NHSA

Head Start Advocacy: Voting Counts!
2024-08-13 12:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York)
Voting Counts: Understanding the Important Role Head Start Parents and Staff can have in the 2024 election.
Program Description: This year’s presidential election is already a hot topic and not likely to cool in the fall. As citizens of the USA we all can and need to vote. It’s one thing that makes this country great. Voting is a right and privilege that we all need to exercise. Learn how Head Start parents, staff and programs can support voter registration and Get Out the Vote (GOTV) activities. Learn how to engage in these activities while following the Head Start standards. Here what other programs are doing. Do not let fear and discouragement keep you from taking action.
Together we can help the whole Head Start community participate in the election and know that Voting Counts!
Learning Objective:

Understand the Head Start standards relative to voter registration and GOTV activities.
Find inspiration and courage to engage in supporting the election process in your Head Start program.

Presenters:
Blair Hyatt, Senior Director of State Affairs
Katie Dufford-Melendez, Manager, State Affairs
This professional development presentation is part of a larger Head Start Advocacy Series. By registering for this event, you can sign up for the entire 2024-2025 series. Each month will feature new topics of concern when we talk about the big picture of advocacy.

Onboarding New Leaders
2024-08-15 15:00 - 15:30
Program: Onboarding New Leaders in Head Start
Purpose: New leadership in any environment can be tough. But, becoming a new leader in Head Start is particularly challenging. Head Start requires a very specific understanding of Federal requirements, program history and managing in an environment that is ever-changing. Come learn about how to support new Head Start leaders and how you can take charge of your new position and grow your own capacity to serve your program, staff and community.
Learning Objectives: To Identify what is your leadership style is and who do you want to be as a leader; Exploring the differences between managing and leading; Determining actions to take over the next 6 months.
Presenters:
Dr. Deborah Bergeron served as director of the Office of Head Start from 2018-21. From 2019-21 she broadened her leadership as director of the Office of Early Childhood Development in the Administration for Children and Families. Known as “Dr. B” to former students and teachers, she spent three decades in pre-K–12 public education as a classroom teacher and school administrator and currently serves as deputy director for Community Engagement and Innovation at NHSA.

Zuly Vazquez is the senior manager of online professional development at the National Head Start Association. She has worked with Head Start and Early Head Start programs for over a decade, specializing in training, mentoring, coaching, facilitation, curriculum implementation, and management. She worked for several years in the classroom, providing high-quality education to children from different cultures, traditions, and ethnicities. She is a former EHS/HS parent. She has vast experience supporting and providing technical assistance to teachers, family child care providers, education specialists, and families in large EHS/HS programs in Florida and Georgia. Over her career, she designed a supplemental Christian early childhood curriculum, bilingual online lessons, and classroom observation tools and has facilitated early childhood education courses in English and Spanish at the college level. As an active early childhood advocate, she is a board member of her local NAEYC affiliate and Family Child Care Home Alliance of Georgia. She is a senior advisor of Latinas United for the Children of America.

Advocacy: What is it? How to do it!
2024-09-10 12:00 - 12:30
Program: Advocacy: What is it? How to do it!
Description: The lack of funding needed so that programs can implement the Final rule without having to cut large numbers of children and their families from programs has put Head Start in a funding crisis. We need everyone to step up their advocacy capacity and skills. This webinar will help people understand how to be an advocate, what an advocate does and how to do it with the limits of the Head Start Standards.
Learning Objectives: Attendees will learn:

What is educating.
What is advocacy.
What is lobbying.
The Head Start standards that impact doing education, advocacy, and lobbying.
The important role parents and staff play in education and advocating for Head Start.

Advocacy: What is it? How to do it! Presenters:

Blair Hyatt, Senior Director of State Affairs

Katie Dufford-Melendez, Manager, State Affairs

This professional development presentation is part of a larger Head Start Advocacy Series. By registering for this event, you can sign up for the entire 2024-2025 series. Each month will feature new topics of concern when we talk about the big picture of advocacy.

Financial Wellness: Behavior Change Strategies (Option 1)
2024-09-12 14:00 - 14:30
Financial Wellness Thursdays with The Beans: Behavior Change Strategies
Behavior change is not always easy, and it takes a little time, but knowing the stages of behavior change will make the process more successful and more fun.
Learn about The Beans’ highly rated professional development programs for improving your staffs’ financial wellness + the evidence-based principles proven to promote financial progress and reduce financial stress.
Sponsored by:

Financial Wellness: Behavior Change Strategies (Option 2)
2024-09-12 18:00 - 18:30

Tuning Up Circle Time: How Musical Play Boosts Learning and Connection
2024-09-17 14:00 - 15:00
Program: Tuning Up Circle Time: How Musical Play Boosts Learning and Connection
Description: Circle time—a safe, focused space for children to learn and interact in a group setting—is nothing new. So, how do we keep it from getting old and fine-tune it as a model for healthy social behavior? Leaning into the rich history of making music in the round and dancing in circle formation is key to cementing developmental milestones in this important early childhood setting. This workshop focuses on how to boost social awareness and connection through joyful musical circle time experiences, including morning rituals, dance breaks, and story time.
Learning Objectives: As a result of this session, participants will be able to:

Explain the science behind why circle time—specifically musical circle time—is beneficial to the social-emotional development of children.
Incorporate music more intentionally into movement-based brain breaks and gathering rituals.
Scaffold teaching of music-based activities to lead with confidence and enhance learning.

