Time Well Spent

 This program opened my mind about children, and families, in different ways. This has caused me to think of ways I relate to them. I am thankful that I had the opportunity to study Early Childhood Education.  My first learning important to me is the reflection I went through as required.  I know that I would have never put myself through that process without the requirements of the classes.  Reflecting on life experiences is difficult for me but it also was good for me to see myself as others see me.  As I reflected on the deep pain that I realized was there and have realized those people who hurt me were also hurting.

      In addition, I have learned of resources that I now can use to further my own education and the work that I have a desire to do for single parents and their children.  I learned a few of the people who are influential in the Early Childhood Field such as Louise Derman-Sparks, Lilian Katz, and Julie Olsen Edwards. In addition, I have met incredible women in the class who are committed to the field and made friendships that will last. I learned how to look for resources in ways different from what I had before.     

      The third thing I learned from this program is how to evaluate myself and my relationship to those I desire to serve and teach. I have learned the deep love and commitment to Early Childhood Studies and how to be an influence through a Community of Practice.  Learning of those who have the same love as me has been rewarding.  As we share resources and encourage each other, we learn and have an understanding of true Community of Practice.

     My long-term goal is to publish more children’s books, live my life to the fullest for the   Lord,  be a mentor to younger teachers, be a leader in the single parent assistance programs in my community and be a better communicator.  I know that I need to dream deeper and reach further for higher goals.  I have not been a good goal setter until I went to Africa and then I started this program, and now I need to look at where I am going and the purpose of my life in my family, my church, my work and my community.

     I thought I would be excited to be finished, and I am, but I am also a little sad as I will miss the discussions and interaction with all my classmates and Dr. Teri.  My prayer is God’s blessing on each one of you. May your journey be blessed with success for you and those you are working. 

Wordle for week 8.pdf  

My song:

 Heritage Singers, retrieved from http://www.sweetslyrics.com/645560.Heritage%20Singers%20- %20Learning%20To%20Lean%20On%20Jesus.html#

My contact information:   kansasgirl44@cox.net

I welcome anyone who would like to communicate and exchange ideas with me.

Favorite quotes:

"If you think education is expensive, try ignorance!"
- Andy McIntyre

"The purpose of education is to replace an empty mind with an open one."
- Malcolm Forbes 
"Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed."   - Maria Montessori

References:

Inspirational Quotes & Quotations On Early Childhood Education For Teachers                      Retrieved from    http://www.successdegrees.co/inspirationalquotesaboutearlychildhoodeducati      onandteaching.html

Heritage Singers, retrieved from http://www.sweetslyrics.com/645560.Heritage%20Singers%20-      %20Learning%20To%20Lean%20On%20Jesus.html#

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

Save the Children is an organization that works to create a change for children around the world and in the United States.  They can be found on Facebook:  Save the Children, retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/savethechildren?msource=emecuced0213

Information for contacting Save the Children:

© 2013 Save the Children | 1-800-728-3843 | 54 Wilton Road, Westport, CT 06880
Save the Children Federation, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) organization.
Gifts are deductible to the full extent allowable under IRS regulations.

I have supported Save with prayers since returning from Africa.  I saw their work in Guinea and became involved as much as I could.  When I left Guinea, I donated most of my children books and bookshelves for them to use in their teaching English program. If I had the opportunity, I would serve with them. 

World Vision provides poverty relief to those in need and provides resources leading in ways to fight poverty.  They says according to the Census Bureau close to ten percent of the people of the United States lives below the poverty level.  Their mission is to help children, families, and communities to come to full potential by overcoming poverty and injustice.

Their contact information for U.S. Programs:

World Vision U.S. Programs
P.O. Box 9716 - MS 475
Federal Way
WA 98063-9716

U.S. World Vision, Retrieved from http://www.worldvision.org/content.nsf/learn/us-home?open&lpos=top_drp_OurWork_ US

World Vision has eight field locations within the United States and four rural ministry locations.  They welcome mission trips to locations of ministry.  They also welcome supportive adoption of a child as a way of helping that child get an education and proper food.

Another organization I greatly appreciate for their working for social change is.  Although their primary goal is Bible Translation, their ministry of literacy, children’s education, Bible Storying for unreached people groups and providing service of social changes are very Wycliffe Bible Translators important to the people they serve.  They work in 93 countries on six different continents to translate the Bible, provide health and humanitarian materials.

Their contact information:

Wycliffe Bible Translators

7500 Camp Wisdom Rd.

Dallas, Texas

Wycliffe Bible Translators, Retrieved from http://www.wycliffe.org/

What skills and experience you would need to competently fulfill each of these roles

I have experience of living in a country that is poverty stricken, I have teaching experience with missionary children, I am knowledgeable of the working of missions and what is expected to live within a mission community.  I have traveled almost around the world, from Africa across the US to Australia, seeing many different cultures, poverty at its highest, and missionaries at their worst.  I am aware that mission work is difficult and taxing but the rewards are great.  I also know the health costs of working in a Third World country, I came home with malaria, dehydration and a number of other health issues.  Some of those issues will stay with me and some are gone. 

