Early Childhood Education Residency
A core element of Champlain’s Early Childhood Education master’s degree program is a required residency in the first year. The first residency was held in conjunction with the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s (NAEYC) annual conference. The residency gives students opportunities to apply their coursework to real-world practices and research, network with teachers and directors, and attend presentations by the highly-regarded authors of books they read for the program.
Relevant, accessible education for Champlain Early Childhood Education students
Vivian Paley. Elena Bodrova and Deborah Leong. Lella Gandini and Amelia Gambetti. Imagine the chance to see leaders in the field of early childhood education.
At the five-day November conference, held in Orlando, Fla., in 2011, students were enlightened by workshops, speakers, discussions with fellow students and connections with many of the thousands of participants from around the world. Authors presented books on a range of topics, from appropriate math for preschool children to research on infant and toddler development and care.
Residency highlights included:
- a keynote address by early childhood education leader and author Vivian Paley on transforming the kindergarten experience
- talks by CAYL Institute founder and president Valora Washington and Diane Trister Dodge, founder and president of Teaching Strategies Inc.
- workshops conducted by Elena Bodrova and Deborah Leong, pioneers in play research
- a workshop on early childhood education approaches in Reggio Emilia, Italy, with Lella Gandini and Amelia Gambetti
- presentations by Dr. Walter Drew and other play advocates
- a presentation by Champlain Early Childhood Education Program Director Laurel Bongiorno on her research, focused on "Preschool Parents' Perceptions of Learning through Play"
 |
| M.Ed students participate in The Play Experience: How to Strengthen Professional Development, Play Leadership, and Advocacy with Walter Drew of the Institute for Self Active Education at NAEYC 2011 in Orlando FL. |
"Attending a national conference of early educators is always an exciting and fulfilling experience, but doing so with more than 12,000 early childhood educators from across the globe, and also with classmates from Champlain College's M.Ed. program, was especially exciting," Bongiorno says.
Students rave about the Champlain Early Childhood Education residency
"Having that time to connect and bond in person has brought our class even closer. Going to sessions and spending time together outside the conference really meant a lot to me. I have made lifelong friends from this residency experience."—Pamela Fontaine, Vermont, Teaching Specialization
"It was inspiring being around so many educators that support the importance of early childhood education. It was amazing to "get to know" Paley, Bodrova and Leong through their presentations. It helped me to understand that these "movie stars" of the education world are just teachers with a love for children, like us. It reminded me that our job as early educators is truly important!"—Amy Cormier, South Carolina, Teaching Specialization
"Seeing Vivian Paley had to be a highlight. I always love to see some of the ‘pioneers...’ Listening to her read and realizing she is still advocating for what she has for 50 years or so is awesome and humbling."—Cathy Tuttle, North Carolina, Administration Specialization.
