iLEARN, iDO, iTEACH...

The first deeply felt learning I experienced in this course is that we are all passionate about something different, but even though we have different passions, we are all still passionate about the health and welfare of children and families. We are all advocates and want to make a positive difference in children's lives. That is encouraging to me. 

The second deeply felt learning I experienced in this course is that hard work pays off. Even though I was prepared for the hard work it was still difficult to get through at times. But with the help of colleagues and our instructor, I was able to complete this course with a tremendous sense of accomplishment. 

The third deeply felt learning I experienced in this course is that I could actually become a leader of a Community of Practice. I truly believed by the end of the course that this was an attainable goal. I feel that not only have I been taught who to pick, but I have a confidence now about actually going about creating one. 

That is why I am making that my long term goal, to create a Community of Practice that will advocate for children and families within my community. 

I want to wish all of my colleagues and Dr. Teri a joyous farewell. It has been a rough year and a half and we made it! We were able to complete something that took hard work, determination, sacrifice, diligence, time management skills, and passion. I am proud of all of us and I wish us all the best of luck! Please feel free to keep in touch with me :) I would love to hear how you are making a difference in the lives of children and families every year!!

Take care,
Cortnee :)

The first international organization that appealed to me is fhi360. They are "a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions" (FHI360, 2013). They want to help all people around the globe and that is what interests me. I think organizations like this are invaluable to the world we live in. They are truly doing what is important and making a huge impact. 

The second international organization that appealed to me is Save the Children. This organization is geared to children as opposed to all people like fhi360. They reach out nationally and internationally. What I like most is that they "work with other organizations, governments, non-profits and a variety of local partners while maintaining our own independence without political agenda or religious orientation" (Save the Children, 2013).

I was able to find a job that interested me as well with Save the Children. It is a Specialist in Early Childhood Development. The job requirements include: Masters in early childhood development, education, or related field; Three to five years prior early childhood development program design/implementation experience; Experience in developing countries preferred; Experience in materials development to support ECD programming; Excellent communication skills; and Willingness to travel 30-40% time. (Save the Children, 2013). 

The third international organization that appealed to me is United Nations Children's Fund, UNICEF. UNICEF is probably one of the most recognized internationally known organizations that help people all over the world. "UNICEF is the driving force that helps build a world where the rights of every child are realized. We have the global authority to influence decision-makers, and the variety of partners at grassroots level to turn the most innovative ideas into reality.  That makes us unique among world organizations, and unique among those working with the young." (UNICEF, 2012). 

I was able to find a job with UNICEF I was interested in as well. It is the Early Childhood Development Specialist in Kenya. The job requirements include: Advanced university degree in any of the following:  Social Sciences, Public Health, Education, or other fields related to the work of UNICEF; Eight years of relevant work experience at the national and international levels in social development, management, monitoring and evaluation, including specific experience in ECD; and Fluency in English and another UN working language. (UNICEF, 2012).