President's Message
Dear Colleagues,
May has been a historic month for early care and education in Louisiana. The senate passed a budget bill, that would include $84 million dollars for early care and education in Louisiana. This is the largest investment ever made for young children in Louisiana. Additionally, hundreds of early care and education advocates met at the state capital for Early Education Day. Members were able to visit both their house and senate representatives. I would like to personally thank all our membership for your strong advocacy in improving the lives of young children. Together, as a unified voice for change, we can make quality early care and education a priority for all children in Louisiana.
Yours in service,
Michelle Demeulenaere
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Early Childhood Education in the News:
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LAAEYC Represented at Louisiana Early Ed Day
LAAEYC Executive Director Cynthia Fontcuberta DiCarlo, Executive Board Member Gabby Izzo and President Michelle DeMeulenaere had the pleasure of representing LAAEYC at Louisiana's Early Ed Day at the state capitol.
Together, leaders from throughout the state urged the legislature to appropriate $94 million of state funds toward high-quality early care and education to ensure Louisiana's children have the educational foundation they need. To learn more, read the Ready Louisiana Statement on 2022 legislative priorities by the Ready Louisiana Coalition.
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NAEYC Announces Michelle Kang
as next chief executive officer
After a national search, the Governing Board of NAEYC announced Michelle Kang as the organization’s next Chief Executive Officer. Kang, previously served as Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at NAEYC, and succeeds Rhian Evans Allvin as of May 2. Read more about Michelle Kang here.
Loan Forgiveness for Early Childhood Educators
To help early childhood educators identify and understand student loan forgiveness options that may be available to them, NAEYC has compiled a new resource:
Loan Forgiveness Programs for Early Childhood Educators
This resource summarizes three federal loan forgiveness programs – Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and the temporary expanded PSLF program, Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program, and Federal Perkins Loan Cancellation – and steps educators can take to learn more about pursuing these relief opportunities.
For deeper dives into the PSLF program and the temporary expansion, make sure you check out recordings of recent webinars held especially for the early childhood field:
PSLF Coalition webinar
Administration for Children & Families and Department of Education webinar
Additionally, President Biden and the U.S. Department of Education recently announced that the pause on student loan repayment, interest, and collections will continue through August 31, 2022. Learn more about the student loan repayment extension here.
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State and National ECE Headlines
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The Importance of Learning Through Play
Play has long been a recognized and vital way that children grow and learn. Read more in this article from U.S. News & World Report.
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Advocate for the ECE Profession
The Louisiana Policy Institute for Children is a nonpartisan, independent source of data, research, and pertinent information for policymakers, stakeholders, and the public at large around issues related to children ages birth through four in Louisiana. LPIC serves as LAAEYC's advocacy partner.
View LPIC's latest research here.
View the latest legislation and election trackers related to early care and education here.
LPIC's latest advocacy news:
Louisiana Legislature Passes Historic Budget for ECE
On May 19, the Louisiana Senate passed the budget bills, including a total of $84 million dollars for early care and education. According to the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, this marks the most historic investment ever made for young children in Louisiana. To read more and learn how to thank our legislators for this momentous action, click here.
Help Businesses in Your Area Quantify the Financial Impact of Child Care on Their Organization
The Louisiana Policy Institute, in partnership with the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI), United Way of Southeast Louisiana and the Louisiana Early Childhood Business Roundtable, announced this spring the launch of the Business Workforce Calculator, an interactive tool to help businesses quantify the financial impact of child care instability on their organization. To learn more or to share with businesses in your area, click here.
LAAEYC Members Invited to Share Support for Early Learning Development Standards Prior to BESE Vote
The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education/Board of Regents are scheduled to vote on the Early Learning Development Standards at the June 14 meeting. These standards were developed by a committee that worked with the Louisiana Department of Education. Multiple LAAEYC members served on this committee. All LAAEYC members are invited to attend the meeting and voice support for these standards. Alternatively, members may contact their designated BESE members and provide support via email or phone call.
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What are you reading?
NAEYC announces the publication of Transforming Teaching: Creating Lesson Plans for Child-Centered Learning in Preschool. Popular early childhood education author and trainer, Marie Masterson shows how child-centered lesson planning can have a daily positive impact on an educator’s time and energy and on the quality of children’s learning and engagement—but it takes organization and a toolbox full of strategies and ideas.
