LACOE’s Head Start and Early Learning division hosted a two-day Universal Transitional Kindergarten (UTK) Administrators’ Institute training for school district, charter school administrators and education leaders responsible for supporting the implementation of UTK curriculum, instruction and assessment. Ninety education leaders from across L.A. County as well as from San Luis Obispo, Orange and Ventura counties participated in the institute.

The institute’s theme was “Play is a Primary Context for Learning.” Breakout sessions included: 

• tips for administrators on supporting early education; 
• integrated, play-based curriculum training; 
• best practices for inclusive special education; 
• social emotional learning (SEL) training; and 
• tools for collaborating with school staff, families and allied professionals. 

The training’s keynote speaker, Julie Nicholson, shared the importance of play among early education students. She provided best practices for incorporating play into lesson plans and how to support young learners.  

The Institute also hosted a panel discussion, “Local Early Learning Champions,” with early education program directors and leaders from Lancaster Unified School District, Long Beach Unified School District and Downey Unified School District. 

"The 2-day in-person UTK Administrators' Institute was an amazing opportunity to inspire and connect administrators to early learning resources that support the planning and implementation of high-quality, developmentally appropriate, play-based TK classrooms,” said Jacqueline Lopez, Coordinator III for Early Learning. 

To learn more, visit https://www.lacoe.edu/Early-Learning/Head-Start