Cari's Journey Comes to an End

The idea that this program is complete is shocking and feels a bit surreal.  I have sacrificed time with my family, friends and many many hours of sleep.  My perspective has been changed and my passion has been ignited.  For this last assignment, we have been required to identify three major things that we have learned so here they are:

1- Diversity is a strength for any group.  This realization was perspective changing for me and I will hold on to it for my whole life.  I used to think that diversity might mean only conflict but now I can see that differing perspectives can be an asset and can make a group stronger.

2 - Anything that requires a sacrifice will be worth it in the end.  Whether it is earning a master's degree, losing weight or hiking a mountain, all are rewarding but all require sacrifice.  Actually, I would venture to say that the most rewarding things in life come as a result of a sacrifice made by someone.

3 - SET THE BAR HIGH.
As a preschool teacher, I am constantly raising the bar for my students.  I want them to continuously grow and achieve new accomplishments.  As soon as they master something, I raise the bar.  We need to do the same thing for ourselves as adults.  We need to never be satisfied with what we know or have already mastered because there are always more things to learn.  If we do not set the bar high for ourselves, we will not grow in our understanding.  I hope to be a life-long learner.  I hope that each and every opportunity that arises before me will result in me expanding my knowledge in some way.

A Goal For the Future

The only goal I feel I can share is that I hope to always follow my passion.  I want to work in an area where my passion lies.  I want to be excited everyday when I wake up to go to work because I know I will make a difference and I am passionate about my job.  I do not know where my next place of employment will be or when I will change jobs, but I know that when I do change jobs, it will be because I find something that I love to do.  

My Colleagues

To those of you who have gone through this process with me.  We did it.  It has been rewarding, challenging, at times frustrating and exhausting.  We have all made sacrifices and gone through difficult times but we made it.  We now have the tools to go from here and to make a real difference in the field of early childhood.  

I hope you are proud of yourselves!!

It has been quite a journey and now that it is coming to an end, a new journey begins.

Good luck to you all and remember:  

Stay focused on your passion and your job won't feel like work! :)

Capstone - Week 6 - International Agencies

This week we are charged with finding three international early childhood agencies that interest us.  Then we need to explain why they interest us and list at least one job opening in one of the agencies.

The first international early childhood agency that I found interesting is the World Bank Group because their mission is to work to reduce poverty.  Poverty effects so many children around the world and it is such an important topic for the field of early childhood.  The website is:

http://www.worldbank.org/

The second international agency that interests me is the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI).  They state their mission as follows:

"Our mission is to promote and support the optimal education, 

development, and well-being of children worldwide, 

and to influence the professional growth of educators 

and the efforts of others who are committed to the needs of children

 in a changing society. We have consultative status with the United Nations."


This is a mission I can support fully.  Their website is:

http://acei.org/ 

The last agency I found interesting is called Learn 4 Good.  It is an international job finding website for early childhood.  The link is:  http://www.learn4good.com/jobs/e/98136/employer/search/  

There are many jobs listed at that last site but I am more interested in local openings.

There actually is a director position open in a small town near my hometown.  The only requirement I do not meet is a minimum two year requirement for supervising people.  Officially (meaning a paid position), I have not supervised anyone.  This is the only area where I am not qualified for the position.  I still think I would apply if the timing was right.  The link for the position is: http://www.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobDetails.aspx?Job_DID=JHS80M6ZHWR05TYVSWZ&siteid=CBSIMPLYHIRED&showNewJDP=yes&ipath=EXGOO