Exploring Careers in ECE and related fields (6990 wk 2)

 

I currently hold a position as Site Director for a Head Start program in Bastrop County, TX.  I have been with the agency for a total of nine years.  I have also held a position as Education Coach for one year.  I have enjoyed both positions.  I feel the best fit for me has been Site Director.  In this role I also utilized the skills I developed as an Education Coach.  Mentoring and coaching my staff has been just as fulfilling as working with children.  Watching the growth, development, and passion grow in each staff member is what makes me come to work each day. 

I have also looked into working with Early Childhood Interventions (ECI).  I think it would be interesting to work with children and families while enhancing their abilities in a private environment, rather than a classroom setting.  I know it would allow me to use the knowledge and skills I have developed over the years and it would allow me to continue to make a difference in the lives of children and families. 

An agency I have also been interested in working with, but is not directly related to early childhood, is Child Protective Services (CPS).  The position that interests me is CPS Conservatorship Worker.  This position works with children and families after children have been removed from the unsafe environment.  “Whenever a child must be removed from their home, Texas courts appoint Child Protective Services (CPS) to serve as a "Conservator" of the child. Conservatorship Specialists are a specific type of caseworker legally responsible for a child's welfare whenever they are removed from their home and monitors children's care while in CPS conservatorship. They work closely with parents, extended family, and legal parties to help children find a permanent, safe place to live” (Health and Human Services Job Center (n.d.).

As a past foster parent, I have worked with a CPS Conservatorship Worker.  I was impressed by her knowledge of child development and her role in the process of finding permanent placement for children.   

At the present time, I am not sure if I will explore the opportunities that are available, or continue with my current agency.  Recently, I proposed a change to my position.  I volunteered to supervise two Head Start/ Early Head Start centers within six miles of each other.  The agency was having difficulty filling the position of Site Director for one of the facilities.  The agency has approved the change.   In the fall, I will supervise two Head Start classrooms and four Early Head Start classrooms, 58 children, and 13 staff.  This will be a challenging role and I am excited to take it on.

 

Cen-Tex Family Services, Inc. (2020). Retrieved from http://ctfhs.org/home.aspx

Health and Human Services Job Center (n.d.). Retrieved from https://jobshrportal.hhsc.state.tx.us/ENG/careerportal/Job_Profile.cfm?szOrderID=476903&szReturnToSearch=1&&szWordsToHighlight=

Texas Health and Human Services (2021). Early Childhood Intervention. Retrieved from https://hhs.texas.gov/services/disability/early-childhood-intervention-services/career-opportunities-eci

 

Comments

  1. galuMay 22, 2021 at 2:59 PM

    Rebecca,
    Child Protective Services is definitely an agency that I would love to work in. If not an educator, being an advocate for children is definitely my go to place. With the ongoing crises that everyone faces, there are many reasons why CPS is an extremely beneficial agency. I hope to one day make the strides that you have made in your professional career. Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rebecca ClarkMay 23, 2021 at 8:17 AM

      Thank you for your kind words. CPS has many positions available in the state of Texas. I just know I could not be in the position of removing children from their homes, but I could and would support them through the many other positions available. I would love to be a trainer for the agency also. Good luck in your endeavors.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousMay 23, 2021 at 6:17 AM

    Good morning,
    I can see we have many similarities. I also live in Texas and travel often to the Bastrop area. It is a beautiful area compared to drier West Texas. I was also interested in employment with Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) in a neighboring community, Abilene. As a current foster parent, I worked with the organization and their staff many times and even implemented some of their suggestions in my PreK classroom. My daughter completed her second year in Head Start last week and I was very interested in the portfolio her teacher created for her; definitely something I was to recreate in my classroom. Thank you for what you do for educators, young children, and families.
    Samantha

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rebecca ClarkMay 23, 2021 at 8:15 AM

      Congratulations on being a foster parent Samantha. It is so rewarding. I adopted one of my foster children and she has been mine for over 5 years now (she's 15). She is still overcoming some obstacles and traumas, but she is fantastic. I love Head Start! My middle child participated in the program and I wish I had known about it for my first child. I think he would have benefited the most from the program (he's 28). ECI is a great program. They come into our centers (aside from the pandemic) and provide services to children.

      Delete
  3. InetteMay 23, 2021 at 7:46 AM

    Hello Rebecca, I love how you saw a need within your current agency and sought to fulfill it. It is the epitome of the phrase "grow where you are planted." Thanks for sharing about the opportunities in your area.
    Inette

    ReplyDelete

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