November 19, 2020 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.
November 17, 2020 Child Care Programs: Submit Your Experience The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is conducting a survey to gather information from the early childhood field to inform federal and state actions on child care. This survey is intended for early learning professionals. About Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, NAEYC has been collecting survey responses from early learning professionals to convey the challenges child care programs are facing across states and settings. Data collected through this survey will be shared with policymakers to build a deeper understanding of the ongoing urgency of the challenges programs are facing. Early childhood educators can answer the questions regardless of whether their child care program is open, closed, or somewhere in between, and regardless of what kind of child care program they work in, or what role they have there. Take The Survey To submit your experience, complete the online survey by November 22, 2020. NAEYC will select 10 respondents at random to receive a $50 gift card. Winners will be notified on December 18, 2020. Child Care Survey (English) Child Care Survey (Spanish) More Information For more information, contact advocacy@naeyc.org.
November 16, 2020 2020 SOC Symposium | Father Family Involvement Are you interested in learning how Pennsylvania can build better futures for children through greater father family involvement? Join the National Association of Social Workers on December 1, 8, and 15 for the 2020 SOC Symposium. This event is virtual. About Tuesday, December 1, 2020 Includes a brief presentation of Pennsylvania’s Journey to ensure child wellbeing, safety, and permanency for every child within the Commonwealth, as well as personal interviews with two Distinguished Pennsylvania System Change Leaders for Greater Father Family Involvement: “From Whence They Come.” Tuesday, December 8, 2020 Addresses the consequences of Father Absence and or Father Non-Involvement, and the need to move forward, a diverse group of expert panelists will help participants to unravel the question, “Are Fathers intentionally included, or not, in Pennsylvania’s child and family services and programming that are designed to enhance well-being outcomes for both?” Tuesday, December 15, 2020 A Call to Action, as the Symposium comes to a close, with Media Q&A. Drs. Myers, Goode, Horn will emphasize why this mission is so crucial and will illuminate the strategy for moving Pennsylvania forward now! Registration To register for the Symposium, visit the event webpage. Online registration will be available until December 1, 2020. CEU credits available. More Information For registration questions, please contact Asagen.naswpa@socialworkers.org. Share this flyer with your network.
November 12, 2020 Make the Most of Learning at Home With PBS KIDS Are you interested in learning how to develop a learning routine for your family and increase your child’s motivation to learn? Join PBS Kids on November 18 for their online event, “Make the Most of Learning at Home With PBS KIDS.” About With children across the country learning at home, parents and caregivers are facing new challenges. PBS KIDS invites parents and caregivers of children ages five to eight to come together for a discussion with educators, a child psychologist, and fellow parents. Get ideas on how to use PBS KIDS resources to encourage everyday playful learning. Presenters will answer questions and share tips on how you can maintain a strong connection with your child’s school, help your child stay motivated to learn, and develop a learning routine for your family. Registration To register for this event, visit the PBS Kids website.
