Conference prepares Catholic teachers for the Kindergarten roll-out

TORONTO, May 25 /CNW/ - Over 400 Kindergarten teachers from Catholic schools across Ontario are gathering in Toronto on May 26 and 27 for an intensive two-day conference to help them prepare to teach the government's Early Learning Kindergarten Program (ELKP) in September 2010.

This professional development conference, organized by OECTA, represents the only in-servicing currently being offered to all full-day Kindergarten teachers prior to the program's implementation in September.

The teachers will participate in a series of workshops related to the ELKP in the areas of play-based learning, and professional roles and responsibilities of the teacher and the early childhood educator (ECE) who will be working together in the classroom this fall.

Guest speakers include Lois Mahon, President of the College of Early Childhood Educators. Jim Grieve, Assistant Deputy Minister, Early Learning Division, will present the Ministry of Education's direction regarding the program. Dr. Roberta Golinkoff, who holds the H. Rodney Sharp Chair in the School of Education at the University of Delaware, will share her expertise in play-based learning and young children's development through play.

"OECTA is excited to take the lead on a conference regarding this important new initiative, and to work with the government to ensure a successful program for our four- and five year-old children," says OECTA President James Ryan.

The conference takes place May 26 and 27 at the Hilton Suites Toronto/Markham Conference Centre, in Markham, Ontario.

See the conference schedule below.

    
             Everyone Learns the Kindergarten Program Conference
                              May 26 & 27, 2010

                                   AGENDA

    Wednesday May 26
    ----------------
    9:30 a.m.          Welcome, Introductions, Prayer and Pledge

    9:40-10:40         Keynote Address:
                       JIM GRIEVE, ASSISTANT DEPUTY MINISTER-EARLY LEARNING,
                       MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

    10:40-10:55        BREAK

    10:55-12:10        Workshop 1: SETTING UP!
                       Room: MARKHAM C

    12:10-1:00         LUNCH - overview of the OECTA ELKP on-line forum

    1:00-2:15          Workshop 2: MANAGING CONFLICT
                       Room: MARKHAM A

    2:15-3:30          Workshop 3: PROFESSIONAL ROLES
                       Room: MARKHAM B

    3:30-4:45          Workshop 4: TEAM BUILDING
                       Room: PRIMROSE


    Thursday May 27
    ---------------
    8:30-9:00 a.m.     Prayer and Pledge
                       Ongoing Feedback Session

    9:00-10:25         Keynote Address:
                       DR. ROBERTA MICHNICK GOLINKOFF
                       Play based learning and language development

    10:25-10:40        BREAK

    10:40 - 12:00      Workshop 5: KINDERGARTEN RESOURCES
                       Room: DC BALLROOM 2

    12:00-1:00         LUNCH - Address
                       LOIS MAHON,
                       President College of ECE

    1:00-2:15          Workshop 6: ASSESSMENT & EVALUATION
                       Room: ORCHID

    2:15-3:30          Workshop 7: ELK Program
                       Room: DC BALLROOM 1

    ADJOURNMENT
    

For further information: James Ryan, President, [phone] ext. 418 (office) or [phone] (cell) or Claire Laughlin, Professional Development Dept., [phone] (cell)