Presentations Offered

Presentation and Training Modules

From in-service teacher preparation days to engaging keynotes and conference breakout sessions, Hilltop faculty and partners offer highly sought-after workshops and training modules. These sessions, adaptable for faculty, staff, college students, administration, or boards, cover a range of topics crucial to professional development. Whether it’s tailoring the content to your organization’s needs or adjusting the duration to suit your schedule, we’re flexible. If you have a specific topic in mind that’s not listed below, feel free to reach out and inquire about a custom workshop tailored to your organization’s unique requirements!

Workshop Offerings:

Planning and Reflective Practice

While the term “emergent” may not immediately align with “planning,” creating a curriculum that dynamically arises from children’s questions demands thoughtful intention. This session goes beyond traditional notions of planning, offering concrete examples of structures and dispositions that foster a responsive and customized curriculum for young learners. Drawing from practices at Hilltop Children’s Center in Seattle, we’ll explore strategies for implementing an emergent curriculum in your own classrooms and schools. Additionally, we’ll delve into ways of actively involving families in the learning process, examining potential models for collaborative curriculum planning, documentation, and assessment throughout the school year. Join us to explore the alignment of Emergent Curriculum with key principles like Pedagogy of Listening, Critical Reflection, Collaborative Dialogue, and Pedagogical Narration.

Time: 2 to 6 hours
Target Audience: Program Supervisors, Mentor Teachers, Educators, Subs / Floaters / Teaching Assistants, Education / Curriculum Director, College Level Students

Reflective Leading During COVID-19

Adapting to the ever-evolving political and social landscape of 2020 requires Early Childhood Education leaders to not only integrate experiential learning into their practice but also continually refine the assumptions and theories guiding their work. This facilitated session is designed for those seeking to move beyond merely teaching political correctness to fostering socio-cognitive conflict and intellectual growth.

Recognizing the profound impact educators have on both families and children, it becomes imperative to cultivate self-awareness of cultural biases and discriminatory practices. In this 2-3 hour reflective session, we will collectively examine our biases to better teach anti-bias. Through dialogue, exploration, questioning, and reflection, we aim to deepen our understanding of how white culture may inadvertently impede our pursuit of liberation for the next generation of artists, inventors, scientists, politicians, thinkers, and social activists. Join us as we engage in meaningful conversation, seeking growth and transformation in our approach to education.

Time: 2 to 3 hours
Target Audience: Program Supervisors, Mentor Teachers, Educators, Subs / Floaters / Teaching Assistants, Education / Curriculum Director, College Level Students

Supporting Well-Being and Belonging through Anti-Bias Education

As educators, nurturing children’s healthy social-emotional development and fostering their competence as citizens in our diverse world is a shared goal. Introducing Anti-Bias Education in our classrooms and schools not only promotes social learning for children but also sharpens our own awareness of equity issues. For those uncertain about where to begin or how to build confidence in facilitating Anti-Bias education, this workshop provides a constructive space. Join us to review the foundational principles of equity-focused education, share concerns and ideas, and initiate steps toward implementation in our programs and communities. We will explore the objectives of Anti-Bias Education, discuss environments conducive to social learning, and offer strategies to enhance cultural competence for children, families, and educators. Together, let’s consider how to align Emergent Curriculum with key principles such as Identities, Social Responsibility, and Diversity.

Time: 90 min to 6 hours
Target Audience: Program Supervisors, Mentor Teachers, Educators, Parents and Guardians, Subs / Floaters / Teaching Assistants, College Level Students

Child-Centered Administration

While many of us excel at creating child-centered classrooms and curriculum, the challenge lies in extending that focus to our administrative realms. How can we shape organizational systems in harmony with our beliefs about what children and teachers truly deserve? This open-ended conversation welcomes directors, mentors, administrators, and anyone intrigued by aligning a school’s organizational culture with pedagogical intentions. Delve into a discussion aimed at helping program leaders synchronize their staff management with their aspirations for children and families. The workshop contends that realizing the best intentions for our programs, including equity work and child-centered practices, requires developing institutional practices that mirror our high regard for educators and model the dispositions we expect them to bring to children and families. Join us in exploring this pivotal intersection of administrative leadership and pedagogical values.

