Early Childhood Educators' Symposium

Theme: Fostering Young Children's Growth and Development: Innovation and Collaboration
Date: May 30, 2025 
Time: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Location: Raritan Valley Community College Conference Center A, B, C 118 Lamington Rd, Branchburg, NJ 08876

You are cordially invited to attend the Early Childhood Educators' Symposium, a gathering of professionals dedicated to advancing early childhood education. Join us for a day of learning, networking, and inspiration.

Key Highlights:

• Learn about the New Jersey Preschool Expansion Initiative and its impact on the field.
• Expert presentations on innovative teaching methods, curriculum development, child development, family engagement, and more.
• Opportunities to connect with like-minded educators and share best practices.
• Explore the latest trends and research in early childhood education.

Registration:

• Early Registration (up to March 15, 2025): $60
• Registration Fee (after March 15, 2025): $80

We look forward to welcoming you to this exciting event!

Kimberly Maitland, M.Ed., kimberly.maitland@raritanval.edu
Associate Professor of Education, Early Childhood Program Lead

Call for Proposals: Early Childhood Educators' Symposium

Date: May 30, 2025        
Time: 8am-3pm
Theme: Fostering Young Children's Growth and Development: Innovation and Collaboration
Location: Raritan Valley Community College, Conference Center A, B, C
Sponsoring Department: Humanities, Social Sciences, Social Work, and Education

Overview: The Early Childhood Educators' Symposium, hosted by the Department of Humanities, Social Sciences, Social Work and Education at Raritan Valley Community College, aims to bring together early childhood professionals from diverse backgrounds to share knowledge, discuss current trends, and explore innovative approaches to promoting young children's growth and development. The symposium will feature four strands of presentations, including a dedicated strand on the New Jersey Preschool Expansion Initiative.

Submission Guidelines: Proposals are invited for presentations that address one or more of the following strands:

Strand 1: Curriculum and Pedagogy

• Innovative teaching methods and strategies
• Curriculum development and implementation
• Assessment and evaluation of early childhood programs
• Integrating technology into early childhood education

Strand 2: Child Development and Well-being

• Social-emotional development and learning
• Physical health and development
• Language and literacy development
• Cognitive development and problem-solving

Strand 3: Family Engagement and Partnerships

• Strategies for effective family engagement
• Building partnerships with communities and organizations
• Supporting families in their role as early educators

Strand 4: New Jersey Preschool Expansion Initiative

• Implementation and impact of the initiative
• Challenges and opportunities for expansion
• Best practices for scaling up high-quality preschool programs
• Collaboration between school districts and community-based providers

Proposal Requirements:

• Indicate the strand under which your proposal will be submitted.
• A brief description of the proposed presentation (maximum 250 words)
• Learning objectives for the audience
• Relevant qualifications and experience of the presenter(s)
• Presentation format (e.g., lecture, workshop, panel discussion)
• Any specific equipment or technical requirements

Submission Deadline: February 28, 2025

Selection Process:  Proposals will be reviewed by a committee of early childhood experts. Selected presenters will be notified by March 15, 2025 via email.

Submit Your Proposal:  Email your proposal to kimberly.maitland@raritanval.edu, with the subject line, "ECE Symposium Proposal."

Sponsorship Opportunities:
Raritan Valley Community College invites vendors and community partners to support the Early Childhood Educators' Symposium through sponsorship opportunities. Sponsors will gain valuable exposure to a targeted audience of early childhood professionals and have the opportunity to showcase their products or services.

Sponsorship Benefits:

• Logo placement on promotional materials
• Recognition during the symposium
• Networking opportunities with attendees
• Opportunities to distribute marketing materials

Sponsorship Levels:

• Platinum Sponsor: $1000
  • This level offers you the opportunity of 4 seats at no cost
  • Four T-shirts at no cost
  • Logo on programming materials for this year and next year’s conference
  • A table to advertise in the Vendor Room
• Gold Sponsor: $750
  • This level offers you the opportunity of 2 seats at no cost
  • Two T-shirts at no cost
  • Logo on programming materials
  • A table to advertise in the Vendor Room
• Silver Sponsor: $500
  • This level offers you the opportunity of 1 seat at no cost
  • One T-shirt at no cost
  • Logo on programming materials
  • A table to advertise in the Vendor Room
• Bronze Sponsor: $250
  • Logo on printed materials
  • A table to advertise in the Vendor Room

Sponsorship Funding Usage:
Sponsorship funds will be used to support the following aspects of the symposium:

• Speaker honorariums: Compensation for keynote speakers and presenters
• Marketing and promotion: Advertising, social media, and outreach
• Participant support: Lanyards, folders, hospitality items, and food

Sponsorship Deadline, April 1, 2025

For more information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact:
Kimberly Maitland, Associate Professor Raritan Valley Community College kimberly.maitland@raritanval.edu
 

Dr. Windy Paz-Amor, Ed.D.

Dr. Windy Paz-Amor, brings 20 years of experience working in higher education with students, staff, faculty, management, and administration. My work lends towards enhancing the lives of individuals through a pluralistic and authentic approach to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion work; helping individuals grow and develop skills and tools that better enhance both their personal and professional lives.

My professional experiences have given me the opportunity to work with a variety of constituents across hierarchies through a developmental approach that translates to identifying agency, accountability, and leadership. This is complimented by my passion and vision for social justice, leadership, equity and the many diverse aspects and concerns that have intersectional, political and ethical implications on the lives of individuals. Through consulting, coaching, training, teaching, and assessment [individuals and groups] I have been able to offer the necessary tools to help folks authentically navigate both the personal and professional on purpose with intention, love and inclusion at the forefront.

I am one who leads with community, and believe that a multifaceted authentic approach to the work is critical in developing successful collaborations that lead to effective change.

An author, educator, trainer, advocate, poet, artist, and social justice leader. My pedagogical approach to teaching, advising/coaching, and leading stem from scholars such as Paulo Freire, who connected education to liberation and the ability to transform one’s life and the institutional systems around you. Audre Lorde and bell hooks who describe education as love, survival, and an act of self-preservation, and Gloria Anzaldúa, who enriches the academy and research with theories such as Borderland theory. My work with community encompasses tenants of accessibility, agency, and mutual understanding. A commitment to creating intentional, inclusive spaces where people feel encouraged, seen, engaged, and excited to further develop themselves and our community.