End of a Journey

Three Deep Learning Experiences:

My first deep learning experience occurred when I finally uncovered the biases I had towards a particular group. This was incredibly difficult at the time. I struggled to understand how I could possess such biases and still be a teacher each day. It is through this program I was able to uncover my bias and worth through my bias with the support of my colleagues in this program and colleagues at my school.

The next deep learning was in regard to the support system I had. Early on in the Master’s program we were asked to share those that were a part of our support system. I did not recognize why this was so important to the degree I was working towards, however now I recognize that the support system we have and those that surround us are the very ones that help us grow and develop just like our children. It is each of these members that play a role in the overall development of a child including me as a child enters my classroom each day.

The final deep learning I had was in regard to the power we have to change the injustices that exist towards children and families. Each person that has stood for children and worked towards change had to start somewhere just like us. This helped me realize that any of us can be advocates or positive change in our children.

One of my long term goals is to work towards improving the quality of teaching I provide my children with each day, and to help improve the quality of teaching that exists around my school as a whole. I hope to bring forth new strategies and information that will spark the passion of those in my school who have lost sight of their passion, and help support new teachers in building positive high quality classrooms. As a person who recently began my career as a teacher, I am in tune with some of the challenges and set backs that may occur and my goal is to be a mentor as we gain many new teachers in the coming year.

International Organizations

World Vision-   This organization is Christian- based and focused on working with children, families, and communities world-wide to help them reach their fullest potential despite the causes of poverty and injustice.  World Vision ( 2013) serves close to 100 million people in 100 countries around the world. In the United States, this organization works in the urban and rural areas to provide poverty relief services.  They help children by providing free tutoring from trained volunteers as well as helping expand current community organizations that are child-centered.  This organization also provides disaster relief world wide, nutrition, and water supply to those in need, as well as health needs of expecting parents.   Looking into the many job opportunity, one in particular caught my eye. This administrative coordinator position is in Nashville, TN and required extensive attention to detail and ability to multitask. Some of the responsibilities include coordinating calendar appointments for team leaders, coordinating tour representative travel, ordering supplies for events, and conducting data entry and analysis to report project results.  This job requires 5 years of administrative support experience, which I do not have, but all other requirements I possess. This job sounds very challenging and a major change of pace for me as a current teacher.

Save the Children-  Save the Children has some similarities to World Vision, in that they both respond when disasters strike. They are there to provide nutrition, medical care, and education as well as remain through the long recovery process. In the United States they provide programs to support children growing up in poverty. Save the Children (2013) states that nearly 13 million children understand all too well what it means to go without including access to books, preschool, healthy foods and a place to play and exercise. Save the Children has programs such as Ready to Learn, Success in School, and Healthy and Active which served nearly 185,000 children last year. While there are job openings all over the world, the closest one is in Kentucky as a Program Specialist for School Based Programs. This job requires partner planning and site support, implementation of training and technical assistance programs as well as monitoring the implementation of school based programs. For this job I almost fulfill all the requirements expect for a minimum of 5 years as a teacher. This is a job to definitely keep my eyes on in the future.

CARE- This is a leading organization in fighting global poverty. This organizations focus is on helping women in poverty because they feel women have the power to help whole families and entire communities (CARE, 2013).  This organization works to improve education, access to clean water, expand economic opportunities and protect natural resources. CARE responds in times of crisis by providing the immediate survival needs and helps them rebuild their lives in the weeks and months to follow.  CARE also works at the local, national, and international levels to bring about policies that address the underlying causes of poverty. Many of the positions under the CARE organization were stationed overseas or simply did not meet my interest, however under the internship and fellowship section they included two positions, one for economic development and the other for learning tours. The learning tours position involves a great deal of research on potential countries for future trips, recruitment, and post trip responsibilities.  This job is something a little different from what I am typically interested in, but I do feel it would provide a great learning experience to develop my communication skills, and understanding of poverty around the world.

References

http://www.care.org/

http://www.savethechildren.org

http://www.worldvision.org