Virtual UnConference: Re-Opening to Our ‘New Normal’ Join Trying Together on May 26 for our first virtual UnConference as we dive into topics that are relevant to child care centers as they begin to re-open to a ‘new normal’ due to the effects of COVID-19. A recording of this event will be available for those who are unable to attend. UnConference Details We are facing a “new normal” in our field that has never been envisioned before. COVID-19 has taken our state, our country, and our world on a tumultuous journey, invoking fear, anxiety, reflection, and change-making at unprecedented levels. As an early childhood educator, you are most likely thinking about how to continue supporting children and families while maintaining high-quality programming, business operations, and personal health for both you and your colleagues. This free three-hour online UnConference will help you virtually connect with other educators while gaining information about the steps you can take to prepare for and respond to the effects of COVID-19 on early childhood programming. Three PQAS and Act 48 hours available. About UnConference: Re-Opening to Our ‘New Normal’ will be hosted via Zoom. It begins with a “rapid-fire” keynote by four speakers, featuring Michelle Figlar of The Heinz Endowments, LaTrenda Leonard Sherrill of LaTrenda Consulting (and Board Member of Trying Together), Muffy Mendoza of Brown Mamas, and mental health expert Diana Schwab. The keynote is followed by two workshops. Participants can choose from the following: Coping with COVID – HR Thoughts and Tips for Child Care Centers, Building Community and Connection with Digital Technologies, How to Stay Healthy and Provide Safe Child Care During COVID-19, and Everyday Interactions Matter: Noticing the Simple and Ordinary Course Objectives Through successful participation and completion of the UnConference, participants will: become familiar with regional, state, and national resources to support child care programs in response to COVID-19; gain appropriate strategies recommended for caring for young children and families in response to COVID-19, including health and safety practices and innovative ECE practices (social-emotional learning); discuss appropriate strategies for supporting the early education workforce in response to COVID-19; and learn how to create authentic connections with families and community members using digital tools. Schedule Each session will have its own Zoom link which will be provided to you upon registration. Upon completion of the UnConference, three hours of accredited professional development will be given. 1:00 – 1:30 p.m.: “Rapid Fire” Keynote featuring Michelle Figlar, LaTrenda Leonard Sherrill, Muffy Mendoza, and Diana Schwab 1:45 – 3:00 p.m.: Workshop #1 (choose between two options) 3:15 – 4:30 p.m.: Workshop #2 (choose between two options) Available Workshops There are four workshops provided for this UnConference. Two options are available between 1:45 – 3:00 p.m. and two other options are available between 3:15 – 4:30 p.m. View the list of workshops for the Virtual UnConference: Re-Opening to Our ‘New Normal’. Registration This virtual UnConference is free. Participants must pre-register for the UnConference by 3 p.m. on Monday, May 25 in order to receive links to each session via email. Visit the event page to register and learn more. How to Virtually Attend The sessions will be hosted using the web-based video conferencing platform Zoom. Please download Zoom prior to the UnConference to your device of choice. We will send you a Zoom link for the keynote as well as a Zoom link for each workshop based on what you select. A recording of this event will be available for those who are unable to attend. How to Receive Credit Three PQAS and Act 48 hours will be available. Participants must attend the UnConference and complete the survey at the end of each session (keynote and two workshops) in order to receive credit. Once completed, Jasmine Davis, Professional Learning Program Manager at Trying Together, will process your credit. If you have questions specific to receiving credit for coursework, please email Jasmine at jasmine@tryingtogether.org. More Information For questions, please contact UnConference Director, Yu-Ling Cheng, at conference@tryingtogether.org.
May 12, 2020 Learning to Play, Playing to Learn: Encouraging Play within Early Childhood Classrooms “Play acts as a mechanism into courageous, creative, and rigorous thinking in adulthood.” (T. Bruce,., 2013) The benefits of children’s play can be life-lasting, as long as the experiences are developmentally appropriate, positive, and engaging. This free online course focuses on children’s play and the role of play in early education settings. Participants will take part in varied individual and group activities that pertain to the definitions, developmental mechanics, and functions of play as well as new strategies for encouraging play within children’s earliest classrooms. Limited spaces are available. All registrations must be submitted by May 27 at 5 p.m. Course Information Timeline: May 29 – June 19, 2020 Trainers: Chasta Shaw and Alicia Sebastian CKC: K2.14.C1 Keystone STARS Alignment: SQ.3.4.10 CDA Subject Area: Advancing children’s physical and intellectual development. Three PQAS and Act 48 hours available. Registration To register, please visit the event registration page. More Information For more information, contact Jasmine Davis at 412.567.3933 or jasmine@tryingtogether.org.
