Early Childhood Education Communities of Practice
The Early Childhood Education Community of Practice is a community of practitioners and experts in charter schools currently providing or interested in learning more about early childhood education. This community of practice is open to practitioners of all levels of experience, with beginner, intermediate, and advanced content for schools and educators. Hundreds of charter schools across the country currently offer pre-k programs, and many more are interested in doing so but face policy, funding, facilities, or other barriers. The Early Childhood Education Community of Practice is an effective way to bring interested and experienced practitioners together to share best practices and resources that support holistic and strong academic practices and increase the number of charter school leaders implementing high-quality early childhood education program in their own communities. The community will engage as needed through various formats including course cohorts, virtual meetings and an in-person gathering at the National Charter Schools Conference learn and network and prioritize content. The Early Childhood Education Community of Practice has engaged a diverse and robust Steering Committee that is helping to define the direction of the Early Childhood Education Community of Practice. It is comprised of highly accomplished individuals in both the charter school and early childhood space. They will lead the way in developing the content and making other key decisions that will result in the skills development of fellow participants. The bedrock of the Early Childhood Education Community of Practice is its robust curriculum. In coordination with the Steering Committee, we have been developing courses in line with our core goals. Selected topics include, but are not limited to: Operational planning (securing space, furniture and materials, exemplar hiring documents, budgeting, etc.) Programmatic planning (vision setting, developmentally appropriate practices in Pre-K, systems for coaching and supporting Pre-K, family engagement, early literacy and math standards, vertical alignment to kindergarten, etc.). We expect to have a virtual platform selected to present and house curriculum and have course development completed by the end of August 2022.
Steering Committee
Aaron Brenner, General Partner, Seton Education Partners Cathleen Sims, Head of Policy and External Affairs, Success Academies Xanthe Jory, Chief Operating Officer, Achievement First Kia Murray, Director of Academic Services, Colorado League of Charter Schools Charlotte Brantley, Chair, Board of Directors, Rocky Mountain Prep Anna Williamson, Agenda for Children, Managing Director Early Childhood, New Schools for New Orleans Jack McCarthy, CEO and President, AppleTree Institute for Education Innovation Sara Mead, Assistant Superintendent for Early Learning, Office of the State Superintendent of DC Chrisanne Gayl, Senior Director, Policy and Programs, Trust for Learning Allison Barjracharya, Principal, AGB Consulting Scott Moore, Executive Director, Kidango Kaleem Caire, CEO and Founder, One City Schools Albert Wat, Senior Policy Director, Alliance for Early Success Eliza Halsey, Founder, Elm City Montessori Daniela Rubio, Chief Community Officer, Austin Achieve
Get Involved
To join this community of practice, please complete the following form: