Ideal Learning Leadership Project

Purpose

Early education leaders are paramount to creating the programs and conditions that enable young children to thrive. However, leaders administering early childhood programs need to have a deep understanding of high-quality early learning environments.  To address this issue, Trust for Learning is working with the Maryland Early Childhood Leadership Program (MECLP), a program of the Sherman Center for Early Learning in Urban Communities at UMBC, who partner with The Institute for Early Education Leadership and Innovation (IEELI) at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, to introduce and expose ideal learning content into the learnings of Cohort members through course work, Community of Practice conversations, webinars, Leadership Institutes, and field trips. This initiative will provide early childhood leaders with access to early childhood experts and materials that reflect the principles of ideal learning, which they can use in their work with state and local partners. 

The Maryland Early Childhood Leadership Program seeks to develop and support strong leaders who will catalyze positive change and significantly improve school readiness and related outcomes for early learners, particularly disadvantaged and vulnerable children, and their families. Currently, Leading for Change in Early Childhood Education is a 12-month, hybrid (face-to-face sessions and online readings and activities) 3-credit graduate post-Baccalaureate course designed to build the leadership skills, knowledge, and dispositions of early childhood professionals. MECLP is currently developing a second 3-credit post-Baccalaureate course which will emphasize concepts of equitable public policy and advocacy in early learning and evidence-based practices in the classroom for early educators in infant to third-grade settings. For cohort “fellows” who pursue the second 3-credit post-Baccalaureate course, MECLP will have developed a 6 graduate credit pathway to earn an Endorsement in Early Childhood Leadership from UMBC.

Goals and Impact

The partnership is entering its second funding cycle and a three-year relationship that continues to grow stronger reflecting shared goals. MECLP, a workforce development initiative designed to accelerate cross-sector leadership in early childhood, seeks as its outcome, to establish a network of ECE leaders representing diverse backgrounds, regions, and sectors recognized for having the knowledge and skill sets to lead innovation and change across early childhood programs, systems, policies, legislation, and practice in Maryland and the United States. Its work is conducted through cohort-based graduate credit coursework, a vibrant Community of Practice which includes coaching support; webinars that engage Maryland and national leaders – many who are ideal learning experts and advocates, facilitated by Cohort fellows; Leadership Conversations, and an annual Leadership Institute.

Integrating the Principles of Ideal Learning Environments into State-based Early Childhood Education Leadership Programs is a new report funded by this grant, showcasing ways in which the ideal learning principles have been integrated early childhood leaders content and pedagogical knowledge that grounds them in research-based early pedagogy – the foundation of early childhood leadership and quality early childhood programs. 

MECLP offers more than just leadership and training coursework; it also provides a continuum of support and opportunities through its Community of Practice (COP), which can have a lasting impact on participants growth and ultimately lead to meaningful change over time.

To date, the MECLP Fellows have hosted several webinar series, plus more to come -: 

MECLP provided me with more confidence and the belief that my professional experiences can provide a voice for change. It has convinced me that it is worth it to continue to advocate for the ECE field. I believe it has given me more confidence to pursue higher level positions.

Being able to support the mission of MECLP is what the program is about – growing leaders in early childhood through coursework and community practice so that they can advance professionally and support other early childhood professionals on their leadership journey.

MECLP Webinar #2 | From Idea to Realization: The Story of How the Children’s Equity Center was Built