November 25, 2020 Research Study for Pre-k Classroom Teachers Are you a teacher currently working in a pre-k classroom in Pennsylvania? If so, participate in the “Social and Emotional Learning in Pre-K Programs” research study conducted by Cynthia Speer, a Ph.D. Candidate at Waynesburg University. About The purpose of this proposed study is to sample educators from both public and private pre-k programs in Pennsylvania to ascertain information regarding their perception of and experiences with social and emotional learning (SEL). Study participants will provide personal and school-based demographic information and complete a survey of social and emotional learning (SEL) perception and experiences. Completing these surveys will take approximately 15 to 20 minutes. All responses will remain anonymous and no identifying personal information (such as name, email address, or IP address) will be collected. Sign Up To Participate If you are interested in signing up as a participant, complete this online form. More Information For questions regarding the research, contact Cynthia Speer at spe1961@student.waynesburg.edu or 412.952.4469. For information regarding rights as a research subject, contact Dissertation Committee Chair, Dr. Michelle Steimer at msteimer@waynesburg.edu or 412.722.7602.
November 24, 2020 Free Tutoring Available for K-12 Students Gwen’s Girls will continue to offer its free Academic Support Initiative virtual tutoring services for the upcoming 2020-21 school year. These services are available to any K-12 student who is attending school in Allegheny County. About Academic Support Initiative (ASI) tutoring is a free service offered to any K-12 student in the Pittsburgh area. Available tutors have a wide skill range that includes English Language Arts (ELA), Math, Science, Foreign Language, Special Education, and others. Tutoring services are offered throughout the academic year. Gwen’s Girls offers group sessions for grades K-8 that are available Monday through Friday from 9 to 11 a.m., as well as individual sessions that are available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tutoring services will be provided through remote live sessions. Registration To register for tutoring, visit the Gwen’s Girls website. Gwen’s Girls will assist families in getting the necessary equipment for success. More Information For questions, contact Gwen’s Girls at 412.904.4239 or contactus@gwensgirls.org. Share this flyer with your network.
ECE Job Openings: 11/26 – 12/2 Are you looking to start or transition your career in the early childhood field? You’re in luck! Early learning programs in Pennsylvania are currently looking to fill positions. To view this week’s featured job descriptions, see the list below. Featured Jobs Education Program Supervisor The Children’s Home is seeking a Full-Time Education Program Supervisor for Child’s Way, a child care center for medically fragile children. This professional will be responsible for the supervision of all educational activities led by the teachers and will be a resource for teachers as well as families. This professional will also be responsible for ensuring that developmentally appropriate programming is provided for children, optimizing their growth and development. To apply, complete the online application. Infant and Toddler Teacher Love, Learn, and Play is looking to hire an Infant and Toddler Teacher who is able to work Monday through Friday. This professional will be responsible for coordinating the curriculum and managing a fun classroom. To apply, email llpchildcaredirector@gmail.com. Submit a Job Description Each week, Trying Together publishes a news post that features employer-submitted job positions from early learning programs across Pennsylvania. Trying Together shares these posts online through our website, social media channels, and newsletter. To make it into next week’s post, please submit the Child Care Provider Job Post Submission Form no later than Tuesday, December 1. This form is intended for positions in the early childhood field. Job descriptions not related to the early childhood field will not be included. All job descriptions submitted after December 1 will be published in the next week’s news post. Please note that news post publication dates may vary due to state and federal holidays. For questions, contact Lainey Yockey at lainey@tryingtogether.org. Search Additional Jobs Are you interested in starting or shifting your career in early childhood care and education? Visit the ECE Hire website or sign up for their weekly newsletter for current job listings and helpful tips on interviewing, resumes, and more. To stay up to date on our featured positions and more, follow us on Facebook and subscribe to our newsletter.
