WE DID IT!!!!

WOW!!!! That is the only way I can describe how I am feeling at this moment. I literally just turned in our final paper, and posted to our discussion board. I can't believe that we did it, we complete our masters program and moving on to who knows where. For the last almost two years I have been on a roller coaster ride, and we are finally slowing down. I don't want to say we are stopping, because I believe that we all have a passion for what we do, and will continue to be life-long learners and advocate for this field that we have worked SO hard to be apart of. 

Throughout my time here I have had many times I will remember. But a few stick out as being very influential in my learning both professionally and personally.

By now I know that all of you are aware that I had a TBI, but being able to share my story was not something that I was able to do until I started my schooling here at Walden. I thought people might judge me or look at me differently if they knew, and never felt confident. You all have given me the opportunity to share, and reflect on pieces of myself that I have never looked at too closely before. And from the bottom of my heart THANK YOU! I can't ever say how much it has meant to me. In fact, I am actually going to go ahead with the help of my mother to tell my story to the world. I am going to be writing a book, for parents with students who have disabilities but are also gifted and talented. It is something that even to this day is still a struggle but there is hope and light at what seems like and endlessly dark tunnel! If I can inspire one parent, or child with what I have learned that makes my journey well worth every hurtle, and hiccup. So again, thank you so much for even just taking the time to listen it means more than you will ever know!

I have learned more about biases something that has stuck with me was a goal that I have set aside from another course was the idea of -isms. This was a topic that struck me hard in both my personal and professional life. I have actually been in the process of putting together an in-service training with my director and executive director to talk to the staff at my childhood center about this topic. I feel strongly that the most important part of this is to  start with yourself before you can go off and change the world. Being able to create lines of open communication with people who might fall into an “-ism category” is essential when creating relationships with the families of your children. 

 Another lesson that I took away from this journey was actually from the concentration part of teaching adults. I was able to do interview with professionals in that field, and I spoke to an amazing educator who taught me that it is OKAY to question authority. I know that sounds like a funny thing to learn, but it was an invaluable lesson to me. It helped to teach me that as long as I have a strong foundation, and am knowledgeable about my passion, when I don't agree with a decision I can use my knowledge to advocate for what I believe is right. We were talking about the future of education, and what all the new demands and standards here in NYS are giving to the profession of teaching. Then we talked about what we can do about it. She helped me to see that I don't have to just sit back and let things be what will be. I have every right to question, challenge, fight, and argue. I have a voice, I have the education, I have experience and gaining more every day. I will be heard! So thank you Dr. Shepardson for that lesson that I will hold with me forever.

 One of my long term goals is to change the face of early childhood education in the eyes of the public. I want to educate people on a massive scale that we are professionals in our field, and not just babysitters!! I heard a speaker at a NYSAEYC conference this year who said, every other profession has business cards and presents themselves as professionals. As educators we do not. We have to be professional if we want to be viewed as professional, and she had a valid point! My favorite line she said was "I'm not a "teacher" I am a Neuro Developmental Specialist." 

I wish you all the best in your future endevors, and who knows... maybe our paths will cross again, I hope they do! And if you ever comes to the finger lakes region of NY get a hold of me and we can meet up to introduce ourselves face-to-face!!
Please feel free to contact me at any time in the future :)
Facebook: Sammie Sciolino
Email: Swie2230@yahoo.com

International Orginizations

A few weeks ago I found an international organization that registered with me. This is the ACEI or the Association of Childhood Education International. They want to promote and support the optimal education, development, and well-being of children worldwide. I believe that this organization would be extremely helpful to find information on supporting quality ECE programs among other topics. If I was to take on a position in this group, I would like to be a part of the International Advisory Group. I am not at the level of those who are in this position as it seems they all have their PHd and I am not there YET! I have been contemplating whether or not I want to go back to school to go all the way. So this could be an option for me to look into once I complete my education work.
 http://www.acei.org/

The second organization that I found was the International Association for Steiner/Waldorf Early Childhood Education (IASWECE). The Waldorf early childhood educator works with the young child by creating a warm, beautiful and loving home-like environment, which is protective and secure, and where things happen in a predictable, rhythmic manner. There are many training opportunities to learn this way of education, and is offered through this group. I would like to have the option one day to possibly become a trainer to help educate others in a different approach to education. There is not a lot of information on job related position, but there is information for the US contact to get a hold of in order to obtain it.
http://www.iaswece.org/index.aspx

One website that I found really interesting was the Education International page. At first when I looked at it I wasn't quite sure what I was seeing. But as I went through several pages I realized that it is a page set up specifically for teachers around the world! Education International is the voice of teachers and other education employees across the globe. A federation of 401 associations and unions in 171 countries and territories, it represents some 30 million educators and support professionals in education institutions from early childhood to university. They list qualifications for many different professional in education throughout the world and have just have an abundance of support and information for educators. This is a site that I have saved to my favorites and will use frequently in the future.
http://www.ei-ie.org/en/