Establishing Professional Contacts and Expanding Resources

I am really excited to start making contact with ECE professionals from around the world. As I read the first part of the assignment, I went back to my childhood when I was in elementary school. In fourth and fifth grade, my teacher had us write to pen-pals to other children in china. For the first part of this assignment I decided to ask two early childhood professionals I have the pleasure to work with in this country if they know any colleagues in different parts of the world. I asked Lousie Dermin-Sparks and her husband Bill Sparks. They are both activists for children's rights and are known in many parts of the united states for publishing books and journals. Louise has had the opportunity to travel to many parts of the world to discuss her research and thoughts on anti-biases in education in places like Greece, South Africa, Australia, and the Netherlands. Both Bill and Lousie were kind enough to call up some of the professionals in these countries. Since they are busy individuals in these countires, she told me that she would in about a week or so, have possibly two people that I may contact.

For the second part of this assignment, I will choose The National Association for the Education of Young Children. Walden students this year are now able to receive a 10 percent discount on tuition if they show verification of enrollment to this organization. In previous instances, I have visited their website, but only the sections that are free. Now, that I will become a member, I will be able to explore more information. I hope professionals in this course also, if they have not already, take advantage of the discount.