Price:

Regular Rate: $75
NHSA Member Rate: $50

Tuning Up Circle Time Presenter: Deanna Bucci, Director of Product Development for Kindermusik International
Deanna Bucci oversees the content creation for Kindermusik’s programs and curricula as well as professional development and product training. She has worked with and trained various organizations and educators across the United States, including presenting at national conferences for NAEYC and NHSA. Deanna holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Master of School Administration. She taught elementary general music (ages 3-8) for eight years in New Jersey before initially becoming a Curriculum Designer for Kindermusik in 2017. Through childcare, musical direction, and private music instruction, she has also taught and worked with children and adults of all ages over the last 15+ years.
Sponsored by: Kindermusik International

Connecting Refugees With Head Start and Early Head Start
2024-09-17 16:00 - 17:00
Program: Connecting Refugees With Head Start and Early Head Start: Introducing NHSA and Fors Marsh Toolkits
Description: In partnership with Fors Marsh, NHSA designed toolkits including customizable fact sheets, guides, flyers, social media ads, and posters to encourage the enrollment and employment of children and families with refugee status in Head Start. This webinar will provide an overview of Head Start programs and present the toolkits developed to the Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM) and their affiliates.
Learning Objectives:

Overview of Head Start programs
Increase awareness and collaborate around connecting refugee families and children to Head Start and Early Head Start programs.
Utilize toolkits to support connection efforts

Connecting Refugees Presenters:
Mark Weber provides 32 years of experience at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) challenging the status quo and creating meaningful change in Federal programs. Most recently he served as principal advisor and major policy-coordinating official on communications across public health, healthcare and in particular the human services portfolio of HHS agencies and offices. Examples of his work as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs include formulating and leading the first $300 million phase of the U.S. Government’s COVID-19 Public Education Media Campaign and leading communications work on the humanitarian response to the dramatic increase in unaccompanied children referred to HHS care by immigration officials. Prior to serving as HHS Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs from January 2012 to July 2021, Mark Weber was the HHS Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Director of Communications from September 1995 to January 2012 and a speechwriter in the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health from October 1989 to September 1995. Mark Weber achieved a bachelor’s degree in marketing management from Virginia Tech in 1987 and a master’s in business administration from George Washington University in 1995. He has documented and published much of his work in peer reviewed journals and received numerous awards throughout his career at HHS.
Jennifer Larson, a former Head Start parent, has seamlessly transitioned from beneficiary to advocate, dedicating 31 years to supporting others in the early childhood field. Starting as a parent in a Head Start program, she rose to become the Associate Head Start Director of Child Care Resource and Referral/Families First of Minnesota. Throughout her journey, Ms. Larson completed her Elementary Education degree, obtained her Minnesota Teaching Licensure, and became a trainer for the development program at Minnesota Department of Education. Her diverse experience includes teaching in a classroom, building relationships with parents as a home visitor, coaching staff, supervising, and training. Ms. Larson’s personal experience underscores her dedication to improving the lives of children, families, and communities served by the Head Start program.
Malath Alarnosi, originally from Iraq, serves as a dedicated Case Manager Supervisor at Canopy Northwest Arkansas (NWA), assisting refugee families during their resettlement in NWA. Central to her role is facilitating the enrollment of these families in the Head Start program, helping them to navigate both the triumphs and obstacles of the process to ensure ongoing cooperation and support.
Kisha McCray is the Senior Manager of Academy Resources at The National Head Start Association. In 2005, she began her journey working as an Early Childhood teacher and in 2007 she discovered her love for Head Start and has held various positions to include Family Advocate, Family Services Supervisor, Health Coordinator, Director of Child Health and Wellness, Director of Child Development and Health, Program Director of Health, Family, and Community Partnerships, and Associate Executive Director. Kisha has spent years advocating for early childhood education and early intervention services through working for Early Head Start, Head Start, and other agencies that support pregnant mothers and the birth through five populations and their families. She has previously served as a member of the public policy committee for the Maryland Head Start Association and Coordinator for the Maryland Health Managers Network. She has completed HS University’s Program Design and Management Credential, Yale School of Management Women’s Leadership Program and UCLA’s New Director Mentor program. Kisha has a commitment to community service, community development, and empowerment and has dedicated her life both personally and professionally to engaging the unserved and empowering the marginalized.
Brought to you by:

New Resource for Programs: The Head Start Data Lake Collaborative
2024-09-18 15:00 - 16:00
Program: New Resource for Programs – The Head Start Data Lake Collaborative
Description: For the past year, NHSA has been piloting an early childhood data lake, a central repository that collects, stores, and analyzes data from Head Start programs in ways that help programs learn from each other. From the practitioner perspective, the data lake will provide dashboards that are useful to improve practice on a day-to-day basis. The lake will also contain aggregated national dashboards to drive quality improvement at a national level. Resources provided in presentation:

Slides
Start-Up Documentation

Learning Objective: Learn about the Head Start Data Lake, its value to programs, and how to join!
The Head Start Data Lake Collaborative Presenter:
Victoria Jones, is NHSA’s senior director of data. Victoria has prior experience in early childhood education from her five years working at Sesame Street in New York City. Victoria earned her bachelor’s degree from Barnard College at Columbia University and received her master’s in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School.

Spanish Version of Tuning Up Circle Time: How Musical Play Boosts Learning and Connection
2024-09-19 14:00 - 15:00
Spanish Version of Tuning Up Circle Time: How Musical Play Boosts Learning and Connection Program
Description: This entire program will be complete in Spanish. Circle time—a safe, focused space for children to learn and interact in a group setting—is nothing new. So, how do we keep it from getting old and fine-tune it as a model for healthy social behavior? Leaning into the rich history of making music in the round and dancing in circle formation is key to cementing developmental milestones in this important early childhood setting. This workshop focuses on how to boost social awareness and connection through joyful musical circle time experiences, including morning rituals, dance breaks, and story time.
Learning Objectives: As a result of this session, participants will be able to:

Explain the science behind why circle time—specifically musical circle time—is beneficial to the social-emotional development of children.
Incorporate music more intentionally into movement-based brain breaks and gathering rituals.
Scaffold teaching of music-based activities to lead with confidence and enhance learning.