Time: 3 to 6 hours (best delivered over multiple days)
Target Audience: Administrators including Board of Directors, Executive Directors, Coaches, Education / Curriculum Directors, Program Supervisors, Mentor Teachers, and Educators looking to move up.

Values-based Leadership: Program Models to Support Reflective Practice

Designing a stimulating and responsive curriculum for children is a common aspiration, but the challenge lies in establishing an Administrative Infrastructure that facilitates reflective and responsive work among educators. This session invites participants to engage in a dialogue, exploring effective models for recruitment and hiring, faculty training and mentoring, and performance evaluation tailored for programs centered on reflective, responsive curriculum. Together, we’ll delve into the intricacies of building an administrative framework that not only supports but also nurtures the reflective practices essential for providing a dynamic and responsive learning experience for children. Join the conversation as we discuss strategies and share insights to elevate the quality of early childhood education.

Time: 2 to 6 hours (best delivered over multiple days)
Target Audience: Administrators including Board of Directors, Executive Directors, Coaches, Education / Curriculum Directors, Program Supervisors, Mentor Teachers, and Educators looking to move up.

Environments for Reflective Practice

Creating an environment that optimally supports an emergent and responsive curriculum requires thoughtful considerations in setting up classrooms and selecting materials. This session delves into specific environmental choices that facilitate the observation of children’s play and provide opportunities for extending their thinking. Drawing inspiration from the wisdom of Anita Rui Olds, author, and designer, who emphasizes that “Children are miracles,” educators at Hilltop Children’s Center share their insights on designing classrooms that honor the unique childhood experiences unfolding within our schools. Join us in exploring the art of crafting spaces with reverence and gratitude, acknowledging the profound impact such environments can have on the miraculous journey of childhood.

Time: 90 min to 6 hours
Target Audience: Program Supervisors, Mentor Teachers, Educators, Coaches, Education / Curriculum Directors, College Level Students, Subs / Floaters / Teaching Assistants

Environmental Provocations as Invitations to Learning

Provocations, to the untrained eye, might appear as simple objects like an empty egg carton or a toilet roll tube. But at Hilltop, these seemingly ordinary items serve as catalysts for profound thoughts, questions, discussions, and creativity. In this session, we’ll unravel the art of creating intentional “provocations” using a range of materials and activities in our classrooms. From nature and photos to art materials and everyday objects, we’ll share our experiences in stimulating ideas and conversations about social justice, gravity, time, and science. Delve into the role of “loose parts” and discover how deliberate presentation can infuse meaning into materials, fostering learning across developmental domains and supporting an emergent curriculum. Join us for a deliberate and thoughtful exploration of how educators’ intentional decisions can extend and amplify the ideas of the children.

Time: 90 min
Target Audience: Program Supervisors, Mentor Teachers, Educators, Coaches, Education / Curriculum Directors, College Level Students, Subs / Floaters / Teaching Assistants

Reflective Practice to Support Playful Inquiry

Planning for play and cultivating inquiry in early childhood education involves a structured and intentional approach, as discovered by educators at Hilltop Children’s Center. While play and inquiry are inherent to young children, fostering a curriculum that is truly responsive to their questions and pursuits demands specific protocols for reflection and study. This session shares examples of practices that support an emergent curriculum, including Hilltop’s Responsive Planning, In-Depth Investigation, Pedagogical Documentation, and Collaborative Conferences. Join us to explore how these practices can create a pedagogy of play and instill an attitude of inquiry not just in children but also in educators and families. Learn how intentional planning can elevate the learning experience for young minds.

Time: 90 min to 6 hours
Target Audience: Program Supervisors, Mentor Teachers, Educators, Education / Curriculum Directors, College Level Students, Subs / Floaters / Teaching Assistants

Reflective Practice and Anti-Bias Education

In our journey as reflective educators, our goal is to center children’s experiences and perspectives, fostering their development into competent citizens in a diverse world. This workshop emphasizes the promotion of Anti-Bias Education in classrooms and schools, aiming to encourage children’s social development and elevate our awareness of equity issues.

Join us as we delve into the goals of Anti-Bias Education, exploring the contexts that foster social learning. Through reflective teaching practices, we’ll investigate ways to enhance cultural competence for children, families, and educators. This workshop serves as a platform to engage in meaningful dialogue, share insights, and collectively work towards creating inclusive and equitable educational environments.

