FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PBS NORTH CAROLINA TO HOST ITS SECOND ANNUAL ‘IMPACT EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION SUMMIT’ ON SATURDAY, JUNE 24, IN ASHEVILLE

Designed for educators and childcare providers, this free conference offers inspiring and practical sessions that will help young learners grow strong roots in literacy and beyond.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, 5/15/2023 — PBS North Carolina is proud to announce its second annual Impact Early Childhood Education Summit. This free professional development opportunity designed for educators and childcare providers will be held at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College on Saturday, June 24, 8 AM–4:45 PM, with a virtual summit on Saturday, July 15. Parents and caregivers are also welcome to attend.

Registration is now open at pbsnc.org/impact-summit. The last day to register is June 1.

Attendees will discover new strategies for helping young learners (birth to grade 3) through breakout sessions on topics ranging from the Science of Reading, art and technology integration, STEM curriculum and social-emotional learning to trauma-informed practices, Latinx education and partnering with parents. Teachers who attend will receive a certificate and professional development credits.

This year’s keynote speaker is Rodney Stringfellow, an award-winning educator, writer and filmmaker based in North Carolina. He is an adjunct professor in film studies at UNC Charlotte and has written for PBS KIDS, Nick Jr., the Disney Channel and Sesame Workshop, among others. In 2022 he was nominated for a Children’s & Family Emmy® Award for Outstanding Writing for a Preschool Animated Program (Alma’s Way).

PBS North Carolina is committed to providing all audiences equitable access to lifelong learning opportunities. All presentations, breakout sessions and virtual offerings from the Impact Early Childhood Education Summit are free to attendees thanks to PBS North Carolina’s generous partners, supporters and donors. Breakfast and lunch will also be provided during the in-person conference in Asheville.

“Early childhood educators and childcare providers make a tremendous impact on the growth and development of young children, but they are often siloed in their work,” says Kristi Maida, PBS North Carolina’s Director of Education Services. “The Impact Early Childhood Education Summit brings together those supporting our youngest learners to collaborate, network and celebrate. Nurturing positive partnerships between early childhood professionals, parents and caregivers is essential to supporting all aspects of a child’s well-being and has been shown to make a lifelong impact. We’re excited to bring the summit to Asheville plus offer a virtual conference to expand its reach across the state.”

Last year, the inaugural Impact Early Childhood Education Summit was offered in person at UNC Charlotte and virtually to more than 400 participants. 100% of teachers surveyed responded that the resources and tools improved their classroom curriculum and approach. In recognition of the summit’s efforts to support teacher professional learning, PBS North Carolina received a Public Media Award from NETA (National Educational Telecommunications Association) in September 2022.

Breakout Sessions
This year, in-person attendees can choose from 44 breakout sessions dispersed throughout the day over four time slots (see schedule below). Sessions focus on one or more specific areas within early childhood education: Infant–Toddler, Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten and First Grade, Second and Third Grades, Partnering with Families, and Administration and Leadership.

Session highlights include:

• Mallory Mbalia and Olubunmi Mia Olufemi of Fred Rogers Productions will discuss the ABCs of the PBS KIDS series Alma’s Way and how the show’s learning goals are integrated in its storytelling.
   
• Zamantha Granados of LatinxEd will reflect on the state of Latinx education in North Carolina and discuss challenges/opportunities within schools to transform these spaces.
   
• Stephanie McFadden of Alaska Public Media and other speakers will talk about how Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) equates to school, college and career readiness. Additional PBS member stations taking part in the conference include KET (Kentucky Educational Television) and WQED Pittsburgh.
   
• Representatives from UNC Charlotte’s Cato College of Education will unpack key components of early language and literacy development, connect skills to NC Foundations and offer tips for supporting children’s language and literacy development.
   
• Educators from the North Carolina Zoo will share approaches to expanding pathways for informal STEAM learning and literacy development through child-directed play and nature-based learning experiences.

Speakers from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, Duke University, UNC Chapel Hill, UNC Pembroke, University of Colorado and Western Carolina University will also lead sessions at the summit.

Partners

For the summit, PBS North Carolina has partnered with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. NCDHHS’s Division of Child Development and Early Education helped facilitate connections across the state’s early childhood education networks.

“The Office of Early Learning values the ongoing collaboration and partnership with PBS North Carolina to support early literacy,” says Amy Rhyne, Ed.S., Director of the Office of Early Learning, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. “Our goal is to provide professional development, support and resources for pre-service and in-service educators, as well as families and community partners, as we all work together to provide wraparound support for our youngest learners.”
 

Support

The Impact Early Childhood Education Summit is made possible with support from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Child Development and Early Education, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, The William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust, The F.M. Kirby Foundation and from Alice and Britt Preyer and Jeanie and Tom Cottingham.
 

In-Person Conference Schedule

June 24, 2022
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College

8–9 AM: Check-In & Breakfast
9–9:20 AM: Welcome
9:20–10:15 AM: Plenary Session & Keynote by Rodney Stringfellow
10:15–10:45 AM: Break & Partner Playground
10:45–11:45 AM: Breakout Sessions
11:45 AM–12:45 PM: Lunch & Partner Playground
12:45–1:45 PM: Breakout Sessions
2–3 PM: Breakout Sessions
3:15–4:15 PM: Breakout Sessions
4:20–4:45 PM: Block Party

Register today at pbsnc.org/impact-summit.

About PBS North Carolina

As North Carolina’s statewide PBS network serving the country’s third largest public media market, PBS North Carolina educates, informs, entertains and inspires its audience on air, online and in person. Through its unique partnership of public investment and private support, the network includes in-person engagement, digital-first social and online content delivery and four over-the-air channels: PBS NC, the North Carolina Channel, Rootle 24/7 PBS Kids and the Explorer Channel. Its transformational events and content spark curiosity and wonder for all North Carolinians. Additionally, PBS North Carolina serves as the backbone for North Carolina’s state emergency services. To learn more about PBS North Carolina, visit pbsnc.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

-PBS NC- 

Media Contact 
Laura Kieler, PBS North Carolina
press@pbsnc.org