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Governor's Institute Brings Early Childhood
Educators to Campus
By James Borden
 The
second Governor's Institute for Early Childhood Educators was held at
Villanova from July 7 to 12. The program, now in its fourth year, focused
on early childhood literacy. Dr. Corinne Eisenhart, the program director,
said they are especially looking at how caregivers and teachers can work
together to promote a seamless transition from preschool to elementary
school regarding literacy. fdfgdfdfgd
Although the main focus of the program
was early literacy, the participants discussed a variety of topics, from
the lack of men and minorities at both the conference and in the field
of early childhood education, to the need for a structured, organized
classroom routine.
Dr. Robert
Stokes, the associatedean of Part-Time Studies and University Outreach
at Villanova, was the site director for the program. Stokes believed that
the program was a great opportunity for both Villanova and all the participants
involved. "It is an opportunity. to get speakers from the Head Start program
and individuals from all over the state, to gain valuable information
and to see both the campus and the spirit of Villanova." Jackie Swartz,
a Head Start training specialist and participant in the program, stated
that the workshop was a "wonderful opportunity for professionals to come
together to talk about some very pertinent information and to stretch
our brains"
The Governor's Institutes are an initiative
of former Governor Tom Ridge that began five years ago, with 10 different
programs. There are now 28 of them, with two focused on early childhood
development. This year's conference had more than 600 applicants for the
100 available places.
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