Todays topic is all about parent communication! We have a special episode this month featuring a new format in which the second half of the show will have a couple different educators giving short tips for  parent involvement and communication.  It’s so interesting to hear how different  programs welcome families into their settings so we wanted to highlight those for you to take inspiration from! 

The first half of the episode will feature our guest, Diana Ganger, who will talk more broadly about families in school environments and how we can best welcome and connect with them. Diana is a coach and consultant in education and organization management. She is also a co-founder of an intergenerational program called Ideal 18 - with she will explain more about during her interview.

Parent Communication: Fostering Parent-Teacher Relationships

Guest experts share personal stories of struggles, successes, and growth with encouraging ah-ha moments for teachers.

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Marthe Spizman is an EC educator in Chicago IL. She has been working in education for seven years and grew up in Highland Park, IL. Marthe went to Columbia College where she studied early childhood education. After two years of student teaching and traveling to Reggio Emilia to learn more about the approach, she began her career. In her free time, Marthe loves to cook (and eat), make art, and laugh with friends, family, and her two lazy kitty cats!

Lindsey Elliott (Marthe’s Co-Host!), is also an EC educator in Chicago, IL, and has been teaching for the past 12 years. She grew up in Oconomowoc, WI, and studied at the University of Minnesota, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Art History. After moving to Chicago, she decided to pursue a career in teaching, earning a Master of Arts in Elementary Education from DePaul University.  Lindsey traveled to Italy in March 2017 to study the Reggio Emilia Approach and that experience sparked her love of professional development as a continual inspiration for teachers. Lindsey's greatest joy is her two children, Isla and Leo. 

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The Importance of Play: TIP Mini Episode

Vicky Kairy is a Program Consultant at Jewish New Teacher Project (JNTP), where she provides professional development for mentors and new teachers. Vicky has been involved in Jewish education for 20 years, most recently as Lower School General Studies and Judaic Studies Assistant Principal at Barkai Yeshivah in Brooklyn. Vicky also mentored beginning teachers in early childhood programs and elementary schools with JNTP; coached middle school teachers as a Judaic Studies Educational Coach; led an induction program supporting new teachers and mentors, and taught General and Judaic studies in grades K-8 for 15 years. She holds a BA from Brooklyn College and studied education at Touro College Graduate School of Education and Special Education. 

Vicky can be reached at VKairy@newteachercenter.org.

Mentorship: Jewish New Teacher Project Ft. Vicky Kairy

!!!!TEACHER PEP-TALK TIME!!!! 
We’re so lucky to have BrookeLynne back for another episode! BrookeLynne continues to use her experience as a former classroom teacher with early childhood students to inform and assist her clients as a parent coach. BrookeLynne is passionate about social-emotional learning and knows the importance of building trust and forming connections with children and parents alike. We are always so inspired after our conversations with her and we hope you are too! If you’re looking for a more tailored one-on-one session with BrookeLynne, please check out our resources below to book an appointment with her. 

BrookeLynne is also active on social media and shares many tips and tricks for anyone who works with or has children; do not forget to follow her! -- Links to her info in the show notes!

How to Show Up For Yourself (And Your Students) Ft. BrookeLynne Dukes

In this episode, Lindsey and Marthe chat about maker spaces in the classroom and how you can start your own!

Makerspace Basics for Early Childhood Classrooms

Leah Hiller is a pediatric occupational therapist (OT), an educational consultant, and a former Jewish day school teacher. She provides teachers and parents like you with the strategies, support, and evidence-based resources to help children thrive at home, school, and play. In addition to providing individualized OT services in her private practice, she offers workshops for parents and educators and teaches graduate courses in special education. Leah lives in Los Angeles with her family, and her OT therapy studio is located in a natural setting - her very own backyard!

Parent Communication: Fostering Parent-Teacher Relationships

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