FREE Lesson Plans Offer Children, Teachers  the BEST DAY EVER!

Available at NO COST to early childhood educators, this 12-module lesson plan collection offers a turnkey solution for summer programming. Aligned with learning standards and developed by educators at The Learning Lamp, a nonprofit organization based in Johnstown, PA , these easy-to-use resources were funded, in part, by the [email protected] Join The Learning Lamp CEO Dr. Leah Spangler and Playland Daycare Director/Owner Desirae Leonard as they share their excitement about this in-demand series of lesson plans, which are downloadable here. https://thelearninglamp.org/shared-services-child-care-providers/best-day-ever/

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When Resolutions Wain: Embracing Mindful Self-Compassion

No matter what intentions or resolutions we set for ourselves, there will be days and even weeks when we don’t live up to our expectations. That’s human. When we learn that those are simply opportunities to begin again, and again, with loving kindness for ourselves, the likelihood of being successful increases. But that isn’t always easy and doesn’t come naturally to many of us. Mindfulness and self-compassion have the potential to teach us how to forgive and love ourselves, embracing our humanness.

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PDO Pathways Winter - 2023

INSIDE THIS ISSUE
  • Pre-Apprenticeship in the NW
  • Making Mindful Resolutions
  • Celebrating Student Achievements
  • Family Voices in Early Childhood Ed
  • Meet Your PD Coordinators
  • Hispanos Juntos en Pro de la Niñez Temprana

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Hispanos Juntos Hispanics Together

Cuando valoramos la cultura hispana e integramos de manera autentica sus tradiciones en la sala de clases de educación temprana, estamos dando el primer paso para crear una sociedad que acepta y celebra la diversidad cultural y lingüística. Para conocer un poco mas sobre este tema, puedes escuchar a cinco maestros hispanos dialogando sobre el impacto de tener maestros hispanos en los primeros años de vida.

When we value Hispanic culture and authentically integrate its traditions into the early education classroom, we are taking the first step in creating a society that accepts and celebrates cultural and linguistic diversity. To learn a little more about this topic, you can listen to five Hispanic teachers talking about the impact of having Hispanic teachers during the first years of life.

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Building a Culture of Value and Inclusion

When an early education center or program feels like home for children and staff, rewarding synergies are created. Building that culture can result in staff who experience the purposefulness of their work and are more likely to stay in early education.

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PDO Pathways Fall - 2022

INSIDE THIS ISSUE
  • Student Achievements
  • Shippensburg University Opens Lending Library
  • FAFSA Applications Opened October 1
  • In the Spotlight

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Opportunity Realized

Tune into this month’s PDO podcast, “Opportunity Realized,” where we feature perspectives from an early education center owner, director, and teacher who is a PDO-sponsored student.

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No-Cost Counseling for PDO Students

Many of us who spend so much of our lives caring for others are not nearly as good at self care as we should be. PDO students are encouraged to take advantage of confidential, no-cost counseling support services available through our partner program, Growing Edges. Listen to learn more about how you can access this free self-care support!

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2022 – Rearranged Resilience “This will be my year!”

The new year offers us a chance to hit the “reset” button, including early childhood educators.This podcast, “Rearranged Resilience,” features two PDO students who share ways they have bolstered their abilities to juggle work, school, and home life during the pandemic. Get recharged; this can be your year to shine!

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[email protected]: Building a Community of Professional Practice

The COVID pandemic has made evident the critical role quality early childhood education and care plays in both the development of our youngest children and the economy. Many people simply cannot get back to work without quality care for their young children. The Early Childhood Education Professional Development Organization has made that possible for thousands of Pennsylvanians and continues to build a supportive community of practice for those working in this field and who want to build their career pathways in this all-important profession.

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Meet Amber Barkman

AMBER BARKMAN knows how challenging access to a variety of services can be in the rural region where she lives and works. As a Career Coach and ECE Professional Development Coordinator in the Early Learning Resource Center that services seven largely rural counties in PDO Northwestern Region 6, Amber knows the value of access to quality early childhood education, broadband service, and good-paying jobs.

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ECEPDO Professional Development Coordinator Spotlight: Karen Lindbergh

I CAN, SO I SHOULD. This has been the lifelong motto of ECEPDO Professional Development Coordinator Karen Lindbergh. A single mother of four grown children, Karen knows personally about the struggles associated with balancing family needs, work demands, and advancing her own education. Motivated by faith, family, a strong work ethic, and a can-do spirit, Karen understands firsthand the value of early childhood education and the importance of gaining credentials to increase both career- and income-earning opportunities.

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