Early Childhood Jewish Educator Conference

Early Childhood Jewish Educator Conference:
Uncovering Diversity through Literacy & Creative Arts for the Early Childhood Classroom

Learn how to navigate the increasingly complex early childhood learning environment.

Our special guest speakers will explore how music, literature and the arts can help you build and expand your relationships with your students and their families.

This conference includes a keynote presentation and two breakout sessions as well as breakfast and lunch.

Monday, February 19, 2024
8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Arthur I. Meyer Jewish Preparatory School
5225 Hood Rd., Palm Beach Gardens

FREE
This program qualifies for six educator in-service hours.

SCHEDULE
8:30 a.m. Registration and Breakfast
9 a.m. Welcome
9:30 a.m. Keynote Presentation
10:40 a.m. – 12:10 p.m. Breakout session 1
12:10 – 1:10 p.m. Lunch
1:15 – 2:50 p.m. Breakout session 2
2:55 – 3:30 p.m. Closing

Please RSVP by Monday, February 12.

OPTION 1
How to Successfully Use Music in the Classroom
A unique opportunity to delve into the various ways music can foster cognitive, language, physical, social-emotional and spiritual growth through interactive activities and insightful conversations.
Presenter: Ellen Allard is a recording artist, performer, musician, composer and educator who has been performing children’s concerts and presenting to early childhood educators with rave reviews for more than 40 years.

OPTION 2
Diversity and Inclusion Through Literature in the Early Childhood Classroom
An engaging and thought-provoking session centered on the transformative power of diversity and inclusion in early childhood literature that intricately weaves in the principles of transformative social-emotional learning (SEL). Explore how diverse narratives contribute to the holistic development of individuals and communities.
Presenter: Pranoo Kumaris is a proud immigrant, educator, TedX speaker and mother dedicated to identity driven educational experiences. She is the founder of Rohi’s Readery, an award-winning social justice driven bookstore located at The Square in West Palm Beach. With an incredibly dynamic and accomplished background, Kumar’s projects include founding early childhood and elementary inclusive programs, writing identity driven PreK curriculum, and co-founding Washington state’s first elementary charter school.

OPTION 3
Understanding Day-to-Day Gender Assumptions in the Early Childhood Classroom
An opportunity to think and learn about subtle ways gender presents itself in the classroom as the presenter shares research-based information and discusses recent changes to Florida laws. Educators will also learn tips and tools to help build a community of belonging in the classroom and school setting.
Presenter: Tracey Labgold is the Florida Education and Training Manager for Keshet, a nonprofit organization focused on the full equality of LGBTQ Jews and families in Jewish life. Labgold started her career as a high school English teacher and spent the last decade facilitating anti-bias and diversity awareness workshops for the ADL, before joining the Keshet team in 2021. 

OPTION 4
Let’s Focus on Infants & Toddlers
Designed specifically for educators who teach infants to two-and-a-half-year-old children, learn how to encourage early language and pre-literacy development in our youngest age group. You will also explore how to navigate behavioral issues in low and non-verbal children.
Presenter:  Yehudis Smith serves as the Director of Early Childhood and Congregational Education at the Miami-based Center for the Advancement of Jewish Children (CAJE), where she supports a network of 30 Jewish early childhood education programs throughout Miami-Dade. She is also an independent ECE consultant, teacher mentor and child development specialist who spent more than 15 years in the classroom and just returned from an extensive training in Reggio Emilia, Italy.