NHSA

NHSA Closed: Presidents Day
2024-02-19

Info Session: Family Service Certification from The Academy
2024-02-14 16:30 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
REGISTER HERE!
Curious about the Family Service Certification from the Academy? In this 30-minute information session, you will meet our reviewers and learn about the process of building a portfolio. We will also share information about the learning platform candidates will use, and the support that is provided to candidates as they work through the competencies. The end result is a certification that meets the qualification requirements laid out in the Head Start Performance Standards for family service staff, and an achievement of which you can be very proud.
Attendees will gain:

a better understanding of what this certification entails;
course intensity;
what support is provided by the enrollment process;
what support is needed for the student;
understanding of the program’s policy and procedures;
understanding of family services as the comprehensive support of Head Start; and
knowledge and skills needed to be a family services worker.

REGISTER HERE!
Moderator: Rachel Hutchison
Presenters:
Donita Brunson
Donita Vaughn-Brunson has worked in family services with Head Start for nearly three decades, training staff in areas of family engagement, eligibility services, home visiting, and mentoring/coaching. In addition to grading NHSA’s Family Service Credential portfolios, she is certified to train the Exploring Parenting 21st Century program and Conscious Discipline Parenting Education Curriculum. Donita is passionate about supporting families in becoming self-sufficient.

Sara Langi
Sara Langi is part of a Head Start/Early Head Start program in sunny Florida. She holds a Bachelor’s in Sociology and Master’s in Educational Leadership from Grand Canyon University. Sara has vast experience coaching staff utilizing the PFCE Framework and navigating the family partnership process. Sara has also earned NHSA’s Family Service Credential and is eager to support others through the process.

The Future of ERSEA in Head Start (February 2024)
2024-02-14 14:00 - 16:00 UTC
Registration is Closed.
With our partners at Wipfli, NHSA is hosting an online, two-day training series on current best practices with your professional peers and exploring challenges and solutions regarding the future of ERSEA in Head Start for February 2024.
Learning Objectives:

Review regulation requirements from the HS Act and for 45 CFR Part 1302, Subpart A (ERSEA).
Share best practices in implementing ERSEA in the program.
Explore future challenges and solutions regarding ERSEA in Head Start.

Description:
Head Start/Early Head Start programs have a specific set of requirements to assist program leaders in identifying, recruiting, and selecting those children and families with the most need in their communities. This training will focus on all of the eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance requirements, best known by the initials ERSEA, including adjusted guidelines and areas of Determining community strengths Documentation Recruitment options Attendance Fees, And more!
Presenter:
Tammy Jelinek, Principal
Tammy has spent more than 20 years working in and with grant-funded and fee-for-services nonprofit organizations. She engages with leadership teams to strategically align their goals to grow, expand, and meet their mission. Tammy has trained nationally in the areas of OMB Uniform Guidance, Head Start/Early Head Start Act and program regulations, parent/volunteer involvement, organizational development, human resources, leadership, and management. In helping clients make changes to impact their communities, she has engaged in organizational development and culture initiatives, process design and implementation, financial analysis, and change management (including coaching). Tammy holds a B.S. in business management (psychology minor) and an M.B.A. (emphasis in organizational development) from Upper Iowa University. She answers questions for the My Wipfli Annual Membership.
Certificate of completion is good for two months.
Regular Rate: $350
NHSA Member Rate: $300

Tackling Challenging Behaviors with FUN
2024-02-13 16:00 - 16:30 (America/New_York)
In this Tackling Challenging Behaviors webinar series, we will share innovative approaches to building a positive classroom environment. These strategies not only mitigate challenging behaviors, they 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!

Tackling Challenging Behaviors with FUN and AARF! Let’s face it – Acronyms are fun and they work. The components of this one will drive motivation in your classroom: Achievement, Respect, Freedom, and Fun (AARF). Join us to learn more about how to balance these four essential elements of personal wellbeing for everyone in your classroom.
Head Start Behavior Experts:
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.

Financial Wellness: Money & Relationships (Option 2)
2024-02-08 18:00 - 18:30 (America/New_York)
Financial Wellness Thursdays with The Beans
Love & Money- Your people can lift you up! Studies show that social support is critical because it enhances our resilience to stress and the negative effects of financial hardship can actually be reduced by increasing social support.
Learn about The Beans’ highly rated professional development programs for improving your staffs’ financial wellness + deepen your social support for love and money.
Sponsored by:

Financial Wellness: Money & Relationships (Option 1)
2024-02-08 14:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York)

ECE Apprenticeships: Mentorship Models
2024-02-01 11:30 - 12:30 (America/New_York)
Effective mentorship is vital for any successful apprenticeship program, but especially critical in early childhood education where nurturing young minds requires experience and guidance. Join us for an insightful webinar on establishing a robust mentorship model that provides apprentices with the support, knowledge-sharing, and inspiration needed to excel in their roles and give our youngest learners the best start. Our panel of experts will share their wisdom and experiences that have fostered meaningful mentor-mentee relationships that drive growth, confidence, and career advancement.

