Leadership & Program Administration

Wyoming’s Coherent Path to Quality

The Coherent Path to Quality framework defines dimensions of program quality and is designed to support the work of “all the adults in the child’s ecosystem. “  A perfect companion for professional learning, the Coherent Path includes reflection questions, examples of quality, stories from the field, and photos all from Wyoming’s early childhood settings.

Here are some ideas for using the resources in each chapter for learning:

• Activate your curiosity and notice and identify the effectiveness of your own practice and the practice of others

• Serve as a catalyst for conversations with others to improve the day-to-day experiences for young children and their families.

• Nurture your own personal and professional development and growth

• Practice using the Wyoming Coherent Path to Quality to guide your decisions and practice. 

Wyoming’s Coherent Path to Quality page 3

Wyoming’s Early Learning Standards

As a Wyoming early childhood educator and caregiver, your work matters! When you develop relationships with children, create learning environments, and provide meaningful experiences, you are laying the foundation for their future success. Early learning standards offer a helpful framework to guide the decisions you make with children each day.

Wyoming’s Early Learning Standards page 4

Cowboy Conference Archive

• Keynote: Trauma-Responsive Family Engagement Practices in Early Childhood (September 24, 2021)

  Speakers: Julie Kurtz and Julie Nicholson, authors and nationally recognized experts on trauma-responsive care and education.

• Support Your Business Through Connections

  Speakers: Jody Shields, Rob Condie, and Wendy Fanning

  A panel from the Wyoming Women’s Business Center, The Wyoming Business Network Center, and the Wyoming Non-profit Network share how their organizations support business owners and directors.

• Taking the Leap: Reflections on Communities of Practice

  Speakers: Tyler Gonzalez, Hanna Stanek, Susan Peck, and Amanda Schmidtbergen

• Advocacy Leadership: Finding Your Story

  Speakers: Liz Goddard, Stephanie Rino, and Betsy Carlin

• Leaders Embracing Wyoming’s Coherent Path to Quality (September 25, 2021)

• Building Relationships and Embracing Change

  Learn about opportunities for increased relationships with families of young children in Wyoming.

  Speakers: Kelli Dunne, Department of Family Services Licensor

  Penny Hotovec Department of Family Services TA Specialist

  Tania Trujillo, Department of Family Services Resource and Referral Manager

  Jennifer Zook STARS Program Coordinator

• Improving New Staff Onboarding for Employee Retention

  Wyoming program leaders and directors:

  Nicole Philbin, Stephanie Rino and Jennifer Zook

• Opening Keynote: Integrating Antibias Education into our Thinking and Practice with Debbie LeeKeenan (September 26, 2020)

  Speakers:  Debbie LeeKeenan, Lecturer and Co-Author of Leading Anti-bias Early Childhood Programs: A Guide for Change, will discuss steps in creating a more inclusive and welcoming program.

• Leadership Essentials for Program Leaders

  Speakers:  Liz Goddard, PLC Regional Facilitator

  Stephanie Rino, PLC Regional Facilitator, Program Owner/Director

• Optimistic Leaders and the Alpha Generation

  Speakers: Nicole Parks, Associate Director of Programs, Leading for Children

  Valora Washington, President, The CAYL Institute; Former CEO of the Council for Professional Recognition

• Encouraging Staff Growth/ Improvement Through Quality Professional Learning

  Speakers: Lauren Carlisle, PLC Regional Facilitator

  Char Norris, PLC Regional Facilitator

• Introducing the Wyoming Early Childhood Quality Vision (September 25, 2020)

  Speaker: Nicole Parks, Associate Director of Programs

  Leading for Children

• Coaching with Powerful Interactions

  Speakers: Jill Gunderman, Facilitator Leading for Children

  Judy Jablon, Executive Director Leading for Children

• 5 Commitments of Optimistic Leadership

  Speakers: Laura Ensler, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Leading for Children

  Judy Jabalon, Executive Director, Leading for Children

• Optimistic Leadership:  Cultivating Self-Awareness to Achieve Quality in Early Learning

  Speakers: Laura Ensler, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Leading for Children

  Serene Stevens, Facilitator, Leading for Children

Voices From the Village Podcast

The Voices from the Village episodes are hosted by Nikki Baldwin, and provide insight and inspiration for both leaders and educators. STARS credit is available for listening and responding to Voices from the Village.

• Voices From Our Village: Season 1 Special Episode - Wyoming’s Coherent Path to Quality - A Game Changer

  Listen in on a conversation with Kara Cossel, Liz Goddard, Char Norris, Lauren Carlisle, and host Nikki Baldwin as they celebrate the launch of Wyoming’s vision for quality for all young children.

• Voices From Our Village: Season 1 Episode 6 - Voices from our Village

  Nicole Philbin, a participant in the Quality Learning Network led by Leading for Children facilitators Nichole Parks and Joelle Wheatley, responds to their Episode 5 interview.

• Voices From Our Village: Season 1 Episode 5 - The Power of Collaboration

  Nichole Parks and Joelle Wheatley, with the national non-profit Leading for Children, discuss the power of collaborative learning and its impact on early childhood professionals and their programs.

• Voices From Our Village: Season 1 Episode 4 - Voices from our Village Leadership Lessons Learned

  Stephanie Rino and Maureen Giordano, two Wyoming early childhood program owners and directors, respond to the Episode 3 interview with Debbie LeeKeenan.

• Voices From Our Village: Season 1 Episode 3 - Leadership Lessons Learned

  Debbie LeeKeenan, a nationally recognized author, presenter, and leader in anti-bias education, shares lessons she learned as a program director and in her work with leaders nationwide.

WYECPLC Blog Posts

• Reflections on the NAEYC Professional Learning Institute (July 21, 2022)

  Liz Goddard, PLC Regional Facilitator

  Kelce Eckhardt, PLC Regional Facilitator

• Why Cowboy State Kids and Teachers Still Need Anti-bias Learning Opportunities (July 14, 2022)

  Tyler Gonzales, PLC Regional Facilitator

• Reflecting Inward is Hard Work (February 11, 2022)

  Tyler Gonzales, PLC Regional Facilitator

• Doors and Windows (January 20, 2021)

  Tyler Gonzales, PLC Regional Facilitator

• In Their Own Way and On Their Own Day (August 4, 2020)

  Kara Cossel, PLC Regional Facilitator

• Embracing Differences (June 28, 2020)

  Kara Cossel, PLC Regional Facilitator