ECE Job Openings: 11/12 – 11/18 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 Preschool Specialist Kids Kademy II L.L.C. is looking to hire a reliable, nurturing, and dedicated individual to lead their Preschool Program. An ideal candidate would be knowledgeable about Keystone STARS. To apply, email your resume to erinc62301@yahoo.com. Infant/Toddler Room Assistant Teachers Carriage House Children’s Center is seeking Infant/Toddler Room Assistant Teachers who will be responsible in assisting with children’s daily activities under the guidance of a teacher. If you have previous experience working with young children and are interested in joining their inclusive learning community where all families, children, and staff feel welcome and respected, please apply. To apply, complete the online application. For questions, contact chcc@carriagehouse.org. Preschool Teachers Carriage House Children’s Center is seeking highly-motivated Preschool Teachers who value the importance of building strong relationships with children, understand how young children learn and develop, and are dedicated to creating a nurturing learning environment for every child. If you have previous experience working with young children and are interested in joining their inclusive learning community where all families, children, and staff feel welcome and respected, please apply. To apply, complete the online application. For questions, contact chcc@carriagehouse.org. Lead Young Toddler Room Teacher Carriage House Children’s Center is seeking a full-time Lead Young Toddler Room Teacher for their Infant/Toddler Program. If you have previous experience working with young children and are interested in joining their inclusive learning community where all families, children, and staff feel welcome and respected, please apply. To apply, complete the online application. For questions, contact chcc@carriagehouse.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 Wednesday, November 18. 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 18 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 5, 2020 Early Literacy Virtual Conference Are you interested in learning actionable strategies for teaching the five pillars of reading, especially in distance and hybrid learning environments? Join Learning Ally on December 4, 2020 for the “Early Literacy Virtual Conference.” About Join Learning Ally on December 4 for a full day of early literacy professional learning featuring keynote speakers Kai-leé Berke and Barbara Steinberg, in addition to 12 other experts. By attending, professionals will: Discover actionable strategies for teaching the five pillars of reading, especially in a distance or hybrid learning environment. Understand the milestones in early literacy development so you can better meet the needs of all your students. Learn what it means to be intentionally anti-biased and culturally relevant when teaching literacy in a diverse classroom. Connect with the experts and other educators to share first-hand experiences to drive lasting change in your teaching practice. Registration To register for the conference, visit the Learning Ally website. Attendees will be able to earn up to 16 Continuing Education (CE) hours live or on-demand through January 31, 2021.
October 30, 2020 Engaging and Teaching Parents About Technology Are you interested in learning how to teach parents about technology? Join Carrie Rogers-Whitehead, Karina Gathu, and Tay Gudmundson on December 17 for “Engaging and Teaching Parents About Technology.” About Parents can be collaborators or obstacles when the topic of technology comes up. With more remote learning than ever, schools need parents. Educators often talk to parents when mistakes or accidents happen, as a reactionary measure. However, schools can be more proactive about preventing those mistakes by reaching out and understanding parents’ situations and worries. This webinar will draw from on-the-ground work with hundreds of parents, sharing survey results with their biggest concerns. Time for questions will be provided. Featured Topics In this webinar, professionals will: learn the five most important things parents should know about digital citizenship, learn how, when, why, and who to host a digital parenting event with, and learn how to be proactive with parents, not reactive. Registration This webinar is best suited for K-12 teachers, librarians, and school and district leaders. To register, visit the EdWeb website.
School’s Out! Challenges and Solutions for School-Age Programs Are you interested in exploring common challenges and solutions for school-age programs? Join presenters Tracy Galuski, Ph.D., Arlene Rider, Ph.D., and Nadia J. Jones, Ed.D. on November 18 for “School’s Out! Challenges and Solutions for School-Age Programs: Meaningful Activities.” About Professionals who work with school-age children in out-of-school environments often struggle with ways to keep the children engaged in programs that run before and after the structured school day. Children have varied needs, and program staff are often dealing with challenges such as a restrictive environment, mixed groupings, and varied schedules. Within the context of child development, this webinar offers a child-centered approach to developing activities that engage and enhance the program. Participants will explore a number of common challenges along with some possible solutions that can be adapted and applied in their work. Time for questions will be provided. Featured Topics This webinar will: review typical learning centers in school-age programs, explore developmental stages and how child development informs practice, and discuss challenges and solutions related to the environment and activities. Registration This webinar is best suited for practioneres in before- and after-school programs in a variety of settings. To register, visit the EdWeb website.
Teaching Digital Citizenship Through SEL Skill Building Did you know that social-emotional learning (SEL) can help develop the skills students need to be empowered digital citizens? Join Carrie Rogers-Whitehead and Joyce Whitby on November 11 for their webinar “Teaching Digital Citizenship Through SEL Skill Building” to learn about this topic more! About This webinar, informed by thousands of direct hours teaching K-12 students digital citizenship, narrows down the most important social-emotional learning (SEL) skills for digital citizenship. It also shares practical ideas and real-life examples to effectively teach those skills to multiple age groups. Participants will leave with activities and ideas they can use immediately in their classroom and learn more about a different approach to digital citizenship education. Time for questions will be provided. Registration This webinar is best suited for K-12 teachers, librarians, and school and district leaders. To register, visit the EdWeb website.
