The Fred Rogers Center announces an exciting fellowship opportunity for an early-career educator with an interest in early literacy, children’s literature, technology, and digital media literacy. Through the ECF program, the Fred Rogers
Center acts as a catalyst for innovation in media- and technology-based work that advances early childhood development and learning.
In 2012, the ECF in early literacy will work with a team of videographers and an established expert in early childhood education to create a series of videos designed to demonstrate best early literacy and digital media literacy practices, in
cooperation with the Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children (PAEYC). All videos will be used in a new, national initiative of the Fred Rogers Center. The Fred Rogers Center Early Learning Environment™ is being
developed as a virtual community of teachers, home-based providers, and families who will be empowered by compelling technology and media-based resources to provide literacy-rich experiences for children from birth through age 5. The
Early Learning Environment will use entertaining and educational media content to deliver resources, and to encourage interaction, in a variety of engaging ways.
The ECF, to be selected from the southwestern Pennsylvania region, will be awarded a $10,000 stipend. Support also will be provided for expenses related to the Fellow’s work. Fellows will spend nine months planning, developing, testing, and finalizing the videos and supplemental materials, which will be featured online through the Early Learning Environment. The new Fellow will also become part of an online community to be established by the Fred Rogers Center for ongoing
professional development and networking among current and former ECFs.
Program Features
The Fellowship will begin in January 2012 and will end in October 2012.
The Fellow will work with the Fred Rogers Center and PAEYC. Regular on-site meetings will be held at the Fred
Rogers Center in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, over the course of the 10 months. The Fellow will work as part of a team to create new videos demonstrating best early literacy and digital media literacy practices for educators of children birth through age 5. The Fellow also will create a supplemental written or multimedia guide to be used as a resource for educators.
The Fellow’s project will highlight ways for teachers to connect and communicate in-class activities with parents. It also will demonstrate creative and developmentally appropriate uses of technology in classrooms.
The Fellow’s project will be reviewed by Fred Rogers Center and PAEYC staff, and by the Center’s Advisors and Senior Fellows, to provide guidance and to ensure alignment with guidelines for quality and program expectations.
Opportunities
Focused application of educational, artistic, and technical skills to improve early childhood development and
learning.
Opportunity to work with professional video production team to plan, film, edit, and package educational videos.
Orientation to the Fred Rogers Center, the work of Fred Rogers, and the Early Learning Environment.
Access to the Fred Rogers Center’s resources and facilities, including the Fred Rogers Archive, as well as the Center’s regional and national networks of partners and contacts.
Organized, regularly scheduled networking opportunities for peer interaction and discussion with other ECFs.
Presentation of the Fellow’s project at conferences and other convenings for early education, parenting, and educational technology.
Participation in feedback on the ECF experience for use by the Fred Rogers Center in ongoing program refinement.
Eligibility
The legacy of Fred Rogers, the mission of the Fred Rogers Center, and the vision for the Early Learning Environment must be motivating factors for all applicants. The Fred Rogers Center encourages applications from individuals working in early education, early literacy, children’s literature, media literacy, or related fields. Experience working with young children is desirable.
Graduate students and early career professionals are encouraged to apply. Applicants should be at an early
stage in their careers (5 years or less).
Applicants should be interested in developing projects to educate parents, teachers, and child care providers
about early childhood learning (focusing on children from birth through age 5).
A degree or professional experience in, or related to, early childhood education or early childhood development is
required.
Application
For individuals interested in applying, download the application from the website.
Submit your application by sending all required materials via email to info@fredrogerscenter.org.
All application materials must be emailed for receipt by 5:00 p.m. (EST), December 16, 2011. Incomplete applications, applications submitted in print form, and applications received after December 16, will not be considered.
Selection
Applicants should address the challenges and opportunities involved in providing information and mentoring for educators in developmentally appropriate uses of digital media that supports improved instruction aligned with standards for early literacy and early learning program quality.
Rogers Center staff and a panel of experts will review applications based on selection criteria, including but not limited to, an understanding of uses of digital media in early education and professional development; a vision for how best practice videos can be used to train early childhood educators working in formal and informal settings; a well-articulated understanding of the mission of the Fred Rogers Center, the legacy of Fred Rogers, and the vision and purpose for the Early Learning Environment; a proven academic or professional track record; and the extent to which the Early Career Fellowship would advance professional and personal goals.
Interviews for the ECF finalists will be held January 4 – 6, 2012 and will be scheduled individually with applicants.
The Fred Rogers Center will select one Fellow from the southwestern Pennsylvania region, including Allegheny County, Westmoreland County, and surrounding counties. All individuals will be notified of the status of their
applications by telephone before appointments are publicly announced by the Fred Rogers Center.
Final selection of the Early Career Fellow will be publicly announced by January 20, 2012.
**Members of the Fred Rogers Center’s Advisory Council and staff are ineligible to apply but are encouraged to promote the program to eligible applicants.
www.fredrogerscenter.org
http://www.facebook.com/FredRogersCenter
*For further information about the ECF program or application process, please email all questions and inquiries to: info@fredrogerscenter.org.
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