Thank you

I just want to thank you for all of the posts that were posted by those that took the time out to do so.  I am so grateful for your help.  I hope as we leave Kendall we all keep in tough and use each other as a resource.

EDU412 Intern 2: Discussion3BPolicy makes and Advocacy

EDU412 Intern 2: Discussion3BPolicy makes and Advocacy: When you advocate for others, you represent the needs and hopes of people to develop and make change in your community. This doesn’t just ...

Mod 4

• Ideas, samples of plans, and nontraditional strategies and delivery methods that you believe are worth considering and why (be sure to include your sources)
• The main resource that I have used was the CDC(Centers for Disease Control and prevention) I think this is uncommon because why would a education major use this web site?  Well I will tell you it has all the latest stats regardless of race creed or religion.  The CDC also breaks most information down bases on economic status, race and demographics which makes reading the results easy and very understandable. Another uncommon resource has been food labels from varies stores and items.  These labels hold some of the keys to why our children are overweight and are very useful when making conscience decisions about what to eat. 
• Social media strategies that may be beneficial to advocacy efforts, and why
• I have actually enjoyed blogging and I have also enjoyed using my facebook page to let my friends and family l know exactly whats going on with me and what I believe and it gives them a opportunity to respond and give their input.
• Concerns, challenges, and/or excitement you are feeling about presenting and implementing your Advocacy Action Plan
• I am nerveous about presenting because I have invited peole that I think can make a change and therefore I see them as people I look up to.

module 3b

• Based on the five stands of policymakers, who do you believe would be the best targets for any advocacy effort and/or for lobbying campaigns, and why?

Of course I would say the champions.  They are the ones that are already on my side and that's the side I want them on, for example 1st lady Michelle Obama would be a easy sale for obesity in children campaign because she has already proven that she is a champion for this cause.

• Who would you not want to target?

I would not want to target anybody that supports o food company or a hard core opponent because these would be the hardest to persuade. 

• In what ways does this information affect your thinking with regard to your Advocacy Action Plan key audiences and messages?

I has made me look at the stand or position the people who I was targeting.  It made me check out their past votes for example if I was going to ask a congressman or alderman.

These are my opinions what do you think. 

                                        The five advocacy stands of policy makers are:

Champion Policy make who is already on your side

Allies   This policy maker is generally on your side

Fence  Sitters This policy maker can go either way

Mellow opponents  These policy makers will work against you

Hard-core Opponents These policy makers are your leading the way against you.

Module 4

Let us think of education as the means of developing our greatest abilities, because in each of us there is a private hope and dream which, fulfilled, can be translated into benefit for everyone and greater strength for our nation.

John F. Kennedy (1917-1963)

What inspires and excites me most about advocacy is seeing something getting done and being a part of it.  There is nothing greater than seeing a problem, solving it and seeing the positive affects of the outcome.  

One challenge that I have faced is being able to find like minded people or at least people that don't mind doing something different even if it is different.

One thing that I hope helps me is to keep doing it so I can become better and not take the no's so personal.

one way to over come is not to take it personally and know that it's not about me but about the children and their not saying no to me but there saying no to the children who I represent.

One way to encourage others is to always see a positive in a negative situation.  I know it can't always happen but pick and chose the things that you report back to others because they may see it as defeat when it's just the delayed and not denied. 

 

Module 3 discussion

Consider the following scenario (from p. 136 of your Kieff text):

You believe that your second-grade students need more independent center time than is currently offered at your school. You know you have three distinct groups of individuals you need to first educate and then persuade regarding the need for independent center time; the other second-grade teachers, the parents, and the administrator.

• How you would develop educational materials to target each of these diverse groups?

I would take into consideration the different types of learners in my class.  I would create more independent time based on their needs and their independence for example, if I have some children that are mature, reliable and trust worthy they would be allowed to play by themselves with low to no supervision.  If I had students that needed more help and who were not as independent then AI would schedule myself to participate.  Individualizing is the key in any classroom. 

• What strategies would you use to persuade each group to allow more time for center activities?

For the teachers I hope it would not be hard to do what's right or in the best interest of the child.  I would hope that the easiest and the most willing to see what is in the best interest should be the teacher but if the need to informed I would appeal to them on the educational strategies.  I would use fact sheets that shows the positive impact that more independent center is better for children.
For parents and administrators I would use the persuasive strategies.  I not only allow them to see the benefits but I would also allow them to know the impact of change would make a difference in the life of the child in the long run when they are catered to.

What do you think???

Module 2 edu 412

One of the most simple but true quote I have ever heard is: If I see it it's mine. if I put it down it's still mine. if you have I will come get it because it's mine.
This quote is about the mentality of a 2 year old.  It seems very simple but if you think about and follow what has been said then 2 year old teachers will not be as stressed because they already know how or what is about to happen in the course of a day.  I have seen a teacher get angry with a 2year old but if your stop look and listen to them and remember this quote your day will come into perspective.
What do you think??

I am most excited about giving people information because I believe information is power to all those that receive it willingly.  
What do you think??

I have no problem speaking in front of people but what I do have anxiety about is am I conveying a message that wants to be heard and can i impact a life like I have been when I receive information about something.   One thing that I will do is start to speak to young adult because they are very honest and their attention span is short and it take a lot to keep them interested and that's how I am going to challenge myself and get over my challenge.

Inter 2 module 1

Here we are again, I hope we are all make it threw this time as well.

MOD 5

I have enjoyed gettin gto know a few new people, I have also enjoyed creating this blog because I have never tried or even thought to do a blos about advocacy.
I hope we go ut and be apart of the solutionds that we have wrote about and correct some of the wrongs we saw and also encourage the right that were observed as well.
Thank you so much for commenting and allowing me to make these blogs interesting.

Module 4

• Whom you observed and interacted with in your setting during this module
• I interacted with the owner this week!!! This was such a shocker because I have been there all this time and I had yet to see her until I started asking questions about catering and the food that the kids were eating.  
• I also was able to talk to a parent that saw me writing and simply asked who I was, little did she know that she would become my next victim for a million questions.   
• Any special learning experiences you may have had or an experience that provided you with insight about children and families including advocacy efforts
• Not so much advocacy but definitely but compassion.  When this parent started to open up and tell me that she is having problems paying her bills, childcare and transportation cost it made me grateful that my children are no longer childcare age.   I also asked if there were service4s in place for her already because it is a HeadStart program and we are there to help the entire family and not just the child.
• At least two insights gained from your observations of, and interactions and experiences with, children’s families regarding advocacy efforts and needs related to your area of interest within the field of early childhood
• One insight that I learned is that Headstrart should also provide meals to take home if the parents can not afford food.  It is a terrible feeling to know that your child has to wait until they come to school to eat a healthy meal and from listening to that parent that is exactly what she needs.   As a mother she should not have to chose between eating and going to work. 

April at Kendall: Module 3 Blog

April at Kendall: Module 3 Blog: "I have been given the privilege of observing a four year old classroom at Head Start for the past several weeks. This week I was able to obs..."

Module 3

The experiences that I am having at my location are less than great but they are informative.  I have found some many things become more prevalent when are not looking.  Since my topic is childhood obesity and the food that daycare centers eat and have catered to them.  I have looked at the menu that has been posted for about a month (same page) and the things that are suppose to be for lunch are not and the things that kids shouldn't  eat they do.  I can not even explain why we are allowed to chocolate cookies fro a snack!!!  I was floored and then sad when they were served.  I know we all like a little chocolate(not me) now and then but I never knew it was alright to serve at a daycare where kids clearly don't need anymore sweets(rotten teeth)or unhealthy snacks.
What do you think please post and let me know.

Module 2

Ther are of interest for me is childhodd obsity as it relates to daycare cneters and home.  The topics that I wish to explore more are:
1) How do we know if the food that our children are eating is healthy or not who actually regulates the nutrtion for our daycare centers and homes.
2) Is there adequate excersis in daycare centers to help our children release the calories that they have eaten at school?
3)As teachers do we encourage and model good eating behaviors to our class?
Then post the following:
• At least one example of a focus question related to one of your topics
As a teacher you you ever stopped a child from eating to much food at breakfast or lunch???   Have you as a teacher talked to a parent about the choices that he/she have chose to give there child for breakfast.
• Why you need focus questions to conduct research effectively
I think I need focus questions because them keep me on track and they allow me to set up the flow of my paper and it allows me to ask questions that really allow the interviewee give me there best answers.
• Questions for your colleagues about your area of interest, your focus topic, and/or any additional support you are looking for at this point
I need help on the different catering companies that are being used in the centers or homes so I can research them or they can send me a copy of their monthly menus with all pertinent information b=blacked out of course.
Note: Be sure to substantiate and support your ideas by citing your sources.

Module1

• Insights gained from your interviews regarding current advocacy efforts and needs in your area of interest within the field of early childhood

I have learned that there are so many people that have the same passion and understanding as I do when it comes to children.  There are times that I think I am the only person trying to do what's right in my daycare center.  I was told by both teachers that it does seem like that at times when you are in  the comfines of your center and that's normal but the truth of the matter is that there are more people advocating for children then I really know.

• How these interviews may have influenced your decision about which area of interest and topics to choose for your research paper

The interview didn't influenece me that much but what they were able to do was allow me to seek out people who I respect in this field and have a good reason to pick there brain instead of always wanting to talk about the children and what is going on in the field this gave me an oppurtunity to guide the conversationa and have definite out comes.

• Which area of interest you are thinking of focusing on for your paper as well as the related three specific topics

The area that I am thinking about writing is Obesity in children and the three related topics are: health care parents/family and adequate health and nutrition.

• Questions you have for your colleagues related to your area of interest and/or three topics

1 does the center that you work at serve health nutritional meals in your opinion?
2 Do you as a teacher do all you can to make sure that the students you serve have exercise everyday?
3 what would you change nutritionally about your center that you are currently working at??