Building Partnerships for America’s Future
Friday, February 27th, 2015
Meeting Minutes
Name of Meeting:
Early Childhood Education Business Advisory Meeting
Building/Room:
Academic and Professional Center (APC), 195
Time:
12:25 to 1:20 p.m.
List of Attendees:
Carla Ahmann, GayLynn Ash, Debbie Burgess, Celeste Dalton, Lisa Dickey,
Denise Garza, Rhian Harmon, Meghan Jones, Gretchen Jurgens, Kristin
Kauzlaric, Linda O’Connell-Knuth, Ann O’Malley, Laura Ortiz and Sherri
Penson.
1. Announcements
All attendees were welcomed by our facilitator, Meghan Jones. All attendees then
introduced themselves and gave a brief overview of the secondary and/or post secondary programs at their home institutions and their role(s).
2. Discussion
1. What specific skills are you looking for in employees?
a. Patience
b. Problem-solving
c. Work / Life Balance
d. Soft Skills
e. Observe the children in the environment before interacting with them
f. Application of knowledge/theory
g. Supporting the entire family, not just the kids
h. Life-long learners
i.
Investigative approach / philosophy
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j.
Ready to question current practices
k. Spirit of continuous improvement
l.
Self-aware / Emotional intelligence
m. Strong written/oral communication skills
n. Articulated professional development trajectory
o. Solid interview skills (able to respond to scenario-based questions)
p. On-going process of being reflective
ACTION ITEM: Explore a future joint professional development workshop on how
to help students/future employees think and write reflectively in a meaningful
way (guided, modeling, rubrics, strategies, activities, exercises, assessment, etc.)
2. Where/how do you find candidates?
a. Websites: employer’s website, Career Builder, Indeed, etc.
b. Intern students
ACTION ITEM: Explore a future joint professional development workshop on
Resources for Infant Educators (rie.org). Approach practiced at Aurora Early
Learning Center.
3. What credentials do you require or prefer?
a. State credential(s)
b. NEED: Bilingual Infant / Toddler
c. RECOMMENDATION: Send bilingual counselors (English/Spanish) to
West Aurora High School to specifically recruit for this credential.
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4. Do you request a portfolio when considering a candidate?
a. Portfolios are not requested per say; however, it is definitely helpful and
appreciated when a candidate brings their portfolio to the interview.
See “4. Discussion: Portfolios” below for additional details on
portfolios.
5. Emerging issues in operations, curriculum, employment, regulations, and
background checks.
a. Individualized curriculum
b. Creative curriculum
c. Dual-language learners
d. Assessment and screening: tools and outcomes
i. ASQ – Ages, Stages and Questions (Easter Seals)
e. DCFS Licensing Center
f. Registration with Gateways
g. Granting of Credential I – Teacher discretion / student disposition
3. Discussion: Partnership opportunities: job shadowing, observation,
internship, etc.
Many of the organizations present already have partnered with the educational
institutions present; however, many are willing to cultivate and expand those
relationships. Executive Director Sherri Penson of The Marie Wilkinson Child
Development Center expressed special interest in developing opportunities for
students (internships, observations, practicums, etc.) to truly engage with their
organization.
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4. Discussion: Portfolios
a. Portfolios preferred
b. Preferred contents: curriculum, projects, lesson plans, pictures, strengths
within the field of Early Childhood Education with examples, etc.
c. Currently, a traditional portfolio in a binder is preferred over an ePortfolio.
5. Conclusion
The Early Childhood Education Business Advisory Board Meeting provided an
excellent, productive forum to create and foster relationships, to provide
curricular input to the educational institutions by the partner organizations, to
increase understanding of the employers’ needs, and to identify future
professional development opportunities that would be beneficial for all
attendees.