Early Childhood Education

Early Childhood/Early Childhood Special Education Pathways

 All Pathways include aligned support from your COMPASS EC/ECSE Lead.

 For additional details, see pages 44-46 of the COMPASS Catalog in MnMTSS

Professional Learning Catalog 2026-2027

 Registration link for EC/ECSE Pathways

 Please reach out if you have any questions.

Reflective Practice For Early Childhood Leaders

Research shows that reflective practice can improve staff retention, strengthen relationships with families and children, and enhance problem-solving and critical thinking.  A combination approach will be utilized for this Pathway, combining asynchronous content with virtual, interactive synchronous sessions.  The asynchronous course equips early childhood leaders with the knowledge and practical strategies to apply reflective practice in their work. During the synchronous, collaborative sessions, participants will reflect on how to integrate these strategies to support effective leadership and professional growth. The intended audience includes; early childhood and early childhood special education leaders, early childhood and early childhood special education professionals and related service providers serving in leadership roles, Instructional Coaches and district administration (superintendent, principal, community education director, etc.).

Early Childhood Connect, Learn and Lead

The Early Childhood Connect, Learn, Lead (CLL) Pathway supports EC and ECSE district program leaders in building their capacity to effectively build and sustain high-quality early childhood programs through facilitated discussions and collaboration. The intended audience includes; early childhood and early childhood special education leaders, early childhood and early childhood special education professionals and related service providers serving in leadership roles, Instructional Coaches and district administration (superintendent, principal, community education director, etc.).

This Pathway will begin with in-person sessions in September-November at sites throughout the state. This day is designed to support reflective early childhood leadership by connecting who we are as leaders to the practices we champion, strengthening alignment across EC/ECSE systems, and creating space for collaborative problem solving grounded in shared values. Leaders are encouraged to attend whatever in-person session that works for their schedule.

Bridging the Gap: Supporting Transitions into Kindergarten

Young children experience many transitions throughout their early learning experience. Smooth transitions require collaboration between families, programs, schools, communities, and state systems that are ready to support each child’s unique needs as successful learners. A combination approach will be utilized for this Pathway, combining asynchronous content with virtual, interactive synchronous sessions. This asynchronous course will provide participants with an overview of resources available to support the creation of a system that encourages a successful transition from early childhood settings into kindergarten. There will be two (2) 60-minute synchronous sessions designed for Kindergarten Transition Teams to engage in facilitated discussions focused on utilizing current resources to dive deeper into kindergarten transition planning. Team members register individually for the pathway. 

Target audience: This Pathway is designed for teams of at least two early education staff that support kindergarten transitions. District kindergarten teams which may include, but are not limited to:

• Kindergarten and prekindergarten teachers

• EC and ECSE administrators/coordinators

• Elementary school principals

• ECSE staff

• Childcare staff

• Families

• Community partners