Preschool suspensions and expulsions have profound effects on children’s optimal growth and development. Children under the age of 5 are expelled at 3 times the rate of K-12 students. Join us to gain a deeper understanding of the impact of preschool suspension and what tools and resources are available across New York State.

Discussions to include:

• Understanding the impact of suspension and exclusion on young children.
• Strategies for reducing suspension rates in early childhood settings.
• Tools for fostering inclusive classroom environments.

Instructors:

Dr. Claire Cameron PhD, holds the title of Associate Professor at the University at Buffalo. She is an internationally-recognized expert in how young children develop self-regulation – that is, how they navigate their thoughts, feelings, and actions; and how learning environments and educators can support children. She currently teaches online courses in mixed research methods and dissertation writing. Finally, she is a proud and always-learning parent of a 2nd -grader with a significant disability.

Dr. Melodie Baker PhD is the Executive Director and Founder of ImpactSTATS Inc., a nonprofit advancing equitable education policies through data-driven research and advocacy. Inspired by her mother, a group family childcare provider, Dr. Baker witnessed firsthand the transformative power of quality early childhood education in underserved communities. With a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology and Quantitative Methods, she has led national initiatives to promote equity in early childhood and K-12 education, co-founded the Charter School of Inquiry, and influenced transformative policies in collaboration with organizations like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Recognized as a leader in education reform, Dr. Baker’s work focuses on systemic change and improving outcomes for marginalized communities.

Total length 1.2 hrs