Getting To Know Your International Contacts - Part 3

Getting to Know Your International Contacts – Part 3

During the past several weeks my contact Jessica Taeden who lives in Bulgaria and works for The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and I have had many conversations via phone and e-mails.  During our recent conversation Jessica stated that many professionals in Bulgaria are required to have a complex understanding of child development and early education issues in order to provide rich, meaningful educational experiences for all children and families in their care.  Accountability for outcomes is very high and resources for professional support are limited.  She stated that many of the teachers in middle schools in Bulgaria do not possess the knowledge, skills, or practices required to help children learn as well as prepare them for entry into school.  For this reason, many of them need much assistance when beginning school.  Children are not provided with rich educational experiences that they need in order to develop properly.  Jessica stated that her professional goals, hopes, and dreams are to help creates better high-quality programs that are geared toward helping all children regardless of their status.  She also stated that children with special needs have more access to better opportunities that will allow them to reach their full potential and not be left behind because of their disability.  

My second contact Tara Myers who works for OMEP-USA in Jamaica, stated that many educators in Jamaica do not engage in continuous professional learning opportunities or those who do many times do not apply that learning to increase student achievement.  Advocacy for young children is very low.  Many of the so called high quality programs that are offered are merely programs with little lend very little significance for children to yield the best possible learning experiences. Many educators are paid very little and feel that they should not be required to go above and beyond to help these children who do not attend school on a regular basis.  They feel like they are wasting their time.  I really could not believe that teachers with this mentality were even hired to work with young children or children period.  Tara said her professionals goals are to further her education, and become a principle of a middle school.  Her hopes and dreams are to become a mentor for professionals in order to help them to become citizens in society whose main focus is for the future of our young children.  

SHARING WEB RESOURCES

Sharing Web Resources

The outside link that I noticed lead to Promoting Healthy Practices Programs for African American children.  It focused on health not only being related to disease or infirmity but also the state of complete physical, mental and social well-being.  The National Black Child Development Institute commits itself to building on a community’s strengths, assets and rich cultural backgrounds to improve as well as address various health issues.  While they continue to address the issues of healthy practices among African American children, they also focus on strengthening health programs and policies these communities are faced with. 

The website has a publication entitled Child Health Talk which provides information on topics such as providing a healthy home environment, health, nutrition, and literacy to assist parents and caregivers in supporting the positive growth and development of their children.  The publication focuses on ways to effectively and successfully connect positive nutrition messages and actions with traditionally hard-to-reach Black families and communities. 

All children need to be healthy in order to learn, grow and lead productive lives.  Many parents in the African American community are not able to access the needed health services that their children require.  There needs to be more effective treatments, services, and supports that are better equipped to help young children with health problems, as well as those who are at risk.  This will enable them to thrive and live successfully.  There was no information in the link that addressed equity and excellence in early care and education.

One major insight that I gained is how unfortunate it is that many young children, especially those of color face many health issues today.  We as professionals need to advocate more in this area because these children deserve it.  I also feel that by me being a professional this is one particular area that I need to focus more on.  

Getting to Know Your International Contacts  Part 2

During the past several weeks my contact Jessica who lives in Bulgaria and works for The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and I have had many interesting conversations through phone conversations.  This week I had a chance to talk with Jessica regarding issues related to equity and education.  Jessica basically emphasized that many countries are reforming public education.  Students who are successful in the system have the privilege, opportunity and support to absorb content in a conducive environment.  On the other hand students who are deemed unsuccessful by schools are opted unsuccessful because they are busy navigating the systems required for their survival.  Many of these students not only have to function at school but they also have the added challenges of navigating through those lived experiences.  Some older children have to take care of their younger siblings before and after school while the parent works, as well as catch two buses in order to get to school on time.  She also stated that in a global society, educational excellence requires adaptability, innovation, critical thinking skills, cross-cultural communication, as well as teamwork. 

My second contact Tara who works for OMEP - USA in Jamaica states that one of the main issues relating to excellence and equity in Jamaica is schools facing extreme financial hardship.  She emphasized the fact that some schools were closed due the financial hardships and reduction in school budgets.  In spite of these challenges, educators must provide equity and excellence in education to all students, especially those students, families and communities who have the greatest need.  The quality of most schools in Jamaica has to be based on the success rate of all children as well as those who have overcome the largest number of challenges.  I think it is important for professionals in the United States to understand what other professionals from foreign countries experience in order to have a greater desire to increase our abilities to help our young children become successful. 

Sharing Web Resources

                                                  SHARING WEB RESOURCES

What specific section(s) or information seemed particularly relevant to your current professional development? 

The name of the organization that I selected was National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI).   The section that seemed particularly relevant to my current professional development was how this organization achieves positive outcomes for children who suffer from poverty and racial discrimination.  Many African American children grow up in poverty and there are serious concerns about how these children faced bad conditions and what parents need to do to raise children that are healthy, educated and become prominent citizens of society.  This organization helps children and their families learn how to become successful regarding all educational issues.  They involve the community in these issues also. 

Which ideas/statements/resources, either on the website or in an e-newsletter, did you find controversial or made you think about an issue in new ways?

The idea that this organization worked through school systems, foundations, corporations, community based organizations, elected officials and Head Start  made me realize that they had good support systems in tack that were there to help them regarding various issues. 

What information does the website or the e-newsletter contain that adds to your understanding of how economists, neuroscientists, or politicians support the early childhood field?

Many of this organization’s activities and programs range from annual conferences and programs across the country which focusses on literacy, family engagement, health, and preparation for college.  NBCDI also protects and promotes investments and policies that support children’s access to quality care and education birth through age 8, empower families, and ensure funding and resource equity. 

What other new insights about issues and trends in the early childhood field did you gain from exploring the website or e-newsletter?

 One issue in particular that caught my attention was ways in which this organization will improve and advance the quality of life for African American children and their families through education and advocacy.  I learned how important it is for African American children to get the best educational learning experiences possible.  I also learned that it is very important for children of all races to have the opportunity for a good education and that their families be involved in all aspects of the educational learning process.