Does this sound familiar? You are the director of a QUALITYstarsNY program and are reviewing your Aspire Staff Training Summary Report, only to notice that many of your staff members have not received training credit in key QUALITYstarsNY standards. As you consider what to do next, the program phone rings. You pick up the phone,…
CUNY CDA Program Awarded CDA Gold Standard
The NY Early Childhood Professional Development Institute in partnership with the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) is proud to announce that our credit bearing Child Development Associate (CDA) Certificate program has been granted the prestigious CDA Gold Standard, following a quality review of its training and student services by the national Council for Professional…
From Teaching to Coaching to Teaching in the Time of COVID
Throughout my career in early childhood education, I have held a variety of roles. I have been a teacher, an education director, an instructional coach and a parent. Through each of these experiences, my perspective has shifted, enabling me to reflect on my practices and develop as a professional. Most recently, I have temporarily moved…
The Early Childhood Community Mourns the Loss of Sydney Schwartz
Sydney Schwartz was an early childhood educator who spent her career at the City University of New York. We honor her legacy with two tributes from our colleagues. A tribute from Sherry Copeland Dr. Sydney Schwartz, a highly respected educator in the field of Early Childhood Education, passed away on Tuesday, November 24, 2020. Sydney graduated…
Lessons in Leadership Spotlight: Dr. Yessenia Rosario-Adon
The Leadership Initiative invited its members to reflect on different aspects of leadership, bringing to light unique pathways, approaches, challenges and lessons learned. TLC hopes that through this series you get to know these diverse individuals and take away an appreciation for their journeys and leadership skills and its impact on the lives of children,…
Using Puppets to Support Social-Emotional Development in Remote Learning
This blog came to creation when two of my coachees sent me a video to review. I was overjoyed and impressed at how they were using puppets to teach social emotional skills remotely. With their permission, this blog highlights their remote teaching practices and enhanced knowledge around the implicit teaching of social and emotional skill…
Lessons in Leadership Spotlight: Christine Wicks
The Leadership Initiative invited its members to reflect on different aspects of leadership, bringing to light unique pathways, approaches, challenges and lessons learned. TLC hopes that through this series you get to know these diverse individuals and take away an appreciation for their journeys and leadership skills and its impact on the lives of children,…
Lessons in Leadership Spotlight: Eileen Ellrodt
The Leadership Initiative invited its members to reflect on different aspects of leadership, bringing to light unique pathways, approaches, challenges and lessons learned. TLC hopes that through this series you get to know these diverse individuals and take away an appreciation for their journeys and leadership skills and its impact on the lives of children,…
CUNY SPS Child Development Associate Program is Now Virtual
In partnership with the CUNY School for Professional Studies, the New York Early Childhood Professional Development Institute is now offering Child Development Associate (CDA) courses online. The four CDA courses (12 credits) can be used to earn the CDA credential, as well as the NYS Teacher Assistant Certification Level II, the NYS Early Childhood Teacher…
Simple Reflections on First Grade while we wait for a President…
One thing I keep thinking about is the fact that our country isn’t just terribly divided, it is divided by hate, and a desperate lack of civility. In many ways, I blame our public education system for this. In the last few years I have wondered what high schools are teaching. Where is our awareness of the…