Our teachers and director have been very busy with research, writing, coursework, and other professional activities over the past semester and summer. Mary White took a graduate science methods course with Dr. Veal. Deanna Ramey Satzger completed six credits of coursework in Spanish, and Phyllis Gates and Stephanie Johnston did an independent study on grant-writing.  Three of our teachers also updated their mentor-teacher training with the ADEPT system. Ms. Mary and Dr. Mary Blake from the SOEHHP have a presentation accepted to the upcoming Southern Regional International Reading Association conference based on the research they did together over the past two years on the role of personal storytelling in the writing development of kindergarten children; they have an article underway about that research as well. Dr. Jaruszewicz co-authored two book chapters and an article for the Journal of Early Childhood Teacher Education that address the issues surrounding technology and young children. She and and Ms. Mary White also have an editorial piece coming out in the next issue of Early Childhood Education Journal about creating contexts for meaningful professional growth. More information about research and writing at ECDC will be available soon on our “Research” page. Congratulations to all our lead teachers and program director on these accomplishments!

This year, we will be collecting data and compiling our (electronic) program and classroom folios in preparation for our five year re-accreditation through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Comprehensive information about the process can be accessed with this link: NAEYC Accreditation information.  As a demonstration/laboratory program, it is part of our mission to model best practices and research with others, so over the coming months, we will be sharing information about our experience with construction of the folios that we hope will be helpful to other programs interested or involved in the accreditation process.

Welcome back to all of our returning and new families, our lead teachers and student teaching assistant staff! This first week has gone very smoothly and we are looking forward to a productive and interesting year. We are working on updates to our website that will include an emphasis on providing information and resources for families, CofC students, and the general public. Keep checking in regularly for updates!