On Friday, October 25th the Early Learning Network (formerly Transitional Kindergarten Plus Network) kicked off the 2019-20 school year, hosting sessions in two locations: Rose Ferrero Elementary School and the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District Office. Teachers from school districts across the county engaged in a lively discussion guided by the question, “How can early educators put the idea of integrated learning into practice?” The conversations were so rich, there is interest in presenting to the Soledad Unified School District administration to learn more about the unique aspects and value of Transitional Kindergarten and the early learning continuum.
This school year’s priorities, designed to build relationships and connections between teachers while improving classroom practices, are four-part:
- To provide the opportunity for teachers to network with their Preschool, Transitional Kindergarten, and Kindergarten peers.
- For teachers to participate in collegial learning opportunities where they can share and impart knowledge.
- To support alignment with current and best practices in the field of Early Learning by providing new research and resources that teachers can immediately test out and/or apply to their teaching practice in the classroom.
- To integrate content w/ language and literacy competencies of children.
These meetings are held on a quarterly basis in both locations. The Early Learning Network is chaired by Edi Porter, Educational Administrator at MCOE (with a specialty in language, literacy and elementary education), and supported by Bright Beginnings Consultant Jamie Smith. For more information, please contact Jamie Smith at Jamie@BrightBeginningsMC.org.