Professional Growth Training Series
4th Training Day – May 3rd, 2025
9:00am to 2:30pm, Menifee Campus
Register here.
Come join us at the Menifee Valley Campus for an exciting event focused on the latest tools and trends in early childhood education for the year 2025! Whether you’re a teacher, administrator, or parent, this event is perfect for gaining insights into the future of education for young learners. Get ready to explore innovative strategies and technologies that will shape the way we teach and learn in the coming years. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to stay ahead of the curve!
An Overview of the CLASS Assessment Tool
Presenter:
Jennifer Haessly
Join us for a three-hour training focused on teaching techniques that emphasize higher-order thinking skills instead of rote memorization. Learn how to foster critical thinking in your classroom to support students’ cognitive development, self-regulation, social interactions, and vocabulary growth.
Topics Include:
- Understanding learning styles
- Effective open-ended questioning
- Scaffolding techniques
- Student encouragement and affirmation
- Parallel talk implementation
- Language modeling strategies
Training Objectives:
- Deepen understanding of the difference between rote memorization and higher-order thinking skills
- Explain differences between concept development and quality of feedback
- Describe how to use language and literacy in the classroom to build students’ cognitive skills
Jennifer’s Biography
Jennifer Haessly, M.E. Ed., has worked in the child development field for over 30 years. She spent 17 years as a permit teacher with the Riverside County Office of Education. For the past seven years, she has served as a Program Coordinator for the Consortium for Early Learning Services.
Jennifer has led trainings in DRDP, ASQs, CLASS, ERS, and various early childhood education (ECE) topics. She holds a B.A. in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in education from Concordia University and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Early Childhood Studies from Brandman University. Her passion is supporting ECE professionals and the children and families they serve.
An Overview of the Latest TK/UPK Updates
Presenter:
Desiray Taylor
This workshop will offer a comprehensive overview of the latest policies and program updates related to Transitional Kindergarten (TK) and Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK), emphasizing their critical role in promoting school readiness and holistic development for all young learners. Participants will delve into the connections between these programs and other Early Education options, such as Head Start and State Preschool, to gain a broader understanding of the early childhood education landscape.
Training Objectives:
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Explore the policy differences that impact curriculum design, assessment practices, and funding opportunities.
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Explain essential tools that can effectively navigate the complexities of early childhood education program options.
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Describe actionable strategies to advocate for their students and guide families in navigating the educational pathways available to them.
Desiray’s Biography
Desiray Taylor has two Master’s degrees in Child Development and Elementary Education. She has over 15 years of experience in early childhood education. Desiray is a Transitional Kindergarten teacher, focusing on building foundational skills to ensure young learners’ academic success. She also serves as an adjunct professor at Mt. San Jacinto College, training aspiring educators in the field of early childhood education and best practices in the classroom. Desiray was honored by First 5 Riverside as the 2021 Champion for Children in 2021. She teaches professional development for teachers and provides effective teaching practices. Desiray’s passion, expertise, and knowledge make her a respected leader and advocate for quality early childhood education.