Price:

Regular Rate: $75
NHSA Member Rate: $50

Spanish Version of Tuning Up Circle Time Presenter: Dr. Farida Peña, Bilingual Trainer and Curriculum Specialist
Dr. Farida Peña is a Bilingual Trainer and Curriculum Specialist at Kindermusik International. Farida has an M.D. and a Master’s Degree in Music Education and Music Pedagogy. She has worked as a music educator, speaker, international workshop facilitator, and piano teacher for over 25 years, teaching multiple workshops in countries such as the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Brazil, and the US. Farida has been trained in diverse musical methods such as MLT, Dalcroze, Orff, Kodaly, and Dissimilis. Currently, she works with Kindermusik International in the training and implementation of their programs in the US and Latin America.
This wonderful program is brought you by: Kindermusik International

Peak Performance for Head Start Leaders: 2-part Series
2024-09-19 16:00 - 17:00
Program: Peak Performance for Head Start Leaders: Mediation / Tough Conversations + Succession Planning
Description: Peak Performance for Head Start Leaders is a dynamic webinar series designed to elevate the skills of seasoned directors. Each one-hour session focuses on critical leadership competencies, empowering participants to excel in their roles and drive program success.

Mediation / Tough Conversations: This interactive and reflective session will allow participants to look inward and ask themselves if they are using their tone to define the setting or are they speaking in a way that is inclusive and inviting to others. Dr. Kimberly P. Johnson will use her expertise in equity and inclusion and challenge participants to think about their approach to others and if they are allowing their tone to set the tone in a negative manner. Come and learn about the power of positive interactions and verbal praise.

Learning Objectives: By the end of this webinar series, participants will be able to:

9/19/24: Mediation / Tough Conversations

Master techniques for conducting difficult conversations and mediating conflicts, fostering a positive and productive work environment.

11/21/24: Succession Planning

Strengthen overall leadership performance by applying advanced skills in decision-making, communication, and strategic management.

Price:

Regular Rate: $200
NHSA Member Rate: $100

Presenters:
Dr. Kimberly P. Johnson, Children’s author and educator, grew up in Shelby, NC. She is married to Jeff Johnson who retired from the United States Air Force after 22 years of service. She is the author of 22 children’s books. Kimberly received her Doctorate in Curriculum, Teaching, and Leadership from Northeastern University in Boston, MA and also holds a Master’s Degree from Clemson University, in Youth Development and Leadership. Kimberly has an Early Childhood Education Degree and a Communications Degree from UNC – Chapel Hill.

Denyse Cardoza, CEO, Executive Director (ED), and HS/EHS Director, Denyse serves as Executive Director of Placer Community Action Council, Inc. KidZCommunity providing direction and oversight for all programs, and establishes and maintains solid, effective relationships with community partners. She has served KidZCommunity for 41 years in numerous capacities including home visitor, teacher, home-based education manager and the EHS project director in 1997 and assumed her current role 20 years ago. She has presided over seven successful OHS Federal Monitoring Reviews and 18 compliant annual fiscal audits. She maintains high visibility in the community to increase awareness of essential early childhood education services, legislation, and policies. She currently serves as a board member for the National Head Start Association, Region IX Head Start Association, and served 15 years as a board member for Head Start California.

Dr. Deborah Bergeron served as director of the Office of Head Start from 2018-21. From 2019-21 she broadened her leadership as director of the Office of Early Childhood Development in the Administration for Children and Families. Known as “Dr. B” to former students and teachers, she spent three decades in pre-K–12 public education as a classroom teacher and school administrator and currently serves as deputy director for Community Engagement and Innovation at NHSA.

Zuly Vazquez is the senior manager of online professional development at the National Head Start Association. She has worked with Head Start and Early Head Start programs for over a decade, specializing in training, mentoring, coaching, facilitation, curriculum implementation, and management. She worked for several years in the classroom, providing high-quality education to children from different cultures, traditions, and ethnicities. She is a former EHS/HS parent. She has vast experience supporting and providing technical assistance to teachers, family child care providers, education specialists, and families in large EHS/HS programs in Florida and Georgia. Over her career, she designed a supplemental Christian early childhood curriculum, bilingual online lessons, and classroom observation tools and has facilitated early childhood education courses in English and Spanish at the college level. As an active early childhood advocate, she is a board member of her local NAEYC affiliate and Family Child Care Home Alliance of Georgia. She is a senior advisor of Latinas United for the Children of America.

Who’s Not At the Table: 3 Key Practices for Engaging Harder-To-Reach Families
2024-10-01 14:00 - 15:00
Program: Who’s Not At the Table: 3 Key Practices for Engaging Harder-To-Reach Families
Description: Looking for practical solutions you can use immediately to engage your hardest-to-reach families? Then this is the interactive webinar you’ve been waiting for. In this session, we will focus on effective strategies to connect with and empower all families in your program, especially those who may be underrepresented or facing barriers to participation. We’ll explore innovative and field-tested approaches to ensure every family’s voice is heard and valued.
Spread the word, because this is one event your team won’t want to miss!
Learning Objective:

Create a shared understanding of what we mean by “harder-to-reach” families
Identify common barriers to family engagement in Head Start and Early Head Start programs.
Learn about inclusive strategies for reaching seldom heard families and making all families feel welcome and empowered to participate in their child’s education.

Who’s Not At the Table Presenters:

Sandy Oceguera is the Sr. Data Product Manager at NHSA. Her background includes 5 years in social services and 5 years in big data analytics lending her a unique perspective in utilizing and developing NHSA’s data products, including Parent Gauge, usefulness for the field. Sandy holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Colorado State University with a specialization in public and nonprofit management.

