This document summarizes Todd Watson's presentation to the local area managers' meeting on June 6, 2013. The presentation focused on updates to the education team, including new areas of focus for education specialists. The primary role of education specialists is to coach, train, and develop teachers to help children achieve the highest level of school readiness through a focus on CLASS observations, coaching, ChildPlus implementation, curriculum updates, and collaboration. While it will be a big undertaking to focus on these five areas in one year, the education team is committed to making it successful for the benefit of the children and agency.

1. Education Team
“State of the Union”
Local Area Manager’s Meeting
June 6, 2013
Todd Watson

2. WIIFM
What’s In It For Me?
• Be completely up to date on any new changes
• Understand why
• Learn how new changes will ultimately make
you more effective

3. Quick Updates
• Good News/Bad News
– Elizabeth McMaine
– Heather Anderson
– New Opening(s)

4. Why Me?
• Data & child outcomes directly related
• Managerial experience
– Developing systems
– scalability

5. Strong Desire to Succeed
• Not only myself, but…
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Agency
Education Team – Individually & collectively
Teachers
Most Importantly – Children

6. Our Objective
• School Readiness
• Head Start defines school readiness as children
possessing the skills, knowledge, and attitudes
necessary for success in school and for later learning
and life.
• My “working definition”:
• Give our children the opportunity to reach their fullest
potential.

7. Okay, but…
• “He doesn’t have an education degree”…
• True
• However…
• We have six Education Specialists with Masters degrees in
child development/early childhood education along with
years of teaching experience.
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Sally Whitehead
Nickie Towery
Stephanie Millay
Heather Anderson
Dora Hudson
Pam Hill

8. Education Specialists
Not Just a Clever Name…
• Education Specialist = Education Coordinator
• What are the qualification requirements for
education coordinators?
– By September 30, 2013 all education coordinators (including those
that serve as curriculum specialists), nationwide in center-based
programs must have:
– A baccalaureate or advanced degree in early childhood education; or
– A baccalaureate or advanced degree in any subject and coursework equivalent
to a major relating to early childhood education with experience teaching
preschool-age children.
• It is my goal to empower the talent we have
on this team.

9. Size Matters
1 Director
1 Education Manager
6 Education Specialists
12 Local Area Managers
16 Counties
18 School Districts
135 Lead Teachers
3,000 Children (Including KERA)

10. New for 2013-2014
• New areas for Education Specialists
• Systematic Approach
– Factors considered
• Benefits:
• Consistency
» Distance, work load, systems
• Hiring future Education Specialist

13. Education Team’s Focus
• But first, a quick question:
• What is/should be the focus of the Education
Specialist?
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Child?
Lam?
Preschool Coordinator?
Teacher(s)?
School Readiness?

14. Education Team’s Focus
• Education Specialists primary role is to:
• Coach, train, and develop more effective teachers so
our children can achieve their highest level of school
readiness possible.

15. Five Areas of Focus

16. CLASS
• Two observations per year on ALL teachers
– Results will be shared with a written report
– Outcomes will be tracked
• If scores are too low, it can force us into re-competition
• I discussed in detail on Feb 13, 2013
• Difficult task, but GREAT opportunity
– We can know how & what our teachers are doing
– Higher scores have direct correlation to higher
child outcomes

17. Coaching
• Based upon the CLASS results:
– We will implement a coaching & professional
development plan based upon data
• 3 levels:
1. Immediate intervention
2. Coaching & PD throughout the year
3. Peer coaching & mentoring according to highest
CLASS scores
• HUGE task
•
We ask for patience & willingness of LAMS & teachers

18. ChildPlus
• BIG task, but….
– Is defined
– Systematic
– Will have some bumps along the way
– Initial training & logistics are the most difficult,
but should be reconciled the quickest

19. Curriculum
• Creative Curriculum
– We are updating to the revised 5th edition
• This will serve as our foundation
• We can/will add supplemental material to meet the
individual needs of the child.
• Education Specialist will plan trainings on how to use
most effectively
• This does NOT replace Reggio
• We are simply updating the curriculum and being more
intentional

20. Collaboration
• Family & Community Services team
– Working together to achieve the highest level of
school readiness possible
• Involve parents
» We have different areas of focus/responsibility, but our
goal is the same

21. Conclusion
• In a “normal” year, any one of our objectives is
a big undertaking.
• Five objectives in one year?
– A Herculean task
• But….
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We are all committed to making this successful
Playing a bit of “catch up”
In the best interests of our children
In the best interests of our agency