2024 Oregon Early Learning Conference

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Through interactive lecture, Dr. Anthony Cammilleri will describe the Preschool Life Skills Curriculum, which has been demonstrated to prevent the development of problem behavior of preschoolers with and without developmental disabilities, as well as elementary students with developmental disabilities. The allure and false promise of sole reliance on proactive strategies will be described, an emphasis on prevention (not problem avoidance) will then lead to descriptions of class-wide and small-group curricula aimed at promoting the fundamental social skills that have been shown to compete with the development or persistence of problem behavior. Dr. Cammilleri will teach participants to how to modify the Preschool Life Skills Curriculum to accommodate a wide range of learner profiles within a response to intervention (RTI) model.

This workshop will explore the history of inequities in the United States and the historical and racial trauma that results from inequities. The long-lasting psychological and emotional effects of historical events and systemic racism on children and communities will be explored. Strategies will be presented to address trauma and promote resilience through the use of healing-centered and trauma-informed practices. 

Join Dr. Kathy Norwood in acknowledging burnout as a real and valid issue. Constant energy expenditures without the balance of adequate rest and recovery can lead to diminished resilience, stress, burnout, and health challenges. The area in which most educators tend to waste a lot of energy and deplete their reserves unnecessarily is in the emotional domain. Emotions are the primary drivers of the activity in our major body systems. Over 1,400 biochemical changes are set in motion by our changing emotions which release hormones; depleting emotions release the stress hormone—cortisol; regenerative emotions release the vitality hormone—DHEA. We will explore depleting and renewing emotions and attitudes, learn to manage our energy more intelligently, and practice recharging techniques.

In this session, representatives from the Oregon Association for Bilingual Education, Oregon Department of Education and Portland Public Schools Head Start will present participants with opportunities to see models of engagement & instructional approaches that help multilingual learners succeed with academic goals. We will explore the importance of music, academic play and translanguaging pedagogy as well as a variety of opportunities to witness and reflect upon the strategies expert professionals use via a panel of folks using these strategies to succeed today. Come hear from a variety of teachers, administrators and community organizers about how we're engaging with multilingual students and families across the state toward literacy.