Mid Hudson Valley Leadership Day is a day dedicated to Engage, Inspire and Celebrate!
There has been a movement spreading throughout New York State that honors and recognizes the leaders within the early childhood profession which began in the spring of 2017 at the Western NY Leadership Day organized by Marilyn Ballard. The energy and relationships developed that day were something we wanted to cultivate and renew in the Mid-Hudson Valley region as well. This vision led to the creation of the MHV Leadership Committee; an amazing collaborative relationship between Family of Woodstock, Ulster County BOCES and Community Playthings. On November 9th we held the 1st Mid Hudson Valley Leadership Day at The Chateau in Kingston. We had over 115 attendees from child care centers, various school districts, NYS governors office, family day care homes, CCR&R’s, independent consultants, and the Office of Children and Family Services. We had 18 vendors offering information about health and safety for children and families, quality educational materials for child care programs, professional development opportunities, Quality Stars information, various state and local agencies, and fun merchandise from LuLaRoe and Knitted by Linda.
We wanted to acknowledge the leader’s in the early childhood education profession and give an opportunity to renew and revitalize the field in the Mid-Hudson Valley region. We are fortunate to have such a bountiful array of skills and talents serving our communities and families.
We had amazing presenters offer their wisdom and expertise of the profession. The presenters included; Sherry Cleary, Executive Director at NY Early Childhood Professional Development Institute, offer insight of “The Life of a Leader: If Everything is Under Control…”; Deborah Fitzgerald, President of NYAEYC, asking “Are You Building Enough Bridges?”; Kristen Kerr, Executive Director of NYAEYC discussing the “Power to the Profession”; Anne Mitchell, President of Early Childhood Policy Research discussing “Early Care and Education Industry is Huge and Hugely Important”; Jenn O’Connor, Director of Policy and Advocacy for Prevent Child Abuse New York inspiring us with “Advocacy Made Easy”; and Marilyn Ballard, owner of ECE Solutions Inc., closed the day with an inspiration and meaningful talk about the importance of what we do and why we do it.
We are excited to start planning for next year’s MHVLD. The attendees already asked if we are doing it again next year. It was an incredible event, shared with amazing professionals. MHVLD was a time to be thankful for the bridges that allow us to connect and support one another, and create a solid foundation for the communities we serve.
Mid Hudson Valley Leadership Committee
Michelle Friedel, Ulster County BOCES
Kerry Wolfeil, Family of Woodstock
Penny Dombrowski, Family of Woodstock
Christine & Eric Nelson, Community Playthings
