The University of Montana 3rd Annual ECE Summit

**ECP Credit Available**https://www.mtecpregistry.mtecp.org/register.aspx?evid=525336

Session Description:
From an award-winning filmmaking team, Make A Circle is a compelling documentary that follows the lives of childcare providers fighting to transform how society values early education. With humor, passion, and urgency, the film captures the stories of Patricia, a leader in a new child care union advocating for a largely immigrant workforce; Charlotte, a dedicated provider supporting low-income families; and Anne, a preschool director working to retain and uplift her teachers despite low wages and limited resources.
Through powerful storytelling, Make A Circle weaves together the joys and struggles of early childhood educators. It showcases the magic they create in their classrooms, the challenges they face outside of them, and their collective activism to demand better conditions for themselves and the children they serve.
Following the screening, participants will engage in a facilitated discussion about the film’s themes, reflecting on the critical issues facing early educators today. Together, we will explore solutions to strengthen the profession, support providers, and advocate for a more sustainable and just child care system. Whether you are an educator, administrator, policymaker, or advocate, this session will offer inspiration, insight, and a call to action for the future of early childhood education.
Session Objectives:

1. Examine the Realities of Early Childhood Education – Analyze the challenges and opportunities child care providers face, including workforce compensation, working conditions, and the vital role educators play in supporting children and families.
2. Reflect on Advocacy and Leadership – Discuss how early childhood educators organize, advocate, and lead efforts to create systemic change in the childcare profession.
3. Explore Solutions for a Stronger Future – Identify actionable strategies for strengthening the early childhood workforce, improving provider support systems, and ensuring high-quality care and education for all young children.

**ECP Credit Available**https://www.mtecpregistry.mtecp.org/register.aspx?evid=525337

Session Description:
Building on the themes of Make A Circle, this follow-up session brings together key stakeholders and organizations from across Montana to spotlight the stories of local early childhood educators, advocates, and community leaders. Through a panel discussion and facilitated dialogue, we will examine how the challenges and triumphs depicted in the film resonate within our state—exploring workforce struggles, innovative community solutions, and ongoing advocacy efforts to strengthen early childhood education in Montana.
Participants will engage in interactive discussions, sharing their experiences and perspectives while collaboratively identifying opportunities for action. Whether you are an educator, administrator, policymaker, or community partner, this session provides a space to connect, reflect, and explore tangible next steps for supporting early learning professionals and the children they serve across Montana.
Session Objectives:

1. Highlight Local Perspectives – Share firsthand experiences from Montana’s early childhood educators and advocates, connecting their stories to the broader themes of Make A Circle.
2. Facilitate Collaborative Discussion – Engage participants in interactive discussions to reflect on workforce challenges, community-driven solutions, and the impact of policy decisions on early learning in Montana.
3. Identify Actionable Next Steps – Explore strategies and opportunities for collective advocacy, professional support, and policy change to strengthen early childhood education in Montana.

**ECP Credit Available**https://www.mtecpregistry.mtecp.org/register.aspx?evid=525338

The Montana Early Learning Standards (MELS) provide a foundational framework for supporting high-quality early learning experiences for young children across the state. The current revision and expansion process seeks to update the existing document to include kindergarten through third grade, broadening its reach to a broader audience, including those working with young children in collaborative community initiatives and after-school programs.
In this interactive session, participants will engage with the ongoing efforts to refine and enhance the standards, ensuring they remain developmentally appropriate, aligned with national benchmarks, and supported by practical resources and professional learning opportunities. Presenters will offer insights into the collaborative partnerships guiding this work, including contributions from state agencies, early childhood professionals, and national experts.
Participants will be able to engage meaningfully—providing feedback on the MELS’ usability, sharing experiences with their implementation, and contributing ideas on how to make the standards more practical and effective in daily practice. Whether you are an educator, administrator, or policymaker, your voice is essential in shaping a tool that empowers early childhood professionals and strengthens learning opportunities for all children in Montana.
Session Objectives:

1. Refine and Expand: Support the revision of Montana’s Early Learning Standards (MELS) to ensure they are developmentally appropriate, aligned with national standards, and inclusive of kindergarten through third grade.
2. Enhance Practical Application: Gather participant feedback on the usability of the standards and explore ways to make them more accessible and applicable across diverse early learning settings, including schools, community programs, and after-school initiatives.
3. Strengthen Collaboration: Highlight the partnerships driving this work and engage participants in meaningful discussions to ensure the revised standards effectively support educators, administrators, and policymakers in providing high-quality early learning experiences for all children in Montana.

It’s been a dynamic year across Montana as school districts have implemented HB352 early literacy classrooms statewide. Join us as five community teams share their experiences—spotlighting powerful partnerships, diverse implementation strategies, and efforts to strengthen alignment from PreK through Grade 3. Highlights include survey findings, practical tools, and lessons learned along the way.