8th annual Early Childhood Summit informs, inspires, and celebrates with region’s educators

At the Northland Foundation’s 8th annual Early Childhood Summit, held April 24, keynote speaker Kristie Kauerz, Ed.D., used brain development and achievement gap data to set the stage for sharing success stories. The task is enormous, Dr. Kauerz emphasized, but school districts, educators, parents, and communities can—with intentionality and collaboration—create change. Kauerz, a respected national expert, also touched upon the research-based Framework she has developed promoting a cohesive approach to pre-kindergarten through 3rd grade, highly touted as a strategy to improve student outcomes.

“It is a privilege to host the Early Childhood Summit, with the help of our generous sponsors, and we look forward to this day every year.” —Lynn Haglin, Vice President/KIDS PLUS Director

More than 200 people representing 26 northeastern Minnesota public, charter, and Reservation schools convened in Duluth. Superintendents and School Board members joined principals, administrators, teachers, community education directors, and early care and education professionals to form district/school teams.

After lunch, attendees took advantage of a Q&A session with Kauerz followed by intensive teamwork time to discuss progress and challenges within their local PreK-3rd Grade efforts, as well as strategize the next steps they will take in their schools and communities to continue moving forward.

Spending a full day with such a diversity of colleagues is a rarity for time- and resource-strapped educators.

At the Summit, Northland also recognized the 10th anniversary of the Minnesota Early Childhood Initiative, with remarks by Neal Cuthbert, Vice President of Program at The McKnight Foundation. McKnight has been a critical partner in early childhood and PreK-3rd Grade work throughout Minnesota.

In addition, Mike Brown delivered updates from the Minnesota Office of Early Learning, and a longtime friend of the Northland Foundation, Mary Kosak, was honored as a champion for young children on the eve of her retirement from the Blandin Foundation.

“It is a privilege to host the Early Childhood Summit, with the help of our generous sponsors, and we look forward to it every year,” said Lynn Haglin, Vice President/KIDS PLUS Director.

“The Summit offers a tremendous opportunity to support these all-important individuals who are dedicated to nurturing our youngest generation," she added.

Thank You to the Summit Sponsors

The Early Childhood Summit was presented with generous support from the Blandin Foundation, Essentia Health, Great River Energy, and The McKnight Foundation.