Saturday, June 30, 2012

Professional Contacts & Exploring Websites


So this week’s assignment for my new class “Issues and Trends in Early Childhood” has not gone as expected.  We were assigned the job of locating two professional contacts outside the United States to be in conversations about issues and trends they see in the field of early childhood.  While I was hesitant at first, I tried with all my might to find someone to dialog with.  I contacted three prospects and haven’t heard back from any of them.

I tried for England, Madagascar (because of the relationship with friends working there with the Lutheran church), and Australia.  The England contact is an ECE worker who I love reading her blog.  Madagascar contact was through UNICEF.  And the Australia contact was through the University of South Australia.  I was shooting for being well rounded …. Hmmm … didn’t pan out the way I had hoped.  I am going to try a few other possibilities and see what turns up. 

At the same time I will also start pursuing the alternative option and get hooked up with the World Forum.  Let’s see in two weeks what can happen.

The second part of my blogging assignment is to choose an early childhood website to explore and learn.  I have chosen to explore the National Association of Early ChildhoodTeacher Educators’ website.  What was the deciding factor is when I looked at their purpose statement it spoke volumes to me right away.  The two directions I think my journey is taking me is 1st to teach new teachers; help them learn appropriate practices for the classroom, and/or work to make it more affordable for teachers to gain the needed skills.  2nd is to own my own childcare center that is faith based yet runs full day and is available for those who aren’t ‘poor’ but need to work full time to make it in our changing economy.  NAECTE seemed to fall right into place with both of those possible paths.  Then again, God still may have something different in store for me….

I can’t wait to hear how my classmates did on finding some professional contacts and which websites they chose!  Here’s to a new journey for the next 8 weeks!  (Sometimes it feels like my life lately is based on 8 week intervals….but it’s all going to be worth it!)

9 comments:

  1. Amy,
    I am not in your blog group; but, wanted to see if you had any luck this week. Well, you are not alone. I sent out several differnet feelers and had a definite no from one, but no responses yet from the others. I am hoping it just takes time.

    Sounds like you have been thinking about the future and the NAECTE website sounds like a good match for the goals ahead. If funding wasn't such an issue, I, too, would love to run my own center. I have so enjoyed my years as the director of a faith based preschool.
    I decided to look at the NAEYC website and ended up joining. I have really learned from the YC articles I have read and am looking forward to getting YC as part of the membership package.
    God has great things in mind for you, Amy!

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    1. Congrats on joining the NAEYC. I have been thinking about it as well, as I too love the YC articles.

      Thank you for your kind words. In some ways your voice has been God's voice over the past week, helping to guide me in my new direction. Thank you

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  2. Amy,

    I applaud your enthusiasm for trying to contact 3 international colleagues around the world. I know it can be disappointing not to hear back. I like that you intend to send out a few more requests. Bravo!!

    Congratulations on joining the NAEYC!! I am a long time member and have seen it grow in depth and prominence.

    Dr Longo

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    1. Thanks ... A friend recommended some friends of hers in Antigua, so I am also waiting on that response as well!

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  3. Dear Amy,

    this is a school website in Indonesia :

    www.nis.or.id

    Look on "teachers'" page, and read the teachers' biography. Send them Email. I am sure, they would happy to help you :)
    Good luck !

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    1. I sent a request to Michelle Young. Thanks for the idea - don't know why that didn't occur to me before! :)

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    2. Amy,

      Nice to meet you! I too have not had any luck in getting a reply from any of the people I contacted. However, I have decided to change my strategy and am contacting colleagues in my city to find out if they know any one in the ECE field outside of our country.

      I, too, wanted to own my own faith based preschool but am the director of a non-sectarian in a Methodist church at this time. I am pursuing this degree because I would like to teach ECE at the college level. For the time being my passion is not only teaching the children at our center, but in mentoring the staff as well.

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    3. I also started asking friends and colleagues. Found a connection with Antigua, so we'll see how that one turns out. I wish there was one person in our class who was successful so we knew it was a strong possibility.

      My thoughts are on the preschool because I know that there are families in our area who desire the faith-based preschool experience, but need to work full time and there aren't any options in our area that combine the two. I too have thought about teaching at college level or maybe even doing something non-profit to train teachers in the field. God has plans, just need to have patience and follow!

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  4. Hi Amy,

    I also have not been successful in my connections. Two of the three emails I sent, bounced back saying invalid emails although I copied them directly from the NAEYC site. I am going to remain hopeful, as we both should, that we will make at least one connection. I have also played with the idea of opening my own child care center in the future but, I am wondering if I make a stronger mark and impact if I train teachers instead. Also playing with a few ideas but like you, the Lord will guide my steps.

    Best, Talibah

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