Program: Empowering High School Students for Early Childhood Education Careers

Description: Come join us to discover how to prepare work-ready high school graduates for rewarding careers in early childhood education (ECE). Hear from the deputy director of community and engagement from the National Head Start Association who is a former school administrator with over 30 years of experience, Dr. Deborah Bergeron, and find out how to create or enhance your system drawing inspiration from South Dakota’s innovative approach to addressing the workforce crisis one high school student at a time.

Explore turnkey resources to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in this critical field. Build a pipeline of talented ECE professionals and transform your community by empowering the next generation of early childhood educators. 

Learning Objective: Learn how your school distract can help high school students earn their CDA’s and get valuable experience for a career in early childhood education.

Presenters:

Dr. Deborah Bergeron served as director of the Office of Head Start from 2018-21. From 2019-21 she broadened her leadership as director of the Office of Early Childhood Development in the Administration for Children and Families. Known as “Dr. B” to former students and teachers, she spent three decades in pre-K–12 public education as a classroom teacher and school administrator and currently serves as deputy director for Community Engagement and Innovation at NHSA.

Travis Lape is a visionary educator who has been on the forefront of educational innovation, transforming classrooms into dynamic learning environments that engage and empower students. With over two decades of experience in the education sector, Travis Lape has not only witnessed the evolution of teaching methodologies but has actively contributed to shaping their trajectory. His passion for fostering student-centered learning experiences has earned him recognition as a leading advocate for educational change. Travis’s expertise spans a wide range of topics, including innovative teaching strategies, technology integration, and personalized learning. His ability to translate complex concepts into actionable insights empowers educators to revitalize their teaching methods and inspire their students. Beyond his role as an educator, Travis is an influential voice in the education community. He is a sought-after speaker at conferences, workshops, and events, where he shares his unique perspective on the future of education. His dynamic presentations captivate audiences and leave them equipped with practical strategies to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of education. Travis’s wife Lynn is an educator in the Harrisburg School District and together they have two boys DJ (8) and Tyler (4).

Summer Schultz‘s passion for helping early learners was sparked by the opportunity for a free lunch. At an AASA national conference, she went to a luncheon sponsored by Waterford, a national nonprofit focused on improving opportunities for preK-2nd grade learners. Schultz found herself seated next to Anne Brown, who was helping to build AASA’s inaugural Superintendents Cohort and certification in personalized learning. “To this day, Anne is one of my dear friends, but that afternoon she asked, ‘Who is this lady’ and I told her I was there for a free meal,” Schultz says laughing. “But then I looked at what they had to present and saw the results they were having. Something just sparked.”