2023 Summit
Champion of Children Award
Traci Smith earned the Champion for Children award for 2023. The Champion for Childhood Award recognizes individuals who have positively impacted the lives of children and families in our communities. Traci, serving as a Family Advocate at the Lakeshore Child Advocacy Center (CAC), has demonstrated unwavering commitment to the CAC's mission for over a decade. Her dedicated work involves advocating for children and families who have endured abuse and neglect.
The 2023 Early Childhood Summit unfolded on September 29-30 at West Shore Community College. The 8th annual Summit featured a blend of pre-recorded and live virtual presentations from esteemed guest speakers. The event paid tribute to local early childhood leaders, with Traci Smith receiving the 2023 Champion for Childhood Award. The two-day summit, held on Friday and Saturday, offered a dynamic program encompassing interactive keynote addresses, breakout sessions, panel discussions, and opportunities for face-to-face networking interactions.
Keynote Speakers
Douglas H. Clements & Julie Sarama
Douglas H. Clements is Distinguished University Professor, Kennedy Endowed Chair in Early Childhood Learning, and Executive Director of the Marsico Institute for Early Learning at the University of Denver. Previously a kindergarten teacher for five years and a preschool teacher for one, he has conducted research and published widely in the areas of the learning and teaching of early mathematics and computer applications in mathematics education.
Julie Sarama is the Kennedy Endowed Chair in Innovative Learning Technologies and Professor at the University of Denver. She conducts research on young children's development of mathematical concepts and competencies, implementation and scale-up of educational reform, professional development models and their influence on student learning, and implementation and effects of software environments (including those she has created) in mathematics classrooms.
Denita dinger
Denita Dinger has had the honor of being a family childcare/preschool teacher for 16 years. I am just beginning a new venture as a play school teacher (I waved goodbye to my all-day program in May of 2014). After gradually transitioning my program from teacher-led to child-led, I can say, without doubt, that play truly is the "important stuff". I love to share my journey with others who also feel the need to slow down the pushing of academics and make positive changes to their early childhood program. I am proud to call myself a defender of play, and sincerely hope you find inspiration here and choose to join me on my mission to help others see the value of play!
Attendees
Participants included childcare providers, preschool teachers, early interventionists, home visitors, and parents. There was an average number of 180 participants for the event representing 11 Michigan counties. The cost of attendance for 180 participants was offered free virtually & face-to-face sessions.
Breakout Sessions - Pre-recorded
Thank you to the following sponsors!