Time: 90 min to 6 hours
Target Audience: Program Supervisors, Mentor Teachers, Educators, Coaches, Education / Curriculum Directors, Parents and Guardians, College Level Students, Subs / Floaters / Teaching Assistants

Activating Families of Privilege

Addressing equity and social justice within communities of privilege presents a distinctive challenge for educators. Even supportive families in these communities may lack the tools, self-awareness, motivation, and confidence to actively engage in this crucial work. In this workshop, participants will explore one school’s efforts, collaboratively strategize, and set goals to transition families from observers to active partners in equity initiatives. Gain a deeper understanding of how the dynamics between schools and families can either advance or hinder anti-bias curriculum. Walk away with concrete plans, having benefited from shared insights and support. This workshop provides a dedicated space to reflect on needs, stakeholders, resources, and troubleshoot potential obstacles.

Time: 90 min to 2 hours
Target Audience: Educators, Administrators, Parents and Guardians working in high-income schools.

Getting Started with Emergent Curriculum

Embarking on curriculum planning rooted in children’s interests and shaped in collaboration with families and colleagues requires intentional strategies. In this session, Hilltop will share stories and offer insights into engaging children and families in the cycle of inquiry-based learning, spanning days, months, and the entire year. The focus will be on the process of inquiry-based learning and in-depth emergent investigations, covering the launch, sustainability over weeks and months, family involvement, conclusion, and integration of principles from social justice and anti-bias education. Join us for a rich exploration of how to weave the threads of inquiry into a holistic and meaningful curriculum that resonates with both children and their families.

Time: 90 min
Target Audience: Administrators, Program Supervisors, Mentor Teachers, Educators, Subs / Floaters / Teaching Assistants, College Level Students

Engaging Families in Reflective Practice

Encouraging families to actively participate in studying children’s learning is a collaborative endeavor that goes beyond occasional involvement. By integrating Learning Stories into a year-round plan for partnership, we can meaningfully engage families in curriculum planning, documentation, and assessment. Drawing from examples at Hilltop Children’s Center in Seattle, this session explores effective strategies for authentic collaboration between families and educators.

Key topics and activities covered include:

1. Learning Stories as part of an ongoing framework for partnering with families
2. Understanding Reflective Practice
3. Sample “Flow of the Year” for continuous family partnership
4. Documentation and Learning Stories as a tool for family engagement
5. In-Depth Investigations: Involving families in children’s topical studies
6. Collaborative Conferences: Group discussions with families to explore children’s work
7. Sample Conference and hands-on Learning Stories practice writing

Join us in this session to discover how to create a dynamic and sustained partnership with families, enhancing the learning experience for children across the entire year.

Time: 2 to 6 hours
Target Audience: Administrators, Program Supervisors, Mentor Teachers, Educators, Subs / Floaters / Teaching Assistants, College Level Students

Fundamentals of Anti-Bias Education

Preparing for and responding to children’s questions about fairness, difference, and their observations of the world requires a solid understanding of Anti-Bias education fundamentals. This facilitated session is designed for those seeking to delve into the core goals and key practices of Anti-Bias education in early childhood classrooms. Spend a day learning and working together to strengthen your connections to equity and social justice through the work you already do.

Bring your questions and experiences to the table and leave with valuable resources and strategies for supporting children’s social-emotional development and learning through the lens of Anti-Bias education. This session provides a space for meaningful exploration and equips participants with practical tools to navigate conversations about fairness, difference, and bias in the early childhood setting.

Time: 2 to 6 hours
Target Audience: Administrators, Program Supervisors, Mentor Teachers, Educators, Subs / Floaters / Teaching Assistants, College Level Students

Fostering a Sense of Belonging with Toddlers

Growing curriculum with toddlers involves more than just lesson planning; it’s about co-creating an engaging environment that allows toddlers to be themselves. In this session, we’ll explore the intricacies of fostering a sense of belonging, recognizing it as an actionable form of activism. Delving into the intersections of anti-bias education, the image of the child, pedagogy, and practice, we’ll uncover strategies to promote justice and belonging in the toddler classroom. Join us in this exploration of creating a space where toddlers can thrive, express themselves, and feel a profound sense of belonging.

