International Early Childhood Community

The first international organization that caught my attention is The Mother Tongue Based-Multi Lingual Education Network (MTB-MLE). The purpose of the association is:

“The Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education Network (MTB-MLE Network) is an association of individuals and agencies that share a common vision: all children have the right to receive a quality education in a linguistically and culturally appropriate environment. We believe that providing children with education in the languages they and their parents know and use at home promotes educational equity, improves their educational outcomes and helps them form a positive self-concept and sense of identity within their culture.”  (MTB-MLE, 2013b, p. 1)

The work of the MTB-MLE supports educational program development by encouraging first language instruction and parent education.  “It is important to recognize that many parents, even in so-called disadvantaged environments, are competent and effective caregivers….strengths inherent in the traditional culture” (MTB-MLE, 2013a, p. 2).  The network is governed by a volunteer steering committee and work is conducted by associated individuals or agencies.  An example of a network agency is the Asia-Pacific Regional Network for Early Childhood (ARNEC). 

The ARNEC is also a network of members interested in promoting support for quality early childhood development.  The on-line bulletin board posts positions in affiliated organizations.  One position of interest is for a project manager for Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO).  The position requires management skills, a masters’ degree in education and experience in a cross cultural setting.  The position does not indicate a second language is needed, but does require fluency in written and spoken English. (http://www.arnec.net/cos/o.x?c=/ntuc/pagetree&func=view&rid=1035864)  The position interests me because the group is working on supporting education in children’s home language.  As I have increased my awareness of supporting home language instruction I am encouraged to see that groups around the world share my concern for this challenge.

The Consultative Group based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada is an international consortium of agencies that provide services to early childhood development organizations, donors and foundations, and non-government organizations that have a mission to improve the world by ensuring a better future for children (http://www.ecdgroup.com).  The vision of the organization to create “a sustainable future with dignity for all” and the value of recognizing parents are a child’s first teacher encouraged me to search through the website for career opportunities.  The paid position of the organization is an executive director who is supervised by a board of directors.  The job description is not posted, but I imagine that the international nature of the collaboration between board members and the distribution of information would require someone who has strong organizational skills, good communication and presentation skills both written and oral, and the ability to conduct business remotely and in person. 

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) posted an article which mentioned education reform in Mexico which was being recognized by PISA, an international student assessment of learning.  I have been looking at instructional strategies in Mexico’s education system to get a clearer understanding of the culture of education experienced by the parents of the Spanish speaking children in my preschool program.  There are just over 70 countries that are participating in the testing of 15 year olds to “measure student success around the world” (OECD, 2013).  In the country profiles I discovered that 95% of the four-year-olds in Mexico are enrolled in preprimary education.  There were a series of videos explaining the education reform the Ministry of Education in Mexico is undertaking to help all children achieve high levels of education.  I learned that one of the strategies is to attract, train and retain the best teachers by investing in the teaching profession (Cornucopia Productions, 2011).  The over arching goals of education are to develop critical thinking, analytical intelligence, resilience when confronted with change, and collaboration skills.  The goals are similar to what I desire for children, and although I would not have the Spanish skills or the depth of cultural understanding to be an effective educator in Mexico, I believe that my challenge response could help create Spanish speaking teachers that could return to Mexico and really make a difference in the lives of children. 

            The OECD did have one job posting that interested me.  It is for a research assistant to provide analytical and project related tasks and to stay abreast of education policy development internationally.  With many of the international organizations I scanned the positions require international experience which I do not have and a second language.  The tasks involve research, analysis and computing statistically information while living in Paris.  It sounds like a wonderful experience, but I will need to find a opportunity to gain international experience and a second language. 

References

Cornucopia Productions. (Producer). (2011). Improving education in Mexico. [video series].  Retrieved from http://www.pisa.oecd.org/Imporving.Education_In_Mexico_InternationalComparisons.wmv

Mother Tongue Based-MultiLingual Education Network (MTB-MLE). (2013a). Educating parents and caregivers. Retrieved from www.ecdgroup.com/download/cc105api.pdf

Mother Tongue Based-MultiLingual Education Network (MTB-MLE). (2013b). Who we are. Retrieved from http://www.mlenetwork.org/who-we-are

Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). (2013). Retrieved from http://www.pisa.oecd.org