Getting to Know My International Contacts—Part 3

Since it is near the end of the course and still no word from the contacts, I admit defeat. But, I do not give up, I hope to still hear from someone even if it is after the course is way past over.

Thank goodness for the alternative assignment for saving my non contacted bum once again!! :)

This time I listened to a podcast about TJ Skalski, a Canadian, who is the principal of a charter school with an indigenous focus. Her story is really amazing about how she brought quality child care to a people that are mostly over looked in her country. I believe she really fits with what we are talking about this week. She talks about the change of her goals. She talks about how hard her first year was, and her dreams hopes and challenges. I really encourage you to go listen. Especially if you feel the need for some inspiration:

http://ccie-media.s3.amazonaws.com/podcasts/WFR_07_TJSkalski.mp3

I then went to this website:

http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/

And found these three new insights form the sight:

1. In the developing world, 10.5 million children under 5 die from preventable diseases every year.
2. The following sentence really inspired me as I begin to advocate for quality care: "High quality childcare, particularly for children from disadvantaged backgrounds, promotes motivation, confidence, good cognitive and linguistic development and school readiness."
3. The issue of access is not just a a national one, but it is sadly a problem all over the world. In most countries, the only way to get strong early childhood education is by having money. This needs to be changed.

Go check out the website. It has a lot of great information!

Hope this blog post finds you doing well! More next week....