Learn Shop Call for Proposal Submission Process & Review Criteria:

2020 Educare Learning Network Meeting

 

Learn Shop Session Overview ꓲ Proposal Guidance ꓲ Topic Areas ꓲ Delivery Methods ꓲ Submitting Your Proposal ꓲ Review & Selection Process ꓲ Imporant Dates ꓲ

Learn Shop Session Overview
The Educare Learning Network aims to provide the highest-quality learning experience and content available to the Educare staff in attendance at the annual network meeting. Educare staff are eager to learn and engage with colleagues from across the diverse network of schools that is Educare. The Network Meeting’s Learn Shops provide the opportunity for innovators and experts from within the Network to present at the Network Meeting. These sessions aim to get to the heart of a topic/issue, promote debate, develop deeper insights, and formulate recommendations. Learn Shops should provide examples of inter-disciplinary approaches to topics related to the Educare Model Framework (Community Linkages, Data Utilization, Embedded Professional Development, High-Quality Teaching Practices, Intensive Family Engagement, and Strong Leadership) and meeting theme of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and structural racism.

Learn Shop presentations are 75-minutes in length with approximately 50-85 participants in attendance. Session format varies from standard facilitated content to roundtable discussions, facilitators are encouraged to be innovative and to engage the Network in the learning throughout the presentation (see examples below). Facilitators should also note the seven constituent groups at the meeting (executive directors, family support supervisors, master teachers, parents, philanthropic partners, school directors/administrators and teachers).

Proposal Guidance
Members of the Network Meeting’s Steering Committee, Educare Practice Advisory Council (EPAC), and Educare Network Staff will collaborate to review all proposals. The review committee will utilize the following criteria:

  • The session provides relevant and innovative content that aligns with the Educare Model Framework and/or meeting theme (DEI & structural racism). Inter-disciplinary, innovative and/or field-advancing practice(s), and creative/unique collaborations and partnerships.
  • The session will engage attendees in the learning and discovery process by actively facilitating attendee involvement. Session facilitators can/will provide perspective and insight on critical issues facing the field through dialogue, storytelling, case studies, lessons learned, etc. Accepted proposals will include multiple examples of attendee engagement.
  • Participants receive multiple strategies that expand thinking and improve practice in relevant and practical ways.
  • The session’s content and facilitators promote inclusion and diversity within the context of the presentation and broader Educare Network.

Topic Areas
Presentations within the Model Framework and/or meeting theme may focus on a variety of issues related to the Network and broader early childhood education field. Areas of interest for this year’s Network Meeting include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Services for children with special needs
  • Implicit bias, educational equity and supporting diversity
  • Infant mental health services
  • Toxic stress, secondary stress, addressing ACEs (adverse childhood experiences)
  • Family engagement approaches to partnering with families engaging with special needs services
  • Innovative research on early childhood practice and systems; using data and research to drive advocacy and policymaking.
  • Translating the effectiveness of early childhood to policymakers
  • Engaging public and new partners in advocacy

Delivery Methods
We encourage you to employ a presentation format that engages your colleagues in discussion and learning by going beyond the basic dissemination of information. Learn Shops are 75-minutes in length and may follow one of the following formats, or you may submit a proposal with an alternative format:

Facilitated Content: Traditional breakout sessions explore topics of common interest using innovative, thought-provoking content blended with audience participation. Facilitators act as content leaders, presenting short segments of content and then lead engaging activities, group discussion and participant reflection segments on how to apply their new knowledge to practice.

Panel Discussion: Panels generally include two to three facilitators who represent multiple institutions and/or perspectives on the same issue. Facilitators create an engaging moderated discussion with dialogue, storytelling, case studies and lessons learned to help participants apply concepts. The use of a discussant/moderator is encouraged to structure the session and facilitate audience engagement.

Round Table/Conversation: This session will include one to two topic experts with experience providing group facilitation to serve as session host(s). The host(s) introduce the topic and may even include a short presentation at the start of the session. The majority of the session is dedicated to answering questions and fostering discussion, peer learning and networking. Round table sessions will be limited to 50-60 participants.

Submitting Your Proposal
This year’s call for proposals can be submitted using our online portal. The website provides facilitators with login credentials, the ability to update proposals up until the submission deadline and more. To view the questions asked during the submission process, please click here. For questions and assistance submitting your proposal, please email us at support@educarenetwork.org. Please consider the following criteria when drafting your proposal:

  • Learn Shops are limited to three facilitators.
  • To alleviate school departures and conference logistics we encourage schools, when possible, to utilize one of your school’s designated attendee slots to account for Learn Shop facilitators.
  • The Educare Learning Network will not cover the costs for additional facilitators, outside of your school’s 6 designated attendee slots

Review & Selection Process
Members of the Network Meeting’s Steering Committee, Educare Practice Advisory Council (EPAC), and Educare Network Staff will collaborate to review all proposals.

    • The Network will announce decisions late November
    • All accepted proposal teams are required to complete the Learn Shop Requirements Gathering form. We will pre-populate the form with the information you submitted to us during the call to expedite the process.
    • Learn Shop teams are required to participate in at least one planning session with meeting organizers.
    • We request that each facilitator provide a brief biography and picture to encourage engagement.

Important Dates
Open call: September 5 – October 18, 2019
Deadline to submit proposal: Friday, October 18 at 5pm Pacific Time
Decisions made: November 2019 (notified via email)

Learn Shop Call for Proposal Submission Process