UMD is hosting the Minnesota Early Childhood Workforce Symposium on Monday, September 18 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. in the Kirby Ballroom, 1120 Kirby Drive.
Associate professor Molly Harney sits on the National Academy of Medicine's early childhood task-force as a higher education representative for the state of Minnesota. She's available for interviews from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
"We’re gathering 150 stakeholders and experts in early childhood education from Minnesota and across the nation,” says Harney. “Together, we’ll share our research and recommendations for early childhood practices with the intention of strengthening the work force that supports our youngest citizens."
Harney adds that the higher education system for educating early childhood teachers needs to accessible, coordinated, efficient and effective. Coursework needs to address racial bias as well as prepare all teachers to work with an increasingly racially and linguistically diverse Minnesota. “The current system for early childhood is working to become more coordinated, but there needs to be broad support from administrators and policymakers, both in the public as well as the private systems, to ensure that this happens.”
UMD is hosting the event with the following organizations: The National Academy of Medicine, Minnesota Department of Education, Minnesota Department of Human Services, Think Small, The McKnight Foundation, Northland Foundation, Minnesota Initiative Foundations, and Governor Dayton's Children's Cabinet.