PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

- ABIGAIL ADAMS

November and December are busy months for professional development. We strongly believe that the professional development of staff is the engine that drives the work of the Preschool. With that in mind, staff created multiple presentation proposals for sessions at the annual conference of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. To our delight, six sessions were accepted as well as an invitation to serve on a panel! The sessions were well attended and included dialogue and exchange among educators.

The topics and presenters were:

- Early Childhood Education and Technology panel

Jane Montgomery

- Family Engagement

Jane Montgomery, Patty Randall, Muffin Sewell

- Storytelling as a Critical Component for Language and Literacy

Patty Randall, Muffin Sewell, April Maclane, and Lana Alsobrook

- Big Emotions and Challenging Behaviors

Emma Cutler, Stacy Heyman, Lana Alsobrook, Patty Randall

- The Nurture Heart Approach

Jane Montgomery, Patty Randall, Emma Cutler, Lana Alsobrook

- The Spiritual Development of Children

Jane Montgomery and Patty Randall

In addition to presenting, staff attended sessions given by colleagues connected to various topics relevant to a Reggioinspired preschool.