- McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership

Professional
Development
Opportunities
2013
Bu ild i ng a bri gh t e r fu tu re for child ren, on e le a d e r at a t i m e .
Greetings,
Individuals enroll in the McCormick Center’s training programs
for many different reasons—some are overwhelmed by the daily
demands of their role and need guidance and support; others are
looking for fresh and innovative ideas to incorporate into their
programs.
While many of our professional development events are held at
our new training facility in Wheeling, Illinois (just 20 minutes
from O’Hare airport), you’ll see we offer customized training
across the country. Because we are part of National Louis
University, you can earn college credit that can be applied to an
undergraduate or graduate degree. Many of our trainings may also
apply toward credentials in your state system. Let us help you
identify and capitalize on your strengths and develop personal
goals for professional advancement.
We hope you will find some offerings in this brochure that meet
your needs. If not, please give us a call to see how we can work
with you to fill those needs and, together, build a brighter future
for children, one leader at a time.
Warm regards,
Sue Offutt, Ph.D.
Executive Director
About Us
The McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership at National Louis University
is dedicated to building the leadership capacity of the early childhood workforce.
The activities of the McCormick Center encompass four areas:
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professional development to increase the knowledge and
competency of early childhood leaders;
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evaluation to measure and improve the quality of early
learning programs;
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research to enhance the knowledge base on key workforce
and professional development issues; and
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public awareness to promote greater understanding of the
critical role of early childhood leaders in the provision of
quality services for children and families.
Founded in 1985, the McCormick Center builds on National Louis University’s
125-year history of accomplishments in the field of early childhood education.
From its founding as a vital force in the kindergarten movement of the 1880’s,
NLU has remained rooted in educational progressivism and dedicated to advocacy
for children and social change. The McCormick Center is committed to these
same ideals.
Inspiring Early Childhood Leaders
PROGRAM administrators
ƒƒ Directors of for-profit and nonprofit, public and private, part-day and
full-day community-based programs
ƒƒ Executive directors, site managers, and education coordinators of
Head Start and Early Head Start programs
ƒƒ Early childhood coordinators of school-based pre-K programs
ƒƒ Assistant directors, supervisors, and emerging leaders
Leadership training is empowering. We offer training designed to transform you from
the inside out giving you the knowledge, skills, and confidence you need to administer
an exemplary early childhood program.
FAmily child care providers
ƒƒ Licensed family child care providers
ƒƒ Family child care network coordinators
Operating a successful family child care business requires specialized knowledge
and expertise. We can help you build the knowledge and skills you need to create a
financially stable, stimulating, and nurturing environment for the children in your care.
trainers and technical assistance specialists
ƒƒ Professional development coordinators
ƒƒ
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CCR&R trainers and technical assistance specialists
Organizational consultants
Coaches and mentors
College instructors
Trainers and technical assistance specialists are change agents, lifting expectations
and nurturing best practices in the field. To do this you need valid and reliable tools
to measure, monitor, and improve early childhood program practices. We can help
you learn how to support organizational change, improve program operations, and
encourage facilitative leadership in early childhood programs.
Customized Training
to Meet Your Needs
The McCormick Center offers customized training on a variety of topics to expand
your leadership capacity and management skills. Select from the following menu
of possibilities or give us a call and we’ll work with you to design a high-impact
professional development experience for your conference or quality improvement
initiative.
POSSIBLE TRAINING TOPICS:
Developing a Risk Management Plan
Creating a Healthy Organizational Climate
Appreciating Individual Differences
How to Keep Your Orientation from Being a Real Snooze
Creating and Maintaining Family Partnerships
Contracts and Handbooks
The Director’s Role as Change Agent
Business Administration Scale for Family Child Care Providers
Program Administration Scale for Child Care Providers
Supporting Directors as the Gatekeepers to Quality
Making the Most of Meetings
Creating an Effective Conflict Resolution Policy
Working with Staff to Create a Shared Vision
The Power of Professional Learning Communities
Let us provide the specific trainings you and your
organization need to grow and flourish.
