Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local & State

There are various organizations and community of practices throughout Scotland County and North Carolina. As an ECE professional, the following organizations appeal to me:


Scotland County Partnership for Children and Families (Board Members)


Scotland County Child Care Association


North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education



Each of these organizations or C.O.P's are centered around the development of young children. Scotland County Partnership for Children and Families strive to serve the children  families, and child car of Scotland County. In order to become a board member one must be elected and must either be a parent, child care center owner, family child care home provider, or an employee of a local business (includes but no limited to, local Health Department, Department of Social Services, community college, or any business owner). Memebers must be willing to serve for one year, attend monthly meetings, update rules and regulations (as needed), approve funding for activities, and volunteer during various SCPCF child-centered events.

Scotland County Child Care Association is a vital part of the ECE community of Scotland County. Members must be owner, directors, or teachers within child care centers or homes within Scotland County. Members meet as scheduled, in order to discuss various methods and ideas to implement in classes and homes. In addition, the group serves as a support system for local child care providers. Meetings are also held to discuss any changes to state laws, sanitation rules, and health/safety laws.


North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education is a state wide organization that mandates rules and regulations for the centers and homes in North Carolina. State consultants are assigned specific counties. The purpose of NCDCDEE is to ensure that childcare center and homes stay in compliance of all child care rules and regulations.



Job Opportunities:


Early Childhood Instructor (Richmond Community College)

Applicant must have a Master's degree with 18 hours within the specified field.

Prior experience (5 years preferred) teaching or working within the Early Childhood field.

Willing to instruct students on campus and/or online

Familiar with Microsoft Office Programs

Familiar with Black Board learning system

Work full time (40 hours per week), days and time vary depending upon course




Early Childhood Division Director (Onslow County Partnership for Children)

 Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development, Early Childhood Education, Human Services or related field is required plus a minimum of three years related experience. A Master’s Degree is preferred.

Proficiency in budgeting, public relations, staff management, grant writing, and utilization of community resources is helpful. 

 Must be able to communicate and work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.  

 Must have proficiency in Microsoft Office and a good working knowledge of computer program/software.

 Prior work experience with Smart Start and Child Care Resource and Referral is highly desirable.

CHILD CARE QUALITY CONSULTANT 

Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development, Early Childhood Education or related field, plus experience in early childhood program services.  

Familiarity with childcare regulatory policies/procedures, ITERS-R & ECERS-R.

Excellent communication, organizational, public speaking, training & computer skills required

Week 8: Thank You

I have truly enjoyed this course! I want to thank all of my colleagues and Dr. Darrargh for making this course an enjoyable learning experience. I have gained so much insight into what it takes to communicate with families, children, providers, and others whom I will come in contact with through my career. I would like to wish all of my colleagues the best as you all embark on various professional journeys, as well as the end of this journey to obtain our Masters of Science in Early Childhood Studies, Only 3 more courses!!!!! Best wishes!

LaQuasia Cousar

laquasia.cousar@waldenu.edu
laquasialcousar@yahoo.com

Week 6

Throughout my 25 years of life, I have had the pleasure of working with a variety of people for various reason, in various settings. While some groups have been more pleasing to work with than others, I still learned a valuable lesson and manged to complete the task at hand. As I think back over the many groups I have been affiliated with, I would have to say that it was hardest for me to say goodbye to my coworkers at my last job, which was a childcare facility! Even though we did not have the perfect working  relationship, we all had formed a family like bond. In spite of our differences, we all knew that our common goal was  to provide the best care possible for the children and families that we served. We all had worked at the center for 3 or more years, so over that length of time we had developed friendships. Even though I am no employed there, I interact with these women often as my current job calls me to  provide services within childcare facilities in Scotland County. My former co workers and myself actually had a while to prepare for my "goodbyes". They all knew that I was months away from graduating and that afterwards, I sought to find a better paying job that allowed me to help even more children in our community. 

Although we all knew I was leaving, we did not know a specific time, therefore I was unable to have an official celebration or last day with my co workers and students. I wished that I would have been able to have some sort of closure. It's sad because whenever I go back to the center to do an assessment or for a Reading is Fundamental visit the children get excited and ask if I'm back to stay. 

I have been apart of this Master's program for a year and a half. After this course, I only have my 2 specialization courses and my capstone. That's roughly 5-6 months left. As I prepare to adjourn this phase in my life, I will likely exchange "professional contact information" with my colleagues. Adjourning is important because it brings closures and will also allow members to remain in contact or connected with one another. 

