We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Evjue Foundation, as well as to our friends and supporters, for their generous contributions. Your support has been instrumental in making these professional development opportunities possible for our educators.
These contributions played a vital role in funding two transformative professional development sessions designed specifically for our early childhood educators and program directors. Your generosity has made a meaningful impact—empowering our educators and enhancing the quality of care and education they provide to our campus and community. Thank you very much for your unwavering support in fostering growth and excellence within our programs.
The feedback from our educators has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing deep gratitude for the opportunity to participate in such impactful professional development opportunities. They shared how the insights and strategies they gained will not only enhance their professional growth but also enrich the learning experiences of the children they serve.
Sparking Joy and Conversations That Matter with Susan MacDonald
Being an educator, while fun and fulfilling, comes with many challenges. The work of early childhood educators is invaluable, and we strive to provide educators with tools and methods to overcome their unique obstacles. With your support, along with a generous grant from the Evjue Foundation, we were able to host the sessions “Conversations That Matter” and “Sparking Joy,” led by the award-winning author, certified professional coach, and keynote speaker, Susan MacDonald.
Directors and administrators from UW-Madison’s campus and network centers gathered for a lunchtime session centered around utilizing strength-based communication skills as a leader. MacDonald highlighted the importance of meaningful dialogues and introduced Appreciative Inquiry, a tool used by leaders to build effective, growth-oriented teams.
In the evening session, MacDonald introduced two vital elements for empowering educators and children in early learning environments: positivity and resilience. Educators left with proven techniques and actionable strategies to implement in their classrooms, enabling them to navigate the challenges of teaching with grace and determination.
“I loved Susan’s presentation. It was an important reminder of how much an educator’s actions can affect the lives of the children they interact with each day.”
– Educator, Meeting House Nursery School
Many Right Paths Forward with Mary Louise Peters
Childcare staffing has faced widespread challenges in recent years. Our dedicated campus and network childcare directors have been diligently bridging staffing gaps, often stepping into classrooms themselves. While their presence in classrooms is appreciated, it takes time from their demanding and essential administrative responsibilities, at times requiring them to continue their work into the evening hours.
In June, we organized a full-day retreat for our campus and network childcare directors with Courage & Renewal Facilitator Mary Louise Peters. Held in the serene, plant-filled atrium at Olbrich Gardens, the retreat featured engaging activities and conversations designed to help individuals identify, appreciate, and activate belief in themselves through collaboration.
“This is truly a once in a lifetime experience and opportunity! It supported me in my wonders and gave me great reminders to reset.”
– Director, UW-Madison Campus and Network Child Care Centers
These sessions for our valued educators and directors would not have been possible without the generosity of our donors, and we are profoundly thankful. The commitment to supporting our early childhood community and the vital work they do is truly appreciated. Thank you, friends and supporters, for making a difference in the lives of our educators, directors, children and beyond.
With gratitude,
Cigdem Unal, Director
Office of Child Care and Family Resources