Transforming Teaching: Creating Lesson Plans for Child-Centered Learning in Preschool is available for purchase in the NAEYC online store.
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Classroom Ready Research
Stay up-to-date on the latest in Early Childhood Education Research and how to incorporate best practices into your classroom.
ABC Ommmmmm...: Mindfulness in the Classroom
Teachers of young children are charged with providing young children’s first experiences in group settings, and are responsible for children’s academic and social-emotional development, which includes helping children identify and manage their moods. Children intuitively follow the lead of their teacher; they set the tone for the classroom and can impact the mood of the children in their care. While those of us who adore working with young children find much joy in our profession, at times, teaching can be stressful. Even when teachers think they are not outwardly showing signs of stress, children may pick up on their teacher’s stress. One method for mitigating teacher stress and supporting children’s development is engaging in mindfulness practices.
Check out the link below to read more on how you can incorporate mindfulness into your classroom.
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Crossroads
NSU Faculty and Natchitoches Defender Present the Cradle to College project to Louisiana Gov. Edwards
The Cradle to College project is an initiative that focuses on remapping the Cradle to Prison Pipeline into a Cradle to College Pipeline by providing early literacy activities and familial support to local at-risk students. Read more about this worthwhile project and how to get involved here.
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Cajun Country
NAEYC Inclusion Position Statements and DAP Provide Foundation for Accommodations Training at Lafayette Center
Leah Lormand, LAAEYC Cajun Country Executive Board member at large and social worker, recently offered an accommodations training at the Sugar n Spice of Acadiana childcare center in Lafayette. She used NAEYC position statements on inclusion and developmentally appropriate practice to lay the foundation for educators. Additionally, strategies were put in place for future use and after a make and take session,educators were left with visual tools to support the children in their care who need accommodations. Kudos to Center Director Ashley Kimble for recognizing the needs of educators and children at her center. To learn more or to schedule accommodations training based upon NAEYC standards, contact your Cajun Country Member at large Leah Lormand at leah.lormand@gmail.com.
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Outdoor Learning Enhancement Grants Now Available to Type III Early Learning Centers Throughout Louisiana
The Louisiana Department of Education has made the Outdoor Learning Enhancement Opportunity grant available to Type III Early Learning Centers. Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies in each region provide the required training to administrators and early educators. The training is created by Go Nap Sacc (University of North Carolina). After training, the centers receive playground and outdoor learning equipment. Ongoing professional development and support for best practices are provided by technical assistants with On Track by 5.
According to Shannon Bernard with On Track by 5, “The purpose is to help Early Learning Centers to expand learning outdoors," a concept advocated by NAEYC. An article in Teaching Young Children (August/September 2019) by Brandy Smith and Heather Olsen challenges parents and educators to move beyond brightly colored equipment on pea gravel and consider the learning opportunities within nature. She also expounds on the value of just being present outside with activities that are often reserved for indoor play, such as reading and dramatic play.
Pictured below is Bryan Roy with Sugar ‘n Spice Preschools in Lafayette and Emmy Thibodeaux with the Lafayette Parish Early Childhood Network.
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Share your news with us!
Do you have early childhood education news from your area that you would like to see included here or have ideas for programming that you would like to attend or facilitate? Visit the LAAEYC website or email us at info@laaeyc.org.
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Professional Development Near YouThe Louisiana Department of Education is excited to host the inaugural Early Childhood Conference – Powering Up Early Childhood in July 2022! The conference will take place from July 22-24, 2022, at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC). Registered attendees will have the opportunity to earn up to 12 Louisiana Pathway approved hours. Free CPR certification is offered as a pre-conference add-on option. Morning and afternoon CPR sessions are available. Read conference details and register here.
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Is it time to renew your membership? Membership in NAEYC must be renewed on an annual basis in the month that you originally joined. To renew your membership click here and be sure to select LAAEYC as your affiliate. Invite a friend to join us!
LAAEYC and NAEYC invites all early childhood education professionals and advocates to be an active part of our organization. Do you know someone who may be interested? Share this email and invite them to join today!
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