Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 3






 I am mega excited that Judith answered me so quickly! If there are spelling errors,  these are direct quotes for Judith.  I hope you enjoy reading her comments:


What issues regarding quality and early childhood professionals are being discussed where you live and work?

I LIVE AND WORK IN LOS ANGELES.  THE STATE IS FACING HUGE BUDGET CUTS ACROSS THE BOARD, WITH EDUCATION (INCLUDING EC) TAKING BIG HITS.  FOR INSTANCE, FUNDING FOR STATE PRESCHOOL IS TO BE CUT DRAMATICALLY, BUT THE STATE PRESCHOOL PROGRAM IS EXPECTED TO SERVE THE SAME NUMBER OF CHILDREN.  AT THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LEVEL, CLASS SIZES ARE RISING AND TEACHERS ARE ON EDGE BECAUSE NO ONE SEEMS SAFE FROM THE PINK SLIP.  
What opportunities and/or requirements for professional development exist?

IT IS DIFFICULT TO REQUIRE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN A FINANCIAL CLIMATE LIKE THE ONE WE ARE EXPERIENCING.  HEAD START STILL HAS SOME PD MONEY FOR THE CURRENT YEAR, BUT THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT FOR NEXT YEAR AND BEYOND.  ACTUALLY, THOUGH, MANY PEOPLE FINISHING TEACHING CREDENTIALS ARE OPTING FOR JOBS IN HEAD START AND OTHER PRESCHOOLS.  THE TIMING IS GOOD FOR THEM BECAUSE HEAD START HAS RECENTLY INSTITUTED REQUIREMENTS FOR A BA —JUST WHEN HEAD START TEACHERS CAN NOT AFFORD TO TAKE THE CLASSES AND PEOPLE FINISHING TEACHING CREDENTIALS HAVE THE DEGREE AND CREDENTIAL IN HAND BUT NO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL JOBS.
What are some of your professional goals?

MY PROFESSIONAL GOAL IS TO END MY CAREER JUST AS ENTHUSIASTIC AND PRODUCTIVE AS I WAS WHEN I BEGAN IT.  I ALSO WANT TO FIND MORE AND BETTER WAYS OF ENGAGING CHILDREN, PARENTS, COLLEGE STUDENTS AND PROFESSIONAL IN COMMITTED WORK FOR THE WORLD’S CHILDREN — IN WHATEVER FORM THAT SHOULD TAKE FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL AT ANY GIVEN POINT IN HIS/HER LIFE
What are some of your professional hopes, dreams, and challenges

PERSONALLY, I AM TRYING TO BALANCE THE DEMANDS OF TENURED FACULTY TO DO RESEARCH AND PUBLISH WITH THE DEMANDS OF MY POSITION AS PRESIDENT OF OMEP-USA.  

6 comments:

  1. K, Great post. It seems that education is taking a hit everywhere. Here in NYC there is talk of layoffs. They are trying to get rid of tenure. Is that also a problem over there?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sounds like there is a tremendous stress with facing the changing that is coming this way. How can we uphold the importance of education for children who may arrive in next 20 years?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Johan and Chrissy,

    Thanks for your comments.

    To answer both questions, yes, it is a problem in MD as well. Funds are being cut and taken from education left and right. My middle daughter is in a charter school and their funding is based per pupil. They cut per pupil funding and for a specialized small school such as hers, money is already scarce.

    I'm nervous for the next twenty years as well, because children ae no longer the focus for education. Businesses and corporations are concerned with how productive and marketable they will be as adults.

    Its a very scary time for education...

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great Post. I agree that it is a very scary time for education. So many important issues are on the table and these next few years could change the face of education for years to come. Thanks for sharing!

    Candace M.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Kali,

    Sounds like what we are facing in Oklahoma. I guess the whole country is feeling this crisis. I have heard myself saying many times what you said "I'm nervous...because children are no longer the cause for education." Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Candace and Carol,

    Thank you for you insight. And yes, it is a scary time for education. We have to dig our feet into the ground and make it happen for these children; our children. We can't wait for others to give them what they need, we have to give them what they need.

    ReplyDelete