Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: National/Federal Level

National/federal organizations or communities:
Association for Early Learning Leaders: I selected this national association because its focus is to help teachers and leaders in the early childhood field. Teachers of young children can never have enough resources or support to help make their job more meaningful. http://www.naccp.org/
National Head Start Association: This organization believes in the same basics of what children need from a center and what they can do that I do. The children are always my main focus and this organization feels the same way and provides tools to help other teachers make this possible. http://www.nhsa.org
National Association of Early Childhood Teachers Educators: This organization promotes growth amongst the educators in the early childhood field. They promote advocacy and and development of teachers and children. http://www.naecte.org/ 

Job opportunities:
Child Development Center Director
CYS Training Specialist 

Skills and experience needed:
I believe that the skills needed to do these jobs is a passion for working with children and helping staff members see the importance they bring to these children's lives. I feel as a leader you must bring as much information and experience as possible and through this program I feel that I am certainly adding to my knowledge. 

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

Organizations that appeal to me:

• NAEYC: this organization has several links and tools to use to learn more about the early childhood field and ways to help the center you are currently working in. I have found this website very helpful during my studies and while working in my current center. 
• http://www.naeyc.org/
• County of San Bernardino: Preschool Services Department: this department is in place to benefit all head start programs in the county. The goal of the department is to empower families and children and this is exactly what I want to do everyday working with children. 
• http://hss.sbcounty.gov/psd/aboutus/aboutus.aspx
• First 5 San Bernardino: this organization is a great tool to providing help to parents of children 0-5 years old. Their emphasis is to give children what they need to succeed. Programs like these are what make me love the field I work in. Children in these age ranges need the most help and that's what I want to do. 
• http://www.first5sanbernardino.org/programs/programs.aspx

Job Opportunities:

• CYS Program Assistant Director
• Skills and abilities: manage a center of 300 children. Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education. Supervising the operation of a CYS center. 
• CYS Program Associate Instructor
• Skills and abilities: provides group or individual lesson plans. Works with the coordinator to create work schedule. Be able to evaluate children with their needs and disabilities.