Jobs/Roles in the Early Childhood Community: Internationally

1.  Academy for Educational Development. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.aed.org/

      FHI 360 is a great international organization that focuses on the qualit  of education in countries that are in need for opportunities of better education for the children and their families in their local communities. The organization has a featured publication, Success in Primary School, which promotes its mission to improve basic education systems in ways that are sustainable so every child, grades K-12, has access to education of high quality.

      I think being a consultant in education and having the opportunity to travel to different parts of the world in need would be a very enriching and fulfilling experience.

2.  International Step By Step Association. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.issa.nl/program_early_child.html

     International Step by Step promotes research-based practices in early childhood education based on educational approaches that are heavily influenced by the likes of Piaget and Vygotsky.
     SbS classrooms foster democratic habits. Children are encouraged to:

• Make choices and accept responsibility
• Learn independently as well as cooperatively
• Be tolerant and respectful of differences 

      Using a thematic or project-based approach, classrooms are organized around developmentally appropriate learning and activity centers. The specific organization of this environment places a high priority on peer learning and ensures that children have the opportunity to make decisions each day. Activity centers are geared to the interests and learning level of each age group.

      I would enjoy a job with Step by Step that would allow me to provide training to educators and staff in the early childhood field in other countries. I did not see any specific postings but can’t help to think that there is a need for trainers who are willing to travel to other parts of the world.

 3.  Association for Childhood Education International. (n.d.) Retrieved from: http://www.acei.org/.

      The mission is to promote and support the optimal education and development of children worldwide, and to influence the professional growth of educators and the efforts of others who are committed to the needs of children in a changing society.

      I like the fact that ACEI supports The Global Campaign for Education (GCE), a civil society movement that aims to end the global education crisis by making sure that governments act now to deliver the right of every girl, boy, woman, and man to a free quality public education.

      GCE was an influential voice in the World Education Forum in Dakar 2000 and setting the Education for All agenda for 2015. Since this meeting, 40 million more children have been able to go to school, and a financing mechanism (Education Fast Track Initiative) has been established to help meet the education goals. Yet, quality education for all is still far from reality, and close to a million people right now are being denied their right to an education that would change their lives.

      I think it would be fun and a great learning experience to work on the international level through ACEI as a Director of Conferences or as a Director of Advocacy and Outreach.