Early Learning Symposium

Contact

Laurie Lee
llee@fcrr.org
850-644-1953

Description

On April 18, in partnership with Hillsborough County Public Schools, REL Southeast hosted the Early Learning Symposium in Tampa, Florida. Over 200 early childhood and K-12 educators and leaders convened with a common focus on early learning and school readiness. Dr. Nicole Patton Terry's energizing keynote presentation, Are the Children Ready? The Challenges and Opportunities of Early Childhood Education, preceded an informative panel discussion with Superintendent Eakins of Hillsborough County Public Schools, Gordon Gillette, Executive Director of the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County, Kelley Parris, Executive Director of the Children's Board Hillsborough County, and Jane Murphy, Executive Director of the Healthy Start Coalition of Hillsborough County. Afternoon breakout sessions - The Ready Child, The Ready Family, The Ready Community, and The Ready School - were based on the infographics in the Preparing a School-Ready Child series. Tracye Brown, Hillsborough County Public Schools' Assistant Superintendent for Academic Support and Federal Programs, delivered an inspirational speech to close the symposium. The event's success can be attributed largely to Lynn Dougherty-Underwood and Linda Gaughan of Hillsborough County Public Schools. Lynn and Linda are also members of the REL Southeast Improving Literacy Research Alliance.