Job Roles in the ECE Community: National Federal (State)

The first agency I looked at was Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. When I got to their site I looked up WaKIDS.  There are three components to WaKIDS including family connections, “whole child” assessments and early learning collaboration (OSPI, 2013). WaKIDS is part of the Race to the Top grant out of Washington State. WAKIDS is state, federally and privately funded. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Thrive by Five are the private funders.  I was most interested in the early learning collaboration because this piece is working on aligning early education and the public schools. Now I believe Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation should be part of my community of practice. They are from my home state. There were two jobs listed under OSPI and I would not want either of them. The jobs were NET Solutions Developer (ITS 5) and Supervisor, School District and Educational Service District Accounting. Here is their website https://www.k12.wa.us/employment/default.aspx I do not meet the qualifications for their current positions however I would qualify for early education positions as they came up.

The second agency I looked at was Children’s Home Society.  CHS was started in 1895 and has grown over time. They first began by serving orphans. They later worked with troubled children. Today they pride themselves in serving families in many different ways including therapeutic counseling, home visiting, early childhood education (Head Start),  as well as offering services in adoption and child advocacy (CHS,  2012). There were 8 job openings for King County and zero for my county or the county closest to me. The jobs ranged from Early Head Start teacher, to home visitor, to assistant grant writer. I would like to get some experience in writing grants however the pay for this particular job was very low. I meet all qualifications for the jobs I was interested in. I have experience and education in early childhood education, home visiting experience, I have worked under the Even Start grant and I have taught parenting classes.

The third place I looked was the Department of Social and Health Services. The reason I chose them is because I think connecting to services such DSHS or Child Protective Services gives early educators the opportunity for professional development. They often have classes that can help provider’s better serve children. They also have all the information I would need to understand who would qualify for state paid pre-kindergarten or who would not according to family income.  Also my undergraduate degree is in psychology / child development. I would be a match for some jobs. The jobs that interested me were Social Service Specialist I or II. They pay well and their duties include serving children and families. I would of course need my degrees, be willing to complete training and internship.

Josie Zbaeren

Children’s Home Society (2012). Children’s home society from Washington. Retrieved from

http://www.chs-wa.org/

Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (2013).  State of Washington office of
            superintendent of public instruction. Retrieved from

 http://www.k12.wa.us/research/EdReform.aspx

Washington State’s Department of Social and Health Services (2103). Retrieved from

 http://www.dshs.wa.gov/hrd/

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community

The first organization that appeals to me is Washington's Department of Early Learning. The reason this community of practice interests me is because they are working to make children's lives and education a priority. They work in collaboration with Early Head Start, Head Start and Race To The Top.  They are the number one resource in our state for Early Achievers, Merit and Kindergarten Readiness. The only job at DEL available at this time is an Information Technology Specialist 5 which I have no interest in or education for. This job requires a bachelor's degree in business technology.

The second community of practice (organization) I have an interest in working for is Longview School District. This particular district is working significantly harder than surrounding districts to align preschool through 3rd grade. The principal of Broadway (a school which serves children with varying abilities) is the leader of L.E.E.P.  L.E.E.P. is working towards better education for preschoolers as well as working towards collaboration projects of preschools with elementary schools. There are two positions open in the fall of 2013 for a sponsored preschool called Wallenberg. The education requirements are a bachelors in early childhood education or related field. A degree in elementary education would also be considered for these positions.

The third organization I would be interested in working for is Head Start. Our local Head Start is nationally recognized. Sandy Junker (the director) runs a tight ship! Head Start employees are hired through Lower Columbia College where I currently work. There are no positions posted at this time. Head Start is effected by the sequester and will have to reduce their budget by over $100,000. Any jobs available in the fall will be posted July 1, 2013.

I currently have the job I want. I work for Lower Columbia College as faculty and director of Home and Family Life Early Learning Center. I was hired in January of 2013. I was hired before my education was complete. I am required to complete my graduate degree within one year of my hire date in order to keep my position.

Josie Zbaeren

My wordle:

http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/6692407/Early_Childhood_Education