National ECE Associations and Job opportunities that interest me!

National Associations that I would like to be affiliated with in conjunction with my challenge, what do academics look like in preschool and how can teachers be equipped to explain why play is important?  I am finding that this is a challenge for teachers and they need to be equipped with the words to explain academics in relation to play.

·         Green Hearts is a non-profit organization that’s mission is to reconnect children and nature. They are a resource that preschools can use to help regain the connection.  The reason I chose this organization is because it aligns with my goals to help preschools make the jump to allow their students to go outside. Green Hearts is a resource and is a nationally well-known organization throughout the nature preschool world.

http://www.greenheartsinc.org/Our_Services.html

·         National Childcare association is an organization that is on a mission: "The Mission of National Child Care Association is to promote the growth and safeguard the interest of quality early childhood care and education focusing on licensed, private providers of these services". (National Childcare Association , 2015) This national organization is important to me because this organization will be helpful in trying to make sure the policy makers do not put regulations in place that would make it difficult for children to have free play outdoors. 

http://www.nccanet.org/

·         The Council for professional recognition is a national organization that is a global community of educators and advocates uniting knowledge, experience, and perspectives in order to exchange information, explore innovation, and advocate for children.  This is important in regards to my challenge of teachers understanding that by having the professional background of studying early childhood they can then be prepared to implement learning through play. 

http://www.cdacouncil.org/resource-center/early-childhood-organizations

Job opportunities that interest me and the qualifications needed.

      Director of Educational Program, Private School with Preschool Division

Preferred Qualifications: • Master’s degree in early child development, early care and education or related field • At least six years of demonstrated leadership in a similar position responsible for advancing the quality of early care and education services • Deep understanding of research on best practices regarding the development and delivery of high quality early care and education • In-depth knowledge of adult development and learning (theory and practice) as they relate to professional development in the early care and education sector • Knowledge of Louisiana’s early care and education system • Strong collaborative leadership, management, supervisory and motivational skills • Strong analysis and planning background. 

      Location: Cincinnati, OH, US

The School of Education in the College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services is seeking an Instructor Educator faculty position for the Early Childhood Education and Human Development program. The main responsibilities of this position will be to coordinate the practicum and internship field experiences in the Early Childhood Online AAS and BSEd degrees, teach online undergraduate courses in preschool education and infant and toddler childcare, and develop online curriculum for BSEd degree. Other responsibilities in the online programs include: marketing and promoting degree programs, overseeing online ECE programs, managing accreditation, developing new and innovative online courses, and coordinating and supervising adjunct instructors.

Minimum Qualifications: Master’s degree in Early Childhood or highly related field. Quality Matters certification. Experience in teaching and developing online courses in early childhood. CDA professional development certification. Two or more years’ experience teaching ages birth to five. Experience with NAEYC accreditation for preschool programs.

Desirable Qualifications: Demonstrated leadership with early childhood professionals and in early childhood associations on state and national levels. Certified Program Administration Scale assessor for early childhood programs. Skills in Universis, Blackboard, Kaltura and other online learning technologies.

      Health, Education & Social Programs

Early Education Services

Home-Based in Region XI

Job Description:

ICF seeks an experienced Early Childhood Education (ECE) Systems Specialist to support coordination and collaboration between OHS and OCC within the region. This position is home-based within 50 miles from the Regional Office located in Washington, D.C.

Key Responsibilities:

* Work closely with the Head Start Collaboration Office, the State Advisory Council, the State Head Start Association, Child Care, and other early childhood providers and community partners to plan and implement initiatives such as state-wide Quality Rating Systems and State Early Learning Standards, as appropriate.

* Collaborate with ECE entities involved in State and local planning to better meet the needs of low-income children from birth to school entry, and their families.

Participate on regional teams collaborating and linking with Child Care Resource and Referral networks, Head Start and child care programs and other organizations as appropriate to ensure all national priorities are being addressed within the region.

Professional Skills:

* Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) required.

* Excellent verbal and written communication skills required.

* Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision making capabilities.

* Team player with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

* Ability to work with all levels of internal staff, as well as outside clients and vendors.

This job posting was found on NAEYC’s job forum.  A great resource for job searches.

http://careerforum.naeyc.org/jobs/?page=2