MCOE ECE Department Quality Improvement Project

VOICES FROM THE FIELD

Summer 2017

Congratulations to our Graduates in the ECE Field! These eight ECE professionals participate in the Marin Quality Counts Stipend Program working fulltime, they also completed their Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development or their Master’s in Early Childhood Special Education.

The Early Childhood Education Department fosters a culture of inclusion amongst caring professionals who value

a child’s right to high quality early care and education. Our priorities are supporting communities of practice from

child care to classrooms that are dedicated to continuous growth and implementing best practices.

Maria Velarde - “Entering the BA program was something that I never really stop to think as a possi-bility. As a child, I always struggled in school and always put the needs of others first. First, as an older sister and then as a mother. Later I had a son who struggled with his learning disabilities. I learned so much helping him and realized how important it was for me to help him learn. Perseverance and hard work help set a tone not only in my son's educational path but on mine as well. After completing my AA through The Santa Rosa Junior College, I was left with a conundrum of what to do next. To be truthful, I did not believe I could go any further. However I didn’t give up and when Pacific Oaks contacted me I accepted! I remember thinking back then, “It will never happen!”

Well, a year and a half later, here I am, at the audito-rium wearing my gown and my mortarboard and ready to go!

This overwhelming experience and a sense of accomplishment were almost too much to handle but having my children and my husband around me help me to move forward. The long hours and long assignments seem like nothing at this moment and all I could think was about my mother and how much I wish she could have been there to see me achieve this goal. As this chapter has concluded, I am now looking forward to the next chapter which is to complete my MA!”

Michele Hernandez “I graduated from Pacific Oaks College with a B.A in human develop-ment. After I got my AA at College of Marin I was unsure if I would be able to continue my education. Pacific Oaks College was the answer to my prayers. I love this school. It is so unique”

Maricruz Aldana “This accomplish-ment is so important to me as a women and educator of color. This journey is just the beginning for me. I want to continue to grow profes-sionally and helps other do so as well!!”

Marin County Office of Education, Early Childhood Department, 1111 Las Gallinas Avenue, San Rafael, CA

Paula Cifuentes ’’The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you" B.B. King.

“Yeah I did it thanks!” Paula

Leydis Mata - I am the first in my family to have completed my Bachelor’s degree, so this is a big accomplishment for me, my mother and my husband. Being able to have the support and understanding of my husband and my seven year old son has been an amazing experience through this journey. It has also been an amazing experience to share this journey with four of my colleagues. This accomplishment will bring new opportunities in my life. I am so proud to be a Latina and a graduate of Pacific Oaks College.

Kelsie Niemetz -Kelsie has been working in the ECE program at Fairfax-San Anselmo Children’s Center since 2012. This month she graduated from Sonoma State University with her BA in Early Childhood Education. Heidi Tomsky, FSA’s Director, is very excited that Kelsie has achieved this personal and professional goal. Kelsie has worked very hard – going to school full time and working full time. Fairfax-San Anselmo is honored to have Kelsey as part of their family; and look forward to her continuing her career working with children and their families!

Indica Cooke—I received my Masters and Credential in Early Childhood Special Education from SFSU. My goal was to obtain more knowledge about children so I could serve and teach a bigger popu-lation. I wanted to know about the whole child which includes typical and atypical development. Going through the ECSE program was a very rewarding and humbling experience.

Sonia Velsaquez - Everything started when my children were in after school program at Novato Children's Center when I started subbing as parent. Having the opportunity to work with children helped me decide to continue with my schooling and achieve my goal to become a teacher. It took me long time to finish my Bachelor of Art in Human Development at Pacific Oaks College but here I am! A graduate! Hav-ing to go through to this amazing experience was not easy but was worth it. I thank my family for all the support they gave me in this journey and my Lord for all the straights he provide to me. Si Se Puede!

“I saw a potato!”

The children from Lynwood Headstart have been planting and growing strawberries, potatoes and flowers in the school garden. They released “good bugs” (ladybugs) and learned to water their garden when plants were thirsty.

Each child used their “My Garden Observation Book” to illustrate the plants and bugs that you see on this page. The drawings and dictation helped the teachers learn about the children’s perspectives through this sensory, real life experience in their own garden.

‘’I carried dirt and water”

“It’s fun in the garden”

“We watered our gardens.’’

“I drew what I saw in my garden book including worms!”

‘’There were lots of lady bugs!”

‘”We planted things!”

Sneak previews of Professional Development

2017- 2018

Foundation & Curriculum Frameworks

Anti-Bias Education for

Young Children and Ourselves

CLASS Observation Tool

DRDP 2015

We are currently seeking new members representing the following groups or organizations:

Parents or people that receive, or have recently benefited from , child care services

Child care services providers

City, County, and local education agencies

Agencies or businesses that provide private funding for child care services, or who advocate for child care services through participation in civic or community-based organizations.

To learn more about the Commission or to obtain an

application, please contact : Ericka Erickson at eerickson@marinschools.org

marinchildcare.org or call (415) 499-5827

Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns

With breathtaking illustrations and informative text, Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns magnificently captures the worlds of Islam, celebrating its beauty and traditions for even the youngest of readers. Sure to inspire questions and observations about world religions and cultures, it is equally at home in a classroom reading circle as it is being read to a child on parents lap.

Would you like to plan and advocate for child care and early education in Marin County?

ECE Staff Book Recommendation