Mallary Swartz, Ph.D, Senior Director of Learning and Impact at ParentPowered and an applied researcher in family engagement and early childhood. She has spent 20 years cultivating relationships, managing partnerships, and leading research, evaluation, and innovation projects at family-focused organizations such as Start Early, Fred Rogers Productions, and Brazelton Touchpoints Center. Mallary also served as Co-Principal Investigator for the National Center on Parent, Family, and Community Engagement. She has a Ph.D. in Child Development from Tufts University, an M.S. from the University of Pittsburgh, and a B.A. from Duke University.

Sponsored by:

Unlocking Your Career Potential: Next Steps After Your CDA!
2024-10-01 16:00 - 17:00
Program: Unlocking Your Career Potential: Next Steps After Your CDA!
Description: Just earned your CDA credential with The Academy? Congratulations! Take the next step by joining our webinar to explore the exciting career pathway National University created for Head Start CDA graduates. Discover opportunities to advance your early childhood education career and unlock your full professional potential. Don’t miss this chance to turn your CDA achievement into a rewarding future!
Learning Objective: National University’s Partnership Manager will walk attendees through the next steps in expanding your opportunities.
Unlocking Your Career Potential Presenters: Katrina Davis-Darnell and Zuly Vazquez
Katrina Davis-Darnell is a passionate higher education professional with 15+ years of supporting Head Start and PK-12 entities. She manages education partnerships at the National University in their Workforce and Community Education division. In her role, she develops and leads education solution projects that support making professional development affordable and accessible for K-12 professionals seeking to achieve their career ambitions through National University offerings.

Zuly Vazquez is the senior manager of online professional development at the National Head Start Association. She has worked with Head Start and Early Head Start programs for over a decade, specializing in training, mentoring, coaching, facilitation, curriculum implementation, and management. She worked for several years in the classroom, providing high-quality education to children from different cultures, traditions, and ethnicities. She is a former EHS/HS parent. She has vast experience supporting and providing technical assistance to teachers, family child care providers, education specialists, and families in large EHS/HS programs in Florida and Georgia. Over her career, she designed a supplemental Christian early childhood curriculum, bilingual online lessons, and classroom observation tools and has facilitated early childhood education courses in English and Spanish at the college level. As an active early childhood advocate, she is a board member of her local NAEYC affiliate and Family Child Care Home Alliance of Georgia. She is a senior advisor of Latinas United for the Children of America.
Brought to you by:

Unleashing the Leader Within You: Discover Your Leadership Style
2024-10-02 16:00 - 16:45
Program: Unleashing the Leader Within You: Discover Your Leadership Style
Description: Discover your leadership potential in our dynamic one-hour webinar designed for Head Start staff. This engaging session will inspire you to see yourself as a leader and introduce you to reflective practices that enhance your leadership skills. You’ll gain valuable insights into your personal leadership style and learn practical ways to apply these skills in your daily work. Whether you’re aspiring to be a Director, Site Leader, Head Start Manager, or Whole Community specialist, this webinar is your first step towards unleashing your leadership potential. Join us for an hour that could transform your career perspective and set you on the path to becoming a more effective leader in the Head Start community.
Learning Objectives:

Learn about yourself as a leader.
Learn how to apply your leadership style and skills to your work.

Unleashing the Leader Within You Presenters:
Dr. Deborah Bergeron served as director of the Office of Head Start from 2018-21. From 2019-21 she broadened her leadership as director of the Office of Early Childhood Development in the Administration for Children and Families. Known as “Dr. B” to former students and teachers, she spent three decades in pre-K-12 public education as a classroom teacher and school administrator and currently serves as deputy director for Community Engagement and Innovation at NHSA.

Zuly Vazquez is the senior manager of online professional development at the National Head Start Association. She has worked with Head Start and Early Head Start programs for over a decade, specializing in training, mentoring, coaching, facilitation, curriculum implementation, and management. She worked for several years in the classroom, providing high-quality education to children from different cultures, traditions, and ethnicities. She is a former EHS/HS parent. She has vast experience supporting and providing technical assistance to teachers, family child care providers, education specialists, and families in large EHS/HS programs in Florida and Georgia. Over her career, she designed a supplemental Christian early childhood curriculum, bilingual online lessons, and classroom observation tools and has facilitated early childhood education courses in English and Spanish at the college level. As an active early childhood advocate, she is a board member of her local NAEYC affiliate and Family Child Care Home Alliance of Georgia. She is a senior advisor of Latinas United for the Children of America.

Empowering Future Educators: Funding Strategies for ECE Apprenticeships
2024-10-03 11:30 - 12:30
Program: Apprenticeship Workcircle Webinar – Funding Strategies for ECE Apprenticeships
Description:
Join us for a dynamic webinar where experts will explore innovative approaches to funding apprenticeships in Early Childhood Education (ECE). Presenters will dive into strategies to secure funding from multiple angles, including federal grants, state programs, private partnerships, and community initiatives. Whether you’re an administrator, educator, or policymaker, this session will provide you with actionable insights and resources to support the growth and development of future ECE professionals through well-funded apprenticeship programs. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to empower the next generation of educators with sustainable financial backing!
Objectives:

Understand Funding Sources: Participants will identify various funding sources available for ECE apprenticeships, including federal grants, state programs, private partnerships, and community initiatives.
Evaluate Funding Strategies: Participants will assess innovative strategies for securing funding from multiple angles and determine which approaches best fit their organization’s needs.
Foster Collaborative Networks: Participants will engage in discussions to share experiences and strategies, fostering a network of support among administrators, educators, and policymakers.

