Early Childhood Committee

Actively involved in the professional development and current issues affecting early childhood educators. Typically plans one or two workshops each year. Stephanie Walters is the MTEA staff liaison.  

Specific objectives for the 2008-09 school year:

1. Give input/suggestions to WEAC for convention sessions related to early childhood education/educators and plan a workshop for early childhood educators.
2. Attend conventions and workshops concerning early childhood programs and education reform, as approved by the MTEA Executive Board.
3. Continue monitoring the implementation and ramifications of early childhood programs.
4. Act as an educational resource for MPS early childhood programs reform as approved by the MTEA Executive Board.
5. Continue to advocate quality in early education programs through developmentally appropriate practices:

                        a.  Continue to monitor and support staggered attendance start for all

                             all early childhood programs.

                        b.   Monitor equity for specialists' time.

                        c.   Lobby for materials and equipment.

                        d.   Continue to advocate ongoing, quality services inservices for all MPS

                              early childhood staff.

   6.    Continue to monitor mainstreaming/inclusion and integration of 3,4,5 and 6 year old

          Early Childhood EEN programs and regular education.

   7.    Support creative innovative ways to increase quality early childhood programs/schools/

          facilities within MPS.

   8.    Lobby for reduced teacher-student ratio to enhance student learning.

   9.    Monitor Exceptional Education Early Childhood home visit practices.