Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Level

As I explore the early childhood education organizations in my state, Mississippi, I found three that appealed to me.  Currently we do not have any local organizations. These organizations are the MS Early Childhood Association, Southern Early Childhood Association, and the Mississippi State University Early Childhood Institute.   Each of these organizations collaborates with early childhood professionals to become leaders and advocates helping the well-being of children and families. 

The MS Early Childhood Association (MsECA) is state organization that preparing early childhood educators for leadership.  SECA is YOUR professional association and they offer opportunities for growth as an early childhood professional. SECA is actively working to recruit early childhood professionals who want to serve their colleagues, their communities, and their profession to become involved in the mission of serving early childhood professionals and the children and families of the South. Finally, Mississippi State University Early Childhood Institute works to development of early childcare programs to become high quality childhood programs.   Although they are great organizations for collaboration of early childhood information, none of the organizations have any jobs openings.  There are no job openings, but if there was one I would love to be the director of a Head Start program.  I feel if there were openings I would be qualified because I have the work experience and will have a master’s degree in December. I have been an active parent in their program and I like their organization.

I feel each of these organizations can help me grow in my profession and also help other child care providers grow to become better professionals.  They can help programs establish great learning environments, professional development, parental involvement, and most of all help develop great leaders.