My Home State: MICHIGAN
Local/State Organization or communities of practice I am
interested in:
MiDEC – Michigans
Division for Early Childhood http://www.michigandec.org/
The MiDEC’s mission states, “MiDEC is dedicated to promoting
policies and evidence based practice to support families and enhance the
optimal development of all children. MiDEC shall encourage and promote the
professional growth and quality practice to support young children with exceptional
needs and their families” ( MiDEC, 2015).
I chose the MiDEC because their mission is to support young children and
their families. Work with families is a
passion of mine and working with an organization that’s mission is to support
children and their families seems like a good fit! I have also attended
professional conferences led by the MiDEC and was pleased with their work.
MiDEC did not have official employment opportunities posted
but they did have links to join their community, be an advocate for young
children, and contacts for their board.
I think my teaching experience as well as my continued focus in Early
Childhood Education with Walden University qualifies me for future board
opportunities or as a conference presenter.
MiAEYC – Michigan
Association of Education of Young Children http://www.miaeyc.org/
“The Michigan Association for the Education of Young
Children is committed to improving the education and welfare of children from
birth through age eight” (MiAEYC, 2015).
Because of the local and state work the MiAEYC supports, future
opportunities with them could be running for a position on their governing
board, presenting at a conference, or being part of the local chapter in my
area (Grand Traverse). The site also posts positions related to the early
childhood field for the entire state including many Great Start Readiness
Program positions like the one I am in currently. Joining my local AEYC chapter would be a
great Community of Practice to start in and network.
Great Lakes
Children’s Museum http://greatlakeskids.org/
The Great Lakes Children’s Museum is a hands on learning
museum in my local area. Along with a
passion for families, I have passion for learning through play. A children’s museum is literally the dream
classroom for a preschool teacher like myself with such features as a giant
water table with parts to change the flow of water and test different
hypothesis about what might happen, open ended art areas, indoor climbing and
play area, inquiry into the boating and fishing that occurs in our region, a
lighthouse book area and dramatic play area.
The Great Lakes Children’s Museum is ran by volunteers and has a board
of trustees to oversee. The museum is
funded by grants and other donors.
I think I could offer some great ideas on how to change out
stations periodically to keep things fresh and families interested in coming
but I would need to gain some skills in grant writing to help on the financial
side.
Traverse Bay
Intermediate School District (TBA ISD) http://www.tbaisd.org/
The TBA ISD has a wide range of employment options. There
are no current positions posted that interest me, but one that I am extremely
interested in for the future is become an Early Childhood specialist. As a current classroom teacher, I work
closely with my early childhood specialist on topics of behavior, academic
concerns for children, classroom environment, materials, and best classroom
practices. I would love an opportunity
to support other teachers in their classrooms like so many have done for me. Further training I would need would mean
becoming certified to administer the PQA Assessment in classrooms (Preschool
Quality Assessment).
Great Lakes Children’s Museum (2015). Retrieved from http://greatlakeskids.org/.
Michigans Division for Early Childhood (2015). Retrieved
from http://www.michigandec.org/.
Michigan Association of Education of Young Children (2015).
Retrieved from http://www.miaeyc.org/.
Traverse Bay Intermediate School District (2015). Retrieved
from http://www.tbaisd.org/.
Dear Danielle,
ReplyDeleteMiDEC – Michigans Division for Early Childhood stood out to me and a resource I will be looking into regarding my Capstone Project. My topic is about family engagement and to strengthen the relationships between teachers and families. Families play a major role in their child’s education and children value from their involvement within their early childhood program. Over the years, I have developed this passion for family engagement and know first-hand what it feels like to have my family members understand what I am learning in school and how to support my needs while I am at home. What conferences from MiDEC inspired your passion to work with families? What are strategies does your program use to build a relationship with families? I have found through my experience that families want to support their child but are uncomfortable about asking for help for their child’s needs. I look forward to reading your post and hearing about your Capstone Project.
Erin,
ReplyDeleteMiDEC had a conference several years ago about working with children with autism in the classroom. What I loved about their conference, is that many parents had actually signed up to learn more about how to help their child in and outside of school. I learned a lot from the parents as well as Trainers. Parents are their child's first teachers and are such important role models. My program has a few parent nights throughout the year (open house, Learning through Play information night, Kindergarten Readiness etc). At these important parent meetings, we provide dinner and childcare for the families. Parents are usually in the "meeting" with teachers and lead early childhood staff and children will be down in the classrooms with the teacher assistants. Feeding them and providing child care is a huge component to getting people involved. I almost chose a similar topic for my Capstone and sided with learning through play! I look forward to learning from you about further family involvement and engagement!
Thanks,
Danielle
Danielle,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing the Michigan State Organization that are of interest to you. I am glad to see that you enjoyed the website and will most definitely have to check out the information. It sounds like a wonderful organization. I really liked what you wrote about support families and enhance the optimal development of all children. I hope these organizations have been as helpful for you as it has been for me as I learn about existing organizations that serve children and what needs continue to require support.