Dear Students s4

Revised 12/20/2012 Dear Students,

The Eager-to-Learn Director Credential Learning Community is a high quality, convenient and affordable training option offered completely online through facilitated courses with peer networking and personalized instructor interaction. Cohort membership is open to childcare directors and assistant directors from throughout the U.S.

The Directors Credential is offered in collaboration with the Minnesota Association for the Education of Young Children (MNAEYC), is recognized by NAEYC and meets all the director training requirements for NAEYC Accreditation as well as many state and national director administrative training requirements.

Applications open November, 2012 for entry into Eager-to-Learn’s learning community with coursework beginning in February, 2013. Participants in the Director Credential Learning Community attend nine online classes together, giving them a supportive learning community for the duration of the program. Students also receive coaching as they complete an individual practicum project of interest and benefit to them and their childcare program.

If you are interested in learning more about this professional development opportunity please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Rozalyn Zuest Director Credential Coordinator [email protected]

“I would definitely recommend this credential cohort to all directors. Both experienced and brand new directors–and their programs–will benefit greatly from the experience.”

“All the instructors were great and so helpful in the director cohort. They all had very effective teaching styles and were helpful if questions came up. I’d do it again in a heartbeat!”

“Having the peer support was very important. Knowing that others are out there going through the same things that I am and being able to share our knowledge with each other was a very important part of the courses.”

Revised 12/20/2012 Eager-to-Learn Directors Credential Cohort 2012 Timeline

Application Submission Open...... November 2012 Enrollment Closed...... January 28, 2013 Coursework Begins...... February 6, 2013 Final Projects Due...... December 11, 2013 Cohort Ends...... December 18, 2013

Eager-to-Learn Director Credential Cohort Fees Program Fee (includes Directors Online, coaching and administrative support)……………...... $150 Eager-to-Learn Course Fees for 9 classes (156+ training hours)…...... $750 MNAEYC Credential Application Fee and Assessment...... $100 Total Cost for Directors Credential Program and MNAEYC Credential...... $1000

The $150 Program Fee holds your place in the Cohort and is due within 7 days of acceptance. Course and Credential fees may be paid in full at least 10 days prior to the start of the Cohort or arrangements may be made, if needed, to pay for each course at least 10 days prior to its start. The Program Fee is due prior to the start of the Cohort.

Eager-to-Learn Directors Credential Cohort 2012 Coursework

Online chats are on Wednesdays at 10:00-10:45 a.m. CST/CDT*

Welcome to the Credential/ETL Welcome/Etc. Chat Session: February 6, 2013

Essential Management Skills for Child Care - 16 hours Chat Sessions: February 13, 20, 27 and March 6, 2013 Explore nine important management competencies to strive for in your skill development and director training. Each student will develop an individualized management-training plan based on her/his own needs assessment and interests. Instructor: Karen Foster-Jorgensen

Code of Ethics for Administrators - 16 hours Chat Sessions: March 13, 20, 27 and April 3, 2013 You make hundreds of decisions every day; some are easy, but some can seem overwhelming. The NAEYC code of ethics offers us core values, ideals and principles to help guide our decision-making process. Join us as we explore what it truly means to be an Early Childhood Administrator and how the Code of Ethics can help make the tough decisions easier! Special focus will be given to the supplement for administrators which includes using the code as a guide in both education and business. Instructor: Roz Zuest

Practicum Project Introduction and Topic Research - 16 hours total Chat Session: April 10, 2013 Each director will conduct research and design a project that demonstrates personal skill development and program quality enhancement. The project and timeline will be individualized. Each director will have a project adviser for communication and coaching during the project development. Projects are due by November 3, 2013.

Revised 12/20/2012 Having Difficult Conversations - 16 hours Chat Sessions: April 17, 24, 31 and May 8, 2013 This course sheds light on why our most challenging dialogs are so tricky by identifying the three stories within each difficult conversation. Participants will learn to transform difficult conversations into learning conversations and how to talk about what matters most including ethical discussions, parent communication, and advocacy. Instructor: Joshua Koepp *The online chat session for this course will differ from the standard day and time. Specifics about dates and times will be determined and available soon.

