Creating Caring Cultural Communities for Family Engagement

Diversity is everywhere we look in early childhood education settings. As early childhood educators, we must make every effort to create a caring cultural community that resembles the global village we are all citizens of.... [ view full abstract ]

Diversity is everywhere we look in early childhood education settings. As early childhood educators, we must make every effort to create a caring cultural community that resembles the global village we are all citizens of. Everything in the learning environment gives the message that “I am valued as a cultural person and a citizen of the world.” Participants will examine the lessons learned from the New Jersey Cultural Competency and English Language Learners Summer Institute/Mentoring Program, an evidenced-based early childhood focused training and mentoring program that aides teachers in becoming more cultural and linguistically conscious. The Program blends theory, practice, and simulations to assist educators to nurture children’s cultural identities as an anchor for child development. Participants will examine best practices for engaging diverse children and families using enhanced literacy moments, and family engagement activities.

Presenters:
Ana I. Berdecia, M.Ed. and Certified Coach is the Senior Fellow/Director of the Center for the Positive Development of Urban Children (CPDUC) at the John S. Watson Institute for Public Policy of Thomas Edison State College and the founder/program director for the New Jersey Cultural Competency and English Language Learners Summer Institute/ Mentoring Program. Ana has extensive experience working with diverse families and children as an administrator, college faculty, program developer, trainer, and consultant.

Kamili O. Leath, M.S. is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Leath & Associates, LLC, a human development and training organization. As a consultant and speaker, she brings a wealth of knowledge, skill and ability with her “down-to-earth” approach to teaching and learning. Kamili has been with New Jersey Cultural Competency and English Language Learner Summer Institute/Mentoring Program for four years as a mentor and one year as the project coordinator.

Topics: Family Engagement, Cultural and Linguistic Diversity

Format: Workshop for 75 to 100 delegates in a roundtable set-up.