Time Well Spent!

     As the end has drawn near, I feel mixed emotions.  I’m happy to be a candidate for graduation, sad (about leaving the safe environment of the university) and excited about what the future holds for me.  I have learned that before I can “fix” the early childhood field, I need to be able to recognize my own biases and make sure that I am able to fairly lend what traits I have to early childhood.  I’ve also learned from the program, that I will not know everything and should not wait to become an advocate for children and families. Start where you are! This also resonated with me; all people want the best for their children but may not have the knowledge to give it to them.  That’s where I come in.  I can be the link to assisting families help their children attain a great education and make a contribution to society.

     My long-term goal is to open a chain of anti-bias high quality early childhood centers throughout the United States and Mexico. I believe knowledge is power and I want to reach people who want to break the cycle of poverty through education.  I will write grants and seek private donations to fund the projects.   

     To my colleagues and professors, I have truly enjoyed this journey.  I will not forget the support and encouraging words of wisdom from you guys.  I feel as though I was a part of a family not an institution and you guys made it possible. I hope to one day meet my professors and colleagues in person so that I can personally thank you.  It’s been an exciting beginning and in a few years, I hope that we meet in a joint advocacy effort. 

Yolonda S. Honore’   yolondahonore40@yahoo.com

International Opportunities

     FHi has a career opportunity project in Malawi. This project is interesting to me because “it responds to the critical need for sufficient quantities of low-cost, appropriate and effective mother-tongue reading materials for primary school students in grades 1 and 2”(Academy for Educational Development, 2011). I would love to encourage students and families to produce these low cost readable materials.  These booklets are produced after hours by teachers, students and family members. 

      I also noted a position as a Temporary Assignment: Child Protection Specialist, Sittwe (P-3), Myanmar with UNICEF.  This was interesting to me because as an educator, I have always felt as though my underlying job was/is to protect children.  I have been a foster parent for about 18 years and I love children.  I feel as though I can give children their own voice.  Some of the job qualifications are fluent English, degree related to the social sciences and a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience at national and international levels in child protection.

" A child in need is in need of everyone’s help."

      In concluding my search, I found a position as a Regional Educational Advising Coordinator on the Institute of International Education site. These are the requirements for this position,  a Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s or equivalent academic degree preferred; or a combination of experience and education; Seven years of overall experience, with a minimum 5 years of experience working within an international educational system and 2 years of management experience; Experience working within the region of hire and familiarity with the higher education systems for that region;  English required and fluency in a local language preferred; Lastly an  in depth knowledge of the U.S. higher education system. This position did not interest me but I thought it would be an exceptional resource for my colleagues.

 

References

Academy for Educational Development. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.aed.org/en/index.htm  http://www.fhi360.org/projects/malawi-timawerenga-we-can-read

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_70585.html

https://iie.hua.hrsmart.com/hrsmart/ats/Posting/view/845