Conflict Resolution

Pregnancy is a wonderful and joyous experience. In my case it also was full of uncontrollable emotions. About 9 months ago, I was 7 months pregnant with my daughter. I had already decided on her name, but her father asked if he assist in her naming. Reluctantly, I told him yes. My family had already feel in love with her name so they were a little upset that her first name would be changed. When I thought we had finally decided on a name, I posted on Facebook that our daughter's name would be "Ashtyn Omega Ratliffe", immediately my family and others stared commenting on how that did not like the name and it was ugly. I rudely told them that they could all shut up and when they had children (or more children) that they could name their own child. I also rudely told them that Andrew and I made our child and since they had no part in her conception their opinion did not mean anything to me (my choice of words were different but hey I was emotional :) ).  Something as small as my daughter's name caused confusion and conflict in my family. I ended up not speaking to my sister for a week and blocked her from my Facebook page. Eventually we all apologized and began speaking again. After all of this, her father ended up saying that he did not tell me that he wanted to name her "Ashytn". Apparently my pregnancy affected my hearing as well, so that entire disagreement was for nothing.

After reviewing this weeks resources, I realized that this situation could have been handled much differently. First, I should have respected my families opinion and we could have agreed to disagree. I knew that her name would be decided upon my myself and her father so I should have never let the opinions of others upset me. Had I been respectful,my family would have reciprocated the behavior and we all would have responded in a rational manner. Secondly, I could have said how I felt but in a less defensive and rude manner. I can honestly say that I was an emotionally unstable pregnant woman, but I should have learned how to better handle my feelings.

By the way we ended up naming our daughter "Andrea Omega" and everyone loves her name, as well as her!

LaQuasia: The Commuincator

Based upon my results, I was stunned that I scored a 62 on the verbal aggression quiz. I'm not sure if I misunderstood the wording, but I always give respect and would prefer to back down, then engage in arguments or debates, even if it is considered inoffensive. I do not engage in confusion, therefore I do what is necessary to stay away from it.  My sister and supervisor scored me in the in the low category (37 and 41), which is still slightly outside of my character.


Even though, I scored low and moderate in the aggressive listening category the descriptions are allowing me to realize that backing down is not always the best tactic. I can respectfully argue my point without insulting one's viewpoint or character. In addition, I can also learn to put personal feelings aside to prevent my trustworthiness from effecting my judgement. Being an easy going and people person, I can admit that at times I allow others to impact my judgement. I must learn when and where to draw the line, especially if it ever begins to effect my professional judgement.


I can utilize mild forms of aggressive behavior, especially within my professional world. As a Early Childhood professional, I am also an advocate for the rights of young children. Therefore, there may be times where I may have to professionally and respectfully debate/argue with someone who is for cutting funds or programs. Public speaking is one of my strong features. Apart of my job description calls for me to provide trainings/workshops to childcare providers. I am able to utilize my strong attribute to aide in the advancement of the ECE field. 


Effective communication is important in professional and personal life because we all come into contact with people everyday. If we are going to collaborate and communicate, why not do it an a manner that will yeild positive results in all settings and circumstances. 

Week 3

Over this short span of time, I have learned what it entails to communicative effectively with others. The following three strategies will continue to be utilized by me when communicating with parents, providers, and children.

1. Platinum rule- Instead of treating people the way I would want to be treated, I'm going to place myself into their position and treat them the way that they would want to be treated. This will allow me to view the context of the conversation from the other person's view.It allows me to think before I speak and to be respectful at all times.

2. Listening- A conversation takes two or more people. Therefore, it can not be dominated by one person. In order to communicate, one must be able to close their mouth at times and let the other person talk. In addition, you must also listen attentively to what he or she is speaking about. By listening attentively I will know how to appropriately respond. 

3. Be aware facial expression and body language- These two forms of nonverbal communication are imperative and can make or beak a conversation. Eye contact is important and shows the speaker that you are listening and that your attention is not elsewhere. 

Week 2

As we go throughout our daily lives, we must interact with others in some way. Whether its verbal or non-verbally, our words and actions will work in our favor or work against us.  For the purposes of this assignment, I DVR'ed the show "House". There were 8 main characters. Five of the eight were younger medical students or first year doctors. There was an older man around 50, who I assumed was the boss because he walked around the hospital with the medical students and was also instructed them in a small classroom. There was also two other doctors, one a woman and the other a man, both who seem to have high positions within the hospital. Based upon their nonverbal communication all of the characters did not get along with or either had varying opinions from the older male doctor. The older male doctor seemed to have a "know it all" attitude and is very sarcastic.

After watching the show with the volume on, I realized that some of my assumptions were correct. the 5 younger characters were taking up residence at this hospital. The older man was the main character Dr. House.  Dr. House, along with the 5 residents, and other doctors worked in the high risk or intensive care unit of the hospital. Throughout the episode House displayed sarcastic behavior towards his colleagues and towards the patients.This show did not interest me, therefor it was not easy for me to understand or get into. However had I been watching Law and Order: SVU, I would have been able to tell you the relationship the characters had with one another as well as how the interacted and communicated with each other and those that they came into contact with. 


My "aha" moment came when I realized that even though House was sarcastic and disrespectful, his services and expertise come highly recommended. In addition, his colleagues respected him, even though they did not agree with him.