November 23, 2020 2018-2020 Community Report Now Available In 2018 Trying Together rebranded and embarked on its Strategic Roadmap. Now two-years in, Trying Together pauses to reflect on what has been accomplished, what still needs to be done, and what has changed in the midst of these turbulent times in the 2018 – 2020 Trying Together Community Report. Moving forward, Trying Together will provide an updated version of this report biennially to share continued progress and future plans. More Information Caregivers of young children today are facing unprecedented challenges. From extensive changes in the early learning field to the current COVID-19 pandemic and more, adults and children are being asked to try together to grow and learn in ways like never before. In response, Trying Together has strived to continue supporting parents and educators so they know how much they and their efforts are appreciated. The newest Community Report provides an overview of the work that Trying Together has accomplished in the last two fiscal years, with the following outcomes in mind. By 2022, Trying Together will be: A national leader offering its expertise in coordinating and connecting systems at the neighborhood, local, and regional levels to support early childhood development and early learning. The premier provider of in-person and online professional growth opportunities for home, center, and school-based professionals to ensure that every child has access to high-quality early childhood and early learning experiences. A ‘go to source’ for families to aid them in making well-informed decisions regarding their child’s early experiences. An expert policy resource in western Pennsylvania and a leading advocate for high-quality early care and education in the state, mobilizing its network to take action on issues important to young children and their families. About Trying Together Trying Together supports high-quality care and education for young children by providing advocacy, community resources, and professional growth opportunities for the needs and rights of children, their families, and the individuals who interact with them. Trying Together works regionally (in Southwestern Pennsylvania) and takes its expertise and models to statewide and national audiences.
November 20, 2020 Tuition-Free Courses Available for ECE Professionals Are you an early learning professional who is interested in earning an Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, or Child Development Certificate? No- and low-cost options are available for eligible professionals in Pennsylvania through the Professional Development Organization (PDO). Professional Development Organization The Professional Development Organization (PDO) is a grant-funded educational collaboration among four universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) and numerous partner universities, colleges, and community programs across the state to advance the career pathways of the early childhood workforce. PDO funding covers tuition, expenses, and other supports to help eligible early childhood educators earn credit-bearing credentials and degrees. Tuition-Free Courses Tuition-free courses are eligible for early childhood professionals who: are Pennsylvania residents, work in a Keystone STARS program, and work a minimum average of 25 hours per week over an entire work year (during non-COVID times). To determine your eligibility, complete the online application. Once your eligibility is confirmed, a PDO Liaison from your region will contact you to discuss your professional development options. Available Pathways The following pathways are available to advance your academic and professional development: Child Development Associate Certificate (CDA) Associate’s Degree, Early Childhood Education Bachelor’s Degree, Early Childhood Education Steps To Take If you are interested in taking advantage of this limited-time opportunity, complete these three steps: Apply for Tuition Assistance Complete the application. Once submitted, an ECE Liaison will contact you to confirm your eligibility for tuition assistance, guide you through the application at a PDO partner university, college, or program, and help you register for classes. Be sure to check your spam folder as it may contain an email from your ECE Liaison. Apply to a Partner School or Program Before you apply to a school, be sure to speak with an ECE Liaison who can help you navigate any fees that may be waived. Among the supports available to students is a free 24/7 tutoring service. View the full list of partner schools and programs. Register for Classes Class offerings at all schools and programs may change each semester. Check with an ECE Liaison or the school for details. View this document for examples of available classes. More Information For more information, contact Mimi Loughead at mimi@tryingtogether.org. Share this flyer with your network.
Stay-At-Home Advisory in Allegheny County On November 18, the Allegheny County Health Department issued a stay-at-home and stop social gatherings advisory to slow the rapid spread of COVID-19. If left unchecked, the spread of COVID-19 poses a risk to communities and healthcare systems in Allegheny County. About Beginning immediately, Allegheny County residents are asked to stay at home and stop social gatherings to stem the rapid rise of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in the county. Residents are advised to only leave home to go to work or school, for essential needs such as seeking medical care, going to the grocery store or pharmacy, getting food, or the like. Residents must always wear a face mask and practice physical distancing by staying at least six feet away from others in accordance with the November 17 state masking order. Additionally, residents are strongly encouraged to: not have guests in their homes unless they are essential workers (e.g., home healthcare providers, child care workers, or educators), cancel traditional Thanksgiving celebrations and celebrate virtually with non-household members, avoid unnecessary travel, and limit social event gatherings. This advisory will remain in place for 30 days or until such time as the Health Director determines a change to the guidance is appropriate. All restrictions put in place by the Commonwealth and the Pennsylvania Department of Health remain in effect. More Information To view the full list of recommendations, please read the full advisory.
