2021 Summit

Champion of Children Awards

Tamara Wilkins, Patti Skinner, and Sue Carlson earned the Champion for Children awards for 2021. The Champion for Childhood Award recognizes individuals who have positively impacted the lives of children and families in our communities.

The 2021 Early Childhood Summit took place on September 24-25 virtually through West Shore Community College. The 6th annual Summit included pre-recorded and live guest speakers virtually. Our summit honored local early childhood leaders, including Tamara Wilkins, Patti Skinner, and Sue Carlson who received the 2021 Champion for Childhood Award. Friday and Saturday were filled with interactive keynote addresses, breakout sessions, panel discussions, and networking opportunities.

 

Keynote Speakers

Lisa Murphy has been involved with early childhood education for over 20 years; teaching and working with children in various environments including Head Start, kindergarten, private preschools, family childcare, park and rec centers, group homes, and many child care centers.

Lisa is the founder and CEO of Ooey Gooey, Inc. where her mission is to assist in the transformation of the industry of early childhood education by offering 1) the best workshops and trainings; 2) the most up to date materials and resources; and 3) insightful conversations and connections through the power of social media.  Lisa presents hundreds of workshops each year to both domestic and international audiences on various topics related to early childhood education.

Lisa has an M.Ed. in early childhood education from Champlain College in Vermont.  She has authored four books, produced dozens of teacher training DVD’s and is a popular keynote speaker at educational conferences.  Lisa’s standing-room-only seminars have become nationally known for their information, humor, inspiration, and energetic delivery.  Frequently asked if she has ever been a stand-up comic, Lisa practices what she preaches by blending the learning with the laughing.

Lisa collaborates with Jeff Johnson from Explorations Early Learning on various projects related to early childhood education, including hosting an annual UNConference and producing THE CHILD CARE BAR AND GRILL podcast – which releases two episodes a week to listeners around the globe. Lisa has become known for her ability to link hands-on activities to educational standards, her outspoken advocacy, and her commitment to creating child-centered, play-based early childhood environments. Her understanding of the importance of play is obvious in her personal and professional life.

Michelle Burkhard is the Owner of Grow By 1; a business built to serve and increase clients’ ability to lead themselves and others well. She received a B.S. degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Central Michigan University. She is a current student in the Ph.D. program in Education through Walden University. Her area of focus is Assessment, Evaluation, & Accountability. She has been active in the area of early childhood for over 20 years, both in and out of the classroom, and has been a frequent speaker and trainer around the state of Michigan. Her clients span several fields of study within multiple different states and, just recently, the international arena. Her passion for seeing others reach their own personal and professional goals fuels her work as a coach. Her current Ph.D. research involves the study of how coaching influences the program quality of early childhood environments. When not studying or serving others, she enjoys actively engaging at home with her husband Josh of 15 years, and her three children, Josiah, Hannah, and Elly.

Attendees

Participants included child care providers, preschool teachers, early interventionists, home visitors, and parents. There was an average number of 160 participants for the event representing 11 Michigan counties. The cost of attendance for 160 participants was offered free virtually.

Breakout Sessions - Pre-recorded

  • Jaosn Cross: Understanding the Effects of Historical Trauma When Working with Native American Children and Families

    • Native American children & families face unique challenges due to historical events & policies that eroded or destroyed their community structure & way of life. These events & policies have had long-term effects on Native families & their ability to trust & navigate today’s educational system. This presentation will focus on these Federal policies from a historical and personal perspective.

  • Crystal Park: Observing, Documenting, and Assessing Creating an Environment of Evaluation Cycle

    • Why is an intentionally planned evaluation cycle important? Assessment provides educators, parents & families with critical information about a child's development & growth. Assessment can identify the strengths & weaknesses within a program & information on how well the program meets the goals & needs of the children. A quality early childhood program is the practice of continuously monitoring children’s development & responding to learning needs.

  • Crystal Park: Partnering with Today’s Families: Exploring the Journey of Parenthood Through the Child’s Eyes

    • Parenthood, how do you know you are doing it right? Raising a child is one of the biggest responsibilities we are presented with & have little formal guidance to do so. Explore the history of child-parent relationships & how you can support your relationship with your child now. We will review learning styles & strategies to support development across time with a supporting & nurturing approach.

  • Julie Sizemore: Infant & Toddler Active Supervision

    • Julie from RESPECT Care Teaching discusses ways to support infant & toddler active supervision.

  • Holly Karlsen: Intentional Teaching-Child Centered-Focus

    • Participants watched a recorded conversation with the area lead teacher(s) on how to use a child's question(s) to develop and extend a program of study within the classroom.

  • Tara Kline & Amanda Wendell, LARA & Crystal Park, GSQ: Updates: Licensing (LARA)

    • A facilitated conversation with Michigan's Licensing And Regulatory Agency (LARA) as they address question(s) & updates from the practice of early childhood.

  • Melanie J. Hargreaves & Kathy Gibson: Meeting the Third Teacher; Your Indoor Environment

    • Often called “the third teacher,” the learning environment isn’t just a carpet & a few interest areas. Join us as we take a look at the indoor environment.

  • Robin Zeiter: State Update and MiRegistry

    • System updates on MiRegistry & Michigan Department of Education

  • Michelle Burkhard: How the Third Option Changes Everything

    • This fast-paced session will introduce you to the 3rd Option & how it influences your current life. We’ll talk about how the way you, children, family members, bosses, & coworkers look at the world influences behavior. 

  • Michelle Burkhard: The Three R’s: Become A Brain Traveler & Guide

    • This fast-paced session will help you understand the 3 parts of the brain and how to help yourself and others to ‘travel’ through all three. When we understand which part of the brain we’re using at any one time AND the other person in our interaction, we can intentionally ‘travel’ and make better choices, getting us to our goal. Get ready to draw a simple graphic that can change your life!

Thank you to the following sponsors!