EDUC 8853 Dynamics of Early Childhood Policies and Systems
When this course began, I did not think that I had enough
past history of child public policy, and instantly, I remembered that on my
undergraduate transcript, is the concentration of Child Public Policy and
Administration. What does this
mean? Well it only means that I have taken
courses that scrape the surface of the child advocacy field. And then I remembered that I was a part of a
statewide forum on early childhood advocacy.
The name of this forum is Diversity in Leadership Alliance and this
group represented advocacy for children and families of all economic
backgrounds, cultures, and disabilities.
In my
group, Kaleidoscope, we focused on the teacher and how we can find ways to
present to the state government concerned with early education that would move
funding into teacher salaries, more programs to train teachers and parents, and
events and conferences that will help awareness to dual language learners and
their families. There were smaller
groups within our larger groups. I
participated in the home visiting awareness piece for teachers and what they
should be sensitive to when dealing with low income families.
So my three
goals for advocacy would be teacher sensitivity, teacher salaries, and advocacy
for the dual language learner. Teacher
sensitivity goes back to the commitment and passion for the work in early
education. If teachers are committed to
work with professional standards and always be willing to learn new things
about the field and the research, then we would see teachers who are truly
ready to do what it takes to help children reach optimal growth and are
prepared for school. If teacher salaries
are increased then I believe that teachers would take early childhood education
more seriously will study in college and prepare themselves to be in a high
quality arena. Most students in college
take ECE just because they believe it to be an easy way out, but are
disappointed when they do not have the tools necessary to work with children
and their families (the whole child).
There should be more of a push for quality dual language instruction and
curriculum for those whose speak English as a second language, more qualified teachers
who focus on this part of educating children and families.
Figure 1 Representing DLA Figure 2 Kaleidoscope
Figure 3 Me and Partner Shanina
Facilitating “Home Visiting” At the NC Squared
Smart Start Conference 2010