Professional
Development
Opportunities
Aim4excellence™
online national director credential
This online national director credential, equivalent to 9 semester hours of college
credit, is self-paced, easy-to-navigate, interactive, and relevant to your work. The
credential covers the essentials of operating a high-quality early childhood program.
NAEYC recognizes Aim4Excellence as an alternative pathway for meeting the director
qualifications for programs pursuing NAEYC accreditation. Aim4Excellence also links
to a number of state professional development systems and QRIS systems. Credit and
noncredit options are available. Participants may register for all nine modules to earn
their credential or select a few modules to build competence in a specific area.
Modules:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Leading the Way
Recruiting, Selecting, and Orienting Staff
Promoting Peak Performance
Managing Program Operations
Building a Sound Business Strategy
Planning Indoor and Outdoor Environments
Supporting Children’s Development and Learning
Creating Partnerships with Families
Evaluating Program Quality
For more information, go to http://aim4excellence.nl.edu
or call 800.443.5522, ext. 5155.
technology training
It is easy to feel overwhelmed with the pace of technology developments impacting
the early childhood field. Whether you’re a computer whiz or need a little hand
holding and step-by-step instruction, the McCormick Center’s Technology Training
will move you to the next level.
Check our website for more information about upcoming offerings:
McCormickCenter.nl.edu
TAKING CHARGE OF CHANGE™ (TCC)
LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
Leading an organization through change that drives quality improvement is a complex
job. If you need fresh ideas or want to learn more strategies to improve your program,
join us for our 21st year of Taking Charge of Change. This 9-month leadership
development program for Illinois center directors will empower and inspire you to
embrace the change process. Through engaging in-depth sessions you’ll explore topics
that will help you strengthen your leadership style and learn how to promote peak
performance, enhance shared decision making, and build a strong organizational
climate. And, with the support of a mentor, you’ll develop and implement a program
improvement plan that will put you on the path to achieving your vision of program
excellence.
Six-day residential summer institute
August 5 – 10, 2013
Three-day residential fall institute
November 14 – 16, 2013
Program improvement presentationsMay 14, 2014
Three-day professional developmentMay 15 – 17, 2014 Leadership Connections conference
For more information, contact Safiyah Jackson at 847.947.5056 or [email protected].
TAKING CHARGE OF CHANGE™
TRAIN-THE-TRAINER
Designed to provide trainers outside of Illinois with the tools needed to create
sustainable change in early childhood programs. Participants learn how to deliver the
Taking Charge of Change model in their home states.
Six-day residential summer institute
August 5 – 10, 2013
Three-day residential fall institute
November 14 – 16, 2013
Project Presentations
May 14, 2014
Three-day professional developmentMay 15 – 17, 2014 Leadership Connections conference
For more information, contact Sue Offutt at 847.947.5233 or [email protected].
to register go to McCormickCenter.nl.edu
Professional
Development
Opportunities
PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION SCALE
The Program Administration Scale (PAS) measures the quality of leadership and
management practices in center-based programs. The McCormick Center offers five
levels of PAS training ranging from a brief two-hour overview of the instrument to a
four-day intensive reliability training for assessors seeking certification. All trainings
can be customized to meet the needs of your local or state quality improvement
initiative. A complete listing of PAS trainings is available on our website.
PAS RELIABILITY Trainings
February 19 – 22, 2013
July 15 – 18, 2013
Location: McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership
National Louis University, Wheeling, IL
For more information, or to schedule a training in your area,
contact Jill Bella at 847.947.5059 or [email protected].
For Illinois QRIS applicants
Getting Ready for the PAS Webinars
Attendance at both 2-hour sessions is required to receive credit.
April 22 and 24, 2013
July 9 and 11, 2013
For more information, contact Carmen Adamczyk at
[email protected] or 847.947.5133.