Presenters:

Angela Cabrerra
Meagan Burk
Erin Young
Sue Polojac

NHSA and The National Zoo Field Trips: 2024 - 2025
2024-10-03 14:00 - 14:30
Let’s visit NHSA and the National Zoo! This will be a delightful lesson designed to support Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF) standards! NHSA and Zoo in the Classroom is a high-energy, interactive experience that include music and movement. It is designed to keep children active, engaged, and thriving.
Join the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (SNZCBI) and NHSA for four LIVE learning opportunities about Zoo animals, created specifically for Head Start and Early Head Start programs across the country!

Program 1: October 3, 2024 from 2:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET – (Beavers and Orangutans)
Program 2: December 5, 2024 from 2:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET
Program 3: February 6, 2025 from 2:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET
Program 4: April 3, 2025 from 2:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET

NHSA and The National Zoo Presenters:

Emily Porter – Manager of Early Childhood and Family Learning Experience, SNZCBI
Bethany Wells – Get a Head Start with the Smithsonian Education and Program Coordinator, SNZCBI
Rachel Hutchison – Senior Associate, Instructional Practice Professional Programs, NHSA
Nick Young – Preschool Musician, PlayMotion Music
Smithsonian National Zoo Keepers
Guest presenters from other Smithsoninan institutions

Tackle Behaviors that Challenge: by EMBRACING OPPORTUNITIES
2024-10-08 16:00 - 16:30
Webinar Series: Tackling Behaviors that Challenge Us
Program: Tackle Behaviors that Challenge: by EMBRACING OPPORTUNITIES
Description: All behavior is communication. Especially the behaviors that we adults find challenging. Now what can you do about it?
In this webinar series, our experts will share innovative approaches to building a trust-based classroom environment, which is the key to mitigating behaviors that challenge us. Learn practical strategies that will not only help you understand challenging interactions, they will significantly increase delightful interactions!
Join our experts as they share how to develop strong trust with the children in your care. You will learn:

how to use music and movement for joy, fun, and increased focus;
turn transitions into meaningful parts of your day;
how to inspire the desire to behave well;
and so much more!

Tackle Behaviors that Challenge: by EMBRACING OPPORTUNITIES
Mistakes are a part of life, and they are learning opportunities just waiting to happen! Join us as we discuss how to create a joyful classroom environment that embraces mistakes.
EMBRACING OPPORTUNITIES Presenters:
Dr. Deborah Bergeron served as director of the Office of Head Start from 2018-21. From 2019-21 she broadened her leadership as director of the Office of Early Childhood Development in the Administration for Children and Families. Known as “Dr. B” to former students and teachers, she spent three decades in pre-K–12 public education as a classroom teacher and school administrator and currently serves as deputy director for Community Engagement and Innovation at NHSA.

Nick Young has been sharing the joy and enrichment of interactive music and movement with children for over 30 years. Nick began his career as a preschool teacher and created The Young Music Company—a mobile music school for preschoolers—bringing music into the lives of thousands of children every year.

Beyond the Stereotype: Empowering Men in Early Childhood Education
2024-10-09 14:00 - 16:00
Program: Beyond the Stereotype: Empowering Men in Early Childhood Education
Description: This webinar will explore the unique challenges and opportunities faced by men in a traditionally female-dominated field. This session will address the critical need for gender diversity in early childhood education and how male educators can bring valuable perspectives that enrich learning environments for young children. The webinar will cover topics such as overcoming societal stereotypes, strategies for recruitment and retention, and the impact of male role models on early childhood development. The goal is to provide actionable strategies for supporting and empowering men in early childhood roles, as well as a deeper understanding of the benefits of gender diversity in education.
Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to:

Describe the unique role men play in the field of ECE
Implement initiatives to retain and recruit more men into ECE communities
Create more opportunities for fathers to become involved in ECE classrooms and centers

Price:

Regular Rate: $300
NHSA Member Rate: $250

Beyond the Stereotype Presenter: Chrystine Mitchell, PhD
Chrystine Mitchell, PhD is a former Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education and also functioned as the Director of the ECE Program at Alvernia University. She is now serving as Director of Early Childhood Education Operations at ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI), with previous experience working as an elementary school teacher, preschool teacher, Director of an EC center, and trainer, educational consultant, and administrator working in the public school system. She has a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies/Children’s Literature from the University of Pittsburgh, a post-bacc Elementary Education Certification from Millersville University, M.Ed. in Educational Administration from Temple University, and a Ph.D. in Reading Education from the University of Maryland, College Park. Her work in higher education has focused on helping integrate best practices and 21st century skills into literacy instruction and assessment. Her research and scholarship includes literacy pedagogy, culturally sustaining pedagogy, digital technologies and ECE partnerships.
This wonderful program is brought you by:

Financial Wellness: How to Balance Spending and Saving (Option 1)
2024-10-10 14:00 - 14:30
Financial Wellness Thursdays with The Beans: How to balance spending and saving
You do not need to have 3-6 months of income in an emergency savings account. Research shows that with just a few hundred dollars in savings you make stronger financial decisions. This cushion gives us security and allows our brains to relax which leads to healthier financial decisions.
At The Beans we set our Essential Savings objective at $2,500 and then move on to the next milestone. With $2500 in savings you are insulated from most economic shocks, meaning it’s enough to help you bounce back when something big comes up.
The order of operations is as important as the right-sizing goal. We suggest focusing on establishing your Essential Savings before trying to pay down debt. Once you do, your debt pay off will go even faster.
Learn about The Beans’ highly rated professional development programs for improving your staffs’ financial wellness + the evidence-based principles proven to promote financial progress and reduce financial stress.
Sponsored by:

Financial Wellness: How to Balance Spending and Saving (Option 2)
2024-10-10 18:00 - 18:30

Fueling the STEAM Engine with Music
2024-10-15 14:00 - 15:00
Program: Fueling the STEAM Engine with Music
Description: STEM is already on the rotation in early childhood classrooms, but have you considered STEAM? Elements within the Arts directly support skills learned and needed within Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. “A” is truly the secret ingredient as the joy that happens in early shared music making helps the learning stick and ignites curiosity in STEM for years to come. From cause and effect, to critical thinking, to pattern recognition, this workshop focuses on how to implement music and movement-based activities with our littlest learners to fuel STEAM education.
Learning Objectives: As a result of this session, participants will be able to:

Understand the science behind how the Arts support the other four areas of STEM learning.
Identify why music is the ultimate “Arts” tool in STEAM-based learning.
Teach music-based activities that enhance STEAM-based learning.

