NAEYC Institute for Early Childhood – CAEYC Members’ Experience

Esmeralda Fuentes

Nicole Nelson

This year, we stepped into a new role as New Teacher Center Instructional Coaches in Oakland Unified Early Learning. We decided to attend the National Institute for Early Childhood Professional Development to deepen our knowledge of what is new in the field and gain new skills and strategies to better support the work with our teachers. The sessions fell under specific strands, including Early Intervention, Advocacy/Public Policy and Family Support and Engagement. From considering whether ants have teeth to hearing about Early Learning work in other countries, choosing which sessions to attend was the hardest part! Each session we attended provided new insights and strategies that will support the needs of our teachers and communities. The speakers were not only knowledgeable but also accessible and provided opportunities for participants to share and collaborate. We walked away from the experience having made valuable connections with educators across the country and throughout the world. We also walked away with a hefty summer reading list!

In this critical election year, it’s imperative that our future leaders (the students we serve) are represented and NAEYC puts advocacy work and public policy at the forefront to address this critical issue. We’ll be doing our part to put “Early Learning at the Top of the Ticket.”

Hope you’re doing yours!

Esmeralda Fuentes and Nicole Nelson
CAEYC/NAEYC Members