We invite YOU to Lead with Equity And Diversity (L.E.A.D.) on October 5 at Rio Salado Conference Center for AzAEYC’s Annual Meeting & Professional Development 2019! 

BE A PART OF YOUR PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZATION

Our Annual Meeting 2019 committee has been hard at work planning events and networking opportunities to enhance leadership for all Arizona early childhood professionals. AzAEYC/NAEYC members and non-members are welcome. There is NO CHARGE to attend.

AND YES…THERE WILL BE RAFFLE PRIZES! (As a member benefit, NAEYC Members receive 3 tickets for prize drawings. Non-members will receive 1 ticket.) Not an NAEYC member yet? Join today!

ENJOY BREAKFAST, LUNCH, AND PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

The day will be filled with opportunities to develop your leadership skills, engage with multiple perspectives, hear about local and national initiatives to enhance quality in early education, and network with colleagues.

Preliminary Agenda for L.E.A.D.

8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Network with other early childhood professionals and enjoy light Breakfast with the Board beginning at 8 a.m. Following breakfast, AzAEYC’s Governing Board will deliver an Opening State of the Organization address highlighting key AzAEYC and NAEYC Initiatives. We will also explore the NAEYC Statement on Advancing Equity – a position statement on equity and diversity to guide our work as we define and advance the early childhood education profession and ensure high-quality early learning for all young children.

9:00 – 9:30 a.m. Keynote address on Leadership, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from a local early childhood leader.

9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Choose from 1 of 2 breakout learning sessions:

+ Elevating Your Voice – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Classroom and Beyond (This session is designed for participants who are interested in an advanced look at leadership and program administration.)

+ Building Leadership Skills – What it Means to be a Leader (This session is designed for participants who are interested in getting started with leadership and learning strategies to become a leader.)

11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Engage in dialogue facilitated by a community leader and enjoy a delicious lunch.

12:15 – 1:00 p.m. Recognition of NAEYC Accredited Early Learning Programs, Presentation of the Outstanding Educator/Administrator Award, Diversity & Inclusion Award, Rhian Evans Allvin & Joshua J. Allen $1,000 Scholarship, and raffle prize drawings.

BE A LIFELONG LEARNER

Leading with Equity And Diversity (L.E.A.D.) will offer 5 hours of professional development that will be included in the Registry. Presentations will focus on leadership skills from the Arizona Early Childhood Workforce Knowledge & Competencies.

NETWORK WITH LEADERS AND BUILD CONNECTIONS

Network with colleagues during Lunch with a Leader. We’ve invited Early Childhood Champions to join us at lunch. Engage with NAEYC materials, provide feedback on NAEYC initiatives including Power to the Profession, America for Early Ed, and learn more about the Advancing Equity in Early Childhood Education Position Statement.

CHEER ON OUR COLLEAGUES

You won’t want to miss the opportunity to meet our Annual Rhian Evans Allvin & Joshua J. Allen Scholarship awardee and congratulate our AzAEYC Board Award recipients for their commitment to advancing Advocacy, Diversity, and Equity in Arizona.

We will also honor an Outstanding Educator/Administrator award recipient, a member of the workforce nominated by the membership who has shown a strong commitment to high quality early learning.

BREAK DOWN SILOS FOR STRONGER COLLABORATION

We’ll host an AZToolkit corner – sponsored by First Things First – where you can learn more about AzAEYC’s Signature Shared Services Initiative. AZToolkit advances leadership and stronger collaboration to impact all Arizona’s children and families. You’ll get a chance to interact directly with these valuable online resources and learn how AZToolkit can build your leadership and business administration skills.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU!

Use this Eventbrite link to register by September 28 to RSVP for Leading with Equity And Diversity (L.E.A.D.). We want to make sure to count you in for the delicious breakfast and lunch options. We look forward to seeing you there! Questions? Reach out to Eric or Mona via email and we’ll get right back to you.

Warmly, 

Dr. Eric Bucher, AzAEYC Board President

Mona Qafisheh, M.Ed., CPM, AzAEYC Board Vice President of Public Policy & Advocacy

Eric enjoys coffee but is trying to cut back to one cup a day. He has a sweet tooth and prefers pastries and baked goods for breakfast. Mona’s go-to coffee drink of choice is a cafe au lait. It’s just coffee and hot milk, but so fun to say when ordering.