Don’t Be Scared, Don’t Be Scary - 32 hours Chat Sessions: May 15, 22, 29, June 5, 12 and 19, 2013 Supervising and Developing Staff in Child Care Centers Supervising center staff can be extremely rewarding and also extremely challenging. This course offers opportunities to explore outcomes-based supervision techniques that take recent research into account. Topics addressed include performance reviews, new staff induction programs, strength-based approaches to leadership, coaching, mentoring and communication strategies. Be prepared to look at ways you and your staff can make improvements through assessment, prevail during times of change and serve as advocates and models within the early childhood community. Instructor: TBD

Practicum Project Check-in Chat Chat Session: June 26, 2013

Summer Break: Time to work on Practicum Projects

Financial Forecasting: Taming the Crystal Ball & Personnel Budgeting: Mastering the Juggling Act - 32 hours Chat Sessions: September 11, 18, 25, October 2, 9 and 16, 2013 Gain control over your child care center’s financial future. Study includes developing departmentalized line item budgets and managing income and expense with a practical cash flow tool. Study and create personnel procedures and staffing patterns to assure quality child care while controlling personnel expenses. Instructor: Karen Foster- Jorgensen

Creating Cultural Connections in Child Care - 16 hours Chat Sessions: October23, 30, November 6 and 13, 2013 Families, caregivers and communities provide the foundations children need to be successful. This course will offer the resources and reflective skills professionals need to work successfully with diverse families. Methods to find and promote the strengths of center staff members and families as a way to promote quality and child development will also be discussed. Instructor: Ann DIllard

Marketing and Customer Care Beyond the Yellow Pages & Classifieds: Marketing Child Care - 12 hours Chat Sessions: November 20, 27 and December 4, 2013 Learn the importance and usefulness of a marketing plan in reaching and maintaining your enrollment goals. The course provides a thorough overview of basic marketing principles and concepts, and practical application of these concepts to the child care field. Instructor: Kristi Smythe

Practicum Projects Due on or before November 3rd; Presentation Chat on Chat Session: December 11, 2013

Cohort Wrap-Up & Celebration Chat Session: December 18, 2013

Revised 12/20/2012 Eager-to-Learn Director Cohort Application To become a member of the Eager-to-Learn Director’s Credential cohort, complete the application below and submit it via e-mail. Contact Brian at [email protected] or 651-290-9704- ext. 105 to pay the $150 program fee by credit card. Enrollment is limited to the first 15 applicants. Contact Information: Brian (651-290-9704 ext. 105): Application, registration and payment Rozalyn (651-290-9704 ext. 117): Questions about the program Contact Information Eager-to Learn Director Cohort Application Name: ______

Home Phone: (____)______

Email: ______

Address: ______

City:______State:______Zip Code:______

County:______

Work Experience

Employer Name:______

Work Phone: (____)______

Position: ______

Select the option that describes your administrative/director experience: ___ Five or more years ___ One to five years ___ First year director ___ Assistant director or director in training ___ Other (please explain) ______

Acknowledgement and Commitment

I understand that with application and payment I am demonstrating a commitment to complete the entire series of coursework required for awarding of the Director’s Credential.

I further understand that in being admitted to this program, I will agree to pay all costs associated with the Eager- to-Learn Director’s Credential Cohort:

______Signature Date

For office use only: Date Received: ______Payment Received: ______

Revised 12/20/2012 Eager-to-Learn Director's Credential Payment Plan

Total fees for the Community will be $1000.00

Students may take advantage of the payment plan option outlined below:

Installment Due Date Amount Due Pay with application By Jan. 28, 2013 $200.00

1 of 4 April 1, 2013 $200.00

2 of 4 June 1, 2013 $200.00

3 of 4 August 1, 2013 $200.00

4 of 4 Oct. 1, 2013 $200.00

Payment and Cancellation

 Registration and payment for the Director Credential Learning Community must be completed by contacting Brian Wray (contact information below)  Payment must be made by Visa, MasterCard or Discover credit or debit card. Checks are not accepted.  A student is not successfully registered for a course until payment is received. Any unpaid student attending a course will be automatically removed.  Eager-to-Learn will cancel courses with fewer than five students. In the event that a course is canceled students will be notified no later than one week prior to the start of the course and will receive a full refund.  Students may withdraw and receive a full refund up until two weeks prior to the start of a course. A student who withdraws from a course after the two week deadline will not receive a refund.  Late payments will result in a 10.00 administration fee

