This story was originally published by VermontBiz on June 4, 2025.
The Vermont State University (VTSU) Center for Schools is proud to announce the ninth annual Early Childhood Educators Institute, taking place online on July 29 & 31 and August 5 & 7, 2025. This flexible, four-day virtual format enables early childhood professionals from Vermont and beyond to connect, collaborate, and grow together.
The institute is designed for anyone providing support, services, and education in the early childhood field. This includes educators (from birth through grade 3) working in public schools, private early childhood and after-school settings; Early Head Start and Head Start professionals; special educators, developmental educators, specialized child care providers, home visitors, related service providers including speech language pathologists; and the administrators who supervise and support them.
This year’s theme, Reflective Practice, is woven throughout the Institute’s sessions, providing early childhood educators a dedicated space and time to pause, reflect, and deepen their understanding of their work with young children.
Dr. Ric Reardon, Executive Director of the VTSU Center for Schools and Chair of the Institute Planning Committee, shared, “For the ninth consecutive year, we are proud to offer affordable, accessible professional development to all those who work so diligently to assure that our youngest, and sometimes more vulnerable, citizens are safe and healthy. In addition, we are pleased to incorporate the Reflective Practice theme that will help educators examine and learn from their experiences and improve their practice.”
Thanks to generous grant support from the Vermont Agency of Education’s Child Development Division, registration remains affordable at $200. An optional 3-credit course tuition is available for an additional $435.
The goals of the institute coursework are to deepen practice, meet childcare professional development requirements, and assist teachers in obtaining related licenses and endorsements.
Tara Lidstone, Assistant Director of VTSU Center for Schools and Institute Planning Commission member, explained, “We are pleased to offer eleven credited courses aligned with the Institute strands this year. Six courses are back by popular demand and five are new this year. Course topics range from trauma-informed strategies to nature-based education to family and community connection. These 3-credit courses are designed specifically for the early childhood education audience, are offered at a deeply discounted price, and can be taken for graduate or undergraduate credit.”
The Institute attracts 110-130 educators annually. Find more information about the Center for Schools and register for the Early Childhood Educators Institute here.
