Welcome CLASS Act Scholars of 2020 – 2021!

SUMMIT COUNTY PRESCHOOL TEACHERS SELECTED FOR CLASS ACT SCHOLARS 2020 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

 AKRON, Ohio – Summit Education Initiative (SEI) has selected the 14 individuals who will represent Class 4 of the CLASS Act Scholars of Summit County, a nine-month professional support program for select preschool teachers that runs from September 2020 through May 2021. 

CLASS Act Scholars, piloted in September 2017, is a program that combines the Classroom Assessment Scoring System^® (CLASS^®) with coaching, mentoring, peer to peer learning, and professional development for a group of educators working in Summit County preschools. CLASS^® is a research-based approach that focuses on the quality of teacher-child interactions. SEI’s Director of Strategic Initiatives & Policy explains, “COVID has highlighted the critical role that teachers working in preschools and childcare centers play in ensuring that children and families have what they need to grow and thrive.  The CLASS program not only supports them with coaching and professional development, but it also elevates and celebrates these extraordinary educators who impact a child’s educational success for years to come.” The goal of CLASS Act Scholars is to elevate, celebrate, and support the quality of preschool teacher professional practices in Summit County.

While national research shows even small increases in CLASS scores improve students’ learning outcomes, every scholar (19) from the program’s pilot year reported that the experience impacted or significantly impacted their professional practice, knowledge, and thinking. Past scholars also shared that the experience impacted or significantly impacted their specific classroom practices. Class 1 graduate, La Kecia Henry said, “I believe The Class Act Scholars Program is important because it is the epitome of what a person who is in the Child Development Field needs to have as the icing on the cake of development. TCAS is the big picture after your CDA and a refresher to your Degrees. Whether you have reached your professional goals, to just starting out, the coaching and mentoring that you will receive will reinforce what you already know to be true.”  Additionally, scholars reflected their development of a sense of community, belonging, and respect for other teachers.

Scholars will attend 12, two-hour sessions proven to strengthen and support the features of quality that are most important to children’s learning. Laura McFalls, CLASS Act Instructor explains, “although CLASS Act Scholars include instructional training sessions, it’s different from typical professional development courses. This program is all about strengthening relationships, collaboration, and growing as a professional.  Scholars can practice effective teaching in their classrooms, with the support of a coach. They have access to engage with online resources and reflect with their peers. As the CLASS instructor and coach, I focus on building a community of learners and rapport with one another.  I have found that teachers motivate one another and learn best from each other’s experiences.” 

For CLASS Act Scholars updates and other information about the program, visit www.seisummit.org/class.

Welcome & Congratulations CLASS Act Scholars Cohort 4!

Elizabeth “Lizzy” Chunat

    Summit ESC/Ledgeview Preschool          

Glenda Coleman                                              

     Childtime – Stow

Michelle Conrad                                              

     CA- Arlington                                                         

 Samantha Cornell                                            

     YMCA – Riverfront                                               

 Raetina Giovanini                                             

     Barberton Preschool                                            

 Haley Klinedinst

     CA – Five Points

 Jennie Lester                                                   

     Johnson’s Corners Preschool 

 Tess Maione

     Green Local Schools

 Sara Molnar

     Faith Lutheran Preschool

 Kaysia Moore

     YMCA – Westminster

 Latana Slayton

     Soaring Little Eagles Day Care

 Heather Stark

     First Congressional Church of Hudson The

    Children’s Center

 Aireus Stevens-Suggs

     Lois Lester’s Learning Center

 Elmira Vaughn

     Bright Start Preschool

About Summit Education Initiative

Summit Education Initiative (SEI) is a nonprofit organization working to enhance the educational experiences of individuals and their families living in Summit County. SEI believes this helps ensure every student graduates prepared, passionate and persistent. The mission of SEI is to improve personal and regional prosperity through increased educational attainment.

Download PDF version here: CLASS20 Press Release