I Hope to Hear & See Great Things Soon

What I have learned/ received from this class:
- I have learned to continue building on my vision of success from this class.  At times I felt like I had done the same thing over and over again, but each time I added a little bit more information and made my project a little better.

- I have also learned how two people can have the same vision, but execution can be completely different.  Different executions produce different results.  If you follow your own vision and dreams, you never know how you can impact someone's vision.

- I have learned to push aside my hesitancy and fear of lack of experience.  There are different skills that I can bring to the table of success.  Education and experience do not require a cookie cutter career path.  We are all different and can be very successful while being different.   Diversity is so beautiful, but it is also very beneficial

here are some of the words I was thinking of........

Goals 
One of my goals is to open up a learning center
The learning center will be opening in 1.5 years
Creating a curriculum that supports multicultural education
Partner with a school district to give diversity and inclusion training to staff

To my professor and the future successful graduates of my class
This is a bittersweet message to all of my classmates and professors from Walden University.  I have grown so much during my time as an online student.  I appreciate the constructive criticism, words of motivation and the sentimental stories that we have all read and shared.  Although we didn't get a chance to physically meet, we are all still connected to each other.   With that in mind, I would like to tell you all that I hope to hear and see great things about you and your careers very soon.  To say goodbye is like believing that our paths will not meet again, but I hope they do.  The passion and dreams coming from our discussions were very strong, so I challenge you all to run with them.  I hope and pray that you all will hear and see great things about me as well.

Best wishes on your futures.

Alisha Gourdine

Jobs/Roles in ECE Community: Internationally

There are several organizations I am fond of, but here are a few I would like to share:

Kids Rights - https://kidsrights.org

This organization advocates for children to have the right to speak about their concerns and encourages children to speak out for what they believe.  The children are encouraged to be global changemakers and are educated on how to do so.  This is a great organization because it allows children to take on leadership positions and confirms they have support.

Employment
Unfortunately, I didn't see the employment options.  However, I did see how private and public organizations such as banks, lottery services, legal teams,  and television networks sponsor the expenses of the organization.  I would imagine that the most helpful sponsors are people who own their own business and provide bartering services.  If I could imagine an organization not listed, I would think of a catering business.  If I was sponsoring an event, I would provide the food and staffing for the global event.

Global Fund for Children - https://globalfundforchildren.org

I like this organization because it reminds me of planting and seed and watching it grow. This organization finds other organizations and leaders to assist with their goals of helping children.  GFC then funds the initiatives of the projects and educates participants.  They also take the leaders and open them to the network they have provided.  This will allow other leaders to partner and develop additional creative ideas to benefit children.  After the classes, the "graduates" will then find opportunities to continue to assist children.  This concept allows everyone to continue growing.  It is important to help but also essential for the person being helped to learn and grow.  

Employment
Grants Accountant - https://globalfundforchildren.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Staff-and-Grants-Accountant.pdf
This position requires a person who has a BS. in Business or Accounting.  He or she must have experience in non-profit accounting, payroll, MS Excel, and accounting software.  The person must be able to work in a group or independently.  

Childhood Education International - https://acei.org/about-us/

I like CEI because it helps children around the world to receive a quality education. CEI's ultimate goal is to provide quality education to children in need.  They were established in  1892.  They help children up to 11 years old.  There are 3 programs that branch off from CEI: Innovative Exchange, Global Schools First, and Center for Education Diplomacy and Leadership.  Center for Education Diplomacy and Leadership helps to solve issues such as gender equality, financing, and inclusion.  Global Schools First is a program incorporating global citizenship into the curriculum. Innovative Education looks like a resource for all members to show how other people are being creative in education.

Employment

Although there is not an employment posting, I looked through the leadership team's positions.  I was most interested in the communications manager position.  There are no job descriptions, but I would imagine the following about the job description.  Requirements- BS or BA in Business or Communications, experience in a non-profit leadership position.  Ability to work with MS Office and Apple Software.  Experience presenting and public speaking.