November 19, 2020 ELRC Region 5 Office to Close November 23 Due to rising COVID-19 cases and the stay-at-home advisory in Allegheny County, the Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Region 5 downtown office on Wood Street will be closed to the public beginning Monday, November 23. About On November 18, a stay-at-home and stop social gatherings public health advisory was issued by the Allegheny County Health Department. Due to this advisory and the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Allegheny County, ELRC Region 5 will close its downtown office to the public. The downtown and satellite offices will remain closed through December 31, 2020. ELRC Region 5 staff will continue to provide high-quality customer service via phone and video conferencing. More Information For more information, read this news post from ELRC Region 5.
#SaveChildCare Wednesdays The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is asking all child care champions to support early childhood educators and families by participating in #SaveChildCare Wednesdays each week at 4:50 p.m. About Quality child care is critical to the recovery of the current economic crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Advocates are asked to take action each Wednesday on social media and call on Congress to prioritize passing a COVID-19 relief package that includes at least $50 billion in dedicated funding to stabilize the child care sector. Participate Everything you need to engage each week can be accessed via this #SaveChildCare Day of ActionToolkit. The toolkit is regularly updated with messaging and contains additional links and content for social media tiles, shareable graphics, and sample posts in English and Spanish from a range of organizations.
Join Us In Celebrating #GivingTuesday Join Trying Together, your neighbors, and the global community on Tuesday, December 1, 2020, in celebrating kindness, collaboration, and generosity. Join us in #GivingTogether this #GivingTuesday. What Is GivingTuesday? First established in 2012, GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement that unleashes the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. It’s also an opportunity for people to stand together in unity—to use their individual power of generosity to support and champion the organizations and causes they care about. Why Should You Participate? 2020 has been a difficult year, and it has been especially difficult for our nation’s families. Due to job loss, financial strain, education challenges, and limited access to child care, families have been working tirelessly to make ends meet and support the learning and development of their children. However, they cannot do it alone. That’s why Trying Together’s mission to reinforce the work of early childhood is more important than ever before. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Trying Together has: mobilized our advocates to ensure child care businesses receive the emergency funds they need to stay in business and provide services to families; distributed critical health and safety supplies to early learning programs that serve essential workers and their families; developed an online search tool to assist essential workers and families with quickly finding and choosing early learning programs that meet their needs; created an online community for families to connect, discuss, and support one another in their care and education planning for the 2020-21 school year; and curated comprehensive COVID-19 resource lists online, one of which is for families and caregivers and the other for early care and education professionals. During the COVID-19 pandemic and after, Trying Together will continue to develop our programs, resources, and services to meet the needs of our communities. Will you join us in this work by showing your support on GivingTuesday? What You Can Do We all have gifts to give, and thanks to social media, online giving, mail, and phones, there are limitless ways to use your generosity to reinforce the early childhood field. For examples of how you can give this giving season, see the list below! Submit A Donation If you would like to support Trying Together’s work directly, consider submitting a financial donation! We appreciate donations of any size. However, for those looking for recommended amounts, Trying Together has identified the following tiers: Early Childhood Supporter ($60) Early Childhood Sustainer ($120) Early Childhood Champion ($1,000) Thanks to the generosity of Trying Together’s Board of Directors, all donations will be matched dollar for dollar up to $2,000. Help us secure these matched dollars by donating! Share Your Story When you think of a good teacher, who do you think of? Take time this GivingTuesday to thank that person via social media, phone, or email and let them know how their work has positively impacted your life or the life of your child. SOCIAL MEDIA 1. Join the larger community in celebrating gratitude by posting your thank you message, picture, or video on social media using #GiveThanks or #GivingTogether. Example: I’d like to say thank you to @amymiller for the wonderful work she’s been doing to support my child’s learning and healthy development! Ashton still can’t stop talking about the caterpillar craft he did last month! 