While searching for organizations, agencies, ad communities of practice in Maryland, I have found many places and positions that would benefit children and families that speak a language other than English in their homes. There are county government agencies, school districts, and more that appeal to me and to early childhood.
The county government agency of Prince George’s County, specifically the Department of Family Services, is meant to improve the quality of life for children and families (Prince George’s County, Maryland, n.d.). Within this Department is the Children and Families Information Center and a Community Partnership Agreement which both list multiple ways that the agency is working with the community to promote the success of children and their families.
The Prince George’s County Public School system is a diverse school system that services children from urban, suburban, and rural areas and is one of the top 25 largest school districts in the nation (Prince George’s County Public Schools, n.d.). This school district reaches more than 130,000 students with 58% of student Black or African American, 33% Hispanic, 4% White, 3% Asian there is much diversity throughout (Prince George’s County Public Schools, 2017). The core values and mission statement of this school system are so important for children and their families, especially those English Language Learners that need extra support in navigating a new system. While completing this search I found one job opening that is interesting to me but I do not qualify for. A bilingual parent and community outreach assistant is a position within Prince George’s County Public Schools that works to develop parent education and workshops all while involving families in the school (Prince George’s County Public Schools, 2013). In order to do this job, I would need to speak a language other than English and would need to be able to communicate effectively with those families that speak a different language. I would need to be a collaborator with both staff and families in order to make positive contributions to those served.
Another organization, The Judy Center, is an organization that supports children from birth to age five and their families as well (Maryland State Department of Education Division on Early Childhood, n.d.). Not only does this organization promote school readiness for young children but it also provides adult education and opportunities for family literacy as well. Although no jobs are currently listed for working within the Judy Center, I believe that being knowledgeable about different resources available for families would be a key in successfully working with families there.
References
Prince George’s County, Maryland. (n.d.) Family Division. Retrieved July 14, 2018 from https://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/1630/About-Us.
Prince George’s County Public Schools (n.d). About us. Retrieved July 14, 2018 from http://pgcps.org/aboutpgcps.aspx
Prince George’s County Public Schools (2017). Facts and figures. Retrieved July 14, 2018 from http://pgcps.org/facts-and-figures/
Maryland State Department of Education Division on Early Childhood. (n.d.) Judy Centers.Retrieved July 14, 2018 from https://earlychildhood.marylandpublicschools.org/families/judy-centers
Prince George’s County Public Schools (2013). Bi-lingual parent and community outreach assistant. Retrieved July 14, 2018 from http://pgcps.org/compensationandclassification/jobs.aspx
Hello Robin,
ReplyDeleteI navigated the County Government Agency of Prince George’s County website, and I like the Family Institute sessions they make like Parent/Family Strategies for Successful Parent-School Relationships and Parents as Leaders, especially they are free, and many parents can participate. , and many parents can participate, and it is significant to engage the families in their children education.
Hello Robin
ReplyDeleteYou did a wonderful blog presentation and the references you provided were accessible. Very interesting information regarding the public school system in Prince George County.Very diverse schools with good opportunities for teaching.
Hi Robin,
ReplyDeleteThank you for contributing to this week's assignment regarding local and State level communities. Regarding Prince George's County public school system, an excellent point was the core values, and mission statements of the school system are essential for children and their families, especially those English language Learners that need extra support to navigate a new system. Some job opportunities where I live in the Central Valley of California limited my employment due to not speaking Spanish to migrant families. However, I'm networking with family members to help support family members with the support of public schools resources that are available. Hang in there will be several doors and opportunities waiting for you once you complete your degree. You're heading in the right direction.