Meeting the Moment for Early Learners
Carla Garrett is passionate about early childhood education. She shared her enthusiasm at a recent gathering hosted by the Comprehensive Center Network led by the National Comprehensive Center. The convening, titled “Meeting the Moment: How State Leaders are Using Innovation for Impact” was held in Washington, D.C. on March 5th-6th.
Garrett, who is the Early Childhood Program Specialist for the Region 6 Comprehensive Center (RC6), was joined by team members Melissa Eddy, Assistant Director, Federal Programs at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI), and Nicole Pait, Pre-K-5 ELA Director, Richmond County Schools, in a presentation titled “Equitable Access to High Quality Early Learning Environments: A Focus on Preschool-3rd Grade in NC.”
Building a Community of Practitioners
Garrett spoke about a high leverage problem that the RC6 is addressing – improving equitable early school experiences in North Carolina. The RC6 is addressing this problem by providing professional development for elementary and early learning leaders, including teachers, as well as mentoring using evidence-based practices. Audience members were fascinated to learn more about the engagement in the Preschool-3rd Grade Distinguished Leadership Institute. The program is a 10-month (approximately 100 hours) blended learning opportunity developed by Garrett and team members Dr. Sharon Ritchie and Dr. Eva Phillips, in which participants engage with peers, national experts, and content to grow together to strengthen the preschool-3rd grade continuum. The foundation for the syllabus is an RC6-developed white paper, “Children Come First: Ensuring School Policies, Practices, and Strategies Lead to Positive 3rd Grade Outcomes.” Participants receive a Preschool – 3rd Grade Distinguished Leadership Institute certificate upon meeting requirements of completion. This Leadership Institute helps build a community of practitioners to improve experiences for preschool-3rd grade children and those who are supporting their education and development.
“Each year, the Preschool-3rd Grade Distinguished Leadership Institute has grown. Cohort participants reach out to partners within their LEAs, organizations, and/or community to raise awareness and recruit new members, building a community of practitioners from across the state. One key element includes recognizing participants for their achievement upon completion, and we accomplish this by awarding Preschool – 3rd Grade Distinguished Leadership Institute certificates,” Garrett said.
Meeting the Learning Needs of Young Children
A portion of the presentation focused on recommendations for using best practices in early learning. The best practices included ensuring alignment of policies, curriculum, instruction, and assessment practices throughout the preschool-3rd grade years, and using research to guide practice and advocate for young children. The panelists shared the importance of ensuring that equity is central when collaborating with early learning partners to plan and implement ongoing professional development.
The panel took time to share desired outcomes for policymakers and early childhood education leaders; including increased awareness regarding early learning opportunities utilizing ESSA/ESSER funding; increasing the number of early childhood programs and early grades with high quality learning environments that can better support young learners and close achievement and opportunity gaps.
Melissa Eddy, Assistant Director of Federal Programs for the NCDPI, shared how the SEA supports the project from multiple departments, including the Office of Federal Programs and the Office of Early Learning. The panelists emphasized the importance of supporting and promoting the use of ESSA/ESSER dollars for early childhood programs.
Garrett also shared her newest publication “Capturing the Opportunity: How ESSA Can Elevate Our Youngest Learners.” The white paper was co-authored by Garrett, along with Danielle Ewen, a Principal with Sixth Street Associates.
Building Bridges
Panelist Nicole Pait, Pre-K-5 ELA Director, Richmond County Schools, shared some examples of working with ESSA funds to provide much-needed financial support to help build capacity in Richmond County. Pait participated in the P-3 Leadership Certificate Program through the University of Colorado Denver as a member of the first North Carolina Cohort, which was support by the RC6, and remains involved. She spoke about the success of monthly Pre-K Professional Learning Communities and shared information on RC6 early childhood resources to help elementary principals and central office administrators better understand early childhood education.
“Meeting the Moment was such an awesome opportunity to share our work. It’s about helping build connections. I’m super excited to be able to do what I’m passionate about,” Garrett said. “In North Carolina we have a statewide interest in, and a demand for long-term professional development that involves early learning leaders who are diverse in ethnicity, backgrounds, and roles, and who are focused on promoting and strengthening the preschool-3rd grade continuum,” she added.
Building Relationships
According to Garrett, “It’s really about the relationships,” and her ability to communicate and build relationships is evident by her outstanding accomplishments in the field of Early Childhood Education.
How to improve equitable access to high quality learning environments through knowledge and access to resources was a key focus of the presentation. The group shared information on how to structure supports in their efforts and guidance on how to develop strategies at the state and local levels to reduce inequities.
Garrett and her colleagues asked audience members to consider ‘who are your partners in education and consider who could be your partners in thinking about how to support the preschool–3rd grade continuum. Also, think about who is missing?’
When asked if she could sum up her overall thoughts on early learning, Garrett responded, “My focus on relationships and passion for appropriate practice contribute to my mission of providing the best possible experiences for young children and their families. The RC6 Early Childhood project allows me to do just that. I am thankful for the incredible leadership at SERVE who support this work.”
Story by Judi Rossabi, Communications Specialist, SERVE
Photos provided by: Carla Garrett, Early Childhood Program Specialist, Region 6 Comprehensive Center (RC6) at SERVE
