Professionalism – Styles & Dispositions in the Workplace
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.
The Allegheny Partners for Out-of-School Time (APOST) will be hosting a Virtual Summer Conference for Out-of-School Time from Tuesday, May 26 through Friday, June 5, 2020. At this time, APOST is accepting workshop submissions from education leaders. Continue reading below to learn more.
About
The Virtual Summer Conference for Out-of-School Time will target youth workers in out-of-school time and summer settings. This includes frontline staff, program managers, executive directors, mentors, and more. In regard to workshop submissions, APOST is looking for depth of experience and expertise rather than breadth.
With this, they strongly encourage workshops focused on the following themes:
social-emotional learning;
community trauma and trauma-informed care;
health and wellness in out-of-school time;
creating inclusive spaces in out-of-school time;
engaging children and parents during COVID-19;
how to speak to youth about COVID-19; and
ways to successfully implement virtual programming.
Workshop sizes will most likely not be capped as this event will be virtual, but facilitation preference will be left up to the presenters.
Submit Your Proposal
To learn more or submit a proposal, please complete APOST’s online form. All submissions must be received by Tuesday, May 5. Event hosts send out their final decision on Friday, May 8.
More Information
For questions or more information, contact APOST at 412.456.6876 or apost@uwac.org.
STEM Activities for Toddlers | Webinar
News
April 20, 2020
STEM Activities for Toddlers | Webinar
STEM Activities for Toddlers is a live, interactive webinar that explores ways to incorporate Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) concepts into the toddler classroom. The course will discuss hands-on activities, including time outside to learn ways to weave in environmental science.
About the STEM Webinar
Two PQAS hours will be offered. Participants are expected to fully participate with their digital device microphones and cameras on. This is not a log-in and leave event. Arriving 15 minutes late may result in no credit for the session. Please note, no refunds will be provided for cancellation or no show.
Learning Objectives of The STEM Webinar
Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to:
identify the elements of STEM;
explain why STEM is important in the toddler classroom; and
implement activities that incorporate multiple elements of STEM.
Available Date
To access this course, use the link below or enter the event ID on the Pennsylvania PD Registry website.
Leave It at the Door: Managing Personal Stress in the Classroom
News
Leave It at the Door: Managing Personal Stress in the Classroom
Leave It at the Door: Managing Personal Stress in the Classroom is a live, interactive webinar that explores causes of stress and ways to manage that stress in an effort to move towards a healthy, balanced lifestyle in the classroom and at home.
About
Two PQAS hours will be offered. Participants are expected to fully participate with their digital device microphones and cameras on. This is not a log-in and leave event. Arriving 15 minutes late may result in no credit for the session. Please note, no refunds will be provided for cancellation or no show.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to:
identify common sources and symptoms of stress in adults,
summarize ways to reduce stress in and out of the workplace, and
implement stress management techniques to address personal stressors.
Available Dates
To access this course, use the links below or enter the event ID on the Pennsylvania PD Registry website.
The Importance of Supervision: Indoors & Out is a live, interactive webinar that explores the important role that supervision plays in early childhood and discusses the consequences of inadequate supervision. This course will also explore legal responsibilities, strategies, and the role of a supervision policy.
About
Two PQAS hours will be offered. Participants are expected to fully participate with their digital device microphones and cameras on. This is not a log-in and leave event. Arriving 15 minutes late may result in no credit for the session. Please note, no refunds will be provided for cancellation or no show.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to:
explain expectations by DPW, STARS, and the community,
identify the consequences of inadequate supervision, and
implement improved strategies to account for each child and ensure their safety.
Available Date
To access this course, use the link below or enter the event ID on the Pennsylvania PD Registry website.
For questions, please contact Karen Rucker at 717.314.8368 or krucker@respectingchildren.com. For more events and courses like this, please click here.
Observing Young Children is a live, interactive webinar that explores the role of observation in early childhood and discusses how to use gained information to inform program decisions and assessments of children. Video clips will be utilized to practice observation skills.
About
Two PQAS hours will be offered. Participants are expected to fully participate with their digital device microphones and cameras on. This is not a log-in and leave event. Arriving 15 minutes late may result in no credit for the session. Please note, no refunds will be provided for cancellation or no show.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to:
list reasons to keep written records of observations of children;
define ways to conduct observations that are objective and free of bias;
use anecdotal notes to record observations of children; and
apply gained information to program planning and child assessment.
Available Dates
To access this course, use the links below or enter the event ID on the Pennsylvania PD Registry website.
Refugee Education Workshop Series: Putting Information into Action
News
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.
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.
Exceptional Care with a Team Approach to Inclusion
News
January 31, 2020
Exceptional Care with a Team Approach to Inclusion
Recorded Sessions
From January 19 – 29, 2021, Trying Together hosted our free Virtual UnConference: Exceptional Care with a Team Approach to Inclusion. Recordings of each workshop have been added to this page for those who were unable to attend.
UnConference Details
Young children thrive and grow in their natural learning environments, including children with developmental differences. Educators play a critical role in creating an inclusive and diverse environment for children to feel a sense of belonging, to feel valued as a member of the classroom, and to feel empowered to learn to their full ability. UnConference: Exceptional Care with a Team Approach to Inclusion dives into the importance of working together—with a collaboration between teachers, intervention specialists, and parents/caregivers—to provide this environment for children to learn and grow in differentiated ways yet feel included in the group.