Presenter: Yolanda Garnett

Sensory Gardens
2024-01-31 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Coming to Our Senses: Fun & Easy Ways to Use Gardens and Greenspaces to Enrich Sensory Integration
Sensory Gardens Program:
Increasingly, we are finding that children are demonstrating sensory integration challenges that present as behavioral challenges, anxiety, and being overwhelmed. These issues can impact learning and play. Join occupational therapist and therapeutic landscape design consultant Amy Wagenfeld and mom, gardener, and garden educator Em Shipman from KidsGardening to learn how to design a garden or greenspace for kids ages 3-5 intended to engage each of the body’s sensory systems.
We’ll share five specific activities to use in a garden or greenspace to help young children integrate and organize their senses, as well as tips and tricks for managing challenging sensory-related behaviors.
Learning Objectives:

Learn about the eight sensory systems from an occupational therapy perspective
Understand the behavioral symptoms of sensory overload and sensory processing challenges in children ages 3-5
Learn how to design a garden or greenspace (sensory garden) for kids ages 3-5 to engage each of the body’s sensory systems
Learn five specific activities to use in a garden or greenspace to help children ages 3-5 integrate and organize their senses

Presenters:
Em Shipman, MSM, Executive Director, KidsGardening
Em is a nonprofit executive with nearly 20 years of experience leading transformative programs in food systems, agriculture, and education. She holds a B.A. in Public Policy from Hobart and William Smith College and an M.S. in Nonprofit Management from Marlboro College Graduate School. Em is a passionate advocate for children and the planet and believes that garden-based learning and hands-on, placed-based education benefit both. Em has also worked as a professional gardener and garden designer and spends all of her free time (and then some) digging in the dirt. Em chairs her local school forest committee and volunteers for an award-winning Vermont-based children’s science museum. She sits on the School Garden Support Organization Network’s (SGSO Network) Governance Board.

Amy Wagenfeld, PhD, OTR/L, SCEM, EDAC, FAOTA
Amy is an occupational therapist, therapeutic and universal design consultant, educator, researcher, and author. She is Affiliate Associate Professor in the University of Washington’s Department of Landscape Architecture and Principal of Amy Wagenfeld | Design, a therapeutic design consulting organization. Amy is a Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association, holds specialty certification in environmental modifications (SCEM) through the American Occupational Therapy Association, and certification in Healthcare Garden Design through the Chicago Botanical Garden. Amy publishes and presents widely on topics related to nature and health and is co-author of the award-winning book, Therapeutic Gardens: Design for Healing Spaces (Timber Press), Nature-Based Strategies for Allied Health Practitioners (Jessica Kingsley Publishers), and The Nature of Inclusive Play (Routledge, Inc.).

Moderated by NHSA’s Rachel Hutchinson

2024 Winter Leadership Institute
2024-01-22 - 2024-01-25
Explore meaningful policies, meet with lawmakers, and advocate for Head Start. The 2024 Winter Leadership Institute will take place in Crystal City, Virginia from January 22-25, 2024.

NHSA and the Zoo in the Classroom: Me, You, and Elephants Too!
2024-01-18 14:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York)
This is 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: November 16th—Pre-Math with Cheetahs (Math Concepts) – watch recording!
Program 2: January 18th—Me, You, and Elephants Too! (Identity, Culture and Community)
Program 3: March 21st—Do Sea Lions Wear Sunglasses? (Weather and Space)
Program 4: May 16th—Head Start’s Birthday Party at the Zoo (Our Bodies and the Five Senses)

Presenters for NHSA and Zoo in the Classroom:
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’s National Zookeepers, , SNZCBI

Inspiring Curiosity and Wonder with the Smithsonian
2024-01-17 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York)
Program:
Curiosity and wonder are at the heart of the desire to learn and the development of a love of learning that can last a lifetime. But what do curiosity and wonder look like in our classrooms? How can you drive learning through curiosity for preschoolers? What about infants and toddlers?
The Smithsonian Institution has so many resources for teachers to use to help to foster curiosity and wonder. This session will introduce you to some of our favorite strategies and ideas to help you foster curiosity and wonder in your classroom and help students Get a Head Start with the Smithsonian.
This interactive session will include discussion and opportunities to practice with hands-on components, so bring your sense of fun and excitement to engage with the instructors and other participants in the class.
In this session, you will:

Explore why curiosity and wonder are at the core of learning in early childhood.
Learn about ways to make your classroom environment a playground for curious minds.
Discover a world of amazing resources from the Smithsonian Institution to inspire young learners.
Gain skills and tools to help you meet key ELOF “Approaches to Learning” goals.

