I realize that my
desire to earn my Master’s Degree and gain further knowledge in my profession
was in fact a search for a community of practice. I had a need to share
knowledge with others and gain access to expertise (Wegner, 2002). During my
studies I have gained fellow students and instructors as a community of
practice. Our shared passion for excellence in the field of early childhood is
was has brought us together. I am hopeful that this somewhat fragile community can
remain intact as after graduation.
After taking
several years off to parent my own children and moving to another part of the
state I needed to establish new connections to a community of practice when I returned
to the early childhood field. I joined the closest state NAEYC affiliate,
Northwest New Jersey (n.d.). I chose this community of practice because I had
been a NJAEYC member in the past. I recognize the excellence of the resources
provided and conferences held annually.
Another community
of practice I am interested in is the NJ Association of Child Care Resource
& Referral Agencies (2013). In addition to providing workshops and conferences
for teachers, NJACCRRA also advocates for effective policy on a state and
national level. Parent Voices New Jersey, part of NJACCRRA lobbies to address
child care access and affordability issues of parents across our state.
Professional Impact
N J (2013) is associated with Kean University. Its mission is to coordinate
systems of education for professionals working in the early childhood field.
Training in all areas of early care and education are offered. They have
created a registry for Childhood Professionals. You can register your
credentials and become an approved instructor for workshops.
This leads me to
job opportunities that interest me. I am looking to make a shift in the
direction of my career. Registering with Professional Impact N J and
becoming an instructor would be a dream job. I have provided workshops on a
small scale before. I am even more confident now in my knowledge and ability.
The desire to share with those in the field is strong. Completing my Master’s Degree
and passing their online assessment is what I would need for this position. I
already have the required year of experience in the field.
I am seeking
director and assistant director positions now that I am nearing graduation.
There is a school being built very close to my home that has advertised for an
educational director. I have applied and
am waiting to hear back. This job appeals to me because it provides me an
administrative role that is directly related to curriculum and staff training. And
would be a five minute commute!
I am preparing for
a phone interview for an assistant directors position for which I have already
taken two online assessments. I was grateful for my recent class on budgeting
and my high school algebra teacher when taking one of the assessments.
I will continue to
seek out communities of practice as I make a career shift. I am well aware that
as I take on a new role I will need a support network.
References
NJAEYC. (n.d.) N J
association of education of young child northwest affiliate. Retrieved March
14, 2013 http://njaeycnorthwest.org/
NJ Association of
Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies. (2013). About our organization.
Retrieve March 14, 2013 from http://www.njaccrra.org/
Professional
Impact N J. (2013). Advocating growth for early childhood educators. Retreived
March 14, 2013 from http://www.pinj.org/index.php?cat=home
Wenger, E. (n.d.). Cultivating
communities of practice: A quick start-up guide. Retrieved November 28,
2011, from http://www.ewenger.com/theory/start-up_guide_PDF.pdf
Your community of practice interest certainly seem to parallel mine! I think that joining your local AEYC affiliate is a great idea. Nationally, the Association for the Education of Young Children has struggled recently. Once an association with more than 100,000 members, the economic collapse has resulted in a 20% reduction in membership size. In addition, many of our leaders are retiring. I am sure that your local affiliate would love to have you assume a leadership position.
ReplyDeleteI was also involved in child care resource and referral in my community. The Association for Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies does important advocacy and policy work.
And finally, my county has created a "registry" of trainers through the Child Care Alliance of resource and referral agencies. I present workshops on diversity, literacy and male involvement through this project.
I am thrilled to think that communities such as yours and mine are engaged in such innovative initiatives.
Michele,
ReplyDeleteIt is exciting in life to think of a new career direction. While I am excited about teaching adults in the early childhood field, I can't help but have torn feelings about possibly leaving my second graders. I love teaching them every day. Do you have an fears or trepidations about starting something new?
I have many trepidations about changing my career at this point in my life, but that feeling competes with the feeling that I need to do more in the field. I believe I would be able greater influence in an administrative position.
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