This hands-on professional learning session will share ways to support multilingual students and help you create classrooms that reflect and celebrate their languages and cultures!
Reserve your spot today—space is limited to 40 participants!
On August 13, more than 30 educators gathered for the Early School Success (ESS) kickoff at the Northwest Regional Education Service District in Hillsboro.
New and familiar faces from across the ESS network—including teams from Beaverton, St. Helens, and Forest Grove school districts—joined Children’s Institute to share ideas, learn from one another, and plan for the school year ahead.
The kickoff also welcomed a new ESS partner, the Columbia Regional Educator Network, which brought early childhood educators from Kiddie City, a child care center in Hood River. Their involvement expands the ESS network’s reach into the Columbia Gorge region, strengthening connections between early learning and K-12 systems in more communities across Oregon.
For returning educators, it was a moment to reconnect with colleagues across districts and roles, and to build on years of shared learning and collaboration. For those new to the ESS network, it marked the start of a journey to strengthen the preschool-to-third-grade continuum—with equity, joy, and community at the center.
Kali Thorne Ladd, chief executive officer of Children’s Institute, opened the day with a message of gratitude, sharing the words of John Lewis as a reminder of educators’ impact on the lives of children.
“You are a light. You are the light. Never let anyone—any person or any force—dampen, dim, or diminish your light.”
Her message grounded the day in purpose and honored the dedication of everyone in the room.
This year’s kickoff marked a milestone for Children’s Institute. For the first time, educators from both the ESS initiative and the ESS Academy came together for this shared event.
From the moment participants arrived, the room buzzed with curiosity. Team leads, district administrators, coaches, and teachers sat side by side, diving into conversations right away. A newcomer asked how to build continuity across grades; a returning preschool teacher shared how they use play to strengthen communication. District leaders and educators explored ways to nurture creativity and curiosity in classrooms, imagining what a child-centered year could look like.
The mix of experience brought energy to the day. ESS veterans shared lessons from years of alignment work. Academy participants brought new energy and fresh ideas. Sharing across roles helped everyone see how teachers, coaches, and leaders each hold a piece of the puzzle. When those perspectives connect, they create alignment across classrooms, schools, and districts. This builds a system where every role supports student success. And woven through it all was joy: laughter, discovery, and the excitement of working side by side.
Curiosity fueled creativity throughout the day. Educators looked closely at the developmental needs of our youngest learners, and asked, “Where are the gaps, and how can we close them?”
Play emerged as a central theme and as a powerful lever for learning. Educators shared how play provides children opportunities to connect with others, communicate their ideas, and practice problem-solving.
Hands-on activities helped participants imagine what this looks like in practice. Pipe cleaner bridges represented smooth transitions from preschool to kindergarten. Towers of blocks revealed areas where supports are strong and where gaps remain. Small-group reflections surfaced patterns in instructional alignment.
As one participant shared, “I will ground myself in working with fear and discomfort, and exercise creative courage this year.”
Breakout sessions by role dug deeper. Educators reflected on times when seeing through a child’s developmental lens transformed their practice. Educators planned new ways to integrate play into learning, coaches thought about how to support staff across grades, and team leads discussed how to strengthen family communication. Everyone left with concrete steps to bring back to classrooms and schools.
The Early School Success kickoff reminded us that no one does this work alone. Children thrive when teachers, coaches, school leaders, and families work together.
Educators left with renewed energy and commitment. They