Presenters:

Ann Caspari is an Early Childhood Education Specialist at the National Air and Space Museum. With over 30 years of experience connecting young children to museum objects and content, Ann works to develop NASM’s learning experiences for young children and their caregivers in both locations (DC and Virginia) as well as the virtual environment. She designs and leads professional development in teaching inquiry science for early childhood teachers in the District of Columbia Public Schools and other early childhood teachers across the United States. As a founding member of the Smithsonian Early Learning Collaborative, Ann has championed early learners at the Smithsonian since 2008. Ann holds a BA in Religion and Cultural Anthropology from Trinity College (Hartford, CT) and MAT in Museum Education from The George Washington University. Before joining NASM, Ann worked as Manager of Museum Programs for the Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center where she gave professional development seminars on museums and young children. Ann also worked with audiences that included young children at the National Building Museum and the Calvert Marine Museum in Maryland. Ann co-authored, with Carol Kuhlthau and Leslie Maniotes, Guided Inquiry: Learning in the Twenty-first Century and Guided Inquiry Design: A Framework for Inquiry in Your School.

Julia Smith is a Museum and Early Learning Specialist at the Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center’s (SEEC) Office of Engagement. In this position she offers curricular support to classroom educators working with children birth through kindergarten. She aids in developing lessons grounded in play and utilizing the surrounding museums and community. Additionally, Julia brings SEEC’s expertise in museum-based education for young children out to the world through professional development for educators, public programs, and partnerships with other educational institutions. Julia began her role at SEEC as a toddler educator. She is committed to advocating for the inclusion of all young children, particularly those 0-3 years, in educational spaces.

Moderator: Rachel Hutchison, Manager of Online Instructional Design
Rachel Hutchison is the Manager of Online Instructional Design at the National Head Start Association (NHSA). In this role she oversees the design and management of 100+ online courses for the Academy at NHSA. In 2021, Hutchison launched NHSA in the Classroom, an initiative that aims to increase access to world-class arts and educational resources through virtual programming. Rachel earned her bachelors in writing and communication at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN and her masters in creative writing at Harvard University in Cambridge, MA. Rachel grew up in Havre, Montana and enjoys puppetry, music, and hiking

NHSA Closed: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
2024-01-15

Financial Wellness: Goal Setting (Option 2)
2024-01-11 18:00 - 18:30 (America/New_York)
Financial Wellness Thursdays with The Beans
Get what you want this year! Dream big, be optimistic, write down your goal and how you will achieve it, and then give some advice about it to someone else.
Learn about The Beans’ highly rated professional development programs for improving your staffs’ financial wellness + kick off your new year with evidence-based strategies that work!
Sponsored by:

Financial Wellness: Goal Setting (Option 1)
2024-01-11 14:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York)

Winter Garden Storytime
2024-01-10 14:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York)
Welcome to Winter Garden Storytime brought to you by NHSA in the Classroom, KidsGardening, and ScottsMiracle-Gro. Our team of experts will share the joy of gardening and reading with your Head Start cuties. Get ready for an interactive story, gardening treats, and classroom resources which are provided seasonally within the school year calendar:

1/10/24: Winter Storytime: When Winter Comes by Nancy Van Laan
3/13/24: Spring Storytime
5/8/24: Summer Storytime

Our storytellers are gardeners, and in these LIVE storytime sessions they will read wonderful garden-themed books to the children, and “show and tell” about interesting plants. Both teachers and students will love this interactive learning session!
Presenters:
Noel Nicholas (she/her) is the Educational Content Manager for KidsGardening, where she co-develops original educational materials designed to help kids play, learn and grow through gardening. She holds a BA in Creative Writing from University of Southern California, where she developed a passion for informal education while teaching poetry at 32nd Street School/USC Magnet. Prior to joining KidsGardening, Noel worked as a Museum Educator at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, developing and delivering educational programs for diverse, multi-generational audiences, and managing the museum’s Storytime Live program. In her spare time she teaches in the school garden at Third Street Elementary in Los Angeles.

