October 2024 Newsletter
Contents: Announcements | Upcoming Professional Learning Opportunities | Recommended Free Resources | Well-being in the Workplace
š Happy Fall 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
Oregon's Adoption of the NAEYC Competencies
ELSI is supporting the adoption and integration of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators into the Oregon early learning system, in collaborative partnership with the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC), the Research Institute (TRI), and Oregon Center for Career Development (OCCD). NAEYCās Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators areĀ national shared agreements that inform the work of early childhood educators and leaders as professionals. These standards and competencies have been developed based on research, evaluation of evidence and a deep study of multiple national standards and competencies. Visit this page to learn more about ELSIās role and project updates.
STEAM Camp Continues!
Starting in October, the ELSI STEAM Team is launching a monthly virtual gathering for those who attended STEAM Camp in-person in June 2024. This small online learning community will help support STEAM implementation for STEAM Campers throughout the school year. If you have any questions, please reach out to Kiki Omoto at kiki.omoto@oregonstate.edu
Coaching Core
Foundations in Coaching Online Course
Are you new to coaching in early learning programs, or interested in becoming a coach? Foundations in Coaching is a 100% self-paced online professional development course designed to build a foundational understanding of Oregon Coaching Competencies. By participating, you will learn about these competencies and be introduced to Practice-Based Coaching through interactive activities, videos, graphics, knowledge checks and reflections. You will also have the opportunity for self-assessment of the Oregon Coaching Competencies, and to self-reflect on areas of strength and opportunities for growth. The course is available in 5 languages (English, Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese and Traditional Chinese). To register, visit the website.
ELSIās Coach Community of Practice
ELSIās Coach Community of Practice has resumed for the school year with a new day! We will now be meeting on the first Tuesday of the month at the same time, 1-2:30. if you or someone you know would like to get connected to this CoP, please email elsicoaching@oregonstate.edu.Ā
Inclusion Initiative
The Inclusion Initiative continues to align and partner with ELSIās mission by promoting Pyramid Model practices and the Indicators of High-Quality Inclusion across Oregon. This work is funded through a collaboration between the Oregon Department of Education and the Department of Early Learning and Care.
Oregon Implementation GuideĀ
The Implementing Pyramid Model and Inclusion Indicator Frameworks: A Guide for Oregon is designed to be used by programs and communities who want to begin, rejuvenate, adapt or sustain their use of the practices. Also available in Spanish: ImplementaciĆ³n del Modelo PirĆ”mide y Marcos de Indicadores de InclusiĆ³n: Una guĆa para OregĆ³n.Ā
Oregon Implementation MapĀ
Check out the Oregon Pyramid Model and Inclusion Indicator Frameworks Implementation Map. This dynamic map represents the communities and programs currently implementing Pyramid Model practices and/or Indicators of High-Quality Inclusion. Is your program missing? Please tell us about your program and weāll get you on the map!Ā
2024-25 Professional DevelopmentĀ
2024-2025 professional development opportunities to support the Pyramid Model and Inclusion Frameworks are now available on the Oregon Early Childhood Inclusion (OECI) website.Ā
eModule UpdateĀ
The free Pyramid (Infant/Toddler Modules and Preschool Modules) and Inclusion eModule trainings are almost ready for distribution! The modules will be available in English and Spanish. Stay tuned for announcements when they are released for early childhood professionals in Oregon.Ā
Pyramid Model and Inclusion ResourcesĀ
Are you looking for free resources to support your Pyramid Model and Inclusion Indicator Framework implementation? Please take a look at the Pyramid Model & Inclusion Resources & Translations!Ā
What weāre reading:Ā
Unpacking the Pyramid Model: A Practical Guide for Preschool TeachersĀ
Coaching for Equity: Conversations That Change PracticeĀ Ā Ā
UPCOMING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
2024-25 Pyramid Model & Inclusion Frameworks Professional DevelopmentĀ
2024-2025 professional development opportunities to support the Pyramid Model and Inclusion Frameworks are now available on the Oregon Early Childhood Inclusion (OECI) website.Ā
Statewide Webinar | The Wondering Years: Building Curiosity in Early ChildhoodĀ
October 22, 2024 6-9pm PST | What do you say when children ask WHY? Join us as we explore techniques to build curiosity in the minds and bodies of young children. We will examine what curiosity means and what it looks like in the classroom; practice open-ended questions and other conversation starters; and design open-ended activities for young children, too.
Please register through your local Child Care Resource & Referral agency (CCR&R), via the ORO Training Calendar, or contact ELSI for more information at elsitraining@oregonstate.edu
Northwest Early Learning & Pyramid Summit
November 13-14, 2024 | The 2024 Northwest Early Learning and Pyramid Summit invites early childhood administrators, coaches, behavior specialists and state teams to come together for in-depth learning and networking to promote young children's social emotional development and equity in early learning.
Pre-Conference Workshops leading up to the Summit, including:
Teaching Pyramid Observation Tool (TPOT) for Preschool Classrooms Reliability Training(virtual; $350)
Prevent-Teach-Reinforce for Families (in-person; $300)
More information about allĀ pre-conferenceĀ andĀ conference sessions
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/Ć©l) 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.Ā In this Community of Practice, we will focus on community care, storytelling, self-care, and wellbeing practices.Ā 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
STEAM Camp Resources
Check out all of the new free STEAM Resources from STEAM Camp including session resources and lots of additional free printables.
Fall OPEC Training Academy
Our partners over at the Oregon Parenting Education Collaborative invite all people involved in parenting education and family support to attend these free, virtual monthly professional development opportunities. There is one final workshop in the fall series! All OPEC Training Academy workshops take place on Zoom and recordings are available for later viewing. Registration is required. Spanish interpretation will be available!
Nov 12, 2024, 10:00 - 11:30 AM PST | Nurturing the stress system to build mental health for babies and parents / Cuidar el sistema de estrƩs para construir la salud mental para bebƩs y padres de familia with Greer Kirshenbaum Ph.D. Register here.
Read more about the Training AcademyĀ (in English and espaƱol), and share this information with a colleague! You can also subscribe to theĀ Parenting Educator PostĀ to receive all the most up-to-date information!
WELL-BEING IN THE WORKPLACE
Lately weāve been talking a lot about personal and team values at ELSI and how we live into our values. Core values serve as a guiding compass, influencing our decision-making, behavior, and interactions.
A good friend recently brought out this values deck while we were hanging out and we each went through the activity of identifying our top values and then talked about them- why we chose what we chose, how those values show up in our lives, how our values have changed over time. It was a great way to learn more about each other and ourselves! (And the art in the deck is so fun š¤© ) I encourage engaging in values conversations with colleagues, friends, loved ones, as well as yourself and to revisit your values regularly.
There are many tools and resources for determining your core values and practicing them in your daily life. You can start by looking through some lists of values and narrowing them down to your top 10-15, then top 5, then top 3. Maybe you also do this process separately for personal and professional values. Here are some example lists of values:
After identifying your top values, reflect on any or all of the following:
How have your personal values changed over time (or not changed)?
What are some ways in which your actions reflect your personal values?
Which of your values feels easiest to uphold? Which feels hardest?
What are some similarities/differences between your personal and professional values?
What are some of the similarities/differences in the process of identifying your personal and professional values?
What are some ways your personal values are reflected in your professional values?Ā
Further reading: books that include values exercises
BONUS: we had Dr. Lakshmin lead several webinars in 2023! Recordings and bilingual resources are available here.