WS Chronicle

This year’s summit focuses on family engagement and community leadership.

PBS North Carolina will host its fourth annual Impact Early Childhood Education Summit on Saturday, June 7, at Winston-Salem State University’s Albert H. Anderson Conference Center. 

This full-day conference aims to empower educators, childcare providers, parents and caregivers to lay a strong foundation for young learners. Educators may earn professional credit hours for attending. 

A key feature of the summit is a lineup of more than 40 breakout sessions aligned with the theme “Advancing Family Engagement and Leadership Within Our Community.” Topics include building family and community partnerships, literacy foundations, social-emotional learning, and protective factors for children. Attendees will gain deeper knowledge and actionable strategies for early childhood settings. 

“Family engagement is crucial to academic success, and PBS North Carolina is honored to join education leaders in Winston-Salem and partners from across the state to offer tools and strategies necessary to ensure every child can thrive,” said Kristi Maida, Ph.D., director of education services at PBS North Carolina. “The knowledge shared at the Impact Summit will not only shape classrooms but also foster a stronger, more engaged community of support for our youngest learners.” 

The Impact Summit is supported by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Child Development and Early Education, along with Alice and Britt Preyer. 

“The Impact Summit offers actionable professional development for teachers of young children, strategies for teachers and parents to help children succeed and thrive, and a fun place for fellowship within the community that supports the healthy development of young children,” said Candace Witherspoon, director of the state’s Division of Child Development and Early Education. “North Carolina’s early childhood education teachers – lifelong learners themselves – need this recognition and support now more than ever.” 

In addition to breakout sessions, the event will feature networking opportunities and an opening panel discussion with four North Carolina education leaders: 

*Dr. Louis A. Finney Jr., president and CEO of Smart Start of Forsyth County 

*David Sisk, North Carolina director for the National Center for Families Learning 

*Vivien Stearns, M.A., director of the Child Development Division at Family Services of Forsyth County 

*Debbie Wilson, executive director of the Centers for Exceptional Children 

The panel will be moderated by Kenia Thompson, host of the PBS North Carolina series Black Issues Forum. 

This year, PBS North Carolina has also partnered with the UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute (FPG), which will lead sessions focused on North Carolina Pre-K. 

“UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute is thrilled to partner with PBS North Carolina’s Impact Summit, bringing preschool and N.C. Pre-K educators together for a dynamic day of learning, collaboration and inspiration,” said Sandra L. Soliday Hong, Ph.D., senior research scientist at FPG. “Together, we’ll explore fun and meaningful ways to engage children and families in early literacy, math, social-emotional development and science.” 

Breakout session leaders will also include representatives from PBS North Carolina, Winston-Salem State University, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, the Autism Society of North Carolina, Appalachian State University, East Carolina University, Marbles Kids Museum, UNC Charlotte, the North Carolina Zoo and Botanical Garden, Smart Start, the North Carolina Partnership for Children, and other organizations. 

To view the full schedule and session details, visit pbsnc.org/ImpactSummit. 

About PBS North Carolina
PBS North Carolina is the statewide public media network serving the nation’s third-largest public media market. The network educates, informs, entertains and inspires audiences on air, online and in person. Through a blend of public investment and private support, PBS North Carolina delivers content via four broadcast channels – PBS NC, the North Carolina Channel, Rootle 24/7 PBS KIDS channel and the Explorer Channel – as well as digital platforms and community events. PBS North Carolina also serves as the backbone for the state’s emergency communications services. Learn more at pbsnc.org or follow @PBSNC on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.