S1. Special Episode: Wyoming’s Coherent Path to Quality - A Game Changer
Part 1 of 2, The Power of Collaboration is continued in Season 1, Episode 6.
Nichole Parks and Joelle Wheatley with the national non-profit Leading for Children discuss the power of collaborative learning and the impact it can have on early childhood professionals and their programs. They shared their experience leading a 6-month learning network with 30 Wyoming early childhood professionals and parents that resulted in the creation of Wyoming’s Coherent Path to Quality, a new vision of quality for the State of Wyoming. What they learned from the experience of leading a large, collaborative group (virtually) and ensuring that they stayed true to their purpose can provide insight to educators and leaders.
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About our guests
Liz Goddard
Liz Goddard is the Wyoming Early Childhood Professional Learning Collaborative’s East Regional Facilitator, working with Platte, Goshen, Converse, Niobrara, Crook, and Weston counties. Liz comes to this role with a passion for supporting Wyoming early childhood programs, connecting programs and their communities, and collaborating among early professionals. Along with a B.S. in Professional Child Development from the University of Wyoming, Liz brings many years’ experience working with early intervention and publicly funded early childhood programs throughout the state. In her free time, Liz, her husband Justin, and their three children enjoy exploring the Wyoming wilderness and rooting for the Colorado Rockies.
Char Norris
Char Norris is a Wyoming Facilitator for the Southwest Region of Wyoming, as part of the Wyoming Early Childhood Professional Learning Collaborative, which serves Uinta, Lincoln, and Sweetwater Counties. Char graduated from Utah State University with a bachelor's in Elementary Education. After teaching third grade for two years, Char found her true passion for teaching while teaching preschool. Working with young children and the professionals and families that influence and care for them is an incredible learning opportunity that Char feels privileged to be a part of. In her free time, Char loves going on adventures with her husband and four children.
Kara Cossel
Kara Cossel is the North Central Regional Facilitator encompassing Campbell, Johnson, and Sheridan Counties for the Wyoming Early Childhood Professional Learning Collaborative. In her role she brings a Bachelor of Arts in Educational Theory and Development, a Master of Science in Management and Leadership, and eightteen years of experience working with young children and their families specializing in early childhood special education and deaf studies. Kara moved to Wyoming about eight years ago and found the place that she and her family could call home. She and her husband Tucker have been married for twenty-years and have three fantastic boys and one amazing daughter-in-law.
Lauren Carlisle
Lauren Carlisle is the Communications and Outreach Coordinator for the Wyoming Early Childhood Outreach Network (WYECON) at the University of Wyoming. She has 11 years experience in Early Childhood Education teaching young children and facilitating learning for early childhood educators and leaders. Lauren has worked alongside teachers and with children internationally in Russia, Nepal, and Colombia. As a lifelong-learner herself she is currently achieving her Master’s Degree in early childhood education from Portland State University. She has a passion for early learning, and hopes to empower families and educators to advocate alongside her for higher-quality early childhood experiences.
Show Notes
Check out the links below to documents and resources mentioned in this episode
Wyoming’s Coherent Path to Quality
https://www.wyecplc.org/index.php/professional-learning-library/wyomings-coherent-path-quality
