Early childhood educators, students come together for national-level training

This paid piece is sponsored by Southeast Technical College.

Those who teach our community’s youngest learners benefit from continuing to learn themselves.

That’s why the Sioux Falls WOW conference began 15 years ago, offering a day of high-quality training and networking for those in the early childhood field, promoting outstanding care and learning for those from birth through age 8.

“We wanted to bring in a national-level speaker, which isn’t always accessible to people around here,” said Robin Sjogren, program coordinator of the Scarbrough Childcare Center at Southeast Technical College and an organizer of the conference.

“Going to a national conference isn’t feasible for many in the early childhood profession, and thanks to local sponsors, we’re able to offer them access to that level of content at a very affordable price.”

This year’s WOW event will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, at the Washington Pavilion in downtown Sioux Falls. The speaker is Jim Gill, a music, author and child development specialist who will guide attendees through the daylong learning experience.

“He’ll have a lot to share. He’ll be high-energy and bring fun into the day and teach things we can bring right back to the classroom,” Sjogren said.

Among the hundreds of attendees will be almost 50 Southeast Technical College students in the early childhood education program.

“All students are required to attend, and it’s a powerful experience for them,” said Loretta LeLoux, an early childhood instructor. “This is part of preparing our students to be in the workforce and showing them what professional development means – how they network with others, what kind of information they can gather and how they can put it to work.”

Southeast Tech students volunteer at the conference as well, helping with work behind the scenes, presenting their curriculum portfolios and engaging other attendees in activities and demonstrations.

“Our students become a little awestruck getting to hear from speakers who have a national presence in our field,” LeLoux said. “They make connections, are exposed to a variety of topics and can immediately begin to apply what they learn.”

Southeast Tech early childhood students complete a two-year program with significant hands-on experience, beginning at the on-site Scarbrough Childcare Center, which has served as a lab school since 1991.

“We serve children of the students and staff at Southeast Tech and the Sioux Falls School District,” said Tami Skorczewski, director of the Scarbrough Childcare Center. “Fifty percent of our spots are for children of students. We’re here on campus, and you can’t go wrong. You can go to class, and your baby is right next door.”

The center also becomes an immediate learning ground for early childhood students, who then go out to work with other child care center partners in the communities as they hone their skills. Graduates go on to open their own family child care business, own or lead child care centers, earn four-year degrees and teach as elementary educators or enter nonprofit organizations directly working with children.

“We have over 25 students currently on full-ride scholarships, and that’s huge,” LeLoux said. “We’re seeing really good numbers with a strong group of students that has increased as the state has included us in additional scholarships that are driving enrollment. We hope to continue that as awareness grows about the value educators bring to the field.”

Students leave the WOW event “highly motivated and happy they chose the profession,” she added. “They learn about being a professional, being part of 400-plus people who believe the same thing they do, and it’s so empowering.”

Something else to know: You don’t need to work directly in early childhood education to attend the WOW event. While it’s not actually open to children, the conference is available to anyone interested in learning more about how to support young learners, including parents.

While early registration has concluded, tickets are still available and walk-ins are an option. Click here to learn more.