Central Oregon Community College to Host Annual Early Learning Conference
Matthew Draxton
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The annual Early Learning Conference of the Oregon Association for the Education of Young Children, Central Oregon chapter, will take place April 24-25. Central Oregon Community College, on its Bend campus, will host and coordinate the event. The conference is expected to draw more than 500 educators from across the region.
The professional development gathering will focus on early literacy and its connection to children’s broader social and emotional learning needs. Amy Howell, conference coordinator and a Central Oregon Community College professor and program director of early childhood education, highlighted the event’s significance.
“This is an annual event that we look forward to every year,” Howell said. “This year’s conference is a collaboration of many regional partners in early learning, including the Early Learning Hub, NeighborImpact-Child Care Resources and Mountain Star.”
The conference began in 1992 and has since evolved into a premier symposium for early childhood educators in Central Oregon.
The conference theme is “Hearts and Minds: Building Strong Foundations with Literacy and Social-Emotional Learning.” The event is designed for early learning educators, students, learning specialists, administrators and program directors.
Session topics for attendees include “Connection before Correction,” “Math is Everywhere,” “Sustaining the Heart of the Educator” and “Building Blocks of Skilled Reading.” Costs for the conference vary for members and non-members of the association. One-day attendance starts at $80, with discounted rates available for students. Scholarships are also offered.