As
I was exploring jobs I may be interested in on a National level my memory took
me back to our Issues and Trends in the Early Childhood Field class which
several of us completed about this time last year. In addition to two job interests on a
National level, I investigated membership requirements for the International
Step by Step Association.
I
remembered the International Step by Step Association because when I first
investigated the web site I was impressed with their work towards supporting
children to meet their fullest potential on an international level. In addition to supporting parents as the
primary educators of their children, their philosophy also embraces the power
of children learning when they are “active participants throughout the learning
process” (www.issa.nl). Being an active participant does not include
‘rote’ teaching therefore my attraction to this philosophy. To become a member I would need to submit my
membership form with the $125 annual fee to receive benefits such as
participating on a child advocacy taskforce, professional development books
manuals and trainings and information to attend international conferences that
support children to thrive. To become a
member of this international organization I would be adding a wealth of
resources and experience to my knowledge bank to better support all children
and families to reach their fullest potential.
The
National organization I investigated is the Children’s Defense Fund. The mission of the Children’s Defense Fund 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
health of caring families and communities” (www.childrensdefense.org). I love the “passage to adulthood” language
in this mission statement. The
Children’s Defense Fund is currently recruiting for the position of Director of
Research in Washington DC. The first
qualification for this positons is “A demonstrated interest in and commitment
to social justice and improving the quality of life for children and families”
(www.childrensdefense.org). Of course having research skills and
statistical analysis expertise will be vital to ensure successful outcomes for
children and families. Since best
practice is defined by research this will be an honorable job to strive for.
The
other job I found interesting is for Voices for America’s Children, which is
advocating for an Executive Director for the Children’s Leadership
Council. One of the qualifications for
this job includes being a “sophisticated advocate for children”
(www.voices.org). The power behind the
skill of sophistication will support this organization’s policy goals, which
focus on equity and diversity, health, school readiness, school success,
safety, and economic stability for all children and their families. Of course to be fully successful in this
position, the best candidate will have strong communication and collaboration
skills, expertise in analyzing and writing policy, and experience working with
the United States Congress.
References
Children’s Defense Fund (n.d.). www.childrensdefense.org
International Step by Step Association:
Quality Care and Education for All (n.d.).
www.issa.nl
Voices for America’s Children
(n.d.). www.voices.org
I had forgotten about the step by step organization and the significant work they do! Thank you for this reminder. Also - I think the position of Directors for the Children's Leadership Council would be a great job opportunity. I am sure it would be stressful at times, but also very rewarding!
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