Today,30(3), 51-56.

O'Hair, D., & Wiemann, M. (2012). Real communication. New York: Bedford/St. Martin's.

Week 4: Communication Assessments

I chose my husband and my co-Director to complete the communication assessments. I was really surprised, but pleased to learn that we all assessed my communication skills similarly. I was surprised because I am always looking for ways to improve my communication style and hoping that others perceive my behaviors positively. I was pleased because both my husband and colleague see me as a positive and competent communicator.

The one thing that surprised me the most was that my colleague perceives me as more "business-like" than I see myself. She feels that I am very organized and I like things to be a certain way. I took that as meaning inflexible and serious. She laughed and said I over think things. I do. But, she disagreed with me and stated that I am a very flexible person. She admires how organized and detailed I am and she feels I am very passionate about my work. She told me to take "business-like" in a good way. Okay.

It was insightful to learn how they both responded to the questions based on how I am with them before, during, and after conversations. For my colleague, she thought about how I am with staff and parents and then my reactions to those conversations when I am alone with her in the office. We do a lot of venting with each other. She felt that even when I vent about uncomfortable or unpleasant situations I am always respectful of others. That was really good to hear. My husband thought about how I am sometimes anxious about dealing with difficult people.

It was also insightful to learn that my husband views me as a confident communicator and his score was almost exactly the same as mine. He missed my score by one point on each assessment! I guess he knows me as well as I know myself.

What I learned from these assessments will help me to continue to be supportive, considerate, and respectful. I think the information I have learned from these assessments will help me to consider how I am perceived by others and whether I need to adjust that perception and improve. I strive to improve everyday. It's always a learning process.