Time Well Spent

Several years ago, I went back to school to get my master’s degree in early childhood.  Unfortunately, I had to put things on hold to focus my time and energy on my two young sons.  A few years later, I tried again, and once again I had to put my education on hold.  In January 2018, I decided to try one more time. And I guess the third time is the charm.  We learned about the power of having a community of practice to strengthen our purpose and mission of providing high quality early childhood education and support for young children and their families.  Through this journey, I, also, discovered the power of family and friends.  Without my husband, son, and friends encouraging supporting, I don’t think I would have finished this journey.

Before this journey, I saw myself as just an early childhood special education educator/specialist.  I never viewed myself as an advocate of change.  Throughout this program, my perspective continually modified and transformed from one course to the next.  To make the world a better place for all children with and without disabilities and their families, someone has to dip their toe in the water and start the ripple effect. I know that change does not occur overnight, but it does begin with one voice speaking up and out loud advocating for the rights and education for all.

High quality early childhood education is the greatest investment of all.  Throughout my journey at Walden, I have discovered an understanding of what it takes to improve the quality of early childhood.  Exploring local, national, and international agencies, resources, and communities of practice has increased my knowledge and expanded my library of references, tools, and strategies that can be shared with current and future early childhood educators, special educators, families, and communities.

As I come to the end of this journey, I wonder what is around the corner.  As the quote above says, the end means a new start.  Nothing says that my education has to stop here.  Even though I may take a break, I am thinking I may continue onto early my doctorate.  I truly want to make a difference in our children's lives.  To improve the possibility of high-quality early childhood special education and inclusive practices, our future early childhood educators need to step foot in their classrooms empowered with the knowledge and skills to nurture the social, emotional, cognitive, language, and physical development of all young children with and without disabilities.  I plan to enter the world of educating future educators at the community college.  Once I earn my doctorate, I will move onto the university level.

Throughout my journey, I had the support and encouragement of my family and friends.  I, also, had you.  I learned so much from each and everyone of you through your discussion posts, blog posts, and feedback.  I could not have made this journey without you, my classmates, peers, and instructors.  I truly wish you well in your future endeavors.  The young children and families that you work with are truly blessed to have you.

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

The European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education is an independent organization that acts as a platform for collaboration for its 31 member countries, working towards ensuring more inclusive education systems. The Agency's mission is to help member countries improve the quality and effectiveness of their inclusive provision for all learners.

The European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education's vision for inclusive education systems is to ensure that all learners of any age are provided with meaningful, high-quality educational opportunities in their local community, alongside their friends and peers

I could not locate any job postings, but after watching the information below.  The question becomes… Who wouldn’t want to work for this organization and have the opportunity to make a difference in a young child’s life?  I know I would!

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The NSW/ACT Inclusion Agency is supported by KU Children’s Services and Include Me Gowrie NSW at part of the Inclusion Support Programme in Australia. 

The agency provides free early childhood education and care services through regional inclusion hubs.  These hubs provide onsite visits, support educators, provide advice and strategies to increase inclusive practices, and provide professional develop opportunities to inclusive professionals. 

The Inclusion Support Programme (ISP) assists Early Childhood and Child Care (ECCC) services to include children with additional needs alongside their peers, through provision of tailored inclusion advice and support from Inclusion Agencies (IA) and access to specialist equipment and funding to support more challenging inclusion barriers where required. Children with additional needs may include (but are not limited to):

• Children with disability or undergoing assessment Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
• Children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
• Children from refugee or humanitarian backgrounds
• Children with serious medical conditions
• Children presenting with language and speech delays
• Children presenting with disruptive behavior

No jobs were posted but the potential opportunity to serve parents and children with disabilities is extremely enticing!

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The International Association of Special Education (IASE) focuses on the improvement of the quality of life and service deliveries for all individuals with special needs around the world.  It's members includes teachers, trainers, professors, speech pathologists, psychologists, health care providers, social workers, counselors, and related disciplines and providers that reside in approximately 50 countries.  

The mission of the IASE is to:
    * promote awareness and understanding of issues and developments related to the education and welfare of individuals with special needs throughout the world;
    * promote professional exchange between professionals in special education family members and individuals in related discipline internationally;
    * encourage and promote research to advance the field of special education and share that information through official publications;
    * promote continuing education in special education; and
    * work collaboratively with other special education organizations for worldwide promotion of the interests of individuals with special needs.

I could not locate the site with current job positions.  However, knowing and understand that the mission of the IASE correlates with my current master's degree plan of early childhood with the focus of working with adult learners and my passion of promoting high quality early childhood special education, I would be more than willing to pursue career opportunities with the International Association of Special Education.

References:

European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education.  (n.d.)  Retrieved December 7, 2019 from https://www.european-agency.org/.  

International Association of Special Education (IASE). (n.d.)  Retrieved December 7, 2019 from https://www.iase.org/.

NSW/ACT Inclusion Agency. (n.d.).  Retrieved December 7, 2019 from https://www.inclusionagencynswact.org.au/home.