Price:

Regular Rate: $75
NHSA Member Rate: $50

Fueling the STEAM Engine Presenter: Deanna Bucci, Director of Product Development for Kindermusik International
Deanna Bucci oversees the content creation for Kindermusik’s programs and curricula as well as professional development and product training. She has worked with and trained various organizations and educators across the United States, including presenting at national conferences for NAEYC and NHSA. Deanna holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Master of School Administration. She taught elementary general music (ages 3-8) for eight years in New Jersey before initially becoming a Curriculum Designer for Kindermusik in 2017. Through childcare, musical direction, and private music instruction, she has also taught and worked with children and adults of all ages over the last 15+ years.
Sponsored by: Kindermusik International

¡Potenciando las habilidades STEAM a través de la Música!
2024-10-17 14:00 - 15:00
POSTPONED
Programa: ¡Potenciando las habilidades STEAM a través de la Música!
Descripción: El enfoque STEM ya forma parte de las actividades en las aulas de educación infantil, pero ¿ha considerado integrar el enfoque STEAM? Los elementos de las Artes apoyan directamente las habilidades que se desarrollan en Ciencia, Tecnología, Ingeniería y Matemáticas. La “A” es, de hecho, el ingrediente secreto, ya que la alegría que surge al hacer música en grupo desde una edad temprana ayuda a que el aprendizaje perdure, y despierta la curiosidad por STEM durante muchos años. Desde la relación causa y efecto, pasando por el pensamiento crítico, hasta el reconocimiento de patrones, este taller se centra en cómo implementar actividades basadas en música y movimiento con los más pequeños para impulsar la educación STEAM.
Objetivos de aprendizaje: Al finalizar esta sesión, los participantes serán capaces de:

Comprender la base científica de cómo las Artes apoyan las otras cuatro áreas del aprendizaje STEM.
Identificar por qué la música es la herramienta más poderosa de las Artes en el aprendizaje basado en STEAM.
Enseñar actividades musicales que apoyen el aprendizaje STEAM.

Precio:

Tarifa regular: $75
Tarifa para miembros de la NHSA: $50

¡Potenciando las habilidades STEAM a través de la Música! Presentadora: Dra. Farida Peña, Entrenadora Bilingüe y Especialista en Currículo
La Dra. Farida Peña es Formadora Bilingüe, Especialista en Currículo, y miembro del equipo de Desarrollo de Productos de Kindermusik International. Posee un Doctorado en Medicina y una Maestría en Educación y Pedagogía Musical. Con más de 30 años de experiencia, y formada en diversos métodos musicales, incluidos MLT, Dalcroze, Orff, Kodály, Kindermusik y Dissimilis, Farida ha trabajado como educadora musical, oradora internacional, facilitadora de talleres, y profesora de piano, liderando capacitaciones en países como República Dominicana, México, Puerto Rico, Brasil y Estados Unidos.

Patrocinado por: Kindermusik International

Info Session: Parent Gauge + ParentPowered
2024-10-22 14:00 - 14:45
Program: Research-Based Family Engagement: Parent Gauge + ParentPowered Info Session
Description: Does your program struggle with implementing family engagement strategies that are targeted to the needs of your families? If so, we invite you to learn about a unique Parent, Family, and Community Engagement (PFCE) solution: Parent Gauge family assessment and ParentPowered family engagement curriculum. Both are grounded in research and use data to drive decision making for your program.
Learning Objective: In this info session, you’ll see not only how each product can enhance your program’s PFCE efforts, but how you can maximize results when you use them together.
Parent Gauge + ParentPowered Info Session Presenters:

Sandy Oceguera is the Sr. Data Product Manager at NHSA. Her background includes 5 years in social services and 5 years in big data analytics lending her a unique perspective in utilizing and developing NHSA’s data products, including Parent Gauge, usefulness for the field. Sandy holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Colorado State University with a specialization in public and nonprofit management.

Felix Caballero, Before joining ParentPowered, Felix has spent more than a decade working with organizations that serve to improve the lives of children. In addition to his role as a member of the Illuminate sales team, he also spent 7 years in the classroom as a Spanish teacher and a volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters. Beyond the world of education, Felix loves to engage with people in a variety of settings. He’s been known to lead kayak tours and DJ community events. He is a proud veteran of the United States Air Force and holds a Bachelor of Arts from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico.
Sponsored by:

Marketing for Head Start Parent Engagement
2024-10-23 14:00 - 16:00
With our partners at Working Smarter Consulting, NHSA is hosting a live and virtual training session on Marketing for Head Start Parent Engagement. Working Smarter Consultants, with over 25 years of experience in Head Start and marketing, will guide you through innovative strategies tailored to increasing your market presence while driving new traffic and increasing engagement.
Marketing for Head Start Parent Engagement Description:Engage Head Start parents in vital program activities using successful strategies from programs nationwide.
Price:

Regular Rate: $325
NHSA Member Rate: $225

Learning Objectives:

Assess parent needs and individualize digital marketing strategies to communicate the benefits of each program year effectively.
Brainstorm diverse parent engagement plans, including events, socials, and shared resources.
Create 10 ways to increase attendance at Parent Committee Meetings.
Chance to collaborate and share and exchange ideas with similar programs.
Tips on how to use culturally relevant and appropriate messaging to reach the target audience

Presenters:
Gerald Washington, Chief Executive OfficerWith a longstanding history of taking brands and businesses to the next level of success, Gerald’s leadership, innovation, and business acumen will be sure to shock Head Start Programs. Prior to this venture, Gerald was the partner and president of Steve Harvey World Group, partner and president East 112th Street Productions, and president of the Steve Harvey Radio Network, where he led business development, production, and operations for all three companies. Gerald successfully secured major partnerships and endorsement deals with household names such as T-Mobile, Ford, State Farm, NBC, ABC, Fox and BET. He led the launch and growth of new business ventures with Match.com and Garrett’s Popcorn Shops, as well as the transformational coaching company Act Like a Success and Easy Bacon, Steve Harvey’s first food product. Through his leadership, the Steve Harvey World Group tripled in revenue and grew by 65 percent. It is this experience that makes Gerald an asset to any program working through contracts, contract negotiations, service, and lease agreements. Gerald has the uncanny ability to see the potential in staff that they don’t often see in themselves. He coaches people into leadership roles with ease. Gerald is ready to take your Head Start program to the next level. Kenna Pruitt, Chief Operating OfficerWith more than 13 years of Head Start experience, Kenna brings knowledge that is unmatched in the field/industry. She began her Head Start journey working as the Family and Community Partnerships Manager, for a large Head Start and Early Head Start program in Texas. This program served more than 1,500 children and families in 22 centers across Texas. This experience helped Kenna become well versed in data capturing, data analysis, processes and systems, leadership, management, supervision, and a deep understanding of all service areas. After working in a Head Start program, Kenna ventured out to the federal level. Working for DANYA, which, at the time, had a contract with the Office of Head Start, for Federal Reviews. Kenna’s time spent as a Content Area Lead for HSKI-C Reviews and Leadership, Governance, and Management Systems Reviews afforded her the opportunity to travel the country and visit Head Start programs in every shape and size. Kenna was able to see the complexities of a variety of programs, as well as, how programs attack and troubleshoot unique situations. It was at this point, that Kenna wanted to take the information she was learning from all these programs and share it with others. From here she went to work for ChildPlus Software, the data management system most used by Head Start programs. It was here, that Kenna was able to explore and dig into data. Understand how programs were and were not using it effectively. Her role as a ChildPlus Consultant fostered her skills in creating processes and policies, sharpened her abilities to find holes in data and create a plan to repair them, as well as, customize any training for varieties of staff. Starting Working Smarter Consulting, was a dream that would allow Head Start programs the ability to get training, coaching, and consulting from one place. Let’s Work Smart Together! Take advantage of this one-of-a-kind opportunity to revamp your marketing strategies with Working Smarter Consulting!

Parent Gauge 2.0: Elevating Head Start Programs to New Heights
2024-10-30 14:00 - 15:00
Program: Parent Gauge 2.0: Elevating Head Start Programs to New Heights
Description: Parent Gauge is a powerful resource that empowers Head Start programs to gain deeper insights into family engagement and child development.
Learning Objectives: In this webinar, you’ll discover how the revamped Parent Gauge assessment can take your program to new heights:

Explore the streamlined, user-friendly assessment experience
Learn how the enhanced data analytics uncover actionable insights to drive program improvements
Understand how to leverage Parent Gauge data to secure funding, enhance reporting, and demonstrate program impact
See real-world examples of Head Start programs using Parent Gauge to elevate their services

Whether you’re a seasoned Parent Gauge user or exploring the tool for the first time, this webinar will equip you with the knowledge to maximize the benefits of this transformative assessment solution.

Parent Gauge 2.0 Presenters: Sandy Oceguera and Lucricia Delgado

Sandy Oceguera is the Sr. Data Product Manager at NHSA. Her background includes 5 years in social services and 5 years in big data analytics lending her a unique perspective in utilizing and developing NHSA’s data products, including Parent Gauge, usefulness for the field. Sandy holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Colorado State University with a specialization in public and nonprofit management.

Lucricia Delgado has served as a Parent Gauge consultant for over two and a half years, helping programs maximize their parent, family, and community engagement initiatives. She finds fulfillment working directly alongside the Parent Gauge community to support these efforts.

Brought to you by:

Advocacy Webinar: Empowering Your Parent Council for Advocacy
2024-11-12 12:00 - 12:30
Program: Empowering Your Parent Council for Advocacy
Description: As you know, Head Start Policy Councils are composed of Head Start preschool and Early Head Start parents and community members. With parent members often joining after serving on a parent committee and community members taking a special interest in the broader benefits of Head Start, the members of your Policy Council are knowledgeable and well-positioned to advocate for your program–at the local, state, and federal levels. Policy Council members can be especially helpful in advocating at the federal level–reaching out directly, joining you when an elected official visits your program, or being part of your delegation to NHSA’s Fall or Winter Leadership Institutes.
Learning Objectives:

understand how to consider advocacy when seeking Policy Council members;
learn how to engage and empower your Policy Council for advocacy; and
hear what other programs are doing.