Ask about our new self-paced online module,
Getting Ready for the PAS
This introductory module offers a convenient way to learn about the PAS and prepare
or a formal assessment. The module will be available for individual use. In addition,
projects and states may purchase the module for a reduced fee. The module will be
available winter 2013.
to register go to McCormickCenter.nl.edu
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION SCALE
FOR FAMILY CHILD CARE
The Business Administration Scale for Family Child Care (BAS) measures the quality
of professional and business practices in family child care programs. The McCormick
Center offers five levels of BAS training ranging from a brief two-hour overview to a
three-day intensive reliability training for assessors seeking certification. All trainings
can be customized to meet the needs of your local or state quality improvement
initiative. Training is also available in Spanish. A complete listing of BAS trainings is
available on our website.
BAS reliability Trainings
March 6 – 8, 2013
September 17 – 19, 2013
Location: McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership
National Louis University, Wheeling, IL
For more information, or to schedule a training in
your area, contact Robyn Kelton at 847.947.5057 or
[email protected].
INARS
March 28, 2013
June 19, 2013
For more information, contact Carmen Adamczyk
at [email protected] or 847.947.5133.
Professional
Development
Opportunities
FAMILY CHILD CARE INSTITUTE
From Babysitter to Business Owner
March 23 & May 18, 2013
Elevate your child care business from the conventional to
the exceptional! This two-part institute will guide you in
identifying, setting, and measuring goals to get the business
results you are looking for. Participants will learn about best
practices for budget management, focused marketing, and
communication with parents.
The institute will be facilitated by Patricia Dischler,
President of the National Association for Family Child
Care, author of From Babysitter to Business Owner,
and a former family child care provider. Join us for an
opportunity to document your professional, marketing,
and communication goals.
Session I: March 23, 2013, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership
National Louis University, Wheeling, IL
Session II: May 18, 2013, 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Leadership Connections Conference
Westin Hotel, Wheeling, IL
For more information, contact Safiyah Jackson at 847.947.5056
or [email protected].
Patricia Dischler
FALL MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE
Directors as Partners in Building
Multi-Sensory Learning Environments
October 18 - 19, 2013
Empower your staff to build learning environments that
honor individual differences, respect every child’s culture,
and acknowledge family members as equal partners in a
child’s education. This institute is based on research and
proven strategies for including dual language learners and
those with special needs in a balanced early childhood
classroom setting. Explore how to provide pedagogical
leadership in your role as director. Leave with ideas to
help your teachers provide rich learning environments
for preschool children that engage their families.
Clarissa Willis
The institute will be facilitated by Clarissa Willis, Senior Vice
President of Education for Kaplan Early Learning. Clarissa is the senior author of the
new curriculum Learn Every Day and five other comprehensive curriculum projects. Dr.
Willis is a former kindergarten teacher and believes in the process of educating all
children through exploration and discovery.
Location: McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership
National Louis University, Wheeling, IL
For more information, contact Safiyah Jackson at 847.947.5056 or [email protected].
to register go to McCormickCenter.nl.edu
Professional
Professional Development
Growth Opportunities
Opportunities
Explore topics of interest in-depth and walk away with
practical and useful strategies to implement in your program.
Leadership Connections™
National conference
Don’t miss out on this highly acclaimed national conference. Leadership Connections
brings together early childhood administrators, family child care providers, trainers,
technical assistance specialists, and policymakers to hear inspiring keynote speakers,
take part in a public policy forum, attend skill-building clinics, and network with
other leaders in the field.
May 16 – 18, 2013
Westin Hotel, Wheeling, IL
This year’s event features keynote speakers Janine Driver and Simon T. Bailey and
other inspirational presenters such as Ron Lally, Kay Albrecht, Holly Bruno, Michael
Brandwein, Camille Catlett, Toni and Robin Christie, and many more.
Is your organization interested in
hosting a preconference meeting at
Leadership Connections?
Let us help arrange your organization’s meeting at
the Westin. Then you and your participants can join
us for the conference.
For more information about advertising, registration, or sponsorship opportunities,
contact Conference Coordinator, Donna Jonas at 847.947.5058 or [email protected]
For information about exhibiting in the Marketplace, contact Lorena Rodriguez at
847.947.5054 or [email protected].
Want quick access to the registration site?
Scan this code with your smart phone for
an easy link!
Research and Resources
Director’s Link is a quarterly newsletter for early childhood
administrators with informative articles and practical resources
to promote program improvement. Sign up to receive this free
resource at McCormickCenter.nl.edu.
