WORDS & PHOTO: Wendy Dewhurst
Nine years ago, a group of three very influential and impactful organizations whose mission is to support early learning came together with the purpose of pursuing initiatives that would enrich the community, prioritizing collaboration while strengthening their individual agencies.
“This all began with the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading Program,” said Shela Halpin with the School District of Manatee County (SDMC). “We wanted to form a collaborative taskforce that would focus on seeing beyond ourselves and would be the most impactful for our children.”
The Early Learning Taskforce (ELTF), consisting of members from The Early Learning Coalition (ELC), The School District of Manatee County (SDMC), and Step Up Suncoast/Head Start, held its first event years ago focusing on the pillar of attendance, which is one of the five pillars in the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading program.
“When we first started to form the taskforce, our theme was “many players, one sandbox,” said Kathy Patreka, Head Start /Early Head Start Director. “We all had a common goal in mind, but because it was coming from all different directions, it gave us a more complete vision to help our children.”
Cari Whiddon, with the SDMC and one of the founding members of the Early Learning Taskforce, said, “It has been an honor to work with other Manatee County community partners to make sure that the needs of our early learners and their families are met. The Early Learning Taskforce identifies needs, provides creative solutions, and brings resources to teachers, caregivers, and families. Each member of the taskforce brings a unique perspective and insight to give a positive voice to the importance of early learning in Manatee County.”
Meetings with the ELTF were halted with the rise of COVID-19, letting years lapse between initiatives. New players have now joined the sandbox and renewed the passion for the group. The new members bring fresh and innovative ideas with them, making for an even larger force standing behind early learning. Current members include Kathy Patreka – Step Up Suncoast/Head Start, Rachel Spivey – ELC, Kelly Beavers – ELC, Dr. Sheila Halpin – SDMC, Megan Smith – ELC, Melissa Cujas – ELC, Cari Whiddon – VPK Programs Manatee County School District, Elizabeth Thompson – SDMC, Cori Perry – ELC, and Francesca Ricciardo – ELC.
With revived energy, the ELTF has planned three events within an 18-month timespan to educate those who are educating our children in our community. The first Breakfast With a Purpose was focused on “Laying the Foundation for a Successful Transition to Kindergarten.” The emphasis was strategically joining kindergarten teachers and pre-K teachers together to learn about a successful transition, discussing implementation ideas, and connecting the pre-K curriculum to the kindergarten curriculum through a crosswalk and learning about the amazing opportunities families have in our community. There were over 150 professionals at this event, and one teacher noted in a follow-up survey “how passionate everyone involved is about doing better for all children. I felt supported.”
Another event called “Shining a Light on Attendance” was a breakfast focused on improving the rates of absenteeism in early learning. It focused on sharing ideas of how to track this data and support families wanting to overcome barriers with attendance. Rachel Spivey, Director of Grant Management at the ELC, says, “These breakfast events are a great way to not only get the early educators from local child care sites and School District teachers in a space together but also an important opportunity to celebrate the work of our teachers and the value they have on our community. We are incredibly grateful to the Patterson Foundation and their work within the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading. Their support not only generously covers expenses for the location and meal but also provides resources for children, families, and teachers with their innovative campaign strategies. What I love about Manatee County is the willingness to join hands and get the job done.” 77% of respondents said that the knowledge gained from the event would positively increase the quality of care for the children in Manatee County.
Dr. Sheila Halpin, Director of Early Learning – SDMC, explains that “the taskforce is committed to creating a community where all children and families can succeed.”
“The ELTF is unique,” continued Sheila. “Our work is strategic and holistic. We share best practices, resources, and expertise to implement professional and peer learning for teachers and family literacy and engagement opportunities throughout the community.”
“The SDMC is thankful for the Early Learning Taskforce’s catalytic leadership. This network has highlighted the importance of early learning, school readiness, and high-quality early childhood programming that is safe, nurturing, and accessible for all families.”
“Our work together ensures that meaningful steps are taken for the early learning community. By facing opportunities and challenges together, we can refocus our work toward a lasting impact.”
This is my 2nd year on the Early Learning Taskforce,” said Elizabeth Thompson. “I strongly believe that family engagement is beneficial to students, parents, teachers, and the community. I hope to see the taskforce facilitate a smooth transition for students and families from pre-K to kindergarten. Within Manatee County, we offer an array of valuable family resources. Collaboration between ELC, SDMC, and Step Up can raise awareness among parents and teachers about the support available to guide children through a successful educational journey.”
The upcoming Breakfast With A Purpose, called Summer of Discovery, will focus on data sharing and summer learning loss. As students return to school this fall, many of them – perhaps especially those from historically disadvantaged student groups – will be starting the academic year with achievement levels lower than where they were at the beginning of summer break. The ELTF is committed to finding a way to change these odds. And will present ideas to support a summer of learning and discovery while kids are off of school.
“I am passionate about contributing to the ELTF to drive positive change within our community through early education initiatives,” said Rachel Spivey, Director of Grant Management at the ELC. The ELTF provides a unified platform to advocate for the significance of early learning, elevate the role of educators in this critical stage of development, and collaborate on innovative solutions to overcome challenges. I view our agencies as the driving force behind the advancement of early education, and I am fully committed to leveraging our collective expertise to empower children, support families, and uplift educators. Together, I believe we can make substantial strides in fostering a brighter future for all stakeholders involved in early childhood education.”
In writing this article, and it’s clear while reading, the cohesive effort of ELTF members is working together and sharing a common goal to bring awareness and support to the early educators in the community. Their collaboration has led to significant achievements within a short timeframe and is helping to better our children’s future.
