Capstone - Week 4

If I were going to choose any three national or federal early childhood organization to work for, I would choose the following:

1- The Center for the Childcare Workforce

 http://www.ccw.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=41

The reason I would like to work for them is because I have a desire to change the field of early childhood for the better, not just one child at a time.  Right now I am a preschool teacher (which I love) but I know I do not want to be a teacher for ever.  There is much that could be improved in the field and I would love to be a part of that (especially the wage issue).

2- The second national agency I would love to work for would be NAEYC (The National Association for the Education of Young Children).  The reasons are self-explanatory because of who NAEYC is and who they have been for the early childhood field I appreciate them.

http://www.naeyc.org/

3- The third agency I would like to work for would be the Association for Early Learning Leaders.  Their focus is to promote and support leadership qualities in early childhood and in turn, they support high quality programs.

http://www.naccp.org/

If I were going to picture the ideal job for me in the field of early childhood, it would be related to advocating for the teachers in the field.  I also would love to be the person who comes in to help motivate teachers or better yet, administrators who need encouragement and focus.  We all know that people do not get into this field for the money. We all want to make a difference for a child or for a family.  Based on what I have been learning, it seems like people in the field who are unhappy and complaining about the money, have lost their passion and focus.  I would love to help people regain their passion because I feel like the best way to improve the quality of early childhood everywhere would be to have professionals in the field who are devoted and focused on high quality interactions, education and relationships with children and families.  

In order to have a job like this, I believe I would be qualified now.  The thing I lack is a history of speaking on topics related to the field of early childhood.  Most of the public speaking experience that I have had is related to motherhood not early childhood education.  That being said, I believe I would be able to speak on any topic, I would just need to prepare.

Another job I would be interested in would be a behavioral interventionist.  Or at least I think that is what they are called.  The job description I am thinking of would be someone who comes into the classroom to help with a behavioral issue of either an entire class, or a specific class.  I know where I teach now, some of the teachers, who did not have any kind of behavior modification training or classes, have a difficult time with class management.  Simple techniques would really help them with behavioral issues that could change the environment of their entire classroom.  I may be qualified for this job now but I would have to learn some techniques for observing and for documenting.  I actually have the opportunity to do something like this in a classroom next to mine so I will be able to see if I like it or not.  If I do, I will either need training, or maybe just research.  I am truly a behaviorist at heart so I am looking forward to my future.