CLASS Act Scholars Kick-off the 2020 – 2021 Program!

Written by: Danielle Curry-Bentley, Early Childhood Network Facilitator

CLASS Act Scholars kicked off a fantastic weekend for Cohort 4 this year.  Amid these uncertain times, we provided an excellent experience to this small, but mighty preschool teacher group.

Cohort 4 consists of fourteen preschool teachers from a wide range of environments: community-based, YMCAs, Head Starts, districts, and for the first time, a family childcare center. These early childhood educators have something great to contribute to this CLASS cohort!

The weekend started off virtually with a Zoom Kick-Off that included introductions, virtual games, an opportunity to highlight their sense of humor with some jokes, and fun beverages. On Saturday morning, SEI hosted an in-person event at St. George’s Antiochan Church in the ballroom, where each scholar was socially distant at their own table.  They received a gift bag that including hand sanitizer from local vendor Fawn & Fanny highlighting curiously delicious scents like Mermaid, Monkey Farts, and Tropical Punch. During this event, the Cohort was treated to a socially distant panel discussion featuring four past graduates from CLASS cohorts 2 and 3. The panelists talked about how their experience as a CLASS Act Scholars has changed the way they teach and even changed their careers. Past Scholar, Kelly Vitrano has now opened her own Center!

Using a large projector, screen, and microphone, The Making the Most of Classroom Interactions Coach, Laura McFalls was able to teach lesson number one of the twelve session course load.  Matt Deevers, SEI Executive Director, and Laura DiCola, SEI Director of Strategic Initiatives and Policy, welcomed the scholars to a ten-month long collaborative effort to elevate, celebrate, and support the professionals within the early childhood field.