In researching national and federal organizations that could be good additions to our Community of Practice and that I could see myself working for, I found the following:
Children's Defense Fund - whose mission is to "ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities". They have a position available as an Executive Director responsible for developing efforts to build teams for advocacy and manage operations that require a minimum of 7-10 years experience working in the early childhood field and a Bachelor's Degree. http://www.childrensdefense.org
Zero to Three Organization - whose mission is to "provides parents, professionals and policymakers the knowledge and know-how to nurture early development and ensure that all babies and toddlers have a strong start in life". They have a position available as a Program Associate who is responsible for supporting the Head Start Program Directors all over the country to ensure that proper development is taking place in early childcare settings. This position requires a B.A. and a lot of knowledge in computer applications, aside from experience in the early childhood field. http://www.zerotothree.org/
Association for Early Learning Leaders - whose mission is to provide excellence in the field of early childhood care and education by promoting leadership development and enhancing program quality. This association has a training program for anyone interested in becoming a presenter, all you have to do is submit a letter of interest with your resume and workshop topics of interest and you could gain a position presenting workshops to early childhood educators. http://www.earlylearningleaders.org
All of these are jobs within this field that is of interest to me. Check out their websites for more information!
Ms. Janet
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Friday, May 16, 2014
Exploring Roles in the ECE Community
Some of the jobs that foster the well-being of children, families and the early childhood field as a whole can be found in the following agencies:
State of New Jersey Department of Children & Families
The DCF Office of Advocacy assists the Department in its mission to ensure the safety, permanency and well-being of children and to support families by providing information, referral and advocacy services. - There are many employment opportunities here such as Teachers, Directors of Programs, and Managers. B.A. & Preferred M.A in social work or related field is required plus experience is preferred. The website can be accessed at: http://www.state.nj.us/dcf/about/employment/dcf/
State of New Jersey Division of Youth & Family Services.
This is the office for child advocacy and protection. They provide: Child protection, case management, foster care, adoption services, family support, services through community providers and information and referrals for families. One particular employment opportunity that is always available is that of a Family Service Specialist. This is something that I was very interested in doing before I got into teaching and still think about doing in the future. It requires a B.A. or M.A., preferably in Social Work, but a related field is acceptable. They also require that you attend a 12 month service training course while working your first year. More information can be obtained by visiting: http://www.state.nj.us/dcf/about/employment/dcpp/
State of New Jersey Department of Human Services.
This office is responsible for planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluation social service programs serving families and children. A job opportunity that is available now is that of a Program Specialist Trainee which works directly with families to help those of low economic status with employment and child care. More information can be found by visiting: http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/involved/employment/
All of these State agencies share the common goal of helping families and children and I would be happy to join any one of them.
State of New Jersey Department of Children & Families
The DCF Office of Advocacy assists the Department in its mission to ensure the safety, permanency and well-being of children and to support families by providing information, referral and advocacy services. - There are many employment opportunities here such as Teachers, Directors of Programs, and Managers. B.A. & Preferred M.A in social work or related field is required plus experience is preferred. The website can be accessed at: http://www.state.nj.us/dcf/about/employment/dcf/
State of New Jersey Division of Youth & Family Services.
This is the office for child advocacy and protection. They provide: Child protection, case management, foster care, adoption services, family support, services through community providers and information and referrals for families. One particular employment opportunity that is always available is that of a Family Service Specialist. This is something that I was very interested in doing before I got into teaching and still think about doing in the future. It requires a B.A. or M.A., preferably in Social Work, but a related field is acceptable. They also require that you attend a 12 month service training course while working your first year. More information can be obtained by visiting: http://www.state.nj.us/dcf/about/employment/dcpp/
State of New Jersey Department of Human Services.
This office is responsible for planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluation social service programs serving families and children. A job opportunity that is available now is that of a Program Specialist Trainee which works directly with families to help those of low economic status with employment and child care. More information can be found by visiting: http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/involved/employment/
All of these State agencies share the common goal of helping families and children and I would be happy to join any one of them.
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Capstone Project Time
Hello everyone, and welcome to my blog! This is finally my last class of my Master's Degree in the area of Early Childhood Education and Teaching Adults. I am overwhelmed with joy over all that I have learned and what the future holds. I look forward to the next couple of weeks with all of you on our final venture together.....
Good Luck to Everyone and CONGRATULATIONS on making it this far!
Ms. Janet
Good Luck to Everyone and CONGRATULATIONS on making it this far!
Ms. Janet
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
GOOD- BYE Communications Course....
Just want to say THANK YOU to all my colleagues in this Communications Course. It's been a great learning experience to share ideas and insights with you and from you.....feel free to keep in touch through this blog or email me at: janetcoloma@verizon.net.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL.....
JANET
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL.....
JANET
Sunday, December 8, 2013
Week 6- Team Adjourning
When I consider the five stages of team development, and I focus on the dissolution of a team, I can recall leaving my last job and the wonderful group of people I worked with. It was a private school, and although I loved the location, the people, the curriculum, EVERYTHING, it was financially possible for me to stay when compared to going to work for a public school district. That was a really tough decision for me, but I had to do it for my family.
The biggest closing ritual I guess we did was a going away party for me with my co-workers, students and their families. They had a big party for me at the end of the year and the children made me a book drawing pictures of their favorite day with Ms. Janet. It brought tears to my eyes. I couldn't have asked for a better good-bye. Seriously. I will never forget it.
