Local educators continue professional development with the CAYL Institute

Aug. 2, 2010 - PRLog -- Fresh off their experiences at the CAYL Institute’s National Conference, Ready Schools: Your Leadership in Systems that Help Young Learners to Thrive in Columbus, Ohio, the 10 Wean Principal Scholars will continue their commitment to early education through a series of locally held workshops.

Representing various Valley elementary schools, the Principal Scholars networked with educators from across the country and learned of effective systems that support the state’s youngest learners’ ability to thrive within their new school. Their attendance at the conference is just the beginning of the enriching experience that lies ahead.

Thanks to a grant with The Raymond John Wean Foundation, the CAYL Institute will host these workshops to build upon the Principal Scholars’ experience at the conference and work toward developing and implementing innovative strategies that integrate learning as a pathway to student achievement.  

“The Wean Principal Scholars will work together throughout the next school year to continue their dialogue about ‘ready schools’ and to take school-specific action for educational progress,” CAYL President Valora Washington said.  

Throughout the workshops, the Wean Principal Scholars will strengthen their commitment to create transformational change for children, learn directly from national experts, acquire leadership skills and build their capacity to lead a school that is ready for every child.

The 2010 Principal Scholars taking advantage of this unique opportunity are:

•   Roger Kitzmiller, Beloit Elementary, Beloit, OH
•   Matthew Bowen, Damascus Elementary, Salem, OH
•   Robert Walls, Campbell Elementary, Campbell, OH
•   Joe DiLoreto, Jackson-Milton Elementary, North Jackson, OH
•   Loree Richardson, Warren City Schools, Warren, OH
•   Dani Burns, McGaffney K-8, Warren, OH
•   Denise Ormerod, Warren City Schools, Warren, OH
•   Donna Zuga, Lakeview Local School District, Cortland, OH
•   Mary Fran Jones, Lakeview Local School District, Cortland, OH
•   Scott Taylor, Lakeview Elementary, Warren, OH

One of the Wean Principal Scholars, Robert Walls, has already seen the great advantages and effects of the CAYL Institute and how it works toward the betterment of his school’s pre-kindergarten program. “What has excited me about the conference over the past several days has been the interaction between everyone attending this conference and the unbelievable sharing of experiences and ideas. I have so much to share with my staff,” Walls said.

Walls said that while he entered the conference hoping to take away a few ideas for his school, his expectations were surpassed on the opening day. “I saw three things right off the bat that would benefit our school,” he said.

Walls and his fellow Principal Scholars experience will now continue with the first workshop set for August 8-9. The workshop will feature Dr. Washington as a speaker.

Members of the media are invited to attend. The workshops will be held on August 8th & 9th at Mahoning County ESC, 100 DeBartolo Pl., Suite 220, Youngstown, OH.

In the attached photo:
Front Row L-R: Dr. Robert Walls, Principal Campbell Elementary; Roger Kitzmiller, Principal Beloit Elementary
Second Row L-R: Amy Mobbott, Knox Elementary West Branch; Matthew Bowen, Principal Damascus Elementary; Pam Perrino, Early Childhood Advocate The Raymond John Wean Foundation; Mary Fran Jones, Lakeview Local School District; Donna Zuga, Lakeview Local School District; Dr. Valora Washington, CAYL Institute President; Denise Ormerod
Third Row: Scott Taylor, Principal Lakeview Elementary
Missing: Loree Richardson, Associate Superintendent Warren City Schools; Joseph DiLoreto, Principal, Jackson-Milton Elementary

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About the CAYL Institute: Community Advocates for Young Learners, or the CAYL Institute, is the umbrella organization housing several well-known Fellowships including the CAYL Schott Fellowship in Early Care and Education and the CAYL Principals Fellowship. Please visit www.cayl.org to learn more about the early education and care resources.

About the Wean Foundation: The Wean Foundation was created by Warren industrialist Raymond John “Jack” Wean in 1949 with assets of more than $80 million. Annually, the Foundation gives approximately $4 million to nonprofit organizations with a majority of those funds earmarked for nonprofits in Mahoning and Trumbull Counties. The mission of the Raymond John Wean Foundation is to enhance the community’s well-being and vitality through grant making, convening, advocating and providing leadership with a focus on economically disadvantaged people and neighborhoods. Please visit www.rjweanfdn.org to learn more about the Foundation.