EXPLORING ROLES in the ECE COMMUNITY

To truly commit to the early childhood field it is important to participate in local and state collaboratives that are working to improve the lives of children and their families.  The following are organizations that making a positive contribution to the field of early childhood in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and Michigan.

Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children

http://miaeyc.org/

The MiAEYC helps children, families, and early childhood professionals with training, materials and services.  They uphold the standards and ethical code of the National Association for the Education of Young Children.  In April there will be a state conference provided by MiAEYC (http://www.miaeyc.org/conferences/earlychildhood.htm).

First Steps

http://firststepskent.org/

First Steps is a collaborative of local organizations that work together to provide access for children and families to early learning opportunities and healthcare.  Their Welcome Home Baby program connects new parents with local nurses that provide informational home visits.  Other programs address healthcare and educational needs of children in Kent County, Michigan.  

Michigan's Children

http://www.michiganschildren.org/

Michigan's Children is a state site that promotes advocacy for children in public policies.  The site provides videos, articles, blogs, and resources that help to inform parents, families, and educators about current public issues and policies.  This site also provides opportunities for involvement in making, changing, and promoting current and future policies.

This video informs voters about the upcoming proposal and how it will effect Michigan's children.

Kent Regional 4C: Your Community Child Care Connection

http://www.4cchildcare.org/

The mission of the Kent Regional 4C's is "To provide Leadership, Resources, Services & Education which create, improve, & promote quality child care".

Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative

http://www.elncgr.org/

In Grand Rapids there are significantly more children in need than available early learning spots.  The mission of ELNC is to "create and provide targeted neighborhood collaborative partners with technical, developmental and educational support in order to increase the accessibility of early educational resources for vulnerable children."

https://youtu.be/upa3iCpZYww

I am currently teaching at one of the preschool sites that collaborate with ELNC.  I am interested in becoming one of the Early Childhood Specialists that work to ensure that every site is providing quality early childhood programs for the children attending.  This position coordinates monthly professional development meetings intended to provide training and opportunities for teachers to share ideas, resources, and materials.  This position also informs teachers and directors of resources in the community that help address the needs of children and families in the community.   

My early childhood teaching experience helps to provide real world strategies for teachers that are in the classroom.  It would be important to be outgoing and willing to work with all types of people and personalities.  This position requires good listening skills and effective communication skills.  In order to be in this position you must recognize that it takes a team effort to grow in this field.  The current early childhood specialist is open to new ideas and does not treat people like she knows more than they do.  She is ready to hear new ideas and willing to grow in the field.