Special Tracks

Registration is required for all Special Tracks. There is a fee for each, which is in addition to the conference registration fee. Click here for registration information.

 

Boys in Preschool

Instructor: Margaret A. King, Ed.D., Ohio University

Friday, 12/4/2009

9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Fee: $125

Now it's time to turn our attention to boys. While boys and girls both face many issues, the growing high illiteracy rate among boys is particularly alarming. This special track will address the societal and educational issues affecting young boys as well as the developmental differences - emotional, social, cognitive, and physical. The interrelationship between these factors and creating appropriate education and care environments for boys in preschool will also be examined. As a result of this track, participants will better understand issues affecting the learning and care of boys in early childhood programs and their developmental needs. Participants will learn guidance and discipline strategies that are appropriate to use with boys.

Governance Training: Policy Council, Board of Directors, and Administrators

Instructor: Ronald McGuckin, Ronald V. McGuckin and Associates

Friday, 12/4/2009

9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Fee: $125

This special track is designed to help participants gain a better understanding of the board of directors and the policy council. Information that relates specifically to Head Start regulations and the Head Start Program Performance Standards will be discussed. Participants will be provided with information on how to develop an orientation program for policy council members that ensures effective participation in the decision-making process. Also included in this training will be a discussion about how and why the role of the policy council and board often become convoluted.

 

Directors Special Track (Two-Day Training)

Instructors: Various experts

Friday, 12/4/2009

9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Saturday, 12/5/2009

9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Fee: $275

A Head Start director has a unique responsibility. Aside from the day-to-day management of the program, the director is also charged with ensuring that the program operates efficiently, effectively, and in accordance with federal guidelines and regulations. This multi-faceted special track will seek to provide practical and theoretical training in various areas ranging from Head Start service delivery, fundraising, staff development, communication, federal updates, and more. When addressed collectively, these elements will help to close the gap between the what, who, why, and how and will ultimately strengthen services for Head Start children and their families.

 

Family Leadership Institute (Two-Day Training)

Instructors: Retired, LTC Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch, Founder of the Family Leadership Institute, Educational Achievement Services, Inc.
Omar Lopez, Ph.D., Corporation for Public School Education K16
 

Friday, 12/4/2009

9 a.m.-4 p.m. AND

Saturday, 12/5/2009

9 a.m.-Noon

Fee: $225

Success Begins at Home - Inspiring Parents to Become Leaders and Help Their Children Succeed!

Over 2,000 Family Leadership Institute (FLI) graduates across the country have changed their lives - and the lives of their families - through their participation in this nationally-recognized program that helps families of diverse ethnic, racial, and cultural backgrounds grow as individuals, parents, and leaders. The research-based FLI program was developed by renowned national speaker retired Lieutenant Colonel Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch. Conference attendees will learn how they can integrate the FLI program into their family partnerships services to help parents and families set attainable goals, effectively access community services and resources, and engage in parental involvement efforts.

 

 

Fathers and Child Development (Two-Day Training)

Instructors:  Randell Turner, Neil Tift, Peter Spokes, Freddie Scott, Mike Smith, Nigel Vann, Becky Graham, and Mike Hall

Friday, 12/4/2009

8 a.m.-5 p.m. AND

Saturday, 12/5/2009

9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Fee: $225

A child may not inherit his father's talent, but he can absorb his presence...

This special track will bring together leading father and male involvement experts from nationally recognized organizations
to offer informative, high-energy presentations on father and male involvement. The goal of this track is to engage fathers, increase involvement, educate, and better define the unique contributions men can make in children's lives. In addition to exploring the value of father and male involvement, participants will also gain a genuine and realistic understanding of how a man's involvement - or lack thereof - affects a child's development. This track will offer a variety of presentations designed to thoughtfully examine significant elements and topics that are often overlooked, such as...

• The parenting styles of fathers and their relationship to a child's development
• Developing confidence and competence in fathers/men that will lead to improved social-emotional development of children
• The vital role fathers play in their son's success
• The vital role fathers play in their daughter's success
• The relationship between mom and dad and how it affects a child's development
• Ways to engage fathers and men in preventative health and safety efforts

 

Project MIND - Math Is Not Difficult (Two-Day Training)

Instructor: Hui Fang Huang "Angie" Su, Ed.D., Professor of Mathematics Education, Nova Southeastern University  

Friday, 12/4/2009

9 a.m.-4 p.m. AND

Saturday, 12/5/2009

9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Fee: $225

For decades, doing mathematics and doing it well has been a topic of great interest for teachers, parents, students, and educators. This special track will explore practical strategies and opportunities to help instill a love of and appreciation for mathematics in young children. Project MIND - Math Is Not Difficult will also offer resources that will enable parents and educators to support the development of young children's ability to do mathematics using innovative strategies for making learning about mathematics fun and exciting.

 

Strength-Based Coaching for Education Coordinators and Family Service/Engagement Staff (Two-Day Training)

Instructor: Joy Humbarger, M.S.

Friday, 12/4/2009

8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. AND

Saturday, 12/5/2009

8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Fee: $225

How do we engage others and help them become active partners in moving forward? This special track is designed to help education coordinators and family service/engagement staff enhance their work and service delivery by utilizing a practical approach for working with adults that will fundamentally change attitudes and behaviors. The five foundations of strength-based coaching will be discussed; these include the following: adult learning theory, core beliefs, the approach to coaching, relationship building, and communication. The training will emphasize a systematic process for gathering information, setting goals, supporting the implementation of goals, and reviewing progress towards those goals. Participants will have opportunities throughout the training to reflect on their own experiences, to network with others as they explore the information, and to practice the skills through scenarios and role plays.

 

 

Know the Law

Instructor: Dawn K. Martini, Child Care Specialist

Saturday, 12/5/2009

9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Fee: $125

This special track is designed to provide an overview of key legal issues facing classroom staff, including confidentiality, custody issues, release of children, supervision of children, and reporting of child abuse and neglect. It is critical that staff members understand not only the key legal issues but also how to apply basic legal rules when interacting with other staff members and families on a daily basis.

 

Parent Involvement

Instructor: Janice A. Nieliwocki, Ronald V. McGuckin and Associates

Saturday, 12/5/2009

9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Fee: $125

Parents are a child's first and most important teacher, and their involvement is critical to Head Start's success. This special track will discuss the role parents and a child's home play on the overall successful development of children. It will also examine factors that contribute to how well a child performs in school and the relationship between family circumstances and school success. Participants will learn practical and effective strategies for increasing parent involvement and helping parents help their children.