Communities of Practice

The following are communities of practice that I currently am apart of and that share a common passion for children and early childhood education:

NAEYC: The overall goal of the National Association for the Education of Young Children is to promote quality learning experiences for children ages birth through eight. I chose NAEYC specifically because of their push for quality within the early childhood setting. For me, quality is the basis of every contribution I make to this field. Therefore, it was a no-brainer to choose NAEYC as a contender for a community of practice that I am drawn towards.

GAEYC: GAEYC is the Georgia Association for the Education of Young Children. It mimics NAEYC in the same regards to assuring quality within early childhood programs. This community of practice is a little more intimate, and focuses distinctly on the needs of children and families in the state of Georgia.

Bright from the Start: This entity is an extension of the Georgia Department of Education. Bright from the Start is the licensing agency for every childcare entity in Georgia. I chose this community of practice because it clearly communicates the expectations for keeping children safe and healthy while in our care.

Job Opportunities:

Field Director- A field director travels to centers in need of a director, whether they may be out on leave or the center may not have one in place yet. This position interests me because it would present me with the opportunity to travel the country, experience new things, and share my experiences/knowledge with childcare centers in various locations. I would need to further develop my knowledge of fiscal management and critical policies/procedures for each center and state.

Regional Manager- The regional manager oversees several centers at once, and works remotely to resolve issues, improve client relations, and ensure quality. In order to be successful in this role, I would need to improve my communication skills and interactions with clients.