Advice for Navigating Challenging Conversations in Early Childhood Programs

Presented by Angela Searcy, Ed.D., Author, Adjunct Instructor, and Mental Health Consultant, Erikson Institute and Simple Solutions Educational Services
Moderated by Jennifer Lewis, President, Gryphon House, Inc.

Sponsored by Gryphon House

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If you think perfect harmony is the essential characteristic of quality early childhood programming, research shows otherwise. A study by Andrew Gianino and Edward Tronick (1988) showed that even the most positive relationships are in perfect harmony 30 percent of the time and spend the other 70 percent of the time navigating conflict. Conflict is an essential part of the human condition (not adult aggression, intimidation, or abuse—in those situations, emergency measures should be employed).

In this edWebinar, Angela Searcy, Ed.D. discusses navigating equity issues like equally divvying up lesson-planning responsibilities, quarrels with families over how much homework is too much, disagreements over professional responsibilities around supporting identity development, curriculum implementation, and parental responsibilities when a child has a disability. This session helps you capitalize on these opportunities to better understand yourself, your colleagues, and the families you serve. Dr. Searcy’s Push Past It! framework provides strategies to understand your unique conflict style and concrete tools (like the adult meaning making machine) to help you get through conflict so you can elevate equity.

This recorded edWebinar is of interest to early childhood teachers, librarians, school and district leaders, and education technology leaders.

About the Presenters

Dr. Angela Searcy holds a B.A. degree in English and secondary education with a teacher certification through the state of Illinois, an M.S. degree in early childhood development from Erikson Institute with a specialization in infant studies, and a Doctor of Education with a specialization in assessment and response to intervention. Her research revolves around brain-based learning as assessed by CLASS and its correlation to aggressive behaviors in preschool children. Dr. Searcy has a developmental therapy credential through the early intervention systems of Illinois and an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Certificate from Erikson Institute.

An educator since 1990, Dr. Searcy is the owner and founder of Simple Solutions Educational Services and has experience at all levels of education. Dr. Searcy is currently a seminar leader and adjunct faculty at Erikson Institute, a professional development provider for Discovery Source, a CLASS Pre-K Affiliate Trainer for Teachstone, a mental health and educational consultant, and the author of Push Past It! A Positive Approach to Challenging Classroom Behaviors and Elevating Equity: Advice for Navigating Challenging Conversations in Early Childhood Programs.

About the Moderator

Jennifer Lewis is the President at Gryphon House, Inc., the leading publisher of educational resources for teachers and parents.

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Gryphon House, Inc. is an award-winning publisher of early childhood resources for teachers and parents.