Can’t join us live? Sign up anyway, and the recording will be shared with you. You can enjoy the recording and resources at your convenience!
Empowering Your Parent Council for Advocacy Presenter:
Bob Bissen, Director of Government Affairs

Tackle Behaviors that Challenge: by LISTENING
2024-11-12 16:00 - 16:30
Webinar Series: Tackling Behaviors that Challenge Us
Program: Tackle Behaviors that Challenge: by LISTENING
Description: All behavior is communication. Especially the behaviors that we adults find challenging. Now what can you do about it?
In this webinar series, our experts will share innovative approaches to building a trust-based classroom environment, which is the key to mitigating behaviors that challenge us. Learn practical strategies that will not only help you understand challenging interactions, they will significantly increase delightful interactions!
Join our experts as they share how to develop strong trust with the children in your care. You will learn:

how to use music and movement for joy, fun, and increased focus;
turn transitions into meaningful parts of your day;
how to inspire the desire to behave well;
and so much more!

Tackle Behaviors that Challenge: by LISTENING
Young children ask a LOT of questions. How many are you asking in return? Join us to learn how this teaching strategy can enhance every aspect of your classroom from how to walk in the hallway, play safely on the playground, sit in circle time, move during centers, speak to each other – everything!
LISTENING Presenters:
Dr. Deborah Bergeron served as director of the Office of Head Start from 2018-21. From 2019-21 she broadened her leadership as director of the Office of Early Childhood Development in the Administration for Children and Families. Known as “Dr. B” to former students and teachers, she spent three decades in pre-K–12 public education as a classroom teacher and school administrator and currently serves as deputy director for Community Engagement and Innovation at NHSA.

Hayes Greenfield is the founder of Creative Sound Play and the Greenfield Method. He is a professional musician and artist who has taught with the PNC Bank Grow Up Great Initiative, consulted at Bank Street Head Start and led professional development workshops and programs for the New York City Dept of Ed.

Garden Grant Info Session
2024-11-13 14:00 - 14:30
Program: Garden Grant Info Session
Description: Join us for this 30-minute webinar to learn more about the application requirements, and what a really strong application looks like. The presenters will walk through the application itself, talk about the award process, offer resources to help you plan your garden, share ideas for garden programs and answer any questions you may have about the grant or gardening with kids.
Apply for a the Garden Grant!
Garden Grant Info Session Presenter:
Sarah Pounders has been active in the field of youth gardening for over 20 years. Growing up surrounded by plants instilled a deep love of gardens and the desire to share that love with others. While working toward her master’s degree in Horticultural Sciences at Texas A&M University, she had the opportunity to serve as a school garden coordinator and conduct research on the benefits of using school garden programs to teach nutrition. She went on to work at various botanical gardens, for Cooperative Extension in Virginia and Texas, and since 2005 as an education specialist at KidsGardening.org, coordinating numerous children’s gardens, writing curricula and activities for youth of all ages, teaching formal and informal youth education programs, and conducting teacher training sessions on integrating gardens into the classroom. Sarah also enjoys gardening at home with her two kids and volunteering with their school gardening projects.
Sponsors:

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation is deeply rooted in helping create healthier communities, empowering the next generation, and preserving our planet. Its support of the National Head Start Association includes providing GroMoreGood Garden grants, garden kits, educational curriculum, and garden training available to all Head Start programs with the goal of creating more edible gardens for young children and their families. The initiative also supports the creation of green space projects—land that is partly or completely covered with grass, trees, shrubs, or other vegetation—as an option for children and the community to learn.

2024 Fall Garden Storytime
2024-11-14 13:00 - 13:30
Program: 2024 Fall Garden Storytime
Description: In these LIVE storytimes, we will read wonderful garden-themed books with a social emotional focus and have a “show and tell” about interesting plants. Both teachers and students will love these interactive learning sessions! Let’s fall into gardening together! Join us to learn more about all the sizes and shapes that pumpkins can grow to be and the many ways this delicious food can be used during this time of year.

Story: Runaway Pumpkins by Teresa Bateman
Sing Along: Do You Know How Pumpkins Grow?

2024 Fall Garden Storytime Presenters:
Sarah Pounders has been active in the field of youth gardening for over 20 years. Growing up surrounded by plants instilled a deep love of gardens and the desire to share that love with others. While working toward her master’s degree in Horticultural Sciences at Texas A&M University, she had the opportunity to serve as a school garden coordinator and conduct research on the benefits of using school garden programs to teach nutrition. She went on to work at various botanical gardens, for Cooperative Extension in Virginia and Texas, and since 2005 as an education specialist at KidsGardening.org, coordinating numerous children’s gardens, writing curricula and activities for youth of all ages, teaching formal and informal youth education programs, and conducting teacher training sessions on integrating gardens into the classroom. Sarah also enjoys gardening at home with her two kids and volunteering with their school gardening projects.

Pinky Jackalope (she/her) is a Motivational Associate with NHSA. She loves to learn new things, and to share them with her Head Start and Early Head Start friends! Pinky’s favorite fruit is a banana, and her favorite vegetable is the snap pea. Pinky loves watching flowers and herbs grow in container gardens.

Sponsors:

The GroMoreGood initiative makes garden grants, garden kits, educational curriculum, and garden training available to all Head Start programs with the goal of creating more edible gardens for young children and their families. The initiative also supports the creation of green space projects—land that is partly or completely covered with grass, trees, shrubs, or other vegetation—as an option for children and the community to learn.

Want even more? Check out our Gardening with Kids Basics course provided by The Academy.

Financial Wellness: Gratitude and Joy (Option 1)
2024-11-14 14:00 - 14:30
Financial Wellness Thursdays with The Beans: Gratitude and Joy
When you spend on what gives you joy you actually get more utility per dollar.
Learn about The Beans’ highly rated professional development programs for improving your staffs’ financial wellness + the evidence-based principles proven to promote financial progress and reduce financial stress.
Sponsored by:

Financial Wellness: Gratitude and Joy (Option 2)
2024-11-14 18:00 - 18:30
