TEACHER WORKSHOPS

Teacher Workshops

PROFESSIONALISM AND LEADERSHIP FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS

How do you establish a professional culture and climate in your program? In this motivating workshop we will focus on positive communication, adapting to change, managing conflict, and mentoring and inspiring others. You will be guided in developing leaderships skills and dispositions to help create a positive, professional work environment in which staff work together to achieve common goals for children and families. We will also share resources to support your ongoing professional development and help your program align with state and national quality initiatives.

BUILDING POSITIVE STRENGTH-BASED TEAMS

Children thrive in environments where the adults model positive relationships and create communities based on trust and respect. In this workshop we will examine the impact that toxic stress in a classroom has on young children’s brain development and social-emotional skills. We will explore strategies for enhancing your professional skills to help you communicate effectively with your co-workers, as well as techniques to reduce gossip. We will use the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct as a guide to creating strength-based team relationships and a positive, supportive, respectful environment for children and adults.

YOUR IMAGE OF THE CHILD: WHERE TEACHING BEGINS!

Explore the powerful impact that your image of the child has on all aspects of your teaching. This image influences how you design the environment, plan and implement learning experiences, and interact with the children. In this engaging and reflective workshop we will consider the relationship between our image of the child and the kind of learning environments we create.

*Prior to the workshop, please read an inspirational article by Loris Malaguzzi, founder of the preschools in Reggio Emilia, Italy. This article can be found on the NAREA website: https://www.reggioalliance.org/downloads/malaguzzi:ccie:1994.pdf.). In addition, please bring one photograph that reflects your own image of the child with you to the training.

THE SIX LIFE SKILLS CHILDREN NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN SCHOOL AND LIFE

We will explore how strengthening essential social-emotional skills helps children manage their own behaviors in positive ways. During this highly interactive workshop we will examine the six life skills children need to be successful: attachment, belonging, self-regulation, collaboration, contribution, and adaptability (based on the book Beyond Behavior Management: The Six Life Skills Children Need by Jenna Bilmes). You will leave with new a perspective on challenging behaviors and useful strategies to support a positive emotional climate for children to thrive in.