When I Reflect About My Collegial, Professional Learning Community

The consequences of being part of a collaborative learning community include:
1. Sharing information and becoming a more knowledgeable professional.
2. Building a network of peers that share similar goals and skills.
3. Becoming an advocate or member of a coalition.

As an educator, I will use the information that I have learned in this course to become an advocate for children and families in Head Start.  I understand that learning how systems impact programs will make it easier for me to help create effective policies and programs.

I would like to personally thank all of my fellow scholars for participating in my blog during this course.  I have enjoyed working with all of you.

My Hypothetical Family Situation

My family consists of a single mother with two children.  The family is African American, and come from a low-socioeconomic background.  The mother works two jobs and provides for both children.  One of the mother's job is a full time day job and a part-time job in the evenings.  During the evenings, the grandmother watches the children.  One child is in Kindergarten, and the oldest child is in the second grade.  As a result, a K-12 program would be beneficial to the family.  My goal is to provide a system that addresses the needs of this family.

Please provide some feedback or suggestions on ways to help this family.

The Political Will to Improve Early Childhood Systems

This week, I had to the opportunity to study other types of models and systems.  After reviewing student posts, I understand how models relate to the effectiveness of programs.  This information is important to advocates because it can help to develop programs that are more efficient and effective.  Advocates can use research and program information to encourage policy makers to make the necessary changes to improve education.

I researched the U.S. Department of Education for K-12.  I learned that a variety of programs are in place to help improve education and learning across the states.  I can use the information and research provided on this site to help develop policies and to influence policy changes.  Overall, I realize that teachers have to be a voice and advocates for children.  Therefore, policy creation is supported by advocacy.

Parent, Family, and Community Engagement

I enjoyed hearing the Parent and Family Stories.  These stories showed the benefit of Head Start and early childhood education to families.  The parents discussed the benefits of early childhood education to the children and how parents can be involved.  Policy makers and advocates need to hear these stories to understand the importance of Head Start and early childhood education.  These stories are examples of how families benefit from Head Start; therefore, the information can be used to support funding increases for Head Start.

As an early childhood educator, I believe that parents should be actively involved in early childhood education.  Parents have the opportunity to work with teachers to help their children.  In our school, we encourage parent participation.  When parents are actively involved in their children's education, children are more productive.  Therefore, parental involvement is essential to Head Start.

"Quality Programs for All Children"

The public opinion is fairly good for quality early childhood education.  The problem is that there is not enough funding for early childhood programs.  Head Start is needed to provide disadvantaged children with a foundation for education.  These children perform better later in school if they have access to quality programs.  However, the lack of funding shows that a greater focus has to be placed on the benefits of early childhood education programs. 

My hope for Head Start is to increase funding for the Head Start program.  Children need Head Start to help develop their educational skills and provide nutrition.  A change in public opinion will help get the needed revenues and resources to provide more access to Head Start.  The key is to provide information and research showing the benefits of Head Start.  Once funding increases, more families will have access to Head Start.

What Resonates With You About Early Childhood Public Policy and Advocacy

Why did you choose this specialization?

I have chosen to specialize in advocacy for public policy because I believe that early childhood education needs more educators with an understanding of policies and systems.

 

Why are advocates essential in the early childhood field?

Advocates are essential in early childhood education because advocates help create positive change for children.  Advocates also work to create policies to benefit children and families.  Overall, advocates work to ensure that all children have fair access to a quality education.

 

What do you hope to learn about public policy and advocacy?

I want to learn more about developing policies and creating change in current policies.  I also want to become a more involved advocate in my field.  Therefore, I hope to learn more about working with other agencies, policy makers, and advocates to help create change.

