Events
Igniting Connections Annual Early Childhood Symposium

Facilitator training at TTAC with lead symposium facilitators Deb Curtis & Eliana Elias.

Igniting Connections Annual Early Childhood Symposium 2022

Facilitator training: Small group discussions to share and gain perspectives.

Igniting Connections 2022 Early Childhood Symposium Facilitators with Deb & Eliana

VTCDCLR Pre-Symposium Tour: Toddler classroom.

VTCDCLR Pre-Symposium Tour: Toddler classroom.

VT CDCLR teachers and lead facilitators, Deb and Eliana reflecting and planning for the sharing of authentic classroom experiences.

Educator experiencing intentional and emergent learning and play and how it occurs during individual and small group opportunities.

Facilitator tablescape: Highlighting curriculum possibilities.

Natural, found and recycled materials that foster creativity and endless curriculum possibilities.

Tablescape: NRV Creative Reuse Center

VTCDCLR visiting Sophia Frimpong's display featuring items from the NRV Creative Reuse Center

Educators from around the New River Valley network, dialogue and share collective experiences

Creating connections and discovering the child's perspective

Participants reflecting on the possibilities for materials to invite the children to explore.

Advocacy lunch hour sign writing.

Advocacy lunch hour sign writing with inspirational signs in the background.

A sign of the times: Hokie Bird advocates for early childhood educators.

Hokie Bird & ECE professionals sharing their advocacy message.

Promoting awareness and advocacy for high quality early care and learning and for the ECE profession.

Hokie Bird and teachers advocate for the value of play-based curriculum and learning in early childhood education.
President Sands Summit on Early Childhood Education

Representatives from NRV businesses, schools, governments, and non-profit organizations came together in-person and virtually to discuss area childcare issues.

Summit facilitator Ross Mecham (Virginia Tech) listens to a small group discuss the impacts to their companies and organizations of the current lack of childcare in the NRV.

Participants commit to working together towards solutions to the childcare challenges facing parents, employers, and the entire NRV community.

Jessica Wirgau, CEO of the Community Foundation of the New River Valley, takes notes of small-group discussion of barriers to improving access and affordability of childcare.

ECE professional and advocate Kristi Snyder explains the challenges facing center directors in meeting the need for quality care in the NRV.

ECE professional and advocate Kristi Snyder explains the challenges facing center directors in meeting the need for quality care in the NRV.

Summit participants brainstorm opportunities for their organizations to support expanding the talent pipeline and promoting the early childhood education profession across the NRV.