The Early Childhood Leadership Institute (ECLI) provides ongoing professional development to professionals within New Jersey’s Quality Rating and Improvement System and Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies. Professional development opportunities include orientation, biannual trainings, community of practices, forums, and small group coaching. The GNJK Extended Learning Virtual Workshops are a way to engage in conversations with experts of specific topics, whose extensive experience provides a broader lens through which professionals can think about the work they do each day.  These workshops support practice in providing an opportunity for professionals to learn from one another, interact with others who are experts in the field, gain perspectives outside of their own context, and continue to build capacity on topics they identified through survey feedback.

The GNJK Extended Learning Virtual Workshop series is comprised of independent workshops throughout the year in which professionals can choose workshops that are most interesting to them based upon workshop descriptions. Each two-hour virtual workshop will be structured as a guided discussion, allowing the participants to engage in thoughtful conversation with the presenter and to process concepts with each other. ECLI gathers questions each participant submits during registration that is related to the topic and provides these to the presenters who can use them for creating content that is meaningful and tailored to the audience. Workshops are facilitated through the online platform ECLI uses for all their virtual professional development and are audio and video recorded to have as a resource for all professionals.

In keeping true to adult learning principles, registration is voluntary, allowing professionals to choose topics that are most relevant to their current needs and interests. Due to the conversational nature of the workshops, each workshop is limited to 30 participants. Due to this, professionals are encouraged to register early and only register for a workshop that they can commit to by attending on the identified date and time and by participating in fully (utilizing both video and audio). Upon registration, participants will submit at least one question for the presenter. Registration is by invitation only and all invitees will receive an email with registration and complete event details prior to each workshop.

Monday, July 25, 2022 from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST

Title: Every Child Can Fly: Including Children with Disabilities in Early Childhood Education

As an early childhood professional with a disability, a child of a parent with a disability, and the mother of a son with a disability, Jani Kozlowski, author of Every Child Can Fly: An Early Childhood Educator’s Guide to Inclusion brings a unique perspective to the inclusion of children with disabilities in early childhood settings. In this session, Jani will share personal stories, current research and evidence-based practices that foster inclusive learning environments and meaningful family engagement. Join us to think about ways that educators and other professionals can build secure relationships and trust with children and families through a culture of belonging, caring and kindness. The past two years have been challenging for all of us, so let’s find out how to promote inclusion as an intervention that is healing for each and every child, family, and educator. This virtual workshop will provide TA specialists, family engagement specialists, coaches, trainers and other early childhood professionals with strategies to:

• Apply lessons learned from research on inclusion, access and equity to promote high-quality inclusion in early childhood environments.

• Build skills and confidence for meeting the needs of each and every child.

• Develop secure relationships with children and families that can reduce stress and build trust.

Presenter: Jani Kozlowski, MA