These positions allow me to see how there is a vast amount of opportunities besides being a teacher or daycare owner.   I am glad to get this type of exposure.                                                

National/Federal Jobs & Roles

These are national organizations I am interested in:

• National Association for the Advancement of Colored People - advocates for the civil rights of people based upon race.  I like this organization because of their impact on society.  I also enjoy the impact the organization has had on discrimination of race.  
• The Executive Assistant Position interest me.   It is a position that requires a degree in accounting, knowledge of Microsoft Office and administrative experience.  Unfortunately, I am not qualified for this one.  https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=17fb7309-3861-4b47-8413-7fd2090ce526&ccId=19000101_000001&type=MP&lang=en_US 
• National Education Association - this organization advocates for teacher's rights, salary, benefits, and equal funding for schools. I support the reasons behind the NEA wanting to advocate.  I also feel that teachers should make more money.  
• Senior Communication Strategist position interests me.  I didn't realize that I could use my current professional skills and education to advocate for educators.  The position requires a Marketing or Communication Degree.  Knowledge of social media as a method of communication.  I would need additional experience regarding how to build campaigns.  http://www.nea.org/home/825.htm
• A Comunity of Practice I have always been interested in is Delta Sigma Theta.  It is a female sorority that serves the community.  Unfortunately, I was not able to join the sorority while in college.  I had other responsibilities.  
• The Communications and Membership Services Specialist would be the position I would be interested in.  The job description is not listed, but I am sure that it would require Microsoft office knowledge,  membership to the organization, knowledge of proper ways to advertise throughout social media.  

ECE Communities of Practice I Admire

3 Local/State Communities of Practice

• South Carolina Alliance of Black School Educators (https://scabse.net/about-us) 
• South Carolina Oddesy of the Mind (https://www.scodysseyofthemind.org)
• South Carolina Council for African American Studies (https://www.sccaas.org/page-1581466) 

     The South Carolina Alliance of Black School Educators identifies issues in state and local policies and advocates to improve academic achievement for all children.  In my opinion, South Carolina's education standards need to be reviewed and revised.  There are policies set in place that allow and promote exclusion.  There are also schools that don't have the proper materials to adequately teach quality education.  "Coincidentally" the schools that lack are predominately African American schools.  Someone has to be an advocate for these children.   

     South Carolina Oddesy of the Mind is a group of people that teach children K-12 to be creative problem solvers.  They use their imagination and problem-solving skills to think beyond the limitations they see in front of them.  I like the program because it teaches children to think for themselves.  It also teaches teachers to equip and challenge students to be creative and problem solvers.  

     South Carolina's Council for African American Studies helps teachers to teach African American history.  The council is a resource for all teachers.  SCCAAS makes sure that African American history is apart of every social studies class and confirms that the students get accurate information.  They are educated on culture, the lives of slaves, how the country was built, and other factors.  

Job opportunities that interest me: 

- Director in Training Position - https://www.glassdoor.com/job-listing/childcare-director-in-training-sunshine-house-early-learning-academy-JV_IC1155074_KO0,30_KE31,68.htm?jl=3206859785&utm_campaign=google_jobs_apply&utm_source=google_jobs_apply&utm_medium=organic

- Child Care Director - https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/child-care-director-at-aminas-1247387114?utm_campaign=google_jobs_apply&utm_source=google_jobs_apply&utm_medium=organic

What I will need to be qualified for the positions: 

Although there wasn't really any job descriptions posted, these are the characteristics/skills this position would require.... 

• teaching experience
• knowledge of the job responsibilities  
• knowledge of the state rules and regulations 
• managerial skills 
• ability to encourage cohesion 
• flexibility from 6am -6:00pm

Saying Goodbye to a Great Team

I can still remember my emotional struggle when I left my previous job.  I truly loved the Career Services Team at my previous job.  We loved, fought, and communicated like a family.  We were connected and often prayed together.  I felt as if I was leaving family, but I knew that I needed a change.  I decided to pursue other career opportunities because of the financial situation of the company and the need to advance within my career.  