🐛🦋 #GiveThanks #GivingTuesday 2. Set a goal for how many educators you’d like to thank this giving season and share it out on social media using #GiveThanks or #GivingTogether! Example: This #GivingTuesday, I’m celebrating gratitude by thanking three early learning professionals who have had a positive impact on my life and child. Will you join me? #GiveThanks 📞💌 #GivingTuesday is on December 1 this year and to celebrate, I’d like to #GiveThanks to the early learning professionals who work tirelessly to make sure my child is safe, supported, and cared for. Your hard work does not go unnoticed. Thank you!CLICK TO TWEET PHONE OR EMAIL If you have their phone number or email, contact your early learning professional and let them know how much you appreciate the work they do to support your family. Share Our Fundraising Page Another great way to support Trying Together is by sharing our fundraising page with your network. To help get you started, we have created a GivingTuesday Social Media Toolkit that features sample social media posts and more! More Information For questions, please contact Trying Together at info@tryingtogether.org.
ECE Job Openings: 11/19 – 11/25 Are you looking to start or transition your career in the early childhood field? You’re in luck! Early learning programs in Pennsylvania are currently looking to fill positions. To view this week’s featured job descriptions, see the list below. Featured Jobs Part-Time School Age Teacher Carriage House Children’s Center is seeking a part-time Assistant Teacher to help coordinate enrichment activities for a small classroom of school-age children who are participating in distance learning. Candidates should have a minimum of a high school diploma and at least two years’ documented experience working with children. To apply, complete the online application. For questions, contact chcc@carriagehouse.org. Early Childhood Education Teacher Angel’s Place is seeking an Infant/Toddler Teacher. An ideal candidate would have a Bachelor’s Degree and experience working with at-risk families. To apply, please submit your resume, cover letter, and references to angelsplacepittsburgh@gmail.com. For more information, visit their website. Lead Educator The Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh is seeking Lead Educators for their Infant, Toddler, Preschool, and Pre-Kindergarten classrooms at their Squirrel Hill and South Hills locations. Lead Educators would be responsible for classroom oversight and the implementation of approved curriculum in the Early Childhood team. Interested applicants should have knowledge of the Pennsylvania STARS program, the Reggio Emilia approach, and constructivist social learning theory, or have a willingness to learn! Ideal applicants would have an Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood with 30 Early Childhood credits. Individuals with non-related Bachelor’s Degrees may also apply. However, they must be enrolled in an accredited Early Childhood program have the willingness to earn a minimum of an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood. To apply, complete the online application. Assistant Educator The Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh is seeking Assistant Educators for their Infant, Toddler, Preschool, and Pre-Kindergarten classrooms at their Squirrel Hill and South Hills locations. Assistant Educators would be responsible for assisting the Lead Educator in classroom oversight and the implementation of approved curriculum in the Early Childhood team. Interested applicants should have knowledge of the Pennsylvania STARS program, the Reggio Emilia approach, and constructivist social learning theory, or have a willingness to learn! Ideal applicants would have an Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood with 30 Early Childhood credits. Individuals with non-related Bachelor’s Degrees may also apply. However, they must be enrolled in an accredited Early Childhood program have the willingness to earn a minimum of an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood. To apply, complete the online application. Weekend Daytime Therapeutic Child Care Staff Jeremiah’s Place, Pittsburgh’s ONLY Crisis Nursery, is seeking Therapeutic Child Care Staff for their weekend overnight shift (Friday – Sunday; 7 p.m. – 7 a.m.). Staff are responsible for caring for the children at the 24-hour center during these shifts as well as completing housekeeping tasks. If you are a responsible employee who has experience working professionally with children, apply