April 2024 Newsletter
Contents: Announcements | Upcoming Professional Learning Opportunities | Recommended Free Resources | Well-being in the Workplace
Happy Spring from the Early Learning System Initiative (ELSI)! We are so happy you are all here and excited to share some of the things we have been working on!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Professional Learning Core (Formerly Training Core)
Training Core Rebrand
The Training Core is now officially the Professional Learning Core to better align with language in the field and to reflect our broader role in the early learning system, which extends beyond training and training development. We are currently in the process of making changes to documents and other materials to feature our new name, starting with the ELSI One-Pager and the Professional Learning Core Google Site! Keep an eye out for more information about exciting things to come from the Professional Learning Core!
STEAM Camp
The Professional Learning Core has been working full STEAM ahead with outreach and planning for the first-ever ELSI STEAM Camp events! STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics - our goal for these camp events is to make STEAM learning fun, hands-on, and to empower early educators to see the STEAM in the work they already do. Want to learn more? See the Upcoming Professional Learning Opportunities below or email Kiki Omoto at kiki.omoto@oregonstate.edu.
Roots of Resilience
In January, the Roots of Resilience Team launched the first Spanish language Training of Trainers (ToT) and the Spanish Roots of Resilience online course! In the winter quarter, 20 trainers participated in ToTs offered in Spanish and English and are now certified to deliver the Roots of Resilience content throughout the state of Oregon!
Coming up in late spring/early summer of 2024, the Roots of Resilience team plans to offer one more virtual ToT in English, workshops in English and Spanish, and scholarship opportunities for the online course (the online course offers 30 hours of Set 2 ORO credit spanning the Core Knowledge Categories of Diversity, Human Growth and Development, Observation and Assessment, Understanding and Guiding Behavior, and Families and Community Systems).
For more information, check out the Roots of Resilience website or email roots.elsi@oregonstate.edu.
Coaching Core
Practice Based Coaching
The Coaching Core will be hosting their second annual in-person Practice-Based Coaching training series in August 2024. The summer intensive will include a suite of four Set-2 trainings focused on key elements of the Practice Based Coaching (PBC) cycle. For those who have already taken the full suite of PBC training, there will be additional extension opportunities. Be on the lookout for additional information!
Foundations in Coaching Course
The Coaching Core is pleased to announce the launch of the Foundations in Coaching course in five languages: English, Spanish, Traditional Chinese, Vietnamese, and Russian. This self-paced online course is designed to build a foundational understanding of the Oregon Coaching Competencies. Course participants will learn about the Oregon Coaching Competencies and be introduced to Practice-Based Coaching through interactive activities, videos, graphics, knowledge checks, and reflections. We currently have 215 participants enrolled, 67 of whom have completed the course. More information about the course and how to register is available here.
UPCOMING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Statewide Webinars
Find the Professional Learning Core hosting a monthly training at the Statewide Webinars!
May 15, 6-9 PM PST | Meaningful Conversations with Preschoolers
May 30, 6-9 PM PST | Supporting Infant and Toddler Mathematical Thinking
June 6, 6-9 PM PST | Desarrollo de los alumnos adultos: La exploración de los principios de aprendizaje del adulto
To register, please contact your local CCR+R or search the sessions on the ORO Training Calendar.
COC-ORAEYC Early Learning Conference - Bend
April 26, 10am-1pm, 2:15pm-5:15pm | Introducción a los estándares de ciencias de la próxima generación en el aprendizaje temprano
April 26, 2:15pm-5:15pm | STEAM and Well-being for Educators: Infusing STEAM concepts into your well-being practice
April 27, 9:45am-11:15am | How STEAM Powers Early Learning: A Panel Discussion on Nurturing Curiosity in Oregon’s Education Landscape
For more information about registration and the full conference schedule, visit the COC-ORAEYC Early Learning Conference website.
Oregon Parenting Educators Conference - Corvallis
April 29, 4-5pm | Mindful Yoga
For more information about registration and the full conference schedule, visit the Oregon Parenting Educators Conference website.
STEAM Camp
June 27-29 | STEAM Camp is a FREE intensive learning opportunity for early educators and their coaches to strengthen their relationship and learn about STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) for young children. It’s like summer camp for educators! We have hands-on activities, ORO-approved workshops, resources, with provided meals and lodging available. Space is limited and priority is for early educator and coach pairs/groups with representation from all regions in Oregon. We will also host virtual implementation support gatherings throughout the 2024-2025 school year to encourage STEAM transfer-to-practice with those who attend STEAM Camp. Learn more and apply at Early STEAM Oregon or email Kiki Omoto at kiki.omoto@oregonstate.edu.
Virtual STEAM Camp
July 15-19, 6pm PST | Can’t make it to in-person STEAM Camp? Join us on Zoom throughout the week of July 15th-19th for virtual STEAM Camp! We will host five evenings of free STEAM-focused learning for early educators in the evenings starting at 6pm PST. All trainings are 2-3 hours long, are ORO-approved, and will have live Spanish interpretation as well. Learn more at Early STEAM Oregon or email Kiki Omoto at kiki.omoto@oregonstate.edu.
BIPOC Community of Practice
Every second Wednesday of the month, 3-4 PM PST | A Community of Practice is a place where people come together to share a common interest and passion. Please join Daphnee Nicolas (li/she/her) and Dominic Paz (he/him/él) from the Early Learning System Initiative (ELSI) in a virtual Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Community of Practice. We welcome coaches, educators, parenting educators, and anyone interested in relationship-based learning focused on inclusion, equity, and social justice to strengthen the early learning system. In this Community of Practice, we will focus on community care, storytelling, self-care, and wellbeing practices. We will also provide resources that you can share with those you support. For more information and to register, please email Daphnee at daphnee.nicolas@oregonstate.edu.
FREE RESOURCES & PARTNER OPPORTUNITIES
OPEC en español - Liderazgo de Padres y Familias: Conectando y aprendiendo desde el corazón
¡Nueva oportunidad en español para todos los líderes y profesionales que trabajan con padres y familias! Cupo limitado, ¡inscríbase hoy! [New opportunity in Spanish for all leaders and professionals who work with parents and families! Limited space, register today!]
Oregon Natural Resources Education Program Workshops
Our partners at the Oregon Natural Resources Education Program (ONREP) have over 40 years of experience supporting formal and nonformal educators. ONREP offers professional development and environmental education curriculum resources for educators to engage their students in nature-based learning both indoors and outside, centering equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in all their work. See their list of upcoming workshops (there are several upcoming workshops that focus on early learners!) and subscribe to their email list to find out about newly scheduled workshops!
WELL-BEING IN THE WORKPLACE
As the weather gets sunnier and the flowers start bringing color back to the world, you may not need reminders to get outside. But if you need a little nudge from science, exposure to green spaces (vegetation) and blue spaces (water bodies) is linked with many health benefits including: reduction in cortisol levels, blood pressure and cholesterol; improved immunity and happiness; lower anxiety and depression; improved sleep. So, how might you celebrate Earth Day every day and incorporate more nature into your workspace? Here are some ideas:
Nature walks
Gardening and planting seeds
Indoor classroom plants or pets
Outdoor play and learning
Walking meetings with colleagues
Eating lunch outside
Going on a nature scavenger hunt
What is one thing could you do this week to connect with nature?