October 4, 2024 Capturing Moments: Planning For and Conducting Classroom Observations ELRC Region 5 is offering a professional development opportunity for your team of early learning educators. Capturing Moments: Planning For and Conducting Classroom Observations will introduce early education professionals to the importance and value of purposeful observation. Through whole and small group discussions and activities, students will understand what observation is and identify various types of observation used in the classroom. They will also learn how observations can be linked directly to observation-based child assessments, and discuss how to identify their own biases to prevent them from affecting their objective observations. This session is eligible for 2 hours of PQAS and Act 48 credit. Session Details Tuesday, November 5, 2024 | 6 – 8 p.m. Virtual via Zoom Cost: $10 Register Instructors: Shawna Preston and Elizabeth Foreman Standards: Child Observation, Documentation, and Assessment Questions? For questions about the course or credit, contact Amanda Murphy at amanda@tryingtogether.org.
September 11, 2024 National Afterschool Association: Thriving Evidence Webinar The National Afterschool Association will host an upcoming webinar on child and youth growth and development. Learn More Thriving Evidence will be a candid discussion of the current landscape of state and local policies that allow students to get credit for anywhere, anytime learning. The webinar will explore how and why these policies have come into being, and how they have supported or unintentionally thwarted the development of robust learning ecosystems that illuminate multiple pathways toward accruing credits that matter for young adults. The webinar will begin at 12 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Sept. 17. Registration is now open.
September 3, 2024 Report: Fewer Pennsylvania Teachers Getting Certified A new report by Penn State College’s Center for Evaluation and Education Policy Analysis found that fewer Pennsylvania teachers are getting certified and many are leaving the field altogether. Learn More In his study, “Pennsylvania Teacher Attrition and Turnover from 2014 to 2024,” Penn State professor Ed Fuller notes that the 2022-23 state’s teacher attrition rate of 7.7% was the highest on record. According to a Chalkbeat report, Pennsylvania was within the range of national trends during that time period. About 9,500 Pennsylvania teachers left the profession between 2022 and 2023, which led to concern that attrition rates would exacerbate ongoing teacher shortages. While demand for teachers has increased, the supply has decreased. But Fuller’s study found that fewer teachers left the profession in Pennsylvania than in the prior year. The teacher attrition rate from 2022-23 to 2023-24 dropped from 7.7% to 6.7%. This equals about 8,326 teachers. However, the attrition rate is still greater than the rates for six of the 10 years since 2014-15. Early Learning Shortages The teacher shortage in Pennsylvania extends to child care and early learning professionals. A September 2023 survey by The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s PolicyLab on behalf of StartStrongPA detailed a child care staffing crisis in 762 of the state’s child care programs as well as its effect on working families’ ability to access care. That study found that 2,395 open positions across the state have resulted in the closure of 934 classrooms. It also found that child care providers’ inability to recruit and retain staff is having a direct impact on the quality of their programming. An additional 26,000 children could be served at state child care programs if fully staffed, the report found. Similarly, a total of 145,010 Pennsylvania children, ages three and four, are eligible for high-quality kindergarten – but only 46% of them have access, according to 2024 Pre-K for PA fact sheets. Pre-K for PA’s campaign amid the 2024-25 state budget process called for increased investments in Pre-K Counts to address teacher shortages and greater access to eligible children.
August 26, 2024 NAEYC Encourages Early Childhood Education Experts to Become Subject Matter Experts Early childhood education experts are encouraged to share their knowledge and expertise in the field by becoming a subject matter expert (SME) for the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Learn More NAEYC is expanding its pool of SMEs to support creating professional development, training, and webinars for early education leaders and educators. It aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice by drawing on the insights of SMEs in regard to practical applications, best practices, and lessons learned in the field. A subject matter expert is defined as someone who has mastery of a particular early education topic, hands-on experience and the ability to translate both to support early education professionals. The SMEs should know how to implement realistic and practical strategies for creating culturally relevant and developmentally appropriate experiences for young children. To become an SME for NAEYC, the following criteria is required: Hold a master’s degree or doctorate in early childhood education, developmental psychology, child development and family studies, early childhood special education, elementary education, or other related degree Have experience as an early childhood professional, preferably as a direct service provider – program administrator, teacher, or family childcare provider – or ability to adapt a specific knowledge base to an early childhood audience Have knowledge of adult learning theory Applying and the Selection Process To apply, complete the NAEYC SME Pool Application and attach a resume, cover letter, and writing sample. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Candidates who meet the SME criteria will be added to the SME pool. When NAEYC seeks expertise, candidates will be selected and retained on a contractual basis. Applications will be active for two years; after that time, a new application will be required to maintain active status. NAEYC is seeking SMEs on the following topics: Advocacy/public policy Art Child Development Children with disabilities and/or early intervention Cognitive development Community partnerships Curriculum theories and approaches Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging Emergent bilingual/multilingual learners Family engagement Guidance or classroom management Health and safety Infant/toddlers Kindergarten Leadership Learning environments Language and literacy Mathematics Observation and assessment Physical development Play Professionalism and ethics Program administration Science Social and emotional development Social studies Teaching and instructional practices Technology For more information, visit NAEYC’s website.
