Pre-school and kindergarten teachers in Southwest Florida are invited to the free Focus on Four Conference being held at Florida Gulf Coast University on Feb. 23.
Led by renowned early childhood education specialist Lisa Murphy, the daylong conference will include presentations and discussions that focus on creating child-centered learning environments in which all children can thrive academically and socially.
Child Care of Southwest Florida’s Focus on Four initiative began in June 2017 to provide additional instructional time to 4-year-olds during the summer. It’s since expanded to include professional development activities for early childhood education instructors.
The Focus on Four Conference runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 23 at the Cohen Center Ballroom at FGCU, 10501 FGCU Blvd. South in Fort Myers. Lunch will be included.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be provided by the Lee Chapter of Florida Association for the Education of Young Children.
Registration is limited to 225 individuals. To secure a spot, please visit CCSWFL.org/focus-on-four-conference-a-day-with-lisa-murphy or call 239-278-1002.
Murphy is founder and CEO of Ooey Gooey, Inc., which strives to transform early childhood education by presenting training programs, providing relevant materials and resources, and igniting insightful conversations and connections through social media. The author of five books, Murphy presents more than 100 early childhood education workshops each year and is known for her ability to link hands-on activities to educational standards, outspoken advocacy and commitment to creating child-centered, play-based early childhood environments.
With more than 20 years of experience in early childhood education, Murphy has taught and worked with children in multiple learning environments, including Head Start, kindergarten, private preschools, family child care, park and recreation centers, group homes and child care centers.
Child Care of Southwest Florida partners with FGCU to deliver the Focus on Four program.
The conference is being funded by The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation, which was created in 2004 by Best Buy founder, Dick Schulze, to give back to the communities where Dick and his family grew up – in Minnesota, where he built Best Buy to become the world’s largest consumer electronics retailer and in Florida, where he now maintains a permanent residence. The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation creates grant partnerships with organizations that generate transformational results in human and social services, education, and health and medicine.
About Child Care of Southwest Florida
Child Care of Southwest Florida, Inc. a nonprofit early childhood education provider with six learning centers in Lee and Hendry counties that serve more than 600 children from 6 weeks to 8 years old. Each center is accredited through the National Accreditation Commission for Early Learning Leaders and is recognized as a Gold Seal Quality Care Program through the Florida Department of Children and Families. Five of CCSWFL’s six locations have five-star ratings through the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida. CCSWFL follows the nationally recognized, research-based Creative Curriculum, with a goal of creating safe, nurturing learning environments that develop young minds, support families, strengthen the community and secure the future. Through its participation in the USDA’s Child Food Care Program, each child has access to a healthy, nutritious breakfast, lunch and snacks. Sponsor, volunteer and donation opportunities are available. For more information, please visit ccswfl.org.
