The McKean County Early Learning Outreach Committee is hosting a free Early Childhood Symposium — “Celebration of Our Successes: Five Years of Collaboration” — on Tuesday at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.
The Blaisdell Foundation is sponsoring the symposium, which begins at 5:30 p.m. with hors’ d’oeuvres, followed by a slate of speakers at 6 pm. The keynote speaker is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Bradford and Northwest Bank.
“The evening will be a celebration of the achievements of the county’s early learning programs over the last five years and bring renewed focus to the challenges and investments which still need to be made to ensure continued capacity-building, quality, collaboration and family engagement in our early childhood programs,” according to Lee Sizemore, director of McKean County Human Services.
The keynote speaker is Dana Winters, PhD., research associate, from the Fred Rogers Center in Latrobe, who will discuss “Growing and Learning through Relationships.”
In her role at the Center, Winters supports internal and external research and evaluation efforts, while managing various projects focused on the power of human interactions. Her research focuses on the role of families, communities, and adult-child interaction in education and childcare settings.
Current projects include work with early childhood educators, local school districts, community groups, and social service programs. In addition to her work with the Center, Winters coordinates the Fred Rogers Scholars Program for Saint Vincent College students.
Winters joined the Center after serving as the senior evaluator for the Collaborative for Evaluation and Assessment Capacity at the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Education, and as an education counselor with the Educational Opportunity Centers of Penn State University. She holds a Ph.D. in administrative and policy studies from the University of Pittsburgh, a master’s degree in student affairs in higher education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a bachelor of arts degree in sociology from Saint Vincent College.
“The committee is pleased to have a speaker from the Fred Rogers Center. The Center’s mission and core values are closely aligned to the mission of McKean County’s early learning community. The Center’s belief that ‘The foundation of every child’s healthy development is the power of human connection’ resonates throughout our local programs and initiatives,” said Bob Esch, vice president of external affairs at American Refining Group, chairman of the McKean County Collaborative Board, and Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment Commission member.
Esch will also deliver the opening remarks for the evening.
Jodie Holmberg, early learning consultant and McKean County parent, will present, “What a Difference Five Years Can Make,” recognizing the accomplishments of public, private and faith-based early childhood programs and expressing appreciation to all the providers, supporters, donors and partners who make early learning so vibrant in the county.
Other statewide partners of local early learning programs will be discussing their organizations’ distinct roles. Additional speakers include Carey Harris, executive director of the Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment Commission; Steve Doster, state director of Pennsylvania, Mission: Readiness and Fight Crime: Invest in Kids; Stephanie Mock, director of public policy and outreach for PennAEYC; and Kevin Thomas, executive director of Kiwanis International Pennsylvania District.
The symposium will be held in the Frame-Westerberg Commons Building, in the Mukaiyama University Room. Reservations are requested by Friday by emailing Mary McCormack of the McKean County Family Centers at mmccormack@guidancecenter.net.
