NAEYC's 2023 Professional Learning Institute: Empowering Early Childhood Professionals

June 4-7, 2023: The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) hosted the Professional Learning Institute, a renowned event for early childhood professionals in Portland, Oregon this past week. NAEYC is a professional organization dedicated to promoting high-quality early childhood education. They provide resources, professional development, and advocate for policies that benefit young children and educators. 

NAEYC’s Professional Learning Institute is designed for all early childhood professionals, including leaders who prepare, mentor, and support early childhood staff, as well as program administrators, teacher educators, trainers, teachers, preschool teachers, and researchers. With over 200 sessions featuring the latest information and research in the field, the Professional Learning Institute was an excellent opportunity to network and collaborate, connect with likeminded professionals, and deepen knowledge around early childhood education and best practices.  

Jackie Weaver, Executive Director, and Morgan Hill, Program Director- KIPP, attended the conference. Jackie reflected on her time there. “The Professional Learning Institute was a wonderful setting to reflect and learn from others in the field who are committed to early childhood and doing what is best for all children and families.  We were able to sit in many different sessions that focused on everything from leadership and ethics to family engagement to data/assessment and much more.  Most of the sessions were focused on equitable practice and allowed us to hear from many in the field with varying backgrounds and identities and how to support a diverse group of children and families.”

This transformative event empowers early childhood professionals to enhance their practice, create meaningful change, and positively impact the lives of young children. 

Jackie Weaver, Executive Director, and Morgan Hill, Program Director-KIPP, attending the Professional Learning Institute