An exclusive cohort of early educators will focus on increasing awareness of the importance of high-quality interactions with children in the classroom.

The CLASS Act Scholars of Summit County* is a unique, 9-month program that combines the CLassroom Assessment Scoring System® (CLASS®) with free coaching, mentoring and professional development for an exclusive group of 20 early educators working in Summit County preschools and child care centers. This is the third year of the program.

WHO are the CLASS Act Scholars?

CLASS Act Scholars’ ROLEA committee will select 20 early educators who teach in preschools across Summit County to represent the 2019-2020 cohort of CLASS Act Scholars.

Starting in September 2019, scholars will participate in a free 10-session, interactive course called, “Making the Most of Classroom Interactions” (MMCI). The course gives teachers a deeper understanding of CLASS-based principles and practical strategies to interact more intentionally and effectively in ways that are proven to increase children’s learning.

Scholars will receive free, high-quality coaching, mentoring and professional development from a fully-licensed MMCI instructor. Scholars will also have access to a strong peer network and print and video resources. Scholars will help create a valued, celebrated and recognized community of high-quality early educators in Summit County.

Application period open from May 6 to June 14. FREE to apply. Visit www.seisummit.org/CLASS to complete the online application.

*Classroom Assessment Scoring System® (CLASS®) used with permission by Teachstone®.

CLASS is a research-based approach that focuses on the features of quality that are most important to children’s learning and development. CLASS training is designed to strengthen, support and empower teachers in ways that drive high-quality teacher/child interactions. Research shows that even small differences in interactions can increase a child’s learning and social emotional outcomes.

WHAT is CLASS?

Friday, Sept. 6, 2019Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019Friday, Oct. 18, 2019*Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2019Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020 Thursday, March 12, 2020Tuesday, April 7, 2020Friday, May 1, 2020

5 - 7 p.m. 8:30 a.m. - noon 6 - 8:30 p.m. 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. 6 - 8:30 p.m. 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. 6 - 8:30 p.m. 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. 6 - 8:30 p.m. 6 - 8:30 p.m. 6 - 8:30 p.m. 6 - 8:30 p.m. 7:30 - 9 a.m.

Kick-Off CelebrationOpening RetreatMMCI Course Session 1School Readiness Summit*MMCI Course Session 2MMCI Course Sessions 3 and 4MMCI Course Session 5MMCI Course Sessions 6 and 7MMCI Course Session 8MMCI Course Session 9Akron Art Museum ActivityMMCI Course Session 10Graduation Breakfast

Other Qualifications & Expectations

IMPORTANT DATESEXPECTATIONS&

Required Dates Before submitting your application, please check your calendar carefully to confirm your availability to attend each event below:

Participants must work at a private, public or community-based preschool or child care center in Summit County. Participants will receive homework assignments to be completed prior to the beginning of each MMCI course session. Commitment to CLASS Act Scholars of Summit County requires attendance at all course sessions, personal classroom observations and special events listed above. It is expected that graduates will perpetuate the high caliber of early educators in Summit County, as well as support future cohorts of CLASS Act Scholars. Please make sure you have support from your employer and family for this time commitment.

To be eligible for graduation from CLASS Act Scholars of Summit County, participants are expected to attend ALL events and “Making the Most of Classroom Interactions” (MMCI) sessions (dates listed below) from September 2019 through May 2020. Participation is required for the entire duration of each event or session. (Even though emergencies do occur, any class member missing more than one event or session, for whatever reason, may be asked to withdraw from the program.)

Classroom observations will be arranged on an individual basis and held between Monday, Sept. 9 and Monday, Sept. 30, then again between Wednesday, April 8 and Wednesday, April 30. Your one-on-one classroom coaching session will be arranged on an individual basis in first quarter 2020.

Why should I apply to be a CLASS Act Scholar?The CLASS Act Scholars of Summit County represent an exclusive group of early educators that have the unique opportunity to participate in free, high-quality coaching and professional development sessions. Scholars earn money and credits, in addition to respect and recognition in the community.

How does the selection process work?After the application period closes on June 14, a selection committee will review all applications and select up to 20 teachers to participate in this year’s program. If invited to join the program, you will be asked to sign and return a commitment form (see Page 2: Important Dates and Expectations).

• Which types of applicants is the committee looking for? The committee seeks applicants who currently work in Summit County and are not only committed to attending all program sessions and events, but who also demonstrate a desire to represent and build the early childhood profession within Summit County in positive ways.

• When will applicants be notified? All applicants will be notified no later than Aug. 1. Anyone who submits an application will receive written notification by this date.

• What if my application is not accepted? Any applicant who is not selected this year is encouraged to re-apply in subsequent years.

How often do CLASS Act Scholars meet?From September through late April, scholars generally meet on two Tuesday evenings a month or on one Saturday morning/early afternoon each month. (See Page 2: Important Dates and Expectations.)

Where can I learn more about CLASS®?Visit www.teachstone.com for a full overview of CLASS®. For specific information on the “Making the Most of Classroom Interactions” course itself, please visit http://teachstone.com/class-trainings/making-most-classroom-interactions-mmci/.

How do I apply?Visit www.seisummit.org/CLASS to submit the application online. The application period opens on May 6. Once you submit this form, your director will receive an automated email prompting him or her to electronically approve your application and potential involvement in the program. Your application is not complete without your director’s approval.

• When is the application deadline? All applications must be complete by June 14, 2019 to be considered for this year’s class.

• Is there a fee to apply? No. There is no cost to apply or to participate in the program.

When will I receive my cash stipend of $1,250 and credit hours?Participants must be currently teaching in a Summit County preschool and complete all program requirements as listed on Page 2 in order to receive the stipend and 20 hours of Ohio-Approved credit. $250 of the stipend will be distributed at the December program day. The remaining $1,000 will be paid at graduation on May 1.

Who is eligible to apply?Any preschool teacher currently teaching in a Summit County preschool or child care center.

• Are directors eligible? Directors and other administrators who are not currently teaching in the classroom are not eligible at this time.

• Do I need to have certain credentials, qualifications or experience levels? No. The program is open to current preschool teachers of all educational backgrounds and experience. No minimum teaching qualifications are required. Teachers of all levels can benefit from the program.

Will I need time off from my job?Most sessions are held after normal working hours. The exception is the county-wide School Readiness Summit from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 18.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the course facilitator?Laura McFalls, Early Childhood Specialist with the Akron-Summit County Public Library and independent Early Childhood Education Consultant, will facilitate the MMCI course, as well as provide coaching. Laura is a certified MMCI instructor.

It may be difficult for me to find child care. May I bring my child(ren) to sessions?To retain the integrity of the program and its content, we do not permit children to attend sessions. Please ensure childcare arrangements will be available to you as needed before committing to join.

CLASS ACT SCHOLARS’

GOALSWhen you apply for and are selected to join the CLASS Act Scholars of Summit County, you become part of something bigger than yourself — and even your classroom. You have the opportunity to influence positive change within preschool classrooms across Summit County. To better understand the bigger picture, review the CLASS Act Scholars of Summit County goals below:

Invest in the early childhood profession by creating a valued, celebrated and recognizedcommunity of high-quality early childhood educators in Summit County.

Increase the highly-qualified pool of early educators in Summit County.

Strengthen, support and empower teachers by giving them access to coaching and resources that are proven to increase children’s learning through high-quality interactions.

Connect preschool teachers from diverse learning settings to build relationships, deepen knowledge and learn from each other.

ELEVATE. CELEBRATE. SUPPORT.