A lot is about to happen. This is exciting!
This February we're seeing lots of activity at the State House around early education, and a flurry of activity around Advancing ECE as a Recognized Profession. Coming up soon, we in the workforce are looking forward to Early Childhood Day at the Legislature on March 11 and the Kindergarten Conference in Burlington on March 13.

Vermonters are becoming more and more aware that early education is at a critical point, requiring livable wages and supports for the workforce, availability and affordability for families, buy-in from businesses -- and that our state's economy relies on getting this right.

So, it's heartening to see such attention to early education, the workforce and the families we serve. And we know there's much work to be done.

NAEYC's Power to the Profession is about to put out its “Unifying Framework,” which is a culmination of all of the work and recommendations made through the Decision Cycles. This framework will be used to guide the national movement toward becoming a profession. Additionally, NAEYC will soon publish the final version of Competencies and Standards. We are eagerly awaiting these two documents and can't wait to begin digging into them together.
In our own work on Advancing ECE as a Recognized Profession, Regional Facilitators have hosted about 20 conversations around the state to talk about the Task Force's Discussion Draft around Professional Identity. Join a conversation, read the draft, take the survey - we really need to hear from you.

Meanwhile, our Task Force has been working on the "big picture." See Project Coordinator Susan Titterton's Task Force update below for a snapshot of that work. And be sure to read Staci Otis's blog post about what it's like being a FCCP on the Task force.
Outreach Coordinator Rachel Hunter's map of January and February conversations about the Task Force's Discussion Draft. Sign up for a conversation, if you're able, or read the draft and take the survey.
We are also building out a new section on vtaeyc.org as an online hub for our statewide work on Advancing ECE as a Recognized Profession. Be on the lookout in the next couple of weeks for new pages, new information and tons of resources.

In the legislature, the House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development has started taking testimony on support for scholarships, loan repayment, a wages supplement program, engagement with business and CCFAP. 

If you are a constituent of a committee member , now is the time to email them and ask for their support on these important topics. For a reminder on some of our legislative priorities, se e the Let's Grow Kids legislative agenda.
Warmly,
Sonja

Sonja Raymond
VTAEYC Executive Director
It's not too late to read the Discussion Draft
on Professional Identity:
It's not too late to sign up for a conversation in your region:
And it's certainly not too late to send your feedback to the
Task Force:
From Staci Otis,Task Force Member
and Family Child Care Provider

"A lot of changes have occurred in the last few years that have greatly affected the way we do our work.
During this time, many FCCPs have felt our voices were not heard or considered. As a member of the Advancing the Profession Task Force and a FCCP, I can tell you this is not what is happening now."

Upcoming Regional Conversations
  • February 20: Capstone Headstart, FCC, Barre; Waterbury, FCC
  • February 28: Mary Johnson Children's Center, Middlebury
  • March 3: ABC/LOL, St. Johnsbury
  • March 5: St. Albans Starting Points
  • March 11: South Burlington Starting Points
  • March 21: Springfield Starting Points Conference, Ascutney
  • March 28: VT Early Childhood Network Leader Meeting, Randolph
Task Force Update
from Susan Titterton, Project Coordinator

Our goal:
  • To find out to what extent Vermont might choose to align with the Power to the Profession framework as a way to advance the ECE profession
  • To address two strands in this work: awareness-building and forward motion

Our first all-day meeting generated the Discussion Draft on Professional Identity, the first component from the Power to the Profession framework. This draft is now being considered in conversations around the state.

Our second all-day meeting focused on “the big picture." Click the image below to see this chart in full size.
Next, we'll review workforce feedback on our Discussion Draft. If you haven't yet, please attend a conversation and take our survey!

Through all this, we share a growing admiration for the talents, experience and dedication of this representative workforce group, an appreciation for the complexity of our task, and an excitement for the future we can begin to envision for the ECE profession.
Notes from the field

  • Are you ready to be become a licensed teacher in 2020? Champlain College's Graduate program has a 15 week online course to help you reach this goal. A Bachelors degree and experience in the field required. Scholarships available. The new semester begins May 2020. Email Heather Duhamel to find out more.

  • In 2020, commit to healthy and safe digital habits! In this Vermont PBS workshop, participants can learn ways to guide the next generation of digital citizens by "Becoming a Media Mentor." Each module takes 8 hours and costs $75. This training has been approved for professional development hours by Northern Lights at CCV. Click here for more.

  • Mark your calendars: Early Childhood Day at the Legislature is March 11. Come to the Statehouse for a day of advocacy, education and networking. For more information, click here. For info about the Rally for Kids, click here.

  • Save the date: May 8 Child Health and Safety Summit from Champlain Valley Head Start.

  • Registration is open for the 28th Annual Kindergarten Conference! Friday, March 13, at the Burlington Hilton.This year's theme is Play, Well-Being, and Academic Expectations: Creating the Balance. Click here to register. Don't delay: registration ends March 30.

  • Save the date for the fall Early Education conference: October 15-16 at the Burlington Hilton.
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VTAEYC
145 Pine Haven Shores Rd
Suite 2032
Shelburne, VT 05482