August 14, 2024 Working Together Webinar Pre-K for PA and Start Strong PA will host an upcoming webinar on early learning initiatives in the state. Learn More The Working Together Webinar will focus on several topics relating to early learning in the state, including: Early learning in the 2024-25 state budget Follow up and response to state policymakers Federal advocacy update and opportunities for child care The webinar, which will be available in English and Spanish, will include Pre-K for PA and Start Strong PA partners – including First Up: Champions for Early Education, Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children, Pennsylvania Child Care Association, Pennsylvania Head Start Association, and Trying Together. Attendees will learn how to work together in 2024 to strengthen Pennsylvania’s early learning system for teachers and programs and grow access to more eligible families. More Details The webinar will begin at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 27. Those interested in attending must register in advance. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
August 12, 2024 Webinar Recording: Program Liability Insurance Options and Risk Management Tools The Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children (PennAEYC) recently hosted a webinar on how its web platform can save money, time, and resources for program liability insurance options and risk management tools. Learn More The purpose of the webinar was to address concerns regarding liability insurance, provide a summary of efforts to date, and show how PennAEYC’s website – Shared Source PA – can help. Tools available on the website that were touted during the webinar include recruitment and retention (from onboarding practices to the low cost and high impact of staff benefits), strengthening business practices (such as reducing operating costs and family child care operation), and resources for teachers and families (such as curriculum planning resources and managing challenging behavior). Shared Source PA can also help to successfully obtain quotes and secure insurance for family child care businesses and centers of all sizes. The webinar explored how to understand business insurance and how carriers assess risk. It tackled impacts to eligibility and cost (such as business location or claims history) as well as methods of assistance (such as completing an annual assessment and implementing strong human resources and workplace safety practices). Panelists in the webinar included Jen DeBell, PennAEYC’s executive director, as well as Rose Snyder, PennAEYC’s senior director of education and operations, and two representatives from CCA for Social Good. More Details The presentation from the webinar can be viewed online. Anyone with additional questions about the webinar or Shared Sources PA should contact PennAEYC’s Rose Snyder at rsnyder@pennaeyc.org.
July 15, 2024 Pennsylvania Meets U.S. Department of Education’s Highest Recognition of Parts B and C of IDEA Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning’s (OCDEL) Bureau of Early Intervention Services and Family Supports has announced that the U.S. Department of Education has determined that the state meets the requirements and purposes of Part C and Part B of the Individuals with Disability Education Act (IDEA). Learn More The state’s Infant Toddler Early Intervention program is under Part C of IDEA. It provides services for eligible infants and toddlers and their families from birth until the child’s third birthday. Services are developed by a team and written into an individualized family service plan. Services are delivered in a natural environment for the child and family. Part B covers special education services for children and their families from preschool through 12th grade. It includes performance measures for the state’s Preschool Early Intervention program. This is the department’s highest recognition regarding the performance of the state’s Part C and Part B programs.
July 9, 2024 Nia Harris Chosen as OCDEL’s Bureau of Operations and Monitoring Director Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has named Nia Harris as its Director of Bureau of Operations and Monitoring. Learn More Harris was previously OCDEL’s Director of Bureau of Early Learning Resource Center Operations and Monitoring. She has worked for the state since 2013, beginning her civil service career as an income maintenance caseworker, human service program specialist, and human service program representative 1. Harris graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where she majored in psychology and minored in sociology. Bureau of Operations and Monitoring The Bureau of Operations and Monitoring provides oversight and technical assistance to Early Learning Resource Centers (ELRCs). It is responsible for monitoring ELRC grantee program integrity and accountability, proper use of funds, and accurate application of program rules and procedures. The bureau also serves as a source of support to ELRCs in their daily operations and program management.
