This comprehensive, four-part training series is designed to equip leaders and early childhood educators with the knowledge and tools necessary to build a strong early childhood program aligned to Montana early childhood standards. Participants will gain an in-depth understanding of evidence-based practices to support the development of a high-quality, developmentally appropriate program. We will hone in on classroom essentials as well as early literacy and early numeracy foundations that are critical building blocks for success.

Session 1 | Launching the Early Childhood Classroom: Planning Developmentally Appropriate Environments, Materials, Routines, and Behavior Supports

Session 2 | Building Literacy Foundations (Part 1): Understanding the Alphabetic Principle for Long-Term Academic Success  

Session 3 |  Building Literacy Foundations (Part 2): Strengthening Oral Language for Long-Term Academic Success  

Session 4 |  Number Sense: Essential Foundations of Early Numeracy 

Marci Parks is an instructional consultant with Side-By-Side Educational Consulting with over 25 years of experience in the education field.  She is passionate about sharing the science of literacy and social-emotional learning as well as coaching best practices and evidence-based instructional strategies with teachers and students.   Her professional background includes preschool teacher/EC mentor, elementary teacher, instructional consultant, and Professional LETRS EC Facilitator.  Marci’s past 13 years of consulting and coaching include work training and supporting educators around the country and numerous School Districts in Montana and Idaho with literacy-focused projects.  Marci lives in Clancy, Montana with her husband and four beautiful children.