I would work for any one of these organizations, if given the chance.  I have had many discussions with the Lord and I know it would be on short-term trips. 

References:

Save the Children, Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/savethechildren?msource=emecuced0213

U.S. World Vision, Retrieved from http://www.worldvision.org/content.nsf/learn/us-home?open&lpos=top_drp_OurWork_ US

Wycliffe Bible Translators, Retrieved from http://www.wycliffe.org/

Had to Share/Who is reading to Whom

                                         Two Granddaughters, best of friends, sisters
                                          Hannah is in Kindergarten and Leah is 6 months old

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

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Administration for Children and Families. Directory of Program Services. Prepared by the Office of Public Affairs ... Retrieved from, https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/.../acf_directory.pdf

        This website is a directory of Program Services for U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families.  It is quite detailed about the services and resources for children and families.  I see that these services are important for families and children,and is present how to attain the things that is important for families and helping children. 

ACH Child and Family Services, Retrieved from  http://www.achservices.org/how-we-help.html

I have read their mission and the services they provide, abuse and neglect, adoption, behavioral care, crisis intervention counseling, and family support center.  This is a service for Arlington, Texas: a source and example for others to follow.  This organization has been in existence since 1915. Their funding partner is the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.  This is not necessarily a government agency but it is supported by the state of Texas. 

WebMD, retrieved from http://children.webmd.com/features/your-childs-nutrition-power-parents

WebMD is a medical consultant group of doctors that give their expertise for your question, and yet they advise seeking a local doctor if the condition is serious.  This particular article has lots of information about good nutrition for children and ideas for parents.  I have used this website personally and had good information.  After consulting my physician, I was encouraged that WebMD is a good resource.  My physician said that she would validate WebMD. 

The goals and purpose of the ACH Child and Family Services is the ultimate goal and I admire them.  I wish I had time to get to that goal.  I hope that my CoP will be just a small service that follows their example.

FederalGrantsWire, Retrieved from http://www.federalgrantswire.com/administration-for-children-and-families-department-of-health-and-human-services-federal-grants.html

This website is an introduction for eighty-one different agencies that award grants and loans for single parents. 

National Alliance for Nutrition & Activity, Retrieved from http://www.cspinet.org/nutritionpolicy/nana.html

This organization advocates policies and programs within the federal government healthy eating and activity to reduce illness, diabetes, and other disabilities and costs that are caused by cancer, heart disease, and blood pressure. 

My skills that are needed to provide any services to my ideal community of single parents are communication, advertising, teaching and loving each person contacted.  I believe that I have the skill of communication, teaching and loving but will need assistance in advertising or notification of the program and how it is designed to minister.

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

     When I was a single mother, I had no knowledge of all most of the resources available to single mothers today.  WIC is one such organization.  It is set up to assist Women, Infants, and Children offering nutritional education and vouchers for nutritious foods for pregnant and breast-feeding mothers.  They also serve infants and children under five year of age who are of the low income and those nutritionally at-risk.  The Child and Family Resource Center in Manhattan is the location for getting assistance.

     SNAP/Supplemental Nutrition Program provides qualifying households with food benefits, healthy diet and education on food preparation.  In Kansas, it is called the Food Assistance Program “serves as the first line of defense against hunger. It provides crucial support to elderly households, to low-income working households, to other low-income households that include the unemployed or disabled and to households transitioning from welfare to work. Food assistance customers can spend their benefits to buy eligible nutritious food and plants and seeds to grow food for their household to eat (dcf.ks.gov, 2012). 

     Another program that is active in Riley County Kansas is the Raising Riley Program that gives assistance and scholarships to children for day care.  This is a program endorsed by Smart Start of Kansas.  Smart Start is a program that collaborates with community-based grants through the Kansas Children’s Cabinet. 

     I chose these programs because they are programs that provide food assistance and childcare.  These three programs provide nutrition and education.  I know that there are many more programs but these are the ones that are closest to me, as I have worked with families who had to use them. 

     I would like to work for the Riley County Health Department in the WIC Program.  I would like to be a part of the teaching nutritional information and recipes for cooking wisely with the resources they have.  I have the experience and nutritional knowledge, without the paper degree, to teach in this program. For this reason I am looking into setting up a single mothers' ministry through my church.

References:

WIC/Riley County Health Department Retrieved from http://www.rcmhealth.org/services/wic

Food Assistance-Economic & Employment Services Retrieved from http://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/ees/Pages/Food/FoodAssistance.aspx

Early Childhood Associate Apprenticeship Program, Retrieved from http://www.kansasecaap.org/index.aspx?NID=80