ECEI National

 

Communities throughout the U.S. have the opportunity to identify and develop a cadre of early childhood leaders who can design, implement and promote culturally-responsive programs with equity and social justice as a foundation.

The Early Childhood Equity Initiative (ECEI) has developed a leadership training program during five years of implementation in Washington, D.C. We are now inviting colleges, school districts, and early childhood organizations in local communities throughout the U.S. to replicate this program.

During the ECEI Leadership training/networking, each participant is introduced to the research and practice on anti-bias curriculum, bilingual education and equity and social justice in early childhood programs. Each participant learns to use the ECEI Classroom Assessment tool and is introduced to new resources and materials while working an individual project designed for their own work environment. 

Different than a typical course, this experience is about building and sustaining a knowledgeable and influential leadership group.

Teaching for Change seeks to partner with ECE programs in colleges and universities as well as local ECE organizations that share our common concern for the lack of emphasis on issues of diversity and equity in ECE staff pre-service and in-service teacher education.

Together our efforts will enhance participants’ abilities to engage fellow staff members, parents and policy-makers in addressing such issues as:

• the impact that positive racial and cultural identity development has on our youngest children respecting and appreciating the backgrounds, lifestyles and other differences that are present in our increasingly diverse communities
• issues of second-language learning and teaching methodology
• the effects of institutional oppression and internalized oppression on our ECE workforce
• effectiveness in influencing curricula, teaching methodology, program policies, and standards in the field liberatory education

The role of the local partner includes identifying, recruiting and selecting ten participants and facilitating a year-long training/networking group using the ECEI Leadership curriculum, process and evaluation. This will be accomplished with the training and technical assistance by staff offered during four, local site visits and via calls and e-mail throughout the project year. The local site will be responsbile for identifying local and regional funding entities to support the implementation. ECEI will take the lead on submitting funding proposals and will act as the LEA responsible for assuring that all approved plans and requirements are met. 

For an overview and cost of the ECEI Leadership training, download the Invitation to Partner (PDF). For additional information, send your mailing address to ecei@teachingforchange.org