Early Childhood Educators Invited to Johnstown for First-time Conference

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Johnstown, PA (February 5, 2020) – For the first time ever, early childhood education (ECE) leaders from across Pennsylvania are coming to Johnstown to share their insights and expertise with ECE teachers and administrators throughout the region. The leaders are serving as presenters at Insights and Innovations – An ECE Conference, a day-long continuing education event for statewide ECE professionals organized by The Learning Lamp.

The event will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2020 at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. Early childhood education professionals including preschool, pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and early primary grade teachers and administrators are encouraged to attend. Reservations can be secured by visiting www.thelearninglamp.org. In addition to The Learning Lamp, event sponsors include Community Foundation for the Alleghenies with funding provided by its ECE Fund, the Education Division at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, and Early Education Ventures.

The event shines a light on the importance of early childhood education, and will provide guests with an array of strategies to help strengthen the academic, social and emotional learning of the region’s youngest students. A sample of workshops includes the importance of nurturing spaces, behavior management, recruiting and retaining qualified staff, lesson planning, and ways in which child care centers can boost the quality of their programs through the PA Keys STARS program. Six PQAS or Act 48 credits will be awarded to guests who attend the conference.

The conference also includes a full Danielson Framework Training session for PreK Counts professionals. This comprehensive PreK Counts training is only offered a few times a year throughout the state.

Registration fees are just $25 for those who live or work in Cambria, Somerset, Bedford or Indiana counties, $50 for those who live or work outside of these four counties, and $10 for students.

Speakers and presenters include:

• Angie Berzonski, Program Officer, Community Foundation for the Alleghenies
• Missy Casses, D.Ed., CRC, Assistant Professor of Special Education, University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, and Adjunct Instructor, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
• Kaylee Dayton, Group Supervisor/Preschool Teacher, The Learning Lamp
• De Voka Gordon, Ed.D., Educational Consultant, Early Intervention Technical Assistance, PA Training and Technical Assistance Network
• Lisa Gragg, Educational Consultant, Early Intervention Technical Assistance
• Lori Kiser, Title I Interventionist, Westmont Hilltop School District
• Karen Machak, Childcare Program Manager/Director of Curriculum, The Learning Lamp
• Janine Pagano, M.S., STARS Quality Manager, Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Region 6
• David Price, M.Ed., Program Specialist , PA Key,Pre-K Counts and Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program
• Terri Siverling, Implementation and Operations Coordinator, ELRC Region 6
• Rose Snyder, Director of Member & Educational Services, PA Association for the Education of Young Children (PennAEYC)
• Leah Spangler, Ed.D., Chief Executive Officer, The Learning Lamp

The Learning Lamp is a key player in statewide efforts to attract more people to careers in early childhood education and train them to provide high quality care. With support from the Grable Foundation, the organization recently launched the region’s first ECE apprenticeship program to support participants in their efforts to further their ECE education.

“The conference is a tremendous opportunity for ECE professionals to strengthen their skills, network with colleagues from across the state and learn more about the latest thinking in the field,” said Leah Spangler, Ed.D., chief executive officer, The Learning Lamp. “These educators help students build the foundation for life-long learning and we’re very happy to offer a slate of presenters who can support them in their efforts.”

For more information on The Learning Lamp and the ECE conference, visit thelearninglamp.org.