Welcome - Tafta Miller, CCAL President 8:30 AM
Family Engagement: The Difference Maker for ALL
Sherry Palmer 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Learn about a recognized Family Engagement Program. This program was a step an early childhood center took that turned into game changer for all stakeholders. The program has become a way of life for this center’s staff and an expectation of families who enroll. The program has paid dividends for families even after they aged out of the center. The Participants will
- Identify research behind family engagement.
- Recognize changes that must occur within and without a center to create and sustain
- a high-quality family engagement program.
- Practice strategies that will turn a good family engagement program into a great one.
Sherry Palmer has a 42-year journey in education. Her career has included classroom teaching, high school career preparation and teacher prep at the University of Wyoming and University of Texas of the Permian Basin. Professional Development Specialist and US Department of Education Grant Manager alongside 17 years as Principal are in addition to teacher. Mrs. Palmer served in the educational arena in Texas and Wyoming. Sherry completed 14 years as Principal of an Early Childhood Center in Ector County ISD, Odessa, Texas. While Principal of the early childhood center, the staff embraced and implemented a TEA and Region Recognized Parent Engagement Program. Mrs. Palmer was honored by Ector County ISD as the Elementary Principal of the Year, 2021. Currently, Mrs. Palmer is an adjunct faculty for Odessa Community College teaching early childhood courses to high school students taking dual credit work and prospective teachers in the regular college course structure. She has become a part of At the Heart Teaching, Learning Leadership as they forge a partnership with Louisiana Early Childhood to support Child Care Staff in pursuit of a CDA. Mrs. Palmer earned a B.A. in Elementary Education from Wayland Baptist University, a M.A in Educational Leadership and completed EdD Educational Leadership coursework at University of Wyoming. In addition to her passion for early childhood education and parent engagement, Jim- husband of 52 years, her family, her faith, and Stonegate Community Church are her loves in this life.
Part I Ready Set Eat Food Safety 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Ready Set Eat Food Safety resumes after the membership benefits update
Dianna Constant, Agenda for Children
Ready Set Eat Food Safety is a session on how children grow and develop. This is an interactive session that includes information on handling children with special needs. After completion of this three-hour training class, participants will be able to:
- Define the grasping status
- Describe a positive and supportive learning environment for feeding children
- Be able to discuss how language and feeding are related.
- CLASS language is used. This workshop meets the health and safety requirement of the Louisiana Department of Health’s Sanitary Code and the LDOE.
Dianna Constant is a long-time resident of Thibodaux, Louisiana. She has been a part of the Agenda for Children team since 1990. She has over 45 years of experience in early childhood education. She spent twenty years directing and operating her own child care center and has more than two decades of experience as a trainer and technical assistance advisor for early childhood programs. She serves on the board of United Way of St. Charles and is actively involved with the Parish Networks in New Orleans and Houma supporting interaction improvements in Early Child Care Center and has served on the Child Care Health Care Consultant board since 2000. Dianna holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology/Youth and Family Services from Nicholls State University. Certifications include Certified Reliable CLASS Observer (Infant, Toddler, Pre-K), CLASS Affiliate Trainer (Pre K), Inter-Rater Reliable in GOLD by Teaching Strategies, Child Care Health Consultant, Louisiana Pathways Trainer Level II, PALS Trainer and Well-A-Head Outdoor Learning Trainer, CDA PD Specialist
Overview of CCAL Membership Benefits 12 Noon - 1:15 PM
Presented by Cindy Bishop, CCAL Executive Director
Overview of the membership benefits from CCAL including partnerships with a health insurance company, a website design company, playground equipment companies, furniture and center supplies companies, property, and casualty insurance companies, etc. This one-hour overview will highlight some of the most popular benefits for CCAL members. Cindy Bishop is the Executive Director of the Child Care Association of Louisiana, a position she has held since 2006. She has a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Loyola University of the South, with a minor in Journalism. She is a member of the Alliance for Non-Profit Organizations, the Louisiana Society of Association Executives and the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry.
Part II Ready Set Eat Food Safety 1:15 PM - 3:15 PM
Dianna Constant, Agenda for Children
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