to join Jeremiah’s Place as they strive to maintain the safety of all children in this region! To apply, submit your resume to Jordan Shoenberger at apply@jeremiahsplace.org. Weekend Overnight Therapeutic Child Care Staff Jeremiah’s Place, Pittsburgh’s ONLY Crisis Nursery, is seeking Therapeutic Child Care Staff for their weekend daytime shift (Friday – Sunday; 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.). Staff are responsible for caring for the children at the 24-hour center during the weekends, providing enriching activities and structure for them. If you are a responsible employee who has experience working professionally with children, apply to join Jeremiah’s Place as they strive to maintain the safety of all children in this region! To apply, submit your resume to Jordan Shoenberger at apply@jeremiahsplace.org. Pre-K Counts Lead Teacher Heritage Community Initiatives is seeking a Pre-K Counts Lead Teacher to provide high-quality programming within their assigned classroom of three- to five-year-olds. This professional must be committed to best practices according to Pre-K Counts regulations and guidelines, and must be passionate about the early care and education field and working with children. The Pre-K Counts Lead Teacher must be able to develop and facilitate developmentally, individually, and culturally appropriate practices and intentional teaching. All lesson plans must be based on each individual child’s goals that come from the GOLD assessments and daily observations. To apply, send a cover letter and a copy of your resume to humanresources@heritageserves.org. For additional information about Heritage Community Initiatives, visit their website. Lead Toddler Teacher Crafton Children’s Corner is seeking a Lead Toddler Teacher who is able to work full-time, Monday through Friday. The Lead Toddler Teacher will be responsible for coordinating the curriculum and managing a fun classroom. Interested applicants must have a Childhood Development Associate (CDA) Credential or better. Experience is a plus. To apply, submit your resume to childrenscorner3@verizon.net. For more information about open positions, visit their website. Infant-Pre-Toddler Caregiver Crafton Children’s Corner is seeking an Infant-Pre-Toddler Caregiver who is able to work full-time, Monday through Friday. The Infant-Pre-Toddler Caregiver will assist the Lead Teacher with the curriculum, as well as daily activities and routines of the room. To apply, submit your resume to childrenscorner3@verizon.net. For more information about open positions, visit their website. Toddler Teacher Assistant Mount Washington Children’s Center is seeking a Toddler Teacher Assistant who will share the responsibility of carrying out lesson planning, diaper changing, and helping to prepare a socially, emotionally well-developed toddler. This professional will work with a Toddler Teacher. This position is 40 hours per week and includes benefits. To apply, submit your resume to mwcc15@yahoo.com. Assistant Group Supervisor Fifth Avenue Family Child Care is looking for a dynamic Assistant Group Supervisor with experience working with infants to preschool-aged children to join their team full time, starting in January 2021. They value creativity, child-led exploration, reliability, patience, and building an inclusive community. Providing a safe and enriching environment for play-based learning is a vital aspect of the position. Also included in the responsibilities for this role are: following COVID-19 mitigation protocols, changing diapers, assistance with toilet learning, light food prep, meal assistance, and day to day communication with parents. To apply, email your cover letter and resume to Leah Thompson at thompsonl@theellisschool.org. Submit a Job Description Each week, Trying Together publishes a news post that features employer-submitted job positions from early learning programs across Pennsylvania. Trying Together shares these posts online through our website, social media channels, and newsletter. To make it into next week’s post, please submit the Child Care Provider Job Post Submission Form no later than Tuesday, November 24. This form is intended for positions in the early childhood field. Job descriptions not related to the early childhood field will not be included. All job descriptions submitted after November 24 will be published in the next week’s news post. Please note that news post publication dates may vary due to state and federal holidays. For questions, contact Lainey Yockey at lainey@tryingtogether.org. Search Additional Jobs Are you interested in starting or shifting your career in early childhood care and education? Visit the ECE Hire website or sign up for their weekly newsletter for current job listings and helpful tips on interviewing, resumes, and more. To stay up to date on our featured positions and more, follow us on Facebook and subscribe to our newsletter.
