Early Childhood Conference 2018

March 17, 2018

Early Childhood Conference 2018

Six hundred educators gathered at UFT headquarters on March 17 for the 11th annual Early Childhood Conference, which offered workshops on teaching art, purposeful talk, math, science and the language of play, among other topics.

Jenny Cruceta and Jacqueline Bullard at the Big Thinking workshop

At the “Big Thinking” workshop, Jenny Cruceta of PS 35 in the Bronx (left) strategizes with Jacqueline Bullard of PS 25 in the Bronx on how to build their straw and marshmallow structure.

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Maria Osorio and Schneider Cardenas are having fun making terrariums

Having fun making terrariums — and learning how to teach science to English as a new language and struggling students — are Maria Osorio of PS 971 in Brooklyn and Schneider Cardenas of PS 95 in Queens.

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Karen Alford, the UFT vice president for elementary schools, welcomes educators to the conference.

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Educators had some playful fun as beach balls were tossed from the stage and kept aloft by the audience to kick off the event.

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Mulgrew shares his perspective with educators.

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The PS 149 chorus performs under the direction of music teacher Will Mosely.

The PS 149 chorus, with kindergarten through 2nd-graders from East New York, Brooklyn, performs a rousing rendition of “This Little Light of Mine” under the direction of music teacher Will Mosely.

The chorus rocked the audience members and they clapped along.

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Shawna Cornette won a copy of Kristi Mraz’s book, “Purposeful Play.”

The star on her program means that educator Shawna Cornette of Brooklyn’s Stanley Lamm Preschool won a copy of keynote speaker Kristi Mraz’s book, “Purposeful Play.”

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Kristi Mraz, shares her insights about the value of play as learning.

Kristi Mraz, the author of “Purposeful Play,” shares her insights about the value of play as learning.

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Karen Alford enjoys some time with Mignonne Tissera and Elizabeth Caraballo,

UFT Vice President for Elementary Schools Karen Alford enjoys some time with educator Mignonne Tissera (left) and Elizabeth Caraballo, both of PS 146 in Brooklyn, during a Cut Paper Art workshop.

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Abe Levine,a founder of the UFT receives a standing ovation from the audience

Abe Levine (front, right), a founder of the UFT and a former vice president for elementary schools, receives a standing ovation from the audience for his many contributions to the union and to early childhood education.

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Members from PS 127 in Queens takes the stage to receive their Abe Levine Award for excellence in early childhood education.

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PS 156 in Brooklyn members are honored with the Abe Levine Award for their dedication to and collaboration on early childhood education at their school.

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Educators from District 2 pre-K centers gather around Abe Levine (seated, right), a founder of the UFT, with UFT Vice President for Elementary Schools Karen Alford behind him.

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Educators from PS 196 in Brooklyn came decked out in green to honor St. Patrick’s Day.

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Ready to learn and grow are educators from Brooklyn’s District 20 pre-k centers and from JHS 189 in Queens, with UFT Vice President for Elementary Schools Karen Alford (center) and keynote speaker Kristi Mraz (far right).

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At the “Big Thinking” workshop, Jenny Cruceta of PS 35 in the Bronx (left) strategizes with Jacqueline Bullard of PS 25 in the Bronx on how to build their straw and marshmallow structure.

Miller Photography

Karen Alford, the UFT vice president for elementary schools, welcomes educators to the conference.

Miller Photography

Educators had some playful fun as beach balls were tossed from the stage and kept aloft by the audience to kick off the event.

Miller Photography

Mulgrew shares his perspective with educators.

Miller Photography

The chorus rocked the audience members and they clapped along.

Miller Photography

The star on her program means that educator Shawna Cornette of Brooklyn’s Stanley Lamm Preschool won a copy of keynote speaker Kristi Mraz’s book, “Purposeful Play.”

Miller Photography

Kristi Mraz, the author of “Purposeful Play,” shares her insights about the value of play as learning.

Miller Photography

UFT Vice President for Elementary Schools Karen Alford enjoys some time with educator Mignonne Tissera (left) and Elizabeth Caraballo, both of PS 146 in Brooklyn, during a Cut Paper Art workshop.

Miller Photography

Members from PS 127 in Queens takes the stage to receive their Abe Levine Award for excellence in early childhood education.

Miller Photography

PS 156 in Brooklyn members are honored with the Abe Levine Award for their dedication to and collaboration on early childhood education at their school.

Miller Photography

Educators from District 2 pre-K centers gather around Abe Levine (seated, right), a founder of the UFT, with UFT Vice President for Elementary Schools Karen Alford behind him.

Miller Photography

Educators from PS 196 in Brooklyn came decked out in green to honor St. Patrick’s Day.

Miller Photography