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.

Tackling Challenging Behaviors with LOVE
2024-01-09 16:00 - 16:30 (America/New_York)
In this Tackling Challenging Behaviors webinar series, we will share innovative approaches to building a positive classroom environment. These strategies not only mitigate challenging behaviors, they 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!

Tackling Challenging Behaviors with LOVE: shifting your classroom to a trust-based, healthy culture starts with empowering your students to state their needs. Join us to learn about effective tools that will allow you and your students to express your needs and achieve more happiness and joy within the classroom environment.

Head Start Behavior Experts
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.

Ron Shuali, M.Ed. has been called the “Messiah of the Mind”, the “Behavior Master” and the “Bad Boy of Early Childhood.” His laughter filled keynotes, workshops and assemblies are always full of eye-opening experiences as audiences have multiple “Ah-HA!” moments. He is the creator of the internationally acclaimed Yogarate and Behavior Mastery systems. Ron holds a Master’s of Education specializing in Early Childhood, is a best-selling author, motivational speaker, and most importantly…He is funny. His background of martial arts, yoga, reiki, professional wrestling and improv creates hilarious and educational experiences focusing on mindfulness and connecting with fellow humans and their inner-child.

NPRM: Webinar 4
2024-01-04 15:00 - 16:30 (America/New_York)
Draft Comments Walk Through and Discussion
Following a month of research, discussion, and deep consideration, this webinar will provide a detailed look at NHSA’s comments on the Notice of Proposed Rule Making. We will walk through our initial thinking, share results from the survey, and discuss next steps as we work to capture and address the key concerns related to the Administration’s proposed set of changes to the Head Start Program Performance Standards.

State Affairs Vision for Advocacy
2024-01-04 15:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
Please join NHSA as we develop the 2024 State Affairs Vison for Advocacy.

NHSA Closed: New Years Day
2024-01-01

Financial Wellness: Holiday Survival Guide (Option 2)
2023-12-14 18:00 - 18:30 (America/New_York)
Financial Wellness Thursdays with The Beans
Holiday Survival Guide: How to enjoy the holidays without overextending
This holiday season make a list to gift without regret. Gifting is good. In fact, it is actually good for us. When we express or receive gratitude our brain releases the happy chemicals (dopamine and serotonin). Save money by making a list of everyone you want to buy a gift for this year.
Learn about The Beans’ highly rated professional development programs for improving your staffs’ financial wellness + the evidence-based strategies for getting through the holidays without financial regret.
Sponsored by:

Financial Wellness: Holiday Survival Guide (Option 1)
2023-12-14 14:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York)

Program of Excellence Informational Webinar
2023-12-12 14:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York)
The Program of Excellence Informational Webinar is an introduction to the Program of Excellence Accreditation.
NHSA’s Program of Excellence Accreditation recognizes and supports the outstanding performance of Head Start grant recipients across the country. This designation is earned by programs that consistently demonstrate excellence in program management and service performance and continually support the achievement of robust outcomes for children birth to five years old, pregnant people, families, and the communities where they live.
This informational webinar will allow potential Program of Excellence (PoE) candidates an opportunity to learn more about the program, ask questions, and hear from past awardees to make sure their program is ready for the commitment of completing the application process. This is a rigorous BUT rewarding experience and accreditation lasts five years.
Registration for the 2024 Program of Excellence Accreditation will be open until January 20! The cohort will begin in February 2024. Apply Now!
2022 Program of Excellence Winners
2023 Program of Excellence Winners
Moderator:
Kristina Ellis is The Academy at NHSA Manager. Her background includes nonprofit management, early childhood development, support services, quality improvement, and strategic partnerships. She holds a BA from the University of Central Oklahoma and an MPA from the University of Oklahoma. As a Head Start alum, Kristina’s interest in early childhood stems from a rich background in social services work and her commitment to early childhood education and family engagement. Before NHSA, Kristina worked for CAP Tulsa, one of the largest anti-poverty nonprofits in Oklahoma and a nationally recognized provider of research-based, high-quality early childhood education for low-income children.

