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
I'll be interested to see how this course strikes you, Donna, as a person with a background in public policy.... Keep me posted!
ReplyDeleteI love your push for dual language learners, this is a strong passion of mine as well. What are some ideas you have that could advocate for these learners in our classrooms?
ReplyDeleteTeacher sensitivity is a great topic. I have worked in early childhood for many years as both and in-home provider and as a center director. I have always found it frustrating that many early childhood educators did not see the need to advocate. They often do not agree how things are but do not see the responsibility to initiate or advocate change.
ReplyDeleteI have come to the following conclusions:
A good early childhood educator is a nurturer by nature.
Change often requires breaking down old systems.
The act of destroying something is not part of who an early childhood educator is UNLESS we get them to see the end product. The CHANGE is an act of building something not destroying something.
As a side note - Is it not interesting how most of us do not feel we have the experience to be in this class?
Hi Donna,
ReplyDeleteEarly education should get paid just as much as kindergartens through twelfth grade teachers do. They get paid in California depending on the school district and years of service almost $20,000 more a year. Why? Working for LAUSD in California I will never make as much money as they do even with a doctorate degree unless I go into administration. We have the same amount of education 4 years of college and 6 months to 1 year of student teaching, and attend the same colleges. The only difference is that most early education teachers major in child development instead of teaching or education which is geared for K-12. There are still some early education centers/schools, usually private that will hire teachers with 24 units of child development or an Associate of Arts degree.
It is a shame that some teachers cannot make ends meet on their salary and have to rely on assistants from the state. Teachers do get a $500.00 tax credit from the government when they buy supplies etc., for their classes, but the tax credit should be larger. Many teachers spend more than that in a year.
If early education teacher were paid more they might stay in the field longer, go back to school, and not see this as something to do to get out of the house because their spouse makes enough money. Let the fight for better salaries begin.