This is a free Virtual UnConference.
What Do I Receive?
PQAS and/or Act 48 hours.
Networking with colleagues.
Interactive workshop sessions.
Refreshed or refined thinking about your work with young children.
Featured Sessions
Keynote: Exceptional Care with a Team Approach to Inclusion
Tuesday, January 19, 2021 | 1:30 – 3 p.m. Presented by: Trying Together and Children’s Institute | Keynote Speaker: Wendy Pardee
During the keynote session, Wendy Pardee, President, and CEO of The Children’s Institute will share how they created a collaborative environment that provides a positive view on early intervention in an effort to bring different parties together in the best interest of the child. The presentation will be followed by a panel discussion featuring an educator, parent, and intervention specialist.
Transition and Educational Support in the Early Childhood Environment
Thursday, January 21, 2021 | 6:30 – 8 p.m. Presented by: Kristina Berg and Loreleigh Elders, DART
Early Childhood Educators are an active and critical part of a child’s early intervention team that is often lost in the process of transition and service planning. This presentation will provide an overview of the early intervention process, as children age out of the Infant/Toddler Early Intervention Program and transition into Preschool Early Intervention Support. We will provide practical examples and resources of ways to support children and families through the transition process, as well as ways to adapt the preschool classroom environment in order for all children to be successful.
Creating and Building Inclusive Support Teams for Children
Friday, January 22, 2021, | 10 – 11:30 a.m. Presented by: Serena Washington, Trying Together
When thinking about what a team/collaboration approach looks like when working with children and families we must be open to asking the following questions: Why is it important to build a team for a child(ren)? What does the team/collaboration approach look like? Who and what do we need on the team/collaboration? How do we work and communicate as a team? In this workshop, join us for a robust discussion and learn strategies for creating an inclusive team to support your children.
How to Assess Your Students Needs: Using the ASQ through the Lens of Infant Early Childhood Mental Health Program
Tuesday, January 26, 2021 | 1:30 – 3 p.m.
Presented by: Gloria Rodriguez-Ransom, The Pennsylvania Keys
Through the expertise of the Infant Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) program, participants will receive an overview of the Ages & Stages Questionnaires with a particular emphasis on assessing children’s social and emotional development. The developmental screening tools ASQ3 and ASQ:SE 2 are designed for children ages three months to five years and designed for use by early childhood educators and health care professionals. Attendees will learn how to administer and score the screener and share the results of the screener with families and professional colleagues. In addition, recommendations for suggested resources will be shared if additional services are needed.
Overview of Infant/Toddler Early Intervention Services in Allegheny County Referral Through Transitioning Out of 0-3 Services
Wednesday, January 27, 2021 | 10 – 11:30 a.m. Presenters: Erica Balint and Vonna May-Miller, Alliance for Infants and Toddlers
In this workshop, presenters will discuss how the child’s 0-3 Early Intervention (EI) team collaborates with families and child care staff so that all have an understanding of how the EI system in Allegheny County operates and supports children. This session will give an overview of how children are referred and become part of the EI system. Information will include how a child is referred, eligibility criteria, evaluation process, service planning, and implementation along with transitioning out of 0-3 services.
Catering to The Whole Classroom: Lesson Development and Implementation That Speaks to Every Child
Friday, January 29, 2021 | 10 – 11:30 a.m. Presented by: Daile Fordoski, Lyasha Bishop, LaRae D. Cullens, The Learning Loft
There is not one lesson in any learning environment that is one size fits all. It is the educator’s responsibility to develop ways in which a lesson can benefit every child in a classroom. This workshop examines strategies for planning and implementing inclusive activities for children of varying developmental levels. Participants will have the opportunity to practice these skills by dissecting a pre-made lesson and sharing ideas and strategies of accommodation that can be applied in their setting.
Registration
Registration for this event is closed. Recordings of each workshop session will be available on this webpage after the conclusion of each session. Please continue to monitor this page for updates.
PQAS and Act 48 credits are available to professionals who registered for and completed these sessions. More information, including the online Attendance form, will be sent via email to individuals who registered. Once completed, Jasmine Davis, Professional Learning Program Manager at Trying Together, will process your credit. If you have questions specific to receiving credit, please email jasmine@tryingtogether.org.
Wendy Pardee, President & CEO, The Children’s Institute
Dr. Wendy Pardee joined The Children’s Institute as President and CEO in August 2017. She has led the 118-year-old nonprofit organization through transformational change in a short period of time thanks to her leadership, vision, and advocacy for our community’s youngest residents. Wendy has more than two decades of management experience in the healthcare, human services, and financial services sectors. Previously, she served as President and CEO of Skills of Central Pennsylvania, an organization with sites in 18 counties serving those with intellectual disabilities. She also served as CFO of the Community Guidance Center and began her career at First Commonwealth Financial Corporation.
Wendy has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Accounting and Management of Information Systems, a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, and a Doctorate in Administration and Leadership Studies. She has served on community child care boards, community health councils, local YMCA boards, the Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association board, the Center Area Transportation Authority Board, and the American Association of University Women.
Thank You To Our Sponsors and Partners
A huge thank you to our series sponsor PNC Group Up Great, our sponsor Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Region 5, co-host The Children’s Institute, and workshop partners.
Sponsors
Co-Host
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.
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.
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.
