Education Team “State of the Union”

Local Area Manager’s Meeting

June 6, 2013

Todd Watson

WIIFMWhat’s In It For Me?

• Be completely up to date on any new changes

• Understand why

• Learn how new changes will ultimately make you more effective

Quick Updates

• Good News/Bad News

– Elizabeth McMaine

– Heather Anderson

– New Opening(s)

Why Me?

• Data & child outcomes directly related

• Managerial experience

– Developing systems

– scalability

Strong Desire to Succeed

• Not only myself, but…• Agency

• Education Team – Individually & collectively

• Teachers

• Most Importantly – Children

Our Objective

• School Readiness• Head Start defines school readiness as children

possessing the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary for success in school and for later learning and life.

• My “working definition”: • Give our children the opportunity to reach their fullest

potential.

Okay, but…

• “He doesn’t have an education degree”…• True

• However…• We have six Education Specialists with Masters degrees in

child development/early childhood education along with years of teaching experience.

» Sally Whitehead

» Nickie Towery

» Stephanie Millay

» Heather Anderson

» Dora Hudson

» Pam Hill

Education SpecialistsNot Just a Clever Name…

• Education Specialist = Education Coordinator • What are the qualification requirements for

education coordinators?– By September 30, 2013 all education coordinators (including those

that serve as curriculum specialists), nationwide in center-based

programs must have:– A baccalaureate or advanced degree in early childhood education; or

– A baccalaureate or advanced degree in any subject and coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education with experience teaching preschool-age children.

• It is my goal to empower the talent we have on this team.

Size Matters1 Director

1 Education Manager

6 Education Specialists

12 Local Area Managers

16 Counties

18 School Districts

135 Lead Teachers

3,000 Children (Including KERA)

New for 2013-2014

• New areas for Education Specialists• Systematic Approach

– Factors considered

• Benefits:• Consistency

» Distance, work load, systems

• Hiring future Education Specialist

Education Team’s Focus

• But first, a quick question:• What is/should be the focus of the Education

Specialist?» Child?

» Lam?

» Preschool Coordinator?

» Teacher(s)?

» School Readiness?

Education Team’s Focus

• Education Specialists primary role is to:• Coach, train, and develop more effective teachers so

our children can achieve their highest level of school readiness possible.

Five Areas of Focus

CLASS

• Two observations per year on ALL teachers– Results will be shared with a written report

– Outcomes will be tracked • If scores are too low, it can force us into re-competition

• I discussed in detail on Feb 13, 2013

• Difficult task, but GREAT opportunity– We can know how & what our teachers are doing

– Higher scores have direct correlation to higher child outcomes

Coaching• Based upon the CLASS results:

– We will implement a coaching & professional development plan based upon data

• 3 levels:1. Immediate intervention

2. Coaching & PD throughout the year

3. Peer coaching & mentoring according to highest CLASS scores

• HUGE task• We ask for patience & willingness of LAMS & teachers

ChildPlus

• BIG task, but….

– Is defined

– Systematic

– Will have some bumps along the way

– Initial training & logistics are the most difficult, but should be reconciled the quickest

Curriculum

• Creative Curriculum– We are updating to the revised 5th edition

• This will serve as our foundation

• We can/will add supplemental material to meet the individual needs of the child.

• Education Specialist will plan trainings on how to use most effectively

• This does NOT replace Reggio• We are simply updating the curriculum and being more

intentional

Collaboration

• Family & Community Services team

– Working together to achieve the highest level of school readiness possible

• Involve parents» We have different areas of focus/responsibility, but our

goal is the same

Conclusion

• In a “normal” year, any one of our objectives is a big undertaking.

• Five objectives in one year?

– A Herculean task

• But….– We are all committed to making this successful

– Playing a bit of “catch up”

– In the best interests of our children

– In the best interests of our agency