Profile of a Volunteer

One of the most well known volunteer agencies in my area is AmeriCorp.  Larry Webster works with AmeriCorp and volunteers in the community to assist different organizations.  One of his strengths is that he brings in resources from other agencies to help local community programs.  Larry also works to get others to work as volunteers.  Based on my assessment of Mr. Webster, I have learned that volunteers must be willing to donate their time and resources to assist an organization or program that they believe in.  Volunteers must also be willing to work hard and dedicate a portion of their time to the community.  I have volunteered to work with churches and nonprofit organizations in the community.  My experiences have helped me to understand the power of giving back and the benefit of volunteer workers.

Using Social Media to Get Connected

I have used social media sites to stay connected with friends and family.  One of the most popular sites is Facebook.  I have a Facebook account, and I can communicate with all my friends and family at the same time.  I also use YouTube to watch videos and upload videos for people to watch. 

Social media can be very effective in advocacy work.  I would use Facebook to create a page for an advocacy effort.  I have seen many businesses and organizations use Facebook to connect to people.  This would help me to promote the advocacy project by encouraging people to sign up and use the social media information to support the effort.

I would further use YouTube to upload videos about the advocacy effort. This can help me reach a larger audience and communicate with people in new ways.  I also like that people can comment on the videos or follow my work.  Overall, social media tools can be very effective in supporting and promoting advocacy efforts.

Advocacy Messages

I like the following PSAs from the Ad Council:

Teach: Think you know.  This PSA is designed to encourage people to enter the teaching profession.  More highly qualified teachers are needed to provide a better education for families and children.  Also, the PSA promotes teaching as a profession and provides information on how to enter the teaching profession.

Together, we are feeding America.  This PSA focuses on how food banks are working to feed families across the country and to reduce hunger.  Hunger affects children’s nutrition and ability to learn.  Therefore, these programs and ads are designed to create awareness of the problem of hunger in this world.

I chose these ads because there is a growing need for teachers in education and hunger is a major issue that impacts learning.  New teachers in schools who are qualified can enhance the quality of early childhood programs.  Nutrition is equally important and providing food for hungry families can help overcome barriers to learning.

Reference

Ad Council. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.adcouncil.org

My Own Capacity

My passion is to help children in poverty to overcome the barriers that hinder their education.  As an educator, I have limited resources.  However, I can find resources in the community to help with the advocacy effort.  For example, I can solicit help from local businesses and from political leaders.  I have also learned more about advocacy in this course.  I plan to use this information to become a more effective advocate.  First of all, I want to learn more about collaborating with others and working with policy makers.  I have learned that it is important to search for local and national organizations that share the same goals.  These organizations can provide me with resources to help me address poverty in education.

My Role as an Advocate

What motivated you to start advocating for very young children?

I want to be an advocate for young children because of the needs of children in my community.  Children face poverty and issues related to poverty.  As a result, I would like to help to address these issues.

Why is it essential to acknowledge and foster advocacy efforts at the micro as well as the macro level?

Advocacy has to be addressed at all levels.  The micro level helps to address the needs of children in my school.  The macro level has to be addressed to create programs to address poverty on the national level.

What does it take to be a community leader on early childhood issues?

A community leader must be informed and capable of working with others to address an issue.  Community leaders also must be effective communicators.

What resources does it take to be a state leader on early childhood issues?

State leaders should have access to resources and funds to help support advocacy programs. State leaders should also have political ties to the community.

What tactics or strategies do you use to mobilize others?

I would help develop a coalition with others to address the needs of the community.  People often need to be motivated to address issues by providing them with information about the severity of the issue.

What advice would you give to someone who was interested in taking a leadership role in advocating for young children and their families?

I would encoruage the person to research the issue and to make efforts to collaborate with others.  This will enable the person to lead with knowledge and support from others. 

Personal Advocacy Reflection

One of my experiences with advocacy occured about ten years ago.  A teacher was working with a family who had just moved to the area.  The family enrolled a set of twins in the Head Start and could not afford school supplies for both children.  The teacher saw the problem and asked some of the local stores to donate school supplies to the classroom.  Through this campaigne, the teacher was able to gather enough supplies for other children in the classroom. 

