A group of Professional Development students sits in a session

Yuma Professional Development

What is Yuma Professional Development?

This is our professional development program that is hosted once a month, over six months. Sessions are a half day on Saturday’s and take place at Arizona Western College. We chose a college campus so people who come to the sessions become comfortable on a college campus, and might choose to continue their education.

During the Saturday training, participants have an opportunity to enroll in two different sessions. Each 90 minute session has discussions, new education information, hands-on activities, and reflection time. The goal of these training sessions is to give participants something that they can put to use as soon as they get back to work on Monday. All training is offered in both English and Spanish.

In addition to these Saturday training sessions, we also host Yuma Early Childhood Conference every April. The conference is held at Arizona Western College. Participants will hear a Keynote Address, have breakfast, lunch, and networking opportunities. There are also exhibitors and over 20 training sessions available.

Research tells us that after a parent, a well qualified teacher in the classroom is the most important aspect of a child’s growth. The Yuma County Professional Development is helping make sure we have more qualified early childhood educators here in Arizona.

What are Communities of Practice?

In addition to training, we also have communities of practice. A community of practice is where people can get together and share ideas, new information, and help problem solve.

Our Director’s Community of Practice brings together early childhood center directors. In these communities, directors and assistant directors can come together for discussion, reflection, and new information. The directors lead the discussion and drive the direction in this community. This is a safe place where center leadership can take some time away and learn from colleagues in the same field.

Our Home Visitor Community of Practice brings together over 30 home visitors so they can reflect and discuss their work in a safe space. New information and techniques are also shared, but the most important aspect of this is members coming together for discussion and reflection.

Our ECE Teacher Community of Practice is for early childhood educators. In this space, members can take deep dives into various topics, and exchange information and techniques for their workplaces.

Communities of Practice are considered a deeper, more sustainable type of professional development. Having an on-going, discussion based community will only enhance all the new things you might learn at traditional professional development.