Sharing Web Resources

There are plenty topics to cover when discussing current professional development but as I was reading current issues within the National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators, I found discussions about inclusive early childhood teacher education.  The article, Inclusive Early Childhood Teacher Education, states that even though there are increases awarenesses and well-established policy initiatives about inclusion for children with disabilities, exclusion still exists.  But on the other hand, the purpose of the article is to explain that programs are now meeting the challenges of preparing them for inclusive childhood settings.  Inclusive early education values policies and pratices that honor the right to all young children regardless of ability.  Inclusive teachers will provide access, participation, and support with the collaboration of other professionals and families.  From observing programs such as these, I can say that I understand the genuine capacity of inclusion.  I understand that policy makers and other professionals are willing to do what it takes to meet the needs of children with disabilities far and beyond.  I can feel the sense of longevity and persistance throughout the article.

References

Couse,L. and Recchia,S. (2011) From the Guest Editors: Inclusive Early Childhood Teacher Education. Journal of Early Childhood Educators (32) 4.  Routledge

The Focus on Poverty

Upon reading the article about India and poverty issues saddened me.  What concerns me the most are the varying health issues.  The communicable diseases, malnutrition issues all play a part in the strain on society in India. The poor children are just suffering and I really sympathize with those individuals because there is so much that our country can offer and so many resources that should lend a helping hand to these individuals. Thank goodness that there have been drastic improvement, although poverty issues still exist.  It was interesting to know that the children worked so young to provide for themselves and family.  There have been action taken into account and it has made a dramatic change in the lives of those who are considered to be poor.   I have a new outlook on how poverty affects the lives of all health wise, socially, physically and mentally.  I have a greater respect for individuals who survive through poverty stricken times and can still maintain to be successful.  I have even a greater respect for the individuals who created the programs to help these families strive for a better way of life.

Sharing Web Resources

The focus of the organization consists of all aspects of early childhood and the E-letter clearly defines the organization’s purpose.  Their focus is to promote the professional growth to their membership, to discuss educational issues specifically, to advocate for improvements in early childhood teacher education, provide a forum for consideration of issues and concerns of interest to educators of early childhood teacher educators, provides a communication network for early childhood teacher educators, facilitate the interchange of information and ideas about research and practice, and cooperate with other national and international organizations concerned with the study and education of young children.  What caught my attention in the newsletter fall 2011 issue was the presentation of a book that explores each stage of teacher research, from conceptualization, to generating research questions, identifying data sources, gathering and analyzing data, interpreting results, sharing results, to taking action based on those results.  This really caught my attention because I am not the expert on research and I have trouble finding valuable and or legitimate resources when needed.  I guess with more experience, it will become easier.  What I learned that was closely related to the discussion of issues and trends is that for every issue, there is a solution, good or bad and for every trend, there is always a way to make a positive change, if needed.  This organization fights for achievement in many ways and I can sense it from reading about the different programs and or resources they offer in order to form the most reliable and well qualified teachers in the early childhood community.  It was an honor to gain knowledge from this site. 

Creating Professional Relationships

As I attempted to contact international early childhood educators, it was quite challenging.  Since I have not gotten a response from anyone yet I have to take another route.  I went to World Forum Radio and listened to a few podcasts and here are the main points that I interpreted from the interviews: 

Barbara Jones, who is a resident of the East Coast, traveled to California in search of a preschool to teach. She got the opportunity to become a Montessouri teacher in San Diego.  She worked there for 6 years and decided that she wanted to open her own private day care.  She worked at YMCA and decided that she really enjoyed the early childhood field.  She traveled back to Maine and she noticed a boarded up empty building and envisioned to turn it into her own childcare center.  She bought the building and established the Pine Grove Center child development center in Maine in 1984.  It has been up and operating for twenty-five+ years. 

Maysoun Chehab is a resident of Lebanon whose job title is regional early childhood care and coordinator with the Arab Resource Collector.  She works with policy makers and ece community.  They focus on awareness of child rights and train cargivers on best practices for the children. They work in Palestine, Jordan and a few more countries. They produce Arabic resources that are not available in those countries.  Her most rewarding project to date was after the war of 2006 in Lebanon on psychosocials.  She was very passionate during her interview.

 I hate that I have not yet to hear from the international educators but I will keep trying to reach out until I hear something.