Time: 90 mins
Target Audience: Administrators, Program Supervisors, Mentor Teachers, Educators, Subs / Floaters / Teaching Assistants, College Level Students

Provoking Each Other to Dig Deeper – Fundamentals of Anti-Bias Education

In the realm of Reggio Emilia-inspired education, provocations are crafted to inspire and invite children to delve deeply into emerging ideas. Emergent Curriculum, designed to follow the lead of children, demands thoughtful reflection and planning by educators. Join us in this interactive session where we will explore strategies for challenging each other to extend our emergent learning environments. Delve into parallel processes that connect the development of children with the development of educators. Bring your curiosity to explore the ‘why’s’ behind the ‘what’s’ that we ask of our educators and contemplate a wide range of ‘how’s’ to accomplish educational goals. Together, let’s embark on a journey of enriching our understanding and practices in Reggio Emilia-inspired education.

Time: 90 mins
Target Audience: Administrators, Program Supervisors, Mentor Teachers, Educators, Subs / Floaters / Teaching Assistants, College Level Students

Anti Racist ECE – Fundamentals of Anti-Bias Education

Being an anti-racist organization involves more than just adopting policies—it requires a comprehensive commitment to racial awareness and analysis at every level, from classrooms to administration and homes. In this two-hour discussion, we will delve into the essential considerations, normalization efforts, engagements, interrogations, and support mechanisms needed to foster anti-racist practices within organizations and communities.

The focus will be on developing a robust thinking lens that empowers participants to actively combat racism and racial inequities. Join us for a transformative session where we learn, grow, and engage in dialogue on ways to promote the development of our own, our children’s, and our community’s healthy racial identity while advancing anti-racism initiatives. Together, let’s contribute to a more inclusive and equitable future.

Time: 2 hours
Target Audience: Administrators, Program Supervisors, Mentor Teachers, Educators, Subs / Floaters / Teaching Assistants, College Level Students

Frequently Asked Questions

Who conducts the workshop?

Our dedicated Hilltop faculty and staff are the ones leading the workshop. Depending on the context, it might be conducted individually or in collaboration with various members, such as the Leadership Team, Educators, Program Supervisors, or Mentor Teachers.

Do you travel?

Absolutely! While our home base is in Seattle, WA, we’ve conducted presentations in various cities across North America. Whether it’s in Vancouver, BC, Portland, OR, Chicago, IL, Toronto, ON, or other locations, we’re open to bringing the workshop to you. We also offer virtual presentations via Zoom. If you opt for an on-site visit, we do request travel and lodging reimbursement. And, of course, you’re always welcome to come to us! Check out our offerings for visits to Hilltop on our website.

Prices

Our pricing is flexible and takes into account factors like workshop length, location, audience, context, and timing. Generally, full-day workshops (around 6 hours of content) start at $1500. We’re open to discussing options and working with new clients, centers, programs, and stakeholders, so don’t hesitate to reach out to explore possibilities.

What to expect?

Whether serving as a keynote or workshop presenter within a larger event, our approach is hands-on and interactive. Expect a dynamic learning environment that combines presentations, activities, small group discussions, and self-reflection.

Can I obtain credits for professional development taken with Hilltop?

If you’re in Washington state, Hilltop is a STARS/MERIT Hours Approved Trainer. If you’re outside Washington, we can assist in providing documentation for you to arrange professional development credits with your local college or state requirements.

Do you provide translation services?

While we don’t provide interpreters/translators, we recommend reaching out to our partners, HSDC – Hearing, Speech, Deaf Center in Seattle, WA, if you’re Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing. They offer services like ASL, SEE, Video Remote Interpretation. All our presentations, handouts, and materials are in English, with most videos being closed-captioned.

Can I combine workshops?

Absolutely! We’re flexible and can combine workshops or create additional content to best suit your needs. Reach out to us at institute@hilltopcc.org, and let’s discuss the options and possibilities!

If you’re seeking other services, make sure you’re in the right place! Explore our additional offerings for administrators, program leaders, educators, and those interested in equity-focused workshops and coaching/consulting. We look forward to collaborating with you and your community!