Community Partners

Hello Colleagues! Listed below are the requirements for this first blog assignment.

3 Local or State Organizations

Bright From the Start- This is a local organization here in my home state of Georgia. It provides various services for many of the childcare facilities here in Georgia. They are responsible for things such as licensing as well as ensuring that daycare centers and early childhood programs meet the safety, educational, and nutritional needs of the young children they serve. This organization definitely sparked my interest because it teams with the government as well as our local Head Start Association that's located in Atlanta.   
Boys and Girls Club of America-  There are many Boy and Girls Clubs around the world. They all have the same mission, and that's to provide a safe haven for young and older children to get them off the street and focus on the positive aspects of their young lives. I have a love for this organization as it relies on the help of other organizations to stay open and operate. This program has a realm of many collaborations; so I think it's safe to say that they must have great communication skills as well as other collaborative skills when trying to get support from others.
National Head Start Association- This is an organization that will always remain near and dear to my heart because teaching children and helping families who are less fortunate is a great feeling. This organizations mission is to provide quality care to children of families with low-income. They always stand in support of the program; and they will go head first in their action plans to support the Head Start Program. When Head Start was in trouble a couple of years back they made it their mission to type up letters to members as well as current and prior Head Start parents. These letters were intended for legislative officials who felt that the program didn't work and were tying to reduce funding. Not only did the officials from the organization take the letters, but themselves as well as others who were willing to speak on behalf f the program! This is a company that I would love to have back me up in my efforts to advocate and potentially help in improving some areas of the program that needs improving.

Potential Jobs for the Future- Of course Teaching Adults is number one as that's my concentration. But here are other jobs that I am interested in as well.

Preschool Teacher in a Public School- This is a job that I have actually been inquiring about. Even though I am a preschool teacher currently for a local Head Start program, I do not have a degree with teacher certification. This prevents me from being an actual teacher (not paraprofessional) within the public school system. This is a position that still serves the age group that I love, but the pay is better. My current issue is my own full-time job. I am unable to conduct a student teaching session because of the timing of the student teaching and the timing of my job. Luckily, if I choose to go down this road, there is a way that I can still be certified. The GA TAPP is a program that was created because of the decline of up and coming teachers being produced. The program allows those in other fields with Bachelors degrees to become a teacher. The first step is to pass a series of test. After these tests are all passed, the next step is to find a job that hires TAPP representatives. If the school chooses to hire the candidate they will then be hired provisionally under a specific salary grade. During their provisional status they must complete a specific number of classes which can last about a year or two depending upon which plan the candidate chooses. The student will also receive a certain amount of monitoring from appropriate sources. This journey is rigorous; but if it's something that I'm serious about I feel that I can get the job done!

Parent Educator/Home Visitor- This is another area that's totally different. This arena of ECE focuses on providing help to parents who are in need of getting their lives back on track in the best interest of their young child.  This type of job is usually found in independent sectors who have received grants from the government for this type of care and service. I already have the necessary education to get a job with this title. But of course, like many jobs, it requires training as well as a few classes before beginning.

Teaching adults and Head Start are my two main passions as this is why I have sought degrees within this field. The jobs listed above are just ones that were of interest to me in case those mentioned disappear or fall through!