July 8, 2024 Child Care Openings in Pittsburgh Are you looking for open child care positions? Early learning programs in the Greater Pittsburgh Area are hiring! See featured jobs for this week. Child Care Positions in Pittsburgh MASTER TEACHER The Kinder Academy is looking for a master teacher, who will be responsible for developing a cohesive teaching team, coordinating the curriculum, and managing the day-to-day operational activities of the classroom. Teachers must understand children’s cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development to ensure a safe and stimulating classroom environment where children are actively engaged and encouraged to succeed. Most of all, the teacher must seek strong connections to children, families, and coworkers. Those interested should send a resume to twalzer@kinderacademy.com. ASSISTANT TEACHER Heritage Community Initiatives is seeking a flexible and qualified assistant teacher for its 4 Kids Early Learning Program. This educator would establish and create a safe, nurturing environment where children can learn and play. They would assist in designing weekly lesson plans that align with Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards. Those interested should visit HeritageServes.org/Careers. PRE-K COUNTS ASSISTANT TEACHER Heritage Community Initiatives is offering an exceptional opportunity for an education professional to utilize their talents and expertise at its highly-respected, Keystone STAR 4-accredited, NAEYC-affiliated program – Heritage 4 Kids Early Learning Center. The teacher would assist in designing weekly lesson plans that align with Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards. Two years of experience in an early childhood setting is mandatory. For more information, visit HeritageServes.org/Careers. TEMPORARY FULL-TIME TEACHER Heritage Community Initiatives is seeking a temporary full-time teacher at its Keystone STAR 4-accredited, NAEYC-affiliated program – Heritage Out of School (HOST). Summer session educators will play a major role in the implementation of age-appropriate experiential learning initiatives for school-age students throughout the summer months. Educators will be a part of planning, facilitating, and engaging in a number of hands-on activities and experiences. Visit HeritageServes.org/Careers for more information. ASSISTANT TEACHER The University of Pittsburgh’s Child Development Center is seeking a part-time assistant teacher to work with children ranging in age from six weeks to five years. The assistant teacher is responsible for supporting daily activities and programming in the classroom, interacting with and supervising a group of children, and maintaining daily communication with families. Please submit a resume and cover letter for the position online. ASSOCIATE TEACHER The University of Pittsburgh’s University Child Development Center is looking to hire an associate teacher to support the Head Teacher in the planning and implementation of an early childhood program for a class of children. Associate teachers support the Head Teacher by maintaining the classroom, assessing and maintaining care, programming, and ensuring safety. Please submit a resume and cover letter for the position online. LEAD/ASSISTANT TEACHER London Bridges Child Development Center is seeking an early childhood lead or assistant teacher. The ideal candidate will be responsible for creating a nurturing, stimulating, and safe environment for young children. The teacher will develop and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum, foster positive relationships with children and their families, and ensure compliance with regulations. Applicants should develop and implement lesson plans and activities that promote physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development. Candidates should submit their resume and cover letter to londonbridgescdc@yahoo.com with the subject line: Assistant or Lead Teacher Application. Submit a Job Trying Together highlights employer-submitted jobs on our website, social media, and in our newsletter. Submit a Job: To make it into next week’s post, submit the Child Care Provider Job Post Submission Form. All jobs submitted after Tuesday each week will be published in the following week’s news post. Publication dates may vary due to state and federal holidays. Unrelated jobs will not be included. For questions, contact Heidi Winkler at heidi@tryingtogether.org. Other Jobs in Early Childhood ECE HIRE Visit the ECE Hire website to view early childhood education job listings and helpful tips on interviewing, resumes, and more. SUBMIT A JOB TO PACCA Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA) offers a Job Board for its members to post jobs for free and sends out submitted jobs via their Facebook page and e-newsletter. PACCA members can submit jobs online after signing into their membership account. For questions, contact Maureen Murphy at maureen.murphy@pacca.org. Receive Jobs in Your Inbox To receive the latest job opportunities, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Facebook.
May 2, 2024 The Work of Fred Rogers: A Cross-Context Conference on Fred’s Legacy in Action Today More than 50 years after Fred Rogers first appeared on television and asked viewers to be his neighbor, the impact of his legacy continues to resonate. This summer, the Fred Rogers Institute will host its second annual Work of Fred Rogers Conference. Learn More The conference will be practice-focused and practice-informed. It will feature sessions from educators and other child-serving professionals who will share ideas, stories, and inspiration. Questions that will be explored during the conference include: How does Fred Rogers’ work inform practice in classrooms, communities, and child- and youth-focused spaces? What can adults draw from Fred Rogers’ work as we seek to be children’s helpers in our world today? The conference will be of interest to educators and practitioners who work in the direct service of children and/or families, or who provide support to those who provide support to those who work directly with children or families. Educators, clinicians, and practitioners in numerous child- and family-serving fields continue to turn to Rogers’ legacy to inform their practice. His wisdom continues to inspire families and children’s helpers. The agendas for day one and day two are both available. More Details The conference will be held on June 21 and 22 at the Fred Rogers Center on the campus of Saint Vincent College in Latrobe. The cost for both days is $275, while the cost for one day is $143. Act 48 credits will be available to Pennsylvania educators who attend the conference. All attendees will receive certificates of attendance that can be applied to CEU credit in other states. Registration is open through June 14.