I'm sure that when I complete my Master's and say goodbye to this group of colleagues, it will be difficult too. I feel that we have collaborated and learned a lot from each other. We are in all parts of the world, and so we've brought many different sides to discussions, but I know that many of us will stay in touch and use each other as references in our future endevours. I think adjourning is an essential part of team development and dissolution mainly because we can reflect on our successes, thank one another for the great ideas that we brought to the table and feel the accomplishment of having reached a goal and reached it together, as a team!
I'm sure going to miss everyone when this comes to an end, but it's a joyous ending for sure!
The biggest closing ritual I guess we did was a going away party for me with my co-workers, students and their families. They had a big party for me at the end of the year and the children made me a book drawing pictures of their favorite day with Ms. Janet. It brought tears to my eyes. I couldn't have asked for a better good-bye. Seriously. I will never forget it.
I'm sure that when I complete my Master's and say goodbye to this group of colleagues, it will be difficult too. I feel that we have collaborated and learned a lot from each other. We are in all parts of the world, and so we've brought many different sides to discussions, but I know that many of us will stay in touch and use each other as references in our future endevours. I think adjourning is an essential part of team development and dissolution mainly because we can reflect on our successes, thank one another for the great ideas that we brought to the table and feel the accomplishment of having reached a goal and reached it together, as a team!
I'm sure going to miss everyone when this comes to an end, but it's a joyous ending for sure!
Saturday, December 7, 2013
Conflict Resolution -
Conflict Resolution, ahhh, those two words that everyone knows but everyone hates. Nobody likes conflict, at least I don't think they do. Not only is it draining on you but it's draining on those around you. I can remember a conflict that I had just a week ago, and it's very personal so I can't really share the details in case that person is reading my blog, but let's just say it was two strong personalities arguing their side of an issue that has created great distance between the two people for years and years. The issues at this point aren't important anymore, it's the distance that stands. We are strangers because of life's past events and because responsibility can't be taken and apologies aren't happening, we are getting NOWHERE.
I must take responsibility for being on the attack. I wasn't violent, but very verbally aggressive, and I regret that very much but the circumstances of our conversation or argument created a hostile environment for both of us and it should never have taken place at that time. Tension was high, stress was tremendous as we were losing a close family member, and I guess that's a time where families get together and things just seem to happen.
Looking back now, I know I have some repairing to do, I need to be more relaxed when this person approaches me again. I need to listen and see if our conflict has a resolution. It's so far beyond repair for me that I have to come up with a compromise that I can live with and work toward a better relationship in the future because our past is our past and really cannot be changed. It's going to take a great effort on my part and I don't even know if I'm ready, but I am willing to be open to the possibility of moving forward once responsibility and acceptance is received. I am going to try hard to practice the 3R's because it's the only way I think I can really try to resolve this conflict once and for all.....only then can we begin to heal.
I must take responsibility for being on the attack. I wasn't violent, but very verbally aggressive, and I regret that very much but the circumstances of our conversation or argument created a hostile environment for both of us and it should never have taken place at that time. Tension was high, stress was tremendous as we were losing a close family member, and I guess that's a time where families get together and things just seem to happen.
Looking back now, I know I have some repairing to do, I need to be more relaxed when this person approaches me again. I need to listen and see if our conflict has a resolution. It's so far beyond repair for me that I have to come up with a compromise that I can live with and work toward a better relationship in the future because our past is our past and really cannot be changed. It's going to take a great effort on my part and I don't even know if I'm ready, but I am willing to be open to the possibility of moving forward once responsibility and acceptance is received. I am going to try hard to practice the 3R's because it's the only way I think I can really try to resolve this conflict once and for all.....only then can we begin to heal.
What I learned about me
Well, this week I am writing in three entries because I suffered a great death in my family, the woman I loved more than anyone in the world, My Mother! And it's been tough getting back to work, so here goes.
For Week 4:
After taking the quizzes to learn about myself as a communicator, I was most surprised to find that my husband's score for me was EXACTLY the same as the score I got for myself in the Verbal Aggressiveness and Listening Style profiles. I was shocked because he (like most husbands) always says I don't listen enough, and I've been accused on more than one occasion to be a little loose with my words, so I was PLEASANTLY surprised to find that our scores were the same and that I am not imagining to be someone that I am not.
This week, learning about myself gave me a clearer picture of the area that I need to work on more; listening. I am all about problem solving, so I know I'm guilty of trying to solve everything instead of really listening to people. I learned that being empathetic begins with being a good listener and it helps build relationships. I think that's an important part of any relationship, even with a strange. I also learned that I am programmed to make judgments on appearance alone, and although it stems from past experiences and from media portrayal, I have to keep a close eye on my perceptions and judgments to make sure I'm being fair and equal to others. Very interesting week.....
For Week 4:
After taking the quizzes to learn about myself as a communicator, I was most surprised to find that my husband's score for me was EXACTLY the same as the score I got for myself in the Verbal Aggressiveness and Listening Style profiles. I was shocked because he (like most husbands) always says I don't listen enough, and I've been accused on more than one occasion to be a little loose with my words, so I was PLEASANTLY surprised to find that our scores were the same and that I am not imagining to be someone that I am not.
This week, learning about myself gave me a clearer picture of the area that I need to work on more; listening. I am all about problem solving, so I know I'm guilty of trying to solve everything instead of really listening to people. I learned that being empathetic begins with being a good listener and it helps build relationships. I think that's an important part of any relationship, even with a strange. I also learned that I am programmed to make judgments on appearance alone, and although it stems from past experiences and from media portrayal, I have to keep a close eye on my perceptions and judgments to make sure I'm being fair and equal to others. Very interesting week.....
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