Research Notes, published quarterly, provide a quick-read
summary of research relating to important early childhood
administrative, professional development, and workforce issues.
Sign up to receive this free resource at
McCormickCenter.nl.edu.
Program Evaluation Tools
The Early Childhood Work Environment Survey (ECWES) assesses ten
dimensions of the organizational climate of early childhood programs. The
resulting Work Environment Profile provides a summary of workers’ perceptions
of organizational practices with suggestions for strengthening the quality of work
life in programs. For information on how to conduct an organizational climate
assessment of your program, go to McCormickCenter.nl.edu.
Margaret
Job Satisfaction Profile for _________________________________________
PART I. Facets of Job Satisfaction
SAMPLE
High 50
40
30
20
Low 10
Co-worker
relations
Supervisor
relations
PART II. Congruence with Ideal
Is my ideal
25
20
Somewhat like
my ideal
Working
conditions
Pay/promotion
opportunities
PART III. Satisfactions and Frustrations
Satisfactions
opportunity to learn new skills
1. ____________________________
watching children grow and learn
2. ____________________________
15
Frustrations
10
Not like my
ideal at all
Work
itself
5
PART IV. Occupational Values
challenge
1. ____________________________
parents who have unrealistic
1. ____________________________
expectations for their children
low pay
2. ____________________________
PART V. Committment
Very
committed
security
3. ____________________________
10
8
altruism
2. ____________________________
Committed
6
4
Not
committed
2
To the center
To the profession
The Early Childhood Job Satisfaction Survey (ECJSS) is a career guidance and
goal-setting tool for early childhood practitioners seeking greater insight into the
factors that support job fulfillment. Access this free resource on the McCormick
Center’s website, McCormickCenter.nl.edu. Also available on our website is
ordering information for Measuring Attitudes in the Early Childhood Setting, the
technical manual for the ECWES and ECJSS.
Resources
The Director’s Toolbox Management Series includes six books on important and
timely topics related to early childhood administration. They are perfect as a selfpaced guide for the busy director eager to learn practical suggestions for improving
administrative effectiveness or as a resource for workshop presenters. Trainer’s
guides are also available.
Ordering information for these and other resources can be found at
McCormickCenter.nl.edu.
Advisory Board
Kay Albrecht
Blakely Bundy
Bee Jay Ciszek
Leonette Coates
Tom Copeland
Jerry Cutts
Nina Duenas
Stacie Goffin
Ed Greene
Luis Hernandez
Holly Knicker
Tom Layman
M. A. Lucas
Karen Ponder
Luz Maria Solis
Margie Wallen
Lana Weiner
Cass Wolfe
Tanya Woods
Funders
Let’s
Connect
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Bright Horizons Family Solutions
Chicago Department of Family Support
Services
Community Foundation of the
Great River Bend
Fred and Marcia Emmett
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and Referral Agencies
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Illinois State Board of Education
Josephine P. and John J. Louis Foundation
Kaplan Early Learning Company
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Robert R. McCormick Foundation
Michael W. Louis Charitable Trust
New Horizons
W. Clement and Jesse V. Stone Foundation
Taproot Foundation
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LEADERSHIP CONNECTIONS™
Amazing! It’s a chance to meet with like-minded
professionals in the field and discuss the latest
research and best practices. A must attend—I
wouldn’t miss it! ~ Sam Smith, Sacramento, CA
Program Administration Scale
This training confirmed for me how critical
systems are to support early childhood
leadership and program quality for young
children. ~ Marsha Matthews, chicago, IL
Taking Charge of Change™
My mentor saw something in me that I did not see
in myself—that I am a leader and have the power
to make a difference. ~ Tiffany Green, chicago, IL
Aim4Excellence™
These online modules provide training that
makes a difference in preparing new directors.
Now there is a framework to follow—no more
trial and error. ~ Naomi Lincoln, Silvis, IL
McCormick Center
for early childhood leadership
At national Louis university | 6200 Capitol Drive | Wheeling, Illinois 60090
McCormickCenter.nl.edu