Exploring Roles in the ECE Community – Local and State Levels

As a teacher, I find it difficult to develop a deep understanding of my community. I live in Methuen and I work in Haverhill; these two areas have completely different communities and what young children and families need for services. For my Capstone Project and the remainder time in this course, I will be focusing my attention on the Haverhill Community. I am still exploring and learning what the Haverhill Community offers to their citizens and I hope to gain knowledge about what the Haverhill Community can truly offer to their citizens.

One state communities of practice that has appealed to me within the Haverhill Community is the Moody School. The Moody Pre-School is an integrated preschool program is open to all children in the Haverhill Community. It offers half-day preschool classes and all classrooms include children with special needs and typical developing children. They have a communities of practice filled with teachers, assistants, and therapists that provide motivation, developmentally appropriate, and exciting learning experiences for the children. The team follows developmentally appropriate curriculum and the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks to support their inclusive education that gives all children the opportunity to learn with and from each other (Haverhill Public Schools, n.d., Moody Pre-School). I chose this organization because many of the children in my class are on an Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) and when the child becomes 2 years – 6 months there is a referral placed into the public school systems to continue their services past 3 years of age. The Moody Pre-school is a service in the Haverhill Community many children who continue to receive services attend the preschool program depending on the child’s needs and services.

Currently they have 11 job opportunities open in the Haverhill Community for a variety of positions in the school systems. One job opportunity that I would be interested in would be the Educational Support Person. According to the job post, these are the duties and responsibilities of the open position, “Assist in the teaching process and work directly with children under the direction and supervision of the classroom teacher or Special Needs teacher to provide in class support. Assists in implementing the treatment plans for various students in order to create a successful learning experience. Responsible for addressing student behavior and encouraging effort in the classroom. Work as a member of a team with other staff members. Assist in toileting certain handicapped children (if required). Lift and carry certain handicapped children (if required). Responsible for other general duties as indicated by the teacher, principal, supervisors/directors, directives of the Superintendent of Schools or his/her designee, and policies of the Haverhill School Committee” (Haverhill Public Schools, n.d., Human Resources). On the job description they share the qualifications that are required for the job. As stated on the job description are, “Passing Score on the Para Pro Test or other state approved assessment program or completion of 360 Professional Training Points. Associate Degree or 60 Credit. Willingness to accept direction and cooperate with staff. Prefer prior experience with children in a school or similar setting. Physical Requirements: Ability to move in and out of office, classrooms, buildings, and up and down stairs. Must possess mobility to work in a classroom and strength to lift and carry materials weighing up to 20 pounds; Strength to lift and/or carry materials/items/persons weighing up to 75 pounds with assistance as the students may need positioning. Ability to climb stairs, kneel and move easily on and off floor mats. Ability to use good judgment and exercise tact and diplomacy in dealing with others; ability to respect confidential matters; sensitivity to and respect of the problems of children; traits of resourcefulness, thoroughness, initiative, patience, courtesy, dependability, and enthusiasm. Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Superintendent of Schools may find appropriate and acceptable” (Haverhill Public Schools, n.d., Human Resources).

Haverhill Public Schools. (n.d.). Moody Pre-School. Retrieved from http://moody.haverhill-ps.org/.

Haverhill Public Schools. (n.d.). Human Resources. Retrieved from http://www.haverhill-ps.org/hr/employment-overview/.

            Another state communities of practice that appeals to me is the Thom Pentucket Area Early Intervention which offers services to the Haverhill Community. The Thom Pentucket Area Program is committed to providing high-quality, comprehensive, and family centered early intervention supports the services for infants, toddlers, families, and the community (Thom Child and Family Services, n.d.). There are nurses, social workers, occupational and physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, mental health counselors, and educators that are passionate about supporting families and young children (Thom Child and Family Services, n.d.). I chose this communities of practice because I have a professional relationship with various therapists that come support and offer their services to infants, toddlers, and families. I am able to meet with them personally to collaborate and implement suggestions, strategies, and techniques that would best support the child’s development within the program. They offer supports, resources, and suggestions to help support the early childhood professionals implement an individualized curriculum designed for each child to develop, grow, learn, and explore the world around them, specifically their community.

They have job opportunities within their communities of practice, but you need to complete an application online stating what position you would like to apply. They hire speech-language pathologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, social workers, psychologists, educators, and nurses (Thom Child and Family Services, n.d., Careers). The position I would acquire about would be an Educator because I have been an early childhood educator within the early childhood field for 14 years. My experiences with child development, secure attachments, and curriculum implementation will help support my role within the communities of practice to help support young children, their families, and early childhood professionals.

Thom Child and Family Services. (n.d.). Thom Pentucket Area Early Intervention. Retrieved from http://www.thomchild.org/pentucket-area.htm.

Thom Child and Family Services. (n.d.). Careers. Retrieved from http://www.thomchild.org/careers.htm.

            The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is a professional membership organization that helps to promote high-quality learning for all young children, birth through age 8, by connecting early childhood practice, policy, and research (NAEYC, n.d.). They advance a deserve, dynamic profession and support for all who care for, educate, and work with young children (NAEYC, n.d.). The organization follows their values and beliefs to seek to become a high-performing, inclusive organization that is enriched and grows from our commitment of diversity (NAEYC, n.d.). Their core beliefs are, excellence and innovation, transparency, reflection, equity and opportunity, and collaborative relationships, help early childhood professionals ensure each young child reaches their full potential (NAEYC, n.d.).

            At this moment, NAEYC, is offering 10 job opportunities, which are all located at their headquarters in Washington, DC (NAEYC, n.d., NAEYC Jobs). I was able to scan the list of available job opportunities, but I found they did not peak my interest, though if I was given a chose I would go with Director, Quality Assessment and Assurance. I would be able to manage all aspects of the accreditation assessment process with high quality customer support, accreditation integrity, assessor support, and the use of assessment data to improve quality (NAEYC, n.d.). According to NAEYC, the qualifications and skills for this position are, “Seasoned professional with experience managing key components of early childhood quality evaluation, assessment and assurance systems. Experience with NAEYC accreditation preferred. Ability to positively influence, motivate, and engage staff and other stakeholders. Minimum 3 years supervisory experience leading staff, contractors, and/or volunteers. Bachelor's degree required. Master's degree a plus. Demonstrated capacity to recruit, onboard, support, and evaluate staff” (NAEYC, n.d., NAEYC Jobs). Some of these qualifications, I have not yet personally experienced, but with the support and knowledge I have received through Walden will help to pursue this position. I will use the knowledge I have developed through this program to help guide and support my understanding to fulfil this job opportunity with NAEYC.

NAEYC. (n.d.). About NAEYC. Retrieved from http://www.naeyc.org/content/about-naeyc.

NAEYC. (n.d.). NAEYC Jobs. Retrieved from http://www.naeyc.org/about/jobs/overview.