Attend the NAEYC Annual Conference: apply by October 15
The NAEYC Annual Conference, the largest early childhood education conference in the country, is at the Washington Convention Center in DC this year. Common Ground is offering a limited number of staff the chance to attend one day, with registration paid by Common Ground.
Spots are limited
We can't send everyone who applies. Approval depends on several things together:
The center's training budget
Our ability to cover classrooms that day
How many people apply, and for which days
Applying is voluntary, and not being selected this year has no effect on your standing.
How to apply
Look through the conference overview and the program schedule.
Fill out this form with the day you'd like to attend and your session choices. Submit it by October 15.
We'll let you know no later than the first week of November whether you've been approved.
What we expect if you attend
To make the most of the registration fee, you're expected to attend a session in every session block offered on your day:
Saturday - 3 sessions
Sunday - 4 sessions
Monday - 3 sessions
Tuesday - 4 Sessions
What Common Ground provides
Your conference registration
Pay for every session, at your regular hourly rate, starting 15 minutes before each one. Breaks of 20 minutes or less between sessions are also paid.
Pay for the opening and closing sessions, if one falls on your day and you attend it.
Pay for travel time, based on the trip between Common Ground and the Convention Center, both ways.
Parking near the Convention Center, arranged ahead of time by Common Ground.
A $30 lunch allowance, added to your paycheck. It's taxable, so the amount you take home will be a little under $30.
What's on your own
Getting there. You arrange and pay for your own transportation (driving, carpooling or Metro). Mileage and fares aren't reimbursed.
Time outside the sessions. Lunch, longer breaks, the exhibit hall, networking and social events are optional and on your own time. The opening and closing sessions are the exception and are paid. If you'd like to add anything else, check with Liz/Victoria first so we can approve it and pay you for it.
After the conference
Turn in your attendance record. Submit your session certificates or CEU documentation within 3 business days so we can record your hours and training credit.
Share what you learned. We'd love for the whole Common Ground community to benefit from your day. On the application form, tell us how you'd like to share. Some ideas:
A short presentation at a staff meeting
A written summary or tip sheet for teachers
A new activity or idea you try in your classroom and show to others
A piece for the family newsletter or blog
Sharing time is paid. We'll schedule time during your work hours to prepare and share, so please don't work on it at home.
Pay details apply to hourly, non-exempt staff only.