Gretchen’s House Foundation Unites with Educators at HighScope’s Emerald Anniversary Conference
We were thrilled to be invited to celebrate HighScope's incredible 55 years of dedicated work in early childhood education.
For Gretchen's House Foundation, true impact is found in deep connections and shared purpose. That's why our participation in the HighScope Annual International Emerald Anniversary Conference (April 23-25, 2024, in Ypsilanti, MI) was such a meaningful experience.
HighScope: Nurturing Growth, Fostering Excellence
HighScope is a globally recognized leader in early childhood education, passionately committed to supporting educators in facilitating positive outcomes for children and their communities.
Their mission resonates with the core of Gretchen's House Foundation: to help build sustained high-quality early childhood educational practices, ensuring every teacher is supported and every child can thrive. This shared vision fuels everything we do.
The conference theme, "A Legacy of Research, A Future of Possibilities," perfectly captured the spirit of both honoring past achievements and looking ahead with innovation. For over five decades, HighScope has empowered countless educators, administrators, and researchers. It was an inspiring opportunity to celebrate the profound impact of early education research and unite with fellow educators, all dedicated to building on this legacy of providing high-quality early childhood education for all children.
HighScope's extensive, long-term research demonstrates the far-reaching benefits of high-quality early education. Children who receive high-quality early education compared to those who do not:
Are more prepared for school
Are more emotionally mature and self-regulated
Have higher graduation rates and college attendance
Have more stable employment and higher salaries
Create more stable home environments for children
Are healthier adults
Are more civically-engaged
These powerful outcomes underscore the critical importance of our collective work in early childhood education.
Engaging in Meaningful Conversations with Educators
The conference offered a comprehensive program, brimming with diverse sessions that covered everything from HighScope curriculum components and teamwork to the future of childcare, engaging toddlers with materials, introducing STEM kits, conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, effective leadership, and culturally responsive teaching. Particularly impactful was Dr. Joshua Sparrow’s Keynote address, Trauma and Recovery: How We Heal With Children, Families, and Providers.
This year’s conference offered a great opportunity to connect with educators and decision-makers from around the world. Our team focused on actively listening to the challenges and triumphs shared by educators of young children. We heard firsthand about their dedication, their innovative approaches, and the daily impact they are making.
A Highlight: the Teacher Exchange Program Roundtable
A definite highlight for us was the engaging session titled "Teacher Exchanges: Let’s Trade Spaces! Teacher Exchanges Can Support Growth and HighScope Mastery." This program was supported and launched by Gretchen’s House Foundation, HighScope and the W. K. Kellogg Foundation.This session showcased an innovative teacher exchange program developed and participated in by staff from Gretchen’s House Child Care Centers and Brynmor Early Education & Preschool.
Speakers included Gretchen's House staff: Sara Fields, Stacey Marshall, Beth MeLampy, Heather Motta, Morgan Peterson, Nicole Purkiss, Erica Schrodt, and Jerod Wesney, alongside Brynmor Early Education & Preschool’s Chief Executive Officer, Rhian Allvin. Their insights into the practical challenges and immense rewards of trading spaces, demonstrating how these exchanges fostered not just individual growth but collective mastery of the HighScope approach, and demonstrating a tangible commitment to ongoing professional development and collaboration.
Congratulations to Our Magna-Tiles Giveaway Winner!
Beyond the insightful sessions and invaluable connections, we also had the pleasure of hosting a popular giveaway at our booth! A huge congratulations to Cassie Peake, a Preschool Teacher at David Ellis Academy in Detroit, MI, the lucky winner of our Magna-Tiles Giveaway. We hope these fantastic tools bring much joy and hands-on learning to your classroom. It was wonderful to connect with so many passionate teachers like Cassie.
Advancing High-Quality Early Education
Engaging with the HighScope community at this year's conference was incredibly inspiring. Their dedication to the highest-quality early education perfectly aligns with the Gretchen's House Foundation's mission and our vision to create "a thriving and equitable early childhood development community in which every child receives an excellent education from highly trained and well-supported educators implementing the highest-quality teaching strategies."
We left Ypsilanti inspired by every conversation and every shared story. We are excited to continue this journey of supporting early childhood education alongside the HighScope community and beyond. Thank you HighScope for your support. We are inspired by your 55 years changing the trajectory of the world one child at a time!
