Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: National/Federal Level

The three national/federal organizations or communities of practice that appeal to me are:

The National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE) is a non-profit organization established towards promotion and support of educational programs of children and youth with disabilities in the United States and outlying areas.   I chose this organization because its activities provide professional support to its members and others interested in special education.  Also its goals include the creation of school environments that is conducive to learning, and the building of effective family-school partnerships.  Retrieved from http://www.nasdse.org/

The IDEA Partnership’s Communities of Practice approach help state agency personnel accomplish their goals.  The organization sees communities of practice as a new approach to solving complex educational problems. Retrieved from http://www.ideapartnership.org/documents/CoPGuide.pdf

International Coach Federation (ICF) International assists social service providers with solutions, training, and tools needed to develop and implement successful programs to support children, youth, and families. Retrieved from http://www.coachfederation.org/

The job opportunity for the organizations is to assist in telling people all over the country.  One can also make donations where necessary.

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

The communities of practice that appeals to me are: “AmpleHarvest.org”, “America’s Grow a Row”. “Family to Family”, and the “US Department of Agriculture (USDA).”  Please find the links to their sites below:

            http://www.ampleharvest.org/L-AIRS.php?gclid=CLDxr87igLYCFcHHtAodzCIAKQ The AmpleHarvest.org campaign is working closely with AIRS agencies nationwide in an effort to reach and register as many food pantries across America as possible. Currently, 5,802 food pantries across all 50 states are registered. Visit www.AmpleHarvest.org/map to see the national map.
            America's Grow a Row is an organization that grows and gleans fresh, healthy produce that is then donated to food pantries, soup kitchens, crisis centers, and food banks all over the state of New Jersey.
            Family to Family A program creating a bridge between suburban communities with enough to share and some of our country's most impoverished areas.

            US Department of Agriculture Consumer Corner Federal Nutrition Assistance Programs. Hunger and Food Aid Information.  Learn about improving food insecurity and hunger for children and low-income people by increasing their access to food, a healthful diet, and nutrition education.

The reason why I chose the above organizations is because they are communities of practice that are set up with the view to eradicate poverty in the society.  Apart from the contribution of sustaining agriculture by way of planting, the communities also educate people of all generations about hunger in our society and ways to help.  These are programs involving every family member, children inclusive; hence, I see it as way of teaching our children the habit of giving.  A statement from one of the organizations says “…..cultivating tomorrow’s leaders go give back.”

The job opportunities that interest me in relation to my chosen communities of practice above are the dissemination of information about the organizations and looking for ways of establishing something like those in my community.

The skills and experience that I would need to competently fulfill each of the roles are passion, effective collaboration and communication skills.  With passion, I would be ready to work joyfully and putting in my best, even without pay.  Collaborating and communicating effectively is highly important in contacting and co-opting other individuals into the group, and also continuing together towards achieving success.  I would also need commitment and identification with the group’s expertise.