Time Well Spent

I came into this course bright eyed and eager to learn. I was excited about furthering my career in the early childhood field because of my love for the children. There were times during this process that I wanted to throw in the towel. Even in this last course there were some discouraging events that took place. I lost my uncle and before we could bury him my cousin died. So you can imagine what I have been through on last week. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I would like to say thanks to great support from you guys concerning my assignments and the positive and encouraging feed back I was able to make it through unto the end. You guys have contributed so much to this degree process and for that I am grateful. There is so much that I have gained from the program but some resonates deeper than others.

1. I learned how to make and plan a budget. Also to allocate the resources where they are needed most. There will be times when unexpected expenses ocurr, but if I have budgeted correctly I will have the finances to cover them.
2. I learned how to be a leader, manager,and administrator for a childcare center. This program has prepared me for further positions in the area of early childhood education. I am well prepared to be a center director for our Church's childcare center(when God blesses us with it, preparing myself by faith)
3. I learned that my passion is kindled by the lack of parental involvement. I want to pursue the concept of parental involvement in hopes that I will be able to make an impact in the lives of the nation's children and families.

My long term goal is to actually create The National Parental Involvement Council Association. The International to come later. This organization will begin with my Church's childcare center where we will employ certified teacher to teach parents so that they can provide the needed education at home.

Well you guys, it is actually the end of the road for this degree. We made it through, some of us might have had some difficult times getting there, but we made it. I would like to thank each and everyone of you for all of your positive, heart warming responses to my assignments. I have enjoyed reading your posts as well and responding to comments. Thanks for all of your help and advice throughout this course for some of you and the program for others. I really appreciate all that you have done for me.

May God bless each and every one of you.

Melanie Carridine
melaniecarridine@gmailcom
Melanie Holloman Carridine on facebook

Thanking Jesus Right Now!!!

Favorite Quotes

Proverbs 3: 5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

2nd Timothy 4:7

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

International Organizations

EUROPEAN PLATFORM FOR INVESTING IN CHILDREN (EPIC)

In late February 2013 Investing in children-breaking the cycle of disadvantages became a focal point for the European Commission. It was adapted as a part of the Social Investment Package, a strategy to help overcome the current economic crisis and strengthen the capacity of individuals. The platform is represented by Poland, Sweden, the Netherlands, the UK, Ireland, Greece, Poland and Bulgaria. There are not links to employment for this organization, but I would love to have a position within the Organization because the focus is on the children and doing all possible to make sure they are being heard.

Up-Coming events that were interesting to me

4/18-19-2013

International Conference: Building Block for an Inclusive Society

4/24/2013

Round table debate on Grandparents as carers

7/5/2013

Euro Child & UNESCO Policy Round Table on Family and Parenting Support.

This is the one that caught my eye because it focuses on the challenge that I have chosen for the capstone project. This round table will focus on parent support, education, training, strengthening families, and community networks.

European Platform for Investing in Children (EPIC). (n.d.).  Retrieved April 11, 2013, from

http://europa.eu/epic/

ASSOCIATION FOR CHILDHOOD EDUCATION INTERNATIONAL (ACEI)

“Our mission is to promote and support the optimal education, development, and well-being 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 (Association for Childhood Education International, 2013).”

Vision-“Every child in every nation will have access to a quality education. This education will prepare children to become responsible and engaged citizens and ready them for life in a changing world (AEIC, 2013).”

ACEI was established as the International Kindergarten Union (IKU) in 1892, by educators concerned with the professional preparation of kindergarten teachers. In 1931, the National Council of Primary Education joined with the IKU to form the Association for Childhood Education (ACE). Realizing the critical importance of advancing childhood education throughout the world, ACE added "International" to its name in 1946, becoming the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI). Today, ACEI has members in many nations, country liaisons, and network groups (ACEI, 2013).

Association for the Childhood Education International (ACEI). (n.d.). Retrieved April 11, 2013, from

http://www.acei.org/about-us/acei-history.html

UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION (UNESCO)

“UNESCO works to create the conditions for dialogue among civilizations, cultures and peoples, based upon respect for commonly shared values. It is through this dialogue that the world can achieve global visions of sustainable development encompassing observance of human rights, mutual respect and the alleviation of poverty, all of which are at the heart of UNESCO’S mission and activities (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization, 2013).”

The mission is to contribute to the building of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication and information (UNESCO, 2013).

UNESCO teamed up with EPIC to present a round table on Family and Parenting Support.

United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). (2011). Retrieved from http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/about-us/who-we-are/introducing-unesco/

These three organizations stand for all that I believe and I would love to be a part of the cause for any of the three in any position.