Presenter:
Celeste Presley, CCAP, Head Start Project Manager, Community Action Council

2023 Parent and Family Engagement Conference
2023-12-04 - 2023-12-07

NPRM: Webinar 3
2023-12-01 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
Enhanced Oversight, Reporting, and Additional Provisions
This NPRM represents a significant opportunity to address the challenges facing Head Start and Early Head Start today and to contribute to a shared vision for Head Start’s next chapter. Our goal is to create the space for our community to identify concerns and unite around suggested solutions that improve and strengthen the services we provide to children and families. We Need You!
PowerPoint Presentation Slide Deck

NPRM: Coalition Partners
2023-11-30 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
This NPRM represents a significant opportunity to address the challenges facing Head Start and Early Head Start today and to contribute to a shared vision for Head Start’s next chapter. Our goal is to create the space for our coalition partners and early learning stakeholders to collect feedback and facilitate participation as we draft our response. We Need You!

NPRM: Webinar 2
2023-11-29 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
Workforce Supports, Mental Health, and Prenatal Services
PowerPoint Presentation Slide Deck
This NPRM represents a significant opportunity to address the challenges facing Head Start and Early Head Start today and to contribute to a shared vision for Head Start’s next chapter. Our goal is to create the space for our community to identify concerns and unite around suggested solutions that improve and strengthen the services we provide to children and families. We Need You!
As you can, please join us for any or all of the NPRM Webinars designed to create space for you!

NPRM Webinar 3: Enhanced Oversight, Reporting, and Additional Provisions

The Future of ERSEA in Head Start (Nov. 2023)
2023-11-28 14:00 - 16:00 UTC
With our partners at Wipfli, NHSA is hosting an online, two-day training series on current best practices with your professional peers and exploring challenges and solutions regarding the future of ERSEA in Head Start.
Learning Objectives:

Review regulation requirements from the HS Act and for 45 CFR Part 1302, Subpart A (ERSEA).
Share best practices in implementing ERSEA in the program.
Explore future challenges and solutions regarding ERSEA in Head Start.

Description:
Head Start/Early Head Start programs have a specific set of requirements to assist program leaders in identifying, recruiting, and selecting those children and families with the most need in their communities. This training will focus on all of the eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance requirements, best known by the initials ERSEA, including adjusted guidelines and areas of Determining community strengths Documentation Recruitment options Attendance Fees, And more!
Presenter:
Tammy Jelinek, Principal
Tammy has spent more than 20 years working in and with grant-funded and fee-for-services nonprofit organizations. She engages with leadership teams to strategically align their goals to grow, expand, and meet their mission. Tammy has trained nationally in the areas of OMB Uniform Guidance, Head Start/Early Head Start Act and program regulations, parent/volunteer involvement, organizational development, human resources, leadership, and management. In helping clients make changes to impact their communities, she has engaged in organizational development and culture initiatives, process design and implementation, financial analysis, and change management (including coaching). Tammy holds a B.S. in business management (psychology minor) and an M.B.A. (emphasis in organizational development) from Upper Iowa University. She answers questions for the My Wipfli Annual Membership.
Certificate of completion is good for two months.
Regular Rate: $350
NHSA Member Rate: $300

NPRM: Webinar 1
2023-11-20 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
How Head Start Responds to the NPRM and First Look
PowerPoint Presentation Slide Deck
This NPRM represents a significant opportunity to address the challenges facing Head Start and Early Head Start today and to contribute to a shared vision for Head Start’s next chapter. Our goal is to create the space for our community to identify concerns and unite around suggested solutions that improve and strengthen the services we provide to children and families. As you can, please join us for any or all of the NPRM Webinars designed to create space for you!

NPRM Webinar 2: Workforce Supports, Mental Health, and Prenatal Services
NPRM Webinar 3: Enhanced Oversight, Reporting, and Additional Provisions

NHSA and The Zoo in The Classroom: Pre-Math with Cheetahs
2023-11-16 14:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York)
“Pre-Math with Cheetahs” means counting with colorful critters as fun and engaging way to learn pre-math concepts! 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: November 16th — Pre-Math with Cheetahs (Math Concepts)
Program 2: January 18th — Me, You, and Elephants Too! (Identity, Culture and Community)
Program 3: March 21st — Do Sea Lions Wear Sunglasses? (Weather and Space)
Program 4: May 16th — Head Start’s Birthday Party at the Zoo (Our Bodies and the Five Senses)

Presenters for NHSA and Zoo in the Classroom:
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’s National Zookeepers, SNZCBI

Tackling Challenging Behaviors with INSIGHT
2023-11-14 16:00 - 16:30 (America/New_York)
In this Tackling Challenging Behaviors webinar series, we will share innovative approaches to building a positive classroom environment. These strategies not only mitigate challenging behaviors, they 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!

Tackling Challenging Behaviors with INSIGHT: if you could only use one method in the classroom, it should be asking questions. 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!

Head Start Behavior Experts
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.
