Lisa Plotkin Email & Phone Number

I strive to create time and space for early childhood educators to reflect on their practice, bringing authenticity and integrity to daily encounters.I earned my master's in Early Childhood Education at Lesley University in 2011 and a Post Master's Certification in Early Education Practice, Policy, and Research through UMass Boston in 2013, and I am a current Doctoral student at American Jewish University. Since 2004, I've worked to prioritize the sanctity of childhood, help families understand child development in constructive ways, discussed current policies about early childhood education, and worked with small groups of children to help solve conflicts and identify emotions. My efforts are focused on dialogue and reflection with educators to experience the wonder and awe in our practice and bring deeper thinking and intention to our profession. I am an advocate for Early Childhood Education in Virginia and in the country, and I created a grassroots group of fellow advocates (VECA) to understand more about EC policy status in Virginia.In addition to learning from my incredible colleagues in the EC field, I am inspired by:- The Paradigm Project, a grassroots national movement to multiply the seeds of excellence and advocacy in Jewish ECE since 2011- Shma Koleinu (Hear Our Voices), a collaboration between several Jewish ECE organizations to lift up the voices of early childhood educators and promote understanding and compensation equity for our field since 2020- The Sheva Center Leadership Institute fellowship through the Jewish Community Center Association's Early Childhood Department, 2018-2021- The leadership and integrity-based writing and research by influencers Brene Brown, Adam Grant, and Simon SinekI have led workshops virtually and in-person throughout the country. I have written articles about slowing down to give people time and space to respond, allowing children to show us their growth and interests especially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, and perspective leading up to Kindergarten. I have taught EC students at Virginia Commonwealth University about social studies engagement.I enjoy photography, collecting and pressing flowers, cooking, gardening, and walking outside especially on sunny days in the upper 60's.www.TheArtOfBlue.net

Listed skills include Teaching, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Lesson Planning, and 13 others.