PreK-3rd Grade Curriculum and Instruction

• Learning Standards for PK-3
• K-3 Social, Emotional and Intellectual Habits
• Executive Function
• Intentional, balanced teaching
• Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
• Learning environments
• Child development and responsible inclusive practices
• Brain research and neuroscience

Assessment Practices with Young Children and Evaluation of Teachers and Programs

• Collaborative inquiry processes and responsible use of child assessments
• Use of formative and summative assessments with young children
• Use of the Connecticut teacher evaluation guidelines, evidence guides, and rubrics with PK-3^rd grade teachers
• Quality indicators for program evaluation using a cycle of continuous improvement
• Data and cultural literacy

Leading for Equity, Excellence, and Early Success

• Leading a culture of caring, competence, and excellence (FirstSchool)
• Leading for learning with children, teachers, and other professionals
• Building partnerships with families, care givers, and community
• Navigating within and across agencies, including federal, state, local, public, private, and philanthropic
• Systems thinking
• Conflict management
• Public relations, advocacy, and politics

¹ Ritchie, S., Gutmann, L., Ed. (2014). FirstSchool: Transforming PreK-3rd Grade for African American, Latino, and Low-Income Children. New York: Teachers College Press.