Final Blog: Consequences and Goals

The past eight weeks has definitely been a learning experience. I have learned about so many things, and my contacts in South America and Trinidad shed light on so many topics for me. I didn’t just learn from my international contacts, but also from my peer’s contacts. There were some consequences of learning about the international early childhood field; some was intended, unintended, good, and bad.

Consequences:

·         Obtaining information about the various processes that is used in different countries.

·         Understanding how the issue of diversity was handled.

·         That poverty is a problem that occurs not just in the United States, but in all countries. Some countries more than others.

·         Forming relationships and a bond with the international contact for future connections and friendship.

It was so much to gain from the women that I kept asking questions just to learn more about their education system. All countries are different but we have small issues here in the United States, compared to other places. We don’t have to worry about air condition, like in South America.
One goal for is to increase awareness of various issues that surrounds the early childhood field in all countries. We could learn from professionals in different countries, or the other way around.

Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 3

I got some more information from my contacts about the issue of quality and thei goals in the field. It is very intereting to learn so much about South America and Trinidad.

Mrs. Lisset Hernandez Wrote:

Regarding your question, many people get into the teaching field. We think it is one of the most beautiful careers a person can choose. The children are well behaved but of course there are some who aren't and that makes you work harder with them, and that is the challenge in the field.

In regard to the quality of the professionals in the field, the children have the same teacher from kindergarten to 6th grade, but from 7th grade to 12th grade they have a teacher for each subject. That allows the teachers to know and understand their needs.  They also have a subject called: Pre-Military Instruction. A man from the army comes in and teaches them the basic things about being in the army such as: stand, march, salute and some others but it is only taught from 10th to 12th grade. My professional goal is to continue working in the field of education. I enjoy working with children and would continue doing it.

Mrs. Krystel Theodore Wrote:

Education holds very high standards in our society, so the quality of our school system is fantastic. Children usually begin formal schooling at the age of 4½ -5 years old.  As a member of the United Nations we have also adopted the E.C.C.E curriculum as well as standards.

All Classrooms usually are 20-30 students to 1 teacher. And of recent through the On-Job training program by government has allowed Teacher’s Aide or Teacher’s Assistant in classrooms to assist teachers, which is one opportunity for professional development. However this is not always the case. All schools are supposed to have a P.T.A association. In terms of the support system of these groups I cannot say but they are very supported in some cases according to the school. There is also a group known as TUTTA (Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association) this group represents the teachers of Trinidad and Tobago. They also play a major role in decisions made regarding education along with the Ministry of Education which governs the education system. My goal is to become an overseer in one of the primary schools. That is what you might call a principle in the United States.

Sharing Web Resources

While surfing the web looking for various information about The Head Start Association I came across http://www.education.com/partner/articles/nhsa/

 This link was focused on the National Head Start Association and provided articles pertaining to the National Head Start Association. The National Head Start Association is a private not-for-profit membership organization dedicated exclusively to meeting the needs of Head Start children and their families (National Head Start Association, 2006).  It caters to more than a million children in a given year. The Association provides support for the entire Head Start community by advocating for policies that strengthen services to Head Start children and their families; by providing extensive training and professional development to Head Start staff; and by developing and disseminating research, information, and resources that enrich Head Start program delivery (National Head Start Association, 2006). I wanted to learn more about the topic in various areas. It had a number of articles about what is needed before the program starts (checklist), entry requirements, and helpful hints for teachers, and family transitions. All of the articles are related to helping individuals who is in the head start program.

One aspect of the website http://www.education.com/partner/articles/nhsa/.
That interested me was the article about the first step to prepare for kindergarten. It contained so much helpful hints for parents that would assist them. It discusses the foundation that should be in place for the child, like the list of requirements and deadlines that should be meeting. With my first child I was clueless with what was needed for them to begin school, and was calling someone every minute with questions. This article provides a number of assistance.

 National Head Start Association. First Steps to Prepare for Kindergarten (2006). http://www.education.com/partner/articles/nhsa/