One organization that interests and appeals to me is the Council for Professional Recognition. This is the organization that provides varying levels of support to early childhood educators who are seeking to obtain a Child Development Certificate (CDA). I am interested in the organization because my current and future focus in the field is to provide adult education to early childhood professionals. This is my area of focus in this MSECS program. As I conducted research for one of our classmates this week it occurred to me that providing this adult education in non-conventional ways appeals to me. It mirrors what I am currently doing as a coach for the QRIS in Arizona- non-conventional adult education. Therefore, I am interested in the role of CDA Professional Development Specialist. This is a national council so it would be possible for me to engage in this role across the country or only in my local area.
The skills and experience required for this position include personal attributes, formal education, and experience in the field (as well as access to internet and email). Below are the requirements from the website. Additionally, one is required to complete an application to become a PD Specialist and once approved a specific training is required.
A second organization is the Global Partnership for Education. This international organization interests me because their work support the availability of education for children in developing countries and those affected by conflict and extreme poverty. If I was not focused on teacher education I would move toward a focus in international advocacy for early childhood education in impoverished areas of the world. A job which is currently available and interesting to me is the role of Consultant on the Global Advocacy Team.
The requirements for this role are as follows.
Third, the National Association of Early Childhood Trainers (NAECT) is appealing to me. My passion for providing high-quality adult education to ECE teachers and leaders attracts me to an organization which is focused on this aspect of the ECE field. Too often I recognize that training for ECE professionals is not rooted in adult learning theory. "The National Association of Early Childhood Trainers is committed to enhancing the professional growth and development of individuals that serve as trainers in the early care and education field for teachers who work with children from birth through age eight" (NAECT, n.d., para. 2). I would be interested in beginning my work as a train-the-trainer facilitator to provide support for those who work as adult educators in the early childhood field.
Unfortunately, I cannot find any information about how to become employed with this organization. For this reason I will explain what I believe should be the requirements and skills necessary. First, I would suggest that each of the requirements for the PD Specialist I have listed above would be necessary for this position. Additionally, I would need to have education in teaching adults and adult learning theory. Finally, experience in teaching adults in the early childhood field would be necessary. One would need to have experience in facilitating professional development based on adult learning theory if they are going to train others to do so.
Council for Professional
Recognition- PD Specialist: http://www.cdacouncil.org/pd-specialists/eligibility-criteria
Global Partnership for Education: https://www.globalpartnership.org/jobs
National Association of Early Childhood Trainers: http://www.naect.org/
