Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

Exploring the internet for early childhood organizations, agencies and communities of practice that operate locally here in Abu Dhabi where I live was extremely difficult. There were no such listings to be found in Abu Dhabi under such a given name.

On further exploration, my search brought me to the website of GEMS Education Solutions (http://www.gemseducation.com/solutions/) that focuses on school effectiveness. I was really excited to come upon this site. It was interesting to see that the GEMS education solutions had partnered with the Abu Dhabi Educational Council (the ministry that governs the education here in the Abu Dhabi) in 2012 to provide professional development and educational transformation as part of its endeavor to increase school-level leadership and capacity. Their missions and values in education transformation strategies, curriculum development, teaching and learning practices, program design and evaluation, policy making and organizational development appealed to me. Knowing that they provide support to private and public sectors from US to China, including Abu Dhabi and India open out more opportunities for me. Among their several consulting services, I found they also focus on my utmost passionate interest -Parent Engagement and Partnership Program (http://www.gemseducation.com/solutions/consulting-services/parent-engagement-partnership-program?submenuid=5157&parentid=1107)- that is crucial for breaking down barriers because of the cultural diversity found here in UAE. GEMS have such leading personalities such as academics, educationalists, authors and researchers on their parent engagement advisory board that it would be an honor to work under the guidance of such leading thinkers (http://www.gemseducation.com/solutions/consulting-services/parent-engagement-advisory-board?submenuid=5546&parentid=1107). In fact The GEMS School in Abu Dhabi did have a job vacancy as a parent relations executive responsible in maintaining open channels of communication with existing and prospective parents and school administration. They also have teaching vacancy for teachers from foundation stage to year 9 requiring attested Bachelor's Degree with a B.Ed/ TTC, a minimum of two years teaching experience, valid UAE residence visa (for expat candidates on husband's or father's sponsorship), and excellent communication skills.

Another site I came across in my search that caught my attention was a children’s nursery in Dubai (Emirate 2 hours from Abu Dhabi) called Blossom Children’s Nursery (http://www.theblossomnursery.com/). This nursery was awarded the winner of the prestigious Arabian Child Award for the best early childhood service provider of the year 2011. What appealed to me were the credentials of the founder of Blossom, Zahra Hamirani. She is a law professor working with many organizations including International Montessori Foundation and National Association for Early Years Practitioners (www.naeyc.org). NAEYC is an organization I regard highly and to know there is someone in this country who is associated with it and has merged all that knowledge into implementing a curriculum that is stimulating and engaging to get children the best start of their early years created in me a hope of forming a community of practice. If we could form a community of practice, with her kind of focus and commitment, we could ensure many nurseries setting standards of international excellence here in UAE.

National Association for the education of Young Children (NAEYC) (http://www.naeyc.org/) is an organization that is based on bettering well-qualified practitioners and improving the conditions these professionals work in, improving early childhood education by working to deliver a high-quality system of supporting early childhood programs, and encouraging excellence in childhood education for all children by constructing an extraordinary, all-around organization of groups and individuals who are committed to promoting excellence in early childhood education for all young children. Being a member of this community of practice and staying informed can support me in my professional development and help me stay current on early childhood issues, and participate in group efforts to promote improvement in services to young children.

Being in the diverse community I am in, establishing and supporting a community of diverse membership would help to connect people not merely through ideas but through feelings, passion and drive to support and sustain quality care and education within a community.