Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: National/Federal Level

The National Black Child Development Institute was founded 40 years ago to help black children and families get the early education, health care, and other resources they needed to be successful in society.  I’m interested in making this organization about of my community of practice because of their PEP, Parent Empowerment Project.  Since my challenge focuses on increasing parental involvement during the early years, this program will help me implement ways to meet my challenge.  NBCDI developed a comprehensive curriculum designed for parents to improve the influence they have on the lives of their children.  In the program, parents learn what is best for the child, how to become better parents, and ways to use the resources available to help their child develop.  There are a series of 2 hour classes offered to the parents by training facilitators to empower parents to become engaged in the early learning process.  For more information, please visit http://www.nbcdi.org/what-we-do/parent-empowerment-project.  As of right now, NBCDI has an opening for a President and CEO.  In order for me to be eligible to apply for either position, I must have 15 years of leadership experience in addition to my advance degree.  Even though, I haven’t obtained supervisory experiences of this capacity yet, I have noticed that there isn’t an affiliation in the Dallas area.  With that in mind, I will explore ways to begin a chapter in my region. 

The Association for Early Learning Leaders is a nonprofit organization that has been serving ECE leaders since the early 80’s.  Their purpose is to promote leadership development that enhances the quality of the early learning program.  I am interested in adding this organization to my community of practice because it promotes meaningful collaboration among other ECE professionals not just within my community but within the nation as well.  It will also give me professional development opportunities to fortify my leadership skills after I’ve obtained my advanced degree.  In order to access the job opportunities listed on their website, you must become an ELL member.  Otherwise there is a $49 fee.  However, it does allow you to post employment or volunteer opportunities that you have within your program without a fee.  I am interested in the conferences they offer for owners and directors of child care programs along with the accreditation process they offer assistance with.  For more information, please visit http://www.earlylearningleaders.org/?page=Professional. 

The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organizations that focuses on advancing public education.  I would like to include them in my COP because of the resources and programs they have in place for partnering with parents.  The NEA offers positons in management, professional, and administrative support.  In addition, there are paid and unpaid intern positons.  Even though they have plenty of opportunities, none of the positions listed am I qualified to apply for due to lack of experience in leadership role.  However, I am interested in the fall internship because it provides hands on training to substantive programmatic work experiences that improve the quality of public education.  It will give me more in depth research experience, data analysis, participation with policy forums, and visits on Capitol Hill.  For more information, please visit https://neacareers.silkroad.com/.