The Bridges to the Future Conference Planning Committee is seeking workshops for our annual Early Childhood and Early Elementary Educators Conference.

Event Description:
The goal of the Bridges to the Future: Connecting Early Learning to Kindergarten event is to support elementary school teachers and staff, and early learning professionals; particularly those with children between the ages of zero to eight, by providing an opportunity to learn and to advance the educational and transition opportunities for the children they teach.

Event Structure:
This event will be held over a two day period. The conference will be held on Thursday, March 27th (8am - 4pm), and Friday, March 28th (8am - 4pm) at Western Oregon University. Each day will begin with a keynote session, followed by smaller breakout sessions, intended to focus on issues early elementary educators and early learning professionals care about most.

Speaker Selection Process & Session Focus:
The planning committee will review all submissions and select appropriate presenters that best fit the objectives of the event. The primary audience is early elementary school teachers, staff, and early learning professionals so consider focusing the presentation to fit that group. Presentations should be informative, engaging, culturally appropriate, and relatable for attendees at all levels of knowledge and experience, and include practical hands-on activities. Workshop sessions are not an appropriate time for speakers to promote their own products or services. Please do not sell products, memberships, solicit funds or donations related to your organization during the sessions.

Staff and committee members will also determine and schedule time slots for presenters. Please indicate on the form if you have scheduling issues and would prefer to present at a specific time.

The event planning committee consists of representatives from the Polk County Family & Community Outreach Department, Community Action Child Care Resource & Referral, school district personel, early learning professionals, and others.

Workshop Topics:
The following is a list of topics that the planning committee has identified as key issues to have addressed by presenters. The primary audience for the conference includes early elementary school teachers and staff, and early learning professionals; particularly those with children between the ages of zero to eight. Topics need to relate to early childhood development, education, and/or parenting skills and align with the Oregon Core Knowledge Categories listed below.

Diversity
Families & Community Systems
Health, Safety & Nutrition
Human Growth & Development
Learning Environments & Curriculum
Observation & Assessment
Personal, Professional, & Leadership Development
Program Management
Special Needs
Understanding & Guiding Behavior
Presenter Compensation:
Presenters for this conference have the option to be compensated based on the level of the workshop being provided. Below are the current rates:

ORO Set 1 Training: $100 per hour
ORO Set 2 Training: $120 per hour
Submission Deadline:
All submissions must be submitted by Friday, January 10th. Once your application has been submitted, a member of our committee will contact you with the next steps in the selection process.

Questions:
All questions regarding the Bridges of the Future Conference or this call for presenters should be directed to a member of the planning committee:

Abby Warren

Early Learning & Family Engagement Supervisor

Polk County Family & Community Outreach

warren.abby@co.polk.or.us

Cell: 971-465-9871

Stephanie Gilbert

Program Manager

Polk County Family & Community Outreach

gilbert.stephanie@co.polk.or.us

Cell: 503-917-8742