We ranked highest in the company for career placement and worked very hard to get there.       We had established roles which allowed us to work and communicate with students within certain fields.  This allowed us to work as a team, but knew our responsibilities and goals within the team.  

We had going away parties as each person left.  I was the second to leave, but everything remained the same.  Parties and a photo album with all of us.  It was a bitter-sweet goodbye, but we still contact each other occasionally.  

I believe that it won't be difficult to adjourn from the group of my colleagues completing a master's degree.  I have a hard time building relationships with people that I don't speak to or socialize with. Although I have seen pictures of my fellow colleagues, I have not formed true relationships.  We will continue to be colleagues and work together on the projects we have.  

Resolving Conflict

Scenario:  

I work with multiple people of all ages and different cultural beliefs.  There is a communication barrier that has caused a great deal of conflict within the department.  We are now going through a program review based upon the results of many surveys.  Because we know the main reason behind the conflict is communication, I need to show people how to communicate effectively.  Therefore I have thought of 2 different strategic plans that could help with decreasing conflict.  

Strategy 1: 

3S Skills (Third Side Skills) https://thirdside.williamury.com/category/tools/3s-skills/

Seeing, listening, and speaking from the third side allows for everyone to look at the problem without any bias opinions, emotions, or any connections.  

• Seeing the situation and not being apart of the situation allows everyone to see both sides.  The website refers to everyone looking at the conflict from a balcony seat, as if you are watching a play (https://thirdside.williamury.com/category/tools/3s-skills/ ) 
• Listening with intent to resolve the problem is very important. There are many ways to listen, but we have to learn to listen without having a bias attitude or trying to find an argument point.  
• Speaking is a very important part of communication but so is remaining silent.  Silence is allowing everyone to give their point of view and communicate.  Using the right verbiage to ask questions can be one of the very few times to speak.   

Strategy 2: 

3R's (Respect, Response Relationship) 

No matter what the age, it is very important that we use the 3R strategy to communicate with people.  

• Respecting a person should be a way of life for anyone.  Treating people the way that you want to be treated will eliminate confusion, possible interruptions, and hopefully some rudeness.  This is a way of people on equal ground... no matter what their age, sex, or any other categories.  
• Response - knowing the people you are having a conflict with makes a difference and is apart of your response.  The responses you have to questions, concerns, or comments determines if you are approachable.  In my scenario, the people involved don't feel as if leadership is approachable.  This perception has been formed based upon previous responses to questions or concerns.  So teaching leadership how to respond to situations can help 
• Relationship building can decrease future conflict.  A relationship can link two or more people together.  It builds trust and shows that each person is able to communicate. Encouraging team building can help my coworkers to one day be able to communicate effectively

I left out plenty of details regarding the conflict due to confidentiality, but overall using the 2 strategies or a combination of the strategies will help my coworkers to understand and work effectively as a team.   

  

Who am I as a Communicator?? 

My evaluation scores were very similar to the scores that my husband and sister had made about me.  I thought it was funny that I had always matched with one other person in each category.  Then the other person was only different by a few points.  

For example my sister and I both rated me as low in communication anxiety.  We were only 2 points from each other!  On the other hand, my husband and I scored me as people oriented in the listening category. We were 4 points off from each other!  

I kind of expected us to be around the same scores because these two people are closest to me.  They know how I think and communicate with people.  

I was very surprised the descriptions of the score levels were very accurate.  I agreed with each of the descriptions.  I guess I am kind of skeptical about the scores on evaluations.  At times, I have seen the level descriptions be completely off from the personalities of the people being evaluated.  

I learned that there are still many areas in which I can improve to become a better communicator. Also, although some categories may appear to have a negative connotation, there can be positive that comes from it.   Having an aggressive personality can be beneficial in some situations.  It just depends on the situation and the audience.