Working with Diverse Families: Supporting Dual Language Learners In this online course, participants will engage in an interactive session to build and strengthen knowledge working with diverse children ages birth to five and families. In order to support early childhood practitioners serving this population, this session will focus on current research, strategies when teaching dual language learners, and techniques to engage families. Limited spaces are available. All registrations must be submitted by May 26 at 5 p.m. Course Information Timeline: May 28 – June 18, 2020 Instructor: Mimi Loughead CKC: K3.1 C2 Keystone STARS Alignment: SQ. 3.4.3 CDA Subject Area: Building Productive Relationships with Families. Three PQAS and Act 48 hours available. Registration To register, please visit the event registration page. More Information For more information, contact Rosie Hogan at rosie@tryingtogether.org.
May 11, 2020 Professionalism – Styles & Dispositions in the Workplace This three-week online workplace professionalism course will allow early care and education professionals to communicate, reflect, and update the professional styles they may use or want to use to improve in the field of early childhood education. Today’s early childhood professional must demonstrate knowledge of the skills, styles, and dispositions required to succeed in the workplace. This requires a commitment to the profession, including commitments to their regular work environment and beyond. Using activities and resources, this course provides participants with strategies to adopt positive and ethical habits that will serve them personally and professionally. Limited spaces are available. All registrations must be submitted by May 20 at 5 p.m. Course Information Timeline: May 22 – June 12, 2020 Instructors: Jasmine Davis and Theresa Hetler CKC: K6.9 C2 Keystone STARS Alignment: SQ. 3.4.5 CDA Subject Area: Maintaining a Commitment to Professionalism. Three PQAS and Act 48 hours available. Registration To register for this workplace professionalism course, please visit the event registration page. Workplace Professionalism Styles & Dispositions For more information, contact Jasmine Davis at 412.567.3933 or jasmine@tryingtogether.org. For more on Trying Together’s professional development programs, visit our courses page.
February 11, 2020 Refugee Education Workshop Series: Putting Information into Action Join Dr. Xia Chao for the last interactive workshop of the 4-part series dedicated to helping educators understand the literacies, cultures, and needs of the Pittsburgh area’s refugee communities. About Through a grant from the National Geographic Society, Dr. Chao has conducted research over the past several years that explores the experiences and narratives of local refugee communities including the Nepali, Karen, and Somali Bantu. This workshop series seeks to incorporate the findings of Dr. Chao’s research in order to offer local educators insight into working with students from these communities and resources for supporting immigrant and refugee families in their interactions with the American educational system. This session will help educators learn specific strategies for teaching English learners. Registration To register, visit the Eventbrite page. Light refreshments and Act 48 credits will be provided. More Information For more information on the workshop series and content, please contact Dr. Xia Chao at chaox@duq.edu. For information about the event, ticketing, and logistics, please contact Taya Jackson at taya.jackson@theglobalswitchboard.org. Share this flyer with your network.
January 15, 2020 Documenting Learning Through Photography Join the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust on March 7 for their professional development session, “Documenting Learning Through Photography.” About Cameras are ubiquitous these days, but how can educators best use them in the classroom? In this workshop, educators will consider how they might use photography to enhance, expand, and document learning for both themselves and their students. Participants will learn about free simple apps for photo editing and how to use visual artifacts in student assessment. Participants are encouraged to bring their own mobile device, however, iPads will be made available for use during the class. This course is designed for K-12 educators. Act 48 and PQAS hours available. Registration To register, visit the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust website. More Information For personal assistance selecting accessible seats or for more information about accessibility for a person with a disability, contact Customer Service at 412.456.6666. To learn more, visit the event webpage.
Joyful Transitioning for Toddlers with Music and Movement Join the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust on February 8 for their professional development session, “Joyful Transitioning for Toddlers with Music and Movement.” About Transitioning into a classroom for the first time can be a big challenge for young toddlers. Ease the transition and even make it joyful by using music and movement! In this workshop, participants will experience a variety of soothing songs and rhythmic movements that can be incorporated into their daily practice to support children’s social-emotional development. PQAS and Act 48 hours available. Registration To register, visit the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust website. More Information For personal assistance selecting accessible seats or for more information about accessibility for a person with a disability, contact Customer Service at 412.456.6666. To learn more, visit the event webpage.
August 13, 2019 Come Play! Guided by the staff at Trying Together, Come Play! is an opportunity for group and family child care providers to bring their enrolled children for hands-on professional learning. Provider Benefits By participating, providers will receive: PQAS / Act 48 Hours Mentoring Program Resources Questions For more information or to ask questions, contact Mimi Loughead at 412.567.5163 or mimi@tryingtogether.org. Share this flyer with your networks.
May 14, 2019 Come Play! Guided by the staff at Trying Together, Come Play! is a weekly opportunity for family and group child care providers to bring their enrolled children for hands-on professional development. Provider Benefits By participating, providers will receive: PQAS / Act 48 Hours Mentoring Program Resources Questions For more information or to ask questions, contact Theresa Hetler at 412.421.3889 or theresa@tryingtogether.org. Share this flyer with your networks.
