As an early childhood education professional I feel as if my first responsibility to my community is to be a role model. In order to be a role model I have to teach by doing. Environmental education volunteers for Seattle Parks
and Rec. is a local organization that has practices that appeal to me. As an
early childhood professional it is my responsibility to lead by example. By
belonging to a group of individuals that educates community members in regards
to protecting our environment I would be able to teach my students and their
families about taking care of their environment and being part of their
community. https://www.seattle.gov/parks/volunteer/environmental-education-volunteers
Another local
organization COP that has practices that appeal to me is the Ryther League. The
Ryther League supports fundraising and volunteer work at Ryther children’s
home. Ryther houses children in an inclusive environment while they await
adoption from the foster care system. Most of these children are harder to
place because of behavior that results from trauma caused by abuse and neglect.
The reason I chose the Ryther League is because I believe every child deserves
a firm foundation and without a family it is hard for children to overcome
traumatic experiences so they can move on and grow educationally. http://www.ryther.org/ryther-league/
The third local community of practice that appealed to
me was Roots Young Adult Shelter. Roots Young Adult Shelter builds community
and fosters dignity through access to essential services and a safe place to
sleep for young adults experiencing homelessness. These children become parents
and the cycle of poverty, abuse and neglect continues until it is broken. Once
we know better we do better. By being a part of this COP I could assist
homeless youth by teaching parenting skills and basic life skills that will
help them to be successful adults and future parents. http://www.rootsinfo.org/about/mission-vision/
A job opportunity that is currently available that is
of interest to me is Early Learning Coach for the City of Seattle. The reason
this job interests me is because it is part of the universal preschool early childhood
pilot program that the City of Seattle is working on to create high quality
universal preschool for every 4 year old in the city of Seattle; helping to
give them a firm foundation. As a
successful educational coach I could reach many more children and families by
teaching teachers how to provide a high quality educational model.
Upon completion of my Master’s Degree I will possess
the educational knowledge necessary for any of these positions. I have worked
within the Early Childhood Field for over 20 years in different capacities and
this gives me the experience that is being sought for these positions.
