Rhonda Mitchell (@rgmteach) and I are attending The Science of Early Learning and Adversity: Daily Leadership to Promote Development and Buffer Stress at The Saul Zaentz Professional Learning Academy. This professional development features keynote speaker Walter Gilliam (@WalterGilliam).

How can early education leaders support the design and implementation of strong early learning environments—those that buffer stress, reduce challenging behaviors, and promote development?

Agenda (with my notes)

Today’s Early Education Landscape
with Nonie Lesaux and Stephanie Jones

Understanding Stress and Behavior
in the Early Education Environment
with Walter Gilliam
Director of The Edward Zigler Center in Child Development and Social Policy and Associate Professor of Child Psychiatry and Psychology, Yale University Child Study Center

Reflection and Application
with Walter Gilliam and the Zaentz Team
facilitated by Robin Kane

Strategic Planning Session
facilitated by Robin Kane and Emily Bautista

My list to think about, reflect on, and grapple with  from today includes:

• Micro-stresses pile up.
• How might we pay attention to and recognize stress?
  (Student stress, teacher stress, family stress, leadership stress.)
• Empathy: Who is it given to? From whom is it withheld?
• What are we looking for and who are we looking at?
• How might we anticipate expected “unexpected” events?
• What structures can be put in place to support learners, teachers, families, leaders?
• When sharing information about a learner, check intent. Are we sharing knowledge and understanding to support the learner?
  • Can we offer evidence to show what we know and understand?
  • Can we share information without adding judgement and labels?
• How do I and who helps me check my bias?