Professional Development
Through its professional development programs, the Collaboration fosters a community-wide commitment to high-quality early learning and care programs in Oak Park.
Symposium
A signature event of the Collaboration, each February our annual symposium provides an arena for more than 300 educators, caregivers, parents, and anyone who works with young children to gain knowledge, perspective and practical skills in promoting positive learning experiences. Designed to be interactive and to promote networking amongst attendees, the Symposium includes a keynote address by a noted authority on the Symposium's theme and offers a wide range of workshops. Click on "resources" for pdf documents from the 2011 Symposium, "We Can Work It Out: Promoting Social-Emotional Competence in Young Children."
Directors Round Table
Strong programs need strong leaders. The Collaboration convenes the Directors Round Table to foster a professional community that supports quality improvement. Directors from a wide range of early childhood programs participate in facilitated meetings to share concerns, engage in problem solving, and engage in peer learning opportunities and training on topics of mutual interest. The Directors Round Table meets six times per year.
Professional Development Advising
Strong programs need committed staff. The Collaboration provides group and individual advising and guidance to early childhood staff interested in furthering their education and training. This includes support in accessing the Illinois Gateways Scholarship Program, Illinois Professional Development Funds, Great Start and the Illinois Career Lattice.
Illinois Quality Rating System
The Collaboration annually provides intensive mentoring and technical assistance to three, four or five early childhood care and education programs in Oak Park to support their engagement in the Illinois Quality Rating System (QRS). A provider's participation in QRS means they have gone the extra mile to make sure children are receiving an enhanced learning and care experience.
Workshops
The Collaboration provides a series of workshops each year to Oak Park early childhood care and education programs. Topics for the series have included Developmentally Appropriate Practices, Play, Early Literacy and Early Math Skills.
Professional Development Planning
The Collaboration works with directors of early childhood care and education programs to guide the development of a professional development planning process. Staff members complete professional development plans and directors use their staffs' plans to create a Center Professional Development Plan.
Links
Scholarships and Tuition Assistance
Illinois Action for Children
Gateways to Opportunity Illinois Professional Development System
Curriculum and Activities
Illinois Early Learning Project
National Association for the Education of the Young Child (NAEYC)
Zero to Three National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families
Developmental Assessment
Vanderbilt ADHD Teacher Diagnostic Rating Scale
Vanderbilt ADHD Teacher Assessment Follow-up Form