free Archives

News

May 14, 2020

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.

News

May 12, 2020

Connections and Conversations: Virtual Check-Ins

Connections and Conversations: Virtual Check-Ins are interactive sessions that highlight topics of interest to the field of early childhood education. Participants will engage in virtual discussions via Zoom with child development experts while interacting with early learning practitioners to share questions, experiences, and expertise about the highlighted topic.

After registering, participants will receive a Zoom Meeting link via email from the session instructor. Each session will offer one hour of PQAS credit. Act 48 credit will not be offered for these sessions.

Available Sessions

- Creating Meaningful Virtual Learning Experiences for Children and Families
  Wednesday, 6/3 | 3 – 4 p.m. | Instructor: Katie Gullone | Click here to register.
  Early education practitioners are developing digital learning experiences with children and families in creative, innovative, and unique ways more than ever before. Join Message from Me Program Director Katie Gullone for a conversation on supporting relationships with children and their loved ones meaningfully through the use of technology and media.
- Trauma and the Effects on Brain Development
  Wednesday, 6/17 | 3 – 4 p.m. | Instructor: Alison Babusci | Click here to register.
  The COVID-19 crisis has brought many new stressors into our lives. Participants will join Professional Growth and Advancement Strategist Alison Babusci to review how stress affects healthy brain development in children, learn about the brain’s response to stress, and talk about how early learning professionals can help our young children to cope.

Session Rules and Guidelines

These virtual discussions are designed to provide educators the opportunity to grow professionally and share knowledge on early childhood topics. During the meeting, participants should follow the guidelines below to ensure a successful virtual meeting for all participants.

- Please allow all participants a chance to speak. Listen respectfully and actively.
- Commit to learning about each other, not to debating the topic.
- Embrace differences of opinion as healthy and support each person’s authentic self-expression.
- Participants will be muted for the beginning portion of the session.
- Participants may use the “Raise Hand” feature in Zoom to request an opportunity to comment or ask a question. Individuals will be temporarily unmuted by the moderator.
- Participants may type a comment or question in the Chat or may send comments or questions directly to the moderator for them to share.
- To receive PQAS credit, you must complete an evaluation at the end of the session and include your PD Registry number.
- Have fun, make connections, and engage in the conversations!

More Information

For questions or more information, please contact Jasmine Davis at 412.567.3933 or jasmine@tryingtogether.org.

News

Connections and Conversations: Virtual Check-Ins

Available Sessions

- Trauma and the Effects on Brain Development
  Wednesday, 6/17 | 3 – 4 p.m. | Instructor: Alison Babusci | Click here to register.
  The COVID-19 crisis has brought many new stressors into our lives. Participants will join Professional Growth and Advancement Strategist Alison Babusci to review how stress affects healthy brain development in children, learn about the brain’s response to stress, and talk about how early learning professionals can help our young children to cope.

Session Rules and Guidelines

- Please allow all participants a chance to speak. Listen respectfully and actively.
- Commit to learning about each other, not to debating the topic.
- Embrace differences of opinion as healthy and support each person’s authentic self-expression.
- Participants will be muted for the beginning portion of the session.
- Participants may use the “Raise Hand” feature in Zoom to request an opportunity to comment or ask a question. Individuals will be temporarily unmuted by the moderator.
- Participants may type a comment or question in the Chat or may send comments or questions directly to the moderator for them to share.
- To receive PQAS credit, you must complete an evaluation at the end of the session and include your PD Registry number.
- Have fun, make connections, and engage in the conversations!

More Information

For questions or more information, please contact Jasmine Davis at 412.567.3933 or jasmine@tryingtogether.org.

News

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.

News

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.

News

Just Breathe: Discussing Ways to Relieve Workplace Stress

Everyone with a job feels the pressure of work-related stress at some point, even those who love what they do. While we can’t always avoid on-the-job tension, we can take steps to manage work-related stress. This online course introduces its participants’ potential relief strategies for workplace stress. Through varied group discussions and engaging exercises, we invite each participant to identify and define stress through a uniquely personal lens, reflect upon their personal role in the creation and reduction of stress, and think of personal and group strategies for relieving stress.

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: Sarah Byrne Houser and Mimi Loughead
- CKC: D6.4 C1
- 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, please visit the event registration page.

More Information

For more information, contact Rosie Hogan at rosie@tryingtogether.org.

News

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.

News

May 7, 2020

Transform for Tomorrow – Virtual Series for School Leaders

Are you a superintendent or school leader who is interested in learning how schools might prepare for a post-COVID-19 educational environment? Attend “Transform for Tomorrow,” a virtual series for school leaders that explores how educational organizations can make plans for what comes next, no matter what tomorrow may bring.

About

As abruptly as COVID-19 has struck, educational leaders had no prior training on managing after this dramatic change. The purpose of the Transform for Tomorrow virtual series is to share and learn from one another during this unprecedented time and examine 11 topics that can help in managing this major paradigm shift in education. To view session topics, view the series flyer. Participants must attend all sessions.

To register, visit the event webpage. Sessions will continue from May through June, and will prepare participants for the still evolving environmental changes of the 2020 shift into 2021 school years. Come learn with us and share your experience.

More Information

For more information, contact Dr. Bart Rocco at rocco187@comcast.net or Dr. Billie Rondinelli at billejeanrondinelli@gmail.com. This virtual series is presented to you in Collaboration with Remake Learning, The Grable Foundation, and The Allegheny Intermediate Unit.

Share this flyer with your network.

News

Preparation for Reopening SAC During COVID-19

Certified School Age Care (SAC) providers are invited to join the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) on May 7 for an online conversation with OCDEL Deputy Secretary, Tracy Campanini, to hear important information about preparing for reopening during COVID-19.

Registration

To join the conversation, visit this Zoom link and insert the password: 022124. Individuals can also join via phone by calling 312.626.6799 and inserting the Meeting ID: 957 4116 2918. Pre-registration is not required.

Share this flyer with your network.

News

April 29, 2020

The Basics of Starting a Child Care Business

Are you a current or aspiring child care director? Join Marnie Forestieri, Founder and CEO of Young Innovators, on May 13 for her webinar, “The Basics of Starting a Child Care Business.”

About

This webinar is ideal for current and aspiring child care directors and entrepreneurs, featuring practical and approachable guidance through all facets of starting a child care center. Participants will learn how to:

- decode the economics of the child care business;
- write a comprehensive business plan;
- conduct a market analysis;
- prepare a thorough financial plan;
- plan the company’s organization, strategy, and implementation; and
- apply for financing.

This webinar will be of particular interest to pre-k teachers, directors, and aspiring child care entrepreneurs. Time for questions will be provided.

Registration

To register and learn more, visit the event webpage.