Watching someone take the initiative to create change in the classroom provided a positive experience for me in education and in my personal life.  I realized at this moment that anyone can create change and anyone can make a difference in other people's lives.  This helped me to see that advocacy is based on making a personal goal to create change and solve a problem. Therefore, I understand how educators can act as advocates for all children.

Welcome

Class,
Welcome to my blog.  I look forward to working with all of you.

My Hypothetical Family Situation

I have created my ideal family situation based on a scenario of a realistic family.  The family's culture, race, and economic conditions are within realistic limits.  I also plan to create the program based on the type of information I have learned in the course.  The family is an African American family located in Northwest Mississippi.  The family has three children and a mother and stepfather.  The stepfather is currently unemployed and the mother does not work.  The family lives off government assistance and food stamps.  The goal is to create a system that provides the family access to early childhood education services.

The Political Will to Improve Early Childhood Systems

One of the ways that advocates work to promote advocacy in early childhood services is to lobbying for programs to imrpove the quality of education.  Edcuators and early childhood administrators can work with political groups and policy makers to lobby for new programs.  This can be achieved by conducting research, writing letters, and working to establish programs that improve early childhood systems.  this gives educators and advocates a political voice and power to make changes in early childhood education.

Parent, Family, and Community Engagement

Parent involvement is essential to the success of children in Early Childhood Education.  When I see stories of how parents and the community become involved in education, it helped me to understand the importance of collaboration and teamwork.  This reminds of a quote that it "takes a village to raise a child".  Clearly parental involvement is important in helping children do well in school.  As a result, educators must be actively involved with parents and develop strategies to engage parents. 

The stories helped me to see the impact that families have on their children's education.  As an early childhood edcuator in Head Start, I have seen the difference that parents make in education.  When parents are actively involved, the children learn at school and at home.  Also, parents can provide information to edcuators that help them better understand the needs of the child.

Quality Programs for All Children

The public view on early childhood education quality has shifted to a view of quality for all children.  Although public opinion wants quality in education programs, the resources to ensure equity and equal access for all children is not in line with public views.  As an educator, I understand the importance of children being exposed to quality early childhood education programs as early as possible.  Children need guidance and direction to ensure that they develop academically.  Therefore, quality programs must address all areas of children's needs to ensure the success of children in the school system.

What Resonates With You About Early Childhood Public Policy and Advocacy?

Part 1: Why did you choose this specialization?

I am in the early childhood education (EC Advocacy Pub Pol) program because I want to create change in early childhood education.  I also realize that policy changes are the best way to create change and to develop best practices for early childhood education.

Part 2: Why are advocates essential in the early childhood field?

Advocates are needed in early childhood education to combat issues that affect children and their families.  Advocates help to create change by lobbying for change in the education system and policies.

Part 3: What do you hope to learn about public policy and advocacy?

I want to learn ways to develop new policies and to create change in early childhood education.  As a result, I believe that I can learn what I need in my program to become a social change agent and a policy maker.

Final Blog Assignment

Three consequences of learning about the international early childhood field

Learning about international programs in early childhood has helped me to understand ways to improve programs in my own classroom.  Also, I have improved my understanding of poverty and other issues that impact children around the world.  The research that I have studied has been beneficial to my professional development as an educator.  Furthermore, I have enhanced my personal development by learning from other early childhood professionals and developing a passion for combating poverty.

Goal for International Awareness

My goal for international awareness is to develop a program to combat poverty in early childhood education.  I plan to achieve this goal by continuing to study international research.

Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 3

This week, I decided to visit the UNESCO “Early Childhood Care and Education” webpage. I enjoyed this site because it provided information on early childhood education programs and discussed topics related to health and nutrition.  Health and nutrition are important for students’ education.  As a result, teachers have to focus on the whole child in education.  UNESCO also provided information about a world conference for early childhood education.  I also found research articles and journals that can be used to improve education in the classroom.  Therefore, this is a great site to learn about early childhood education programs around the world.

Reference

http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/