The Head Start Conference For STEP Early Literacy Mentor-Coaches

Opening and Introduction
Jean Simpson, Education Specialist
Office of Head Start

Buenos Dias, Good morning, Head Start!

It is my pleasure to welcome you this morning.

We are off to a grand beginning. We heard from our Assistant Secretary who expressed words of trust, faith and high expectations. Head Start leadership steps up to the plate to make the impossible a reality by meeting those high expectations. Thank you, Dr. Horn.

Last evening, Carol Whitten helped us recall the 1st STEP.

We heard from Dollie Wolverton, answering WHY Literacy Matters. She began by outlining the history of this Initiative and walked us through language, research, longitudinal evidence, and early experiences as mattering in supporting literacy development.

Ann Linehan shared relative examples of literacy being the business of each and every one of us. I think she convinced us all, about our roles.

Windy Hill, our Associate Commissioner explained the importance of this Initiative and impressed upon us the powerful role of mentor-coaching.

And today we move into YOUR role in making all that you heard last evening come together. Planning and Individualizing, Observation and Assessment. and Continued Learning through Relationships are focal plenaries for the day. And the evening SHOWCASE will be a particular treat. A Showcase for Children's Literature is an event you do not want to miss.

Announcements

There will be a facilitated small group discussion at 3:30 for classroom staff working with english language learners. The discussion will take place on this level in the rear ballroom.

The break will take place at 10:30 instead of 1:00.

I welcome you, this morning, on behave of the Administration on Children, Youth, and Families - Office of Head Start, who look to you to make a great difference in the lives of our families.

I welcome you on behalf of all of our partners who have been staunch providers of support, quality, and collaborations.

I welcome you on behalf of the regional offices, which have been innovative in their management, oversight and monitoring of local programs.

And, I welcome you on behalf of our families, parents and children, who look to Head Start for care, education, health, nutrition, early learning, and a multitude of other services.

As we prepared for this conference, I recall mentors and coaches who have played pivotal roles in my life, both personally and professionally. My sister, [show picture], who has always been very close to me often redirected me kindly when I needed to make a change. She coached me gently, held my hand when I needed to be guided more closely and she knew how and when to pat me on the back, honestly, for accomplishments through hard work.

I know that my mother was always there with support. [show picture] She never lectured me about the mistakes that I made, she coached me on how to set goals, how to discipline myself, and how to follow my dreams. As an adult learner, wife and mother of three, I recall having to make a decision to relocate from one state to move to another state to meet residency requirements as I pursed a graduate degree. As I briefly explained to her that I wanted to make this change and I told her why, her only response was, "I thought you would make that decision. Your father and I will there for you. Make the move." And so I did.

As years passed, I found myself within the past twenty years working for two incredible women. One, Jeanne Comeau, [show picture] Chief of Child Development Services, with the US Army and Dollie Wolverton, [show picture]Chief of the Education Services Branch within the Office of Head Start. I worked for both of these women - Jeanne for about 9 years, and now Dollie for nine years. From both of these women, who I hold as major mentors in my life, I learned how to prioritize, not just work, but my life within the avenue of work. I learned what it looked like to trust employees and truly be the wind beneath their wings; I learned about unselfishness and how that translates into charity, kindness, and integrity within the work place. From them, I saw examples of role models….models of true professionalism, integrity, and hard, yet, productive work. Because of their example, I've learned how to laugh and place what is important in life first.

Their mentor-coaching helped me put many of lives' treasures together. [close pictures] Our plenary speaker this morning will take us to that special role. Dr. Mary Louise Hemmeter, Director - The Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning will walk us through what it means to plan and individualize for mentor-coaching. Dr. Hemmeter has a most impressive resume, listing twenty years of professional experience, conference presentations. She comes to us from the University of Illinois where The Center is housed. She holds a Masters in Education degree from Peabody College of Vanderbilt in Early Childhood/Special Education and a Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University in Education and Human Development with Emphasis on Language Development and Families. She is the author of several books and contributor of many articles in professional journals. She has worked in classrooms with young children with and without disabilities, with parents and children in a parent intervention program. In addition, she has provided training, technical assistance, supervision and consulting to teachers in a variety of early childhood programs including Head Start, Child Care and Public Schools. She has focused on issues such as assessment, challenging behaviors, social development and effective teaching strategies.

On the personal side, Mary Louise is out-going, enjoying jogging more than cooking. She is a positive upbeat person who finds time to enjoy her life.

Head Start Family, let us give Dr. Mary Louise Hemmeter a warm and gracious welcome. Thank you!

(last modified: March 25, 2003)