Humboldt County has a rich system of training opportunities for early childhood educators. Whether earning stipends through one of the Quality Counts Grants or gaining new knowledge and refreshing their skills, childcare providers have a wide variety of in-person and online professional development choices from local and statewide agencies. These include monthly sessions from CPIN (California Preschool Instructional Network), and CCIP (Child Care Initiative Project) on a variety of topics, as well as more occasional offerings from First 5 Humboldt, the Humboldt County Office of Education Early Education Division and numerous online offerings from other counties and regions and from the CECO (California Early Childhood Online) database of training.
Because many early childhood educators spend most of each day with young children, a bonus of attending training sessions is being able to commune and network with other adults in their field. Sometimes, training content is secondary to the networking that happens at a class or workshop. This important aspect of adult learning and professional growth cannot be underestimated in creating community, building a sense of shared experience, and supporting and celebrating one another through both challenges and triumphs. This kind of mutual support and creation of community builds retention in the childcare because educators who feel connected and supported will have more workplace satisfaction and will be more likely to stay in their workplaces, whether they are administrators, teachers, or assistants.
An excellent example of the above is the ongoing Provider to Provider series, now in its 2nd year. Childcare providers who are themselves Quality Counts coaches, Linda Powell and Anna Davison, create a monthly learning community where providers share ideas and learn from each other. Due to the shifting landscape of early care and education in California, childcare programs are serving a younger population of children. Linda and Anna want to show this workforce ways it can be done and equip them to enjoy their days with the children and work through the challenges. They bring synergy, humor, warmth, and over 50 (combined) years of experience to these sessions. There are sessions offered in both English and in English with Spanish interpretation.
Another offering that has been popular and filled to capacity, is the Infant Toddler Pyramid Model training offered by Changing Tides and taught by Jennifer Black, Professional Development Manager at CTFS. Interpretation is provided for this series, and about half the attendees are Spanish-speaking. Based on developing relationships and embedding self-efficacy and social-emotional development into daily routines, the Pyramid Model teaches teachers how to head off challenging behavior through clear routines, expectations, and positive interactions.
Coming up at the end of the month is an online Module 300 Strengthening Self-Awareness and Self-Care to Reduce Burnout. This brief overview teaches teachers how the brain works to send us signals of our well-being and simple techniques for both recognizing when we are dysregulated and restoring balance. Star Mohatt, QCC Coordinator at First 5 Humboldt, will be presenting this brief introductory session as part of her certification in Module 300, and will schedule the full training later in the spring. She has offered the full series of both Modules 100 and 200 of Trauma Informed Practice for Early Childhood Educators several times since 2022.