Time Well Spent!

After reviewing the resources for this blog, there are three significant keys that I learned throughout the program. (Resources: Merging Vision, Passion, and Practice

http://mym.cdn.laureate-media.com/2dett4d/Walden/EDUC/6990/01/mm/ec_pres/index.html, Interconnections, Part III--http://mym.cdn.laureate-media.com/2dett4d/Walden/EDUC/6990/08/mm/interconnections/index.html)

1. Passion.
     As Louise Derman-Sparks stated---when it comes to passion, we are always uncovering and discovering surprises about ourselves, especially about our own passion toward Early Childhood and the life in general. Through the program, I was enforced to analyze and reanalyze my burdened passion. I learned a quite few things about myself. For example, I realized that I loathe the information in relation to how deaf children must be "fixed" to belong in a hearing culture/community.  I was never "fixed," because I accepted my disability with gratitude. I also successfully accomplished many things in my life. Second, I also learned that I enjoy writing stories.

2. Value the person
     Throughout the resources, valuing the person is mentioned repetitively.  Value the person is like the oxygen that we cannot live without. We must value the people, because they are part of our lives.

3. A quote drew the determination out of me.
      "We must remember that one determined person can make a significant difference, and that a small group of determined people can change the course of history"  Sonia Johnson, American Feminist Activist and Writer.  Basically, this quote rings true.  We cannot do everything by ourselves.
"For with God, nothing is impossible." Luke 1:37  God gives us the strengths, the determination, and mind to achieve a goal that we set our eyes onward.  Through the program, we all have developed new friendships via cyberspace by sharing our common visions, goals, dreams and obstacles.

I have two main goals to hold onto and pursue.  First, I am currently working as a full time nanny for a hearing family and their hearing children. My goal is to educate the two children American Sign Language and to ensure that their language development is reaching beyond standardized age-language development. With this job, I hope to reach out to the hearing parents with deaf children throughout the state.  Second, I desire to see a book published and written by me.  Even though the book may not be related to early childhood, it is related to disability and that's a starting point. Everything else will unfold in time.

Never despite a meager beginning.

Every child who is deaf or hard of hearing does not have to be perfect in order to discover his or her purpose on Earth.

Here is a video (and caption).

"Hello everybody.. Thank you for taking the time to listen to what I have to say in sign language. I want to thank all of you for your support, encouragement, and the friendships that we developed through the courses.  I want to thank the instructor (s) for tremendous support in my writing skill. My writing skill has improved greatly through the program. I truly enjoyed learning more about different subjects, especially about culture, diversity, ethics, and how we can impact others with much of determination and passion.  I really enjoyed working with all of you. I hope to see all of you in "out there in the world"  with whatever dreams you have. I hope you all will success in everything you do. Thank you. Nice to meet you. Best of Luck! "

You may contact me through facebook or email at chrissievordavis@gmail.com

Job/Role in the ECE community: Internationally

The opportunities to advocate, and advocate children, parents, and others through international organizations.

Child Protection Specialist-Case Management at UNICEF

This position requires the ability to take responsibility in monitoring children’s development and progress in different areas as well as the surrounding. This  position is similar to what I have experienced---being intensive case manager for mental and behavioral health in addition to deaf consumers.

http://www.unicef.org/index2.php

Volunteer-Child Protection or Education at Save The Children

This position is non-pay and can be performed in homeland or oversea. However, volunteering oversea depends on whether or not I travel to a country for a long-term visit.  The position operates similar to UNICEF’s positions.

http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6115947/k.8D6E/Official_Site.htm

Deaf Child Worldwide does not offer volunteer or career opportunities. It only asks for donations. This organization focuses on supplying educational support to the deaf communities in third world countries. I am disappointed that this does not advertise the actual life-experience opportunity for individuals like me to contribute through hand-on activities instead of monetary.

www.deafchildworldwide.info/