When I Reflect About My Collegial, Professional Learning Community

Post at least three consequences of your experience being a part of a caring, collaborative learning community for your professional growth and development. Use any format you choose. 1) It is always great to learn from the experiences and/or training that others have gained in the field. 2) We do not always have the pleasure of training with those that have like passions.  So that was great!! 3) You really have the opportunity to study and grow in your field.  Because I have been working in the field of early childhood for several years the information that I have gained is very useful.  Lastly, my goal in each of my classes has been to apply the knowledge or sure an enlightenment with those that I work with.

Post one goal for using this collegial experience to enhance your advocacy, policy, and/or system development work on behalf of young children, families, and the early childhood community.  During study of early childhood systems, I must say that the assignment regarding the Hypothetical Family was the most impactful.  I really had to think when considering how I would make sure that my family had everything that it needed in a comprehensive early childhood system.  I know that the development of a strong comprehensive early childhood system would be of most benefit to everyone, but as an advocate I would like to actively work with those policymakers to ensure that every aspect of that system would be covered.

My Hypothetical Family Situation

I am single young parent still in my sophomore year of high school.  On January 25^th I gave birth to a premature son.  Upon speaking with the doctors because of his premature birth several of his organs did not fully develop to include his lungs.  He gained enough weight to come home after a one month stay in the hospital.  While having my exit interview with the Doctors they informed me that because his lungs did not fully develop he would have to have a portable oxygen tank with him at all times until his lungs are able to mature a little more. Brain functioning was delayed.

Needless to say, I was devastated. I am employed at McDonald’s making minimum wage and living with my mother.  I do not have the finances needed to properly take care of a special needs child, but this is my child and my choice is to raise him myself.  After bringing my child home I noticed that he was not using his limbs properly they were stiff and limber.  After returning to the Doctors office with these concerns it was discovered after many medical tests that he also had cerebral palsy which affects muscle tone, movement and motor skills.

1.       Have I given a complete picture of my family, or are there details missing that I should include in order to complete the assignment successfully? If so, what are your suggestions?

2.       Is this situation realistic?

3.       Are there any specific websites I should be reviewing with regard to learning about quality services and programs for my child and family in this hypothetical family situation?

4.       Does anyone have any thoughts, based on my specific family situation that will affect the early childhood system I am creating?

The Political Will to Improve Early Childhood Systems

President Obama – “The Race to the Top – Early Learning Challenge” this is a $500 million state – level grant competition. The Obama Administration has sought and secured increased investments in Head Start and child care so that more families have access to quality, affordable care, while pursuing important reforms such as requiring Head Start grantees to compete for continued funding (Press Office, U. S. Department of Education, 2011).

What appeals most to is the continual support of early education and the pursuit to provide quality care for those family.  I think that this challenge will cause grantees to push towards quality in order to be considered for obtaining the grant.

References

http://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/obama-administration-announces-500-million-race-top-early-learning-challenge