Getting To Know Your International Contact

During my current class, Issues and Trends in Early Childhood, we have be asked to build our professional resource list by getting in contact with an Early Childhood professional in another country. In my last post, I talked about my interest in learning me information about the state of early childhood development and education in Africa. I emailed several people about helping me to establish communication with someone in the early childhood education field but I was not able to make a connection. However recently, I remembered that my brother in-law taught in Morocco and has experience teaching in different parts of the world. I wanted to make sure I was able to someone directly because I think that it would be valuable for me to have deeper understand through someone who has experienced it first hand. I contacted him and he is excited to share his experience with me.

My brother in-law is Unchenna Ezibe a graduate from Bowdin University. He has been teaching for several years know and had dedicated his career in advancing the educational experience for African American students in Washington, DC. Previously, he taught in Morocco last summer and will be teaching in France this up coming school year. I believe that he will be able to provide me with some information about issues and trends in early childhood education in Morocco which is located in Africa. I spoke to him and explained what I needed to do for this course and some of the topics we will be covering as apart of our conversations. He told me that he would love to help me out and can provide a lot of information on the state of early childhood development in Morocco. He went out of town this week but when he comes back we schedule to set down and discuss some of the current issues he faced while teaching there. I'm so excited to hear about his experiences and discover some new and exciting information about state of early childhood development in another country.

Sharing Web Resources

I have found a great organization that I have become very passionate about the National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI) which has a mission to improve and advance the quality of life for black children and their families through education and advocacy. They focus on the impact of early childhood education, literacy, health care and welfare, and family engagement in black children. I choose this organization because being Black and having Black children I think that it important for me to be aware of the issues and trends in the Black community regarding education, politics, health, and family. Inspired by the Civil Rights Movement the NBCDI has been going strong for the more than 40 years. They have a reputation it's work in early care, education, and welfare.

It's 2014 Spring newsletter issue has a wonderful article dedicated to the health and wellness of young black men. Personally, this was important to me because I have two black stepsons who are turning four this year and will be approaching kindergarten. I want to ensure that they will have all the resources they need to be successful and ready for school. I know that this is important for them to stay ahead of the course to ensure they don't fall too far behind. I don't want to see then struggle through their academic careers. I felt this article could provide me valuable information that can help me to assist them better. 

Professionally, I connected to the article because this year I had 16 boys in my class out of 26 students. Have a black male dominated room prove to present some challenges for me this year. One of the things I learn was that I have to alter my teaching technique to accommodate the unique needs of the majority of my class population. One of the things that the article suggest was mentoring and I can agree that was the turning point for my classroom as well. I employed many of the fathers to take an active role in my classroom. They would come and volunteer, work one-on-one with students, and model appropriate behavior. This helped me tremendously. They boys had a different respect for the men who came and volunteered their time. I really contribute this kind of mentoring to the success of my classroom this year. 

What I learn from this article this week was how important it is to have good role model for children to look up to. Young child look towards adult and older children assess who they are and who they can become. For young Black boys it is important that they have some alternatives of role models to look up to besides athletes, music artists, or movie stars. The positive impact it is for them to see members of their direct community that are Black males empowering themselves to do great things is inspirational. This is a great organization deeply rooted in equality for all; making it their mission to directly impact the lives of Black children.

This is the CEO of the NBCDI and her views on school readiness and kindergarten.

Check it out!

http://www.nbcdi.org/

Establishing Professional Contacts and Expanding Resources

In the field of education it is common for teachers to look to each other for advice or connect with them as an additional resource. Too often we get use to just looking within our inner circles for help or references but this limits us to the valuable information we can gain if we just step outside our comfort box and seek other educational professionals in other counties, states, and even other countries.

In the past week, I have been attempting to connect with another early childhood professional in Africa. I chose to connect with an early childhood professional from Africa because I have always been interested in the educational issues and trends in the early childhood field in Africa and wanted to learn more directly from someone impacted with this quest to educate young children in Africa. I have struggled this week with trying to find a way to connect with early education professionals or organizations that will help assist me in connecting with a professional educator in Africa.

I started this quest by talking to my inner circle of educators to see if I could find a lead on how to locate and connect with teacher abroad. I found that most of my early education professionals that were in my circle were as lost as I was and did not have a clue on how to connect with others in the field of early childhood in another country. Next, I sought two people that I knew were going to be teaching aboard this year but they had not left yet and had no prior experience teaching in that country. Finally, I went back to the references that were provided by our professor, Dr. Davenna Williams, I reviewed the websites and was in awe of the wealth of information each one provided. It opened my mind to various issues other face as they try and educate young children. This made me realize how important it was for me to build a relationships with others outside of my comfort zone. There is a wealth of information I can gain for building a connection with others who are passionate about the field of early childhood education. I was able to find a contact list including emails of some early childhood professional in Africa, I sent them an email asking if they could help me with my quest to connecting with early childhood professional in their country. I have not receive a response yet but I will continue to look for someone to connect with. I do believe that I will have to use the alternative website for part 1 but, hopefully, only temporary.

If I could share any advice, it would be to start with the resources that our professor provided first. It gave tons of useful information and is a great place to get you going in the right direction quickly. Second, in your email you can provide our professor email so that they can verify the assignment. This might ease any hesitation someone might have about the authenticity of your request. Lastly, leave the link to your blog so that they can see your pervious posts. This is a great way for them to get to know you and your passions.

Good luck on your journey. Please leave any suggestions, questions, or advice.

My Supports

My primary support system is my family it includes: my husband, mom, dad, siblings, and my sister in-law who is also an educator in their field of education. My parents have always provided me with the emotional and physical needs to succeed in what ever I wanted to accomplish. My husband helps me in every aspect of my life and is influential in my career. He helps to set up my classroom, find material I may need, run out to the store last minute just to pick up some supplies for the next lesson, or help me develop fun and engaging lesson plans. My siblings are always they’re helping with special programs and events I might put on. My sister in-law is an essential part of my life she because we both share the passion of young children, we constantly support each other in our classrooms, with lessons, and curriculum. She helps me find materials and resources to promote best practices in my classroom. She is also the one who introduced me to Walden University. I'm not sure how I would make it with out them because that help to make my dreams come true, they push me until I succeed, and provide me with the tools I need to be successful.

At work, I use a variety of support systems to help me accomplish everyday goals. Some of the people who provide support are my principal, vice principal, teacher's aide, and colleagues. At my school we all support each other by collaborating and bring our expertise to the table. I can ask for advice or seek help from anyone of they with the fear of rejection. We have a community of educators who common focus are the children and how to best meet their needs. At times, this cause for us to collaborate and work together to figure how to accommodate each child's unique qualities. If I did not have this support I was not be able to be an effective teacher. The quality of the care and education I provide would not be satisfactory without the support of others with diverse background, education, and experiences. 

I can imagine of I had a life altering disability like the loss of a limb. I can understand how difficult simple task might become. I know my parents would have provided with what I might need to ensure I was able to function to the best of my ability. They would also be a big factor in providing emotional support helping me to understand and except my situation. My husband would provide daily support helping me complete any task at hand. In fact, I'm not sure how much will change. Knowing my family, friends, and colleagues I know that they would support me regardless of a disability. Without them would be the problem, it would be the hardest thing for me to do. I'm not sure if I would be able to accomplish my dreams without them. My support system is very important to me and without them and not sure where I would be?  

My Connections to Play

Two Quotes that really represent role of play in my childhood

“The playing adult steps sideward into another reality; the child advances forward to new stages of mastery.” –Erik H. Erikson

“Play is the highest form of research.” –Albert Einstein

When I was a young child I loved to play outside. I would spend hours climbing trees, collecting bugs, digging in dirt, and making mud pies. When I played I viewed my self as a scientist make new and wonderful discoveries. I would collect insects and draw them, write about interesting things I observed, and try to find out more information bout the insect. In my backyard we have two apple trees and I would pretend I was a apple farmer and collect apples; sorting by color and even counting them while placing them in my mothers basket. Those tree helped me to master a multitude of skills all before entering kindergarten. My parents encouraged me to play outside they would even let me bring in all the interesting creatures I found. My dad would even help me to collect them and my mom provided me with endless amounts of mason jars.

Here is some of the play items I could not live without:

My apple tree

Mason jars to catch bugs

mud and flowers…and my mom pots :)

Sticks

I wish play was still as supported as it was for me. I know that I lot of parents are fearful to let their child play outside and may be weary about letting them climb trees. Many children are limited to the amount of outside play they receive because of the fear of dangers. During my years teaching I have across countless of parent who say, “My child has never been outside or I never let my infant on the floor.” This saddens me because I know the valuable lessons, discoveries, and enjoyment they are missing out on because of fear. My hope is that parents support their fear aside for the empowerment of their child. I’m sure my parents were fearful with me playing in the city streets of Northeast Washington, DC. but they clearly understood the benefits of the freedom of my imagination.

My hope for young children today is that adults who understands and respects the significant of play in a child’s development will surround them. That they will foster and support the art of imagination and help facilitate the experience. The role of play is vital to the development of children it helps them to master skills needed for future development. Play is the platform for self-discovery and expressions. As we grow the ideas, dreams, interests that we discovered through play, will help to drives our motivates in adulthood. As a child I played teacher with my friends; I would always be the teachers. Giving assignments, passion out homework, and grading papers. They playful activity I engaged in as a child become my reality as an adult. Through play a child might discovery their passion and that passion might change the world someday. 

Relationship Reflection

Relationships are the strongest human bond we create. Out of these relationship energy is born and produced. It is important for us to connect with other on a variety of levels social, emotional, physical, and mental to feel complete as a human. As I reflect on relationship I have established through the years I think of unconditional love. All the people who I have a positive relationship or partnership loves me at times more then I can love myself. 

Here are list of the people in my life who I have a deep and everlasting relationship with:

My parents- both of my parents have been so influential in my life they were my first supporters, teachers, and role models. They provided me with all the basic necessities and with almost all of me wants. They gave me fundamental values that has stuck with me to this day. Through out the years our relationship has matured over time and has transitioned from parent- child relationship to a true friendship. We have discovered each of our unique qaulities and differences and come to except them. 

My siblings- I have two sisters, two brother, a brother in-law and a sister in-law. We are all really close and get a long great know that we are all older. When we where young we fought like normal siblings but as we got older we naturally got closer. We spend lots of time together, talk and consult each other for advice, and support each other through discovering their dreams. 

My niece and nephew- I just love them both so much. My niece is 13 and my nephew will be 1 in July. I really try to be apart of their lives, I spend a lot of time with them, and treat them like my own.

My husband- I just got married last August and I'm completely in love with my husband who is my best friend, business partner and biggest supporter. He has two sons who I am now developing a wonderful relationship with. I enjoy spending time with them and having the family I thought I could never have. My husband and I are extremely honest  with one another and communicate with each immediately if something is bothering us. We respect each others opinions and try to understand how they feel.

What I have learned over time is that ever relationship will have its tough times but it is through these time that  character is built. the ups and downs of relationship helps to build social competency and if appropriate guidance is provided along they way you will be able to gain more effective ways to build positve relationships. As an early childhood professional I understand how important relationships are when dealing with young children. Children need to establish positive relationships with caregivers, peers and other adults. They skills to build effective relationships through see how other close to them build relationships and interacting with other and building their own relationships. It is my job to help young children and their families understand and foster the relationships that they build around them by facilitating and modeling appropriate ways to communicate, resolve conflict, and support the people who are the closest to them.    

My husband and me

My father and me

My mother and me

The Power of the Whole Child

I love this video…Teachers get the Kleenex ready; this is a real tear jerker. This video shows the power a child has when they are free to used their interests and passion to create. This type of learning just comes natural. As a teacher, I'm striving to teacher my children in this fashion. This is the future of teaching; allowing children to be themselves use their gifts and knowledge to create new and innovative ideas and ways to express themselves. We focus on "teaching" so much that we forget all the valuable lesson we have learned from just exploring the world around us. Play is such a critical part of learning it is a shame that it is not widely appreciated in the educational community. Please watch and become inspired and see how many academic domain or common core standards are visual through this documentary.