The Finger Lakes Leadership Initiative invites you to join our monthly virtual networking meetings. Our meetings create a space for us all to connect, to share ideas and learn from each other’s experiences in a community setting.
Members who are supporting or directly leading early childhood learning spaces are all welcome.
These virtual conversations are held via Zoom on the third Tuesday of every month. One session is held in the afternoon and another in the evening.
Sessions Available Between Tuesday, January 16th 2024 and Tuesday, December 10th 2024
The Early Childhood Leadership Initiative is excited to introduce a new professional learning opportunity — the Leaders Café! We’ll engage with videos, podcasts, TED Talks and other multimedia to explore a range of topics relevant to the early childhood community. We’ll provide you with resources and materials for discussion!
Join the Finger Lakes Leadership Initiative’s first Leaders Café. This Leaders Café will be a time to reflect and explore bravery in leadership. We’ll discuss how we accept our mistakes, take risks, support our team, and build a culture of not being perfect.
This is a two-session virtual event.
Sessions Available
Wednesday, October 23rd, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Wednesday, October 30th, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Early childhood leaders, as well as those who aspire to leadership roles in the future, are welcome to participate in the Leadership Initiative in a variety of ways. Sign up below to start to receiving our periodic newsletter and event announcements!
To access member-only events, coaching and other services
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The Leadership Initiative serves leaders from all areas of early childhood, including direct services and support services in family/group family homes, centers, schools, shelters, and faith based settings. Non-direct care leadership roles such as system leaders, policy advocates, and promoters of our workforce are also supported by our community.
The excellence of early childhood programs is reliant on the quality and caliber of the leader. The program leader sets the mission, vision, philosophy, and culture of a program. And yet, too many leaders come to the work with limited knowledge and expertise in early childhood management and leadership. The New York Early Childhood Professional Development Institute leads the Leadership Initiative, designed to support the professional development and success of current leaders and prospective leaders in the early childhood field. The Leadership Initiative and this website provide early childhood leaders, as well as those who aspire to leadership roles in the future, with resources and opportunities to engage with their peers and support professional development promoting access to excellence for all young children.
Our monthly newsletter offers a round-up of the latest Leadership Initiative events, the books we're reading, member spotlights, resources and opportunities. If you signed up as a member, you'll already be getting our next issue!
Read the Latest: May, 2024 Browse our newsletter archiveWe've compiled a list of degrees and credentials that leaders can pursue to advance their careers and enrich their practice. From NYAEYC credentials to Master's degrees for school principals this guide will help you find your next step in your journey.
The Children’s Program Administrator Credential (CPAC) is a state-recognized credential that addresses the components essential for running early childhood and school-age programs. Both new and experienced administrators may choose to obtain the credential, as well as current teachers who aspire to administrative positions. Those individuals without program management experience will need to complete an internship to obtain the credential.
Learn more about the CPAC on our Career Development Services page.
Sherry Cleary, Executive Director of the New York Early Childhood Institute shared her thoughts about the importance of leadership with HiMama's The Preschool Podcast