To set up a payment plan contact Brian Wray: E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 651-290-9704 ext 105

Revised 12/20/2012 Eager-to-Learn Director's Instructors

Ann Dillard owns K.I.P. Consulting Services Ann has worked in school-age care for many years developing programs such as parent involvement, special events, before and after school care, and cross cultural competency. Her training concentration is in the areas of cultural diversity, poverty and classism, parent involvement and team building. Ann's goal is to empower adult learners and have the opportunity to establish new relationships. She sees impacting children and families in the community as the most important aspect of teaching: With knowledge as power, the possibilities are endless.

Karen A. Foster-Jorgensen is a consultant, trainer and author specializing in management and organizational development for early childhood businesses. She founded and directed two child care centers serving 200 families, served 12 years as a validator for National Association for the Education of Young Children Accreditation, leads not for profit boards, is a frequent trainer/workshop facilitator at business conferences and has written "Financial Management for the Childcare Executive Officer (CEO)". Karen holds a bachelor of science in Elementary and Early Childhood Education from the University of Minnesota and has completed coursework for a master of business administration. After teaching in public and Montessori schools, Karen enjoyed a 10-year management career as an executive director in the YMCA. Combining education and management, Karen owned child care and retail businesses prior to consulting full time for 18 years as co-owner, with her husband Rolf, of Management Results, Inc. Karen designs and facilitates online management courses for Eager-to-Learn and its early childhood directors virtual networking group, Directors Online. Whether consulting, training or developing new programs, Karen is a strong believer in the consultative process—helping others discover and develop their own gifts and talents through meaningful questions, creative thinking and innovative solutions.

Joshua Koepp has 17 years of professional experience serving children, youth and families in School Age Care programs, YMCA family camps and faith communities, and 10 years of experience as a trainer. He is a certified parent coach and an adjunct professor at Concordia University. He is a Minnesota School Age Care Alliance certified trainer and has achieved the master trainer level with the Minnesota Center for Professional Development. Joshua has a bachelor's degree in school age care, a master's in education (school age child development emphasis) and is working on his master's in psychology. Mastery and professionalism are his personal goals as well as his goals for students in his Eager-to-Learn classes. Caring for children requires a constant commitment to observation and reflection and the application of research and theory to practice. It demands self- evaluation, a willingness to try new ideas and openness to change and growth. As caring professionals grow in these areas, they are more fulfilled in their lives and work, and they facilitate positive development for the children they serve. Joshua uses case studies, hands-on application, exploration of theory and research, personal reflection, group discussion, critical thinking, and collegial relationships.

Kristi L. Smythe has been involved with the care and education of young children as long as she can remember. When she was in fourth grade she decided that when she grew up she was going to attend Moorhead State University and become a teacher, which is exactly what she did. She also earned her kindergarten, early childhood and coaching certificates. She opened and ran a child care center for seven years after which she accepted a position teaching at Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Wadena, MN as an early childhood and paraprofessional instructor. She is also a contracted trainer for the Public Broadcasting System's Ready to Learn programs, the Building Excellence and Success Trainings.

Roz Zuest owns A Zuest for Learning, LLC which provides training, coaching and consulting services for early childhood professionals. Since 1995 Roz has played a variety of roles in the Twin Cities metro area and currently serves as the Professional Development Coordinator with Child Care Aware of Minnesota. Particular areas of passion include program development & enrichment, promoting professionalism and empowering center directors as innovative leaders in the field. Roz is an alumni of Concordia University-St. Paul where she received a Bachelor of Arts in both Early Childhood Education and Psychology with an emphasis in ECFE; and holds a Master’s in Educational Leadership from St. Mary’s University. Roz's approach to learning can best be described by her favorite quote from Roger Lewin; "Too often we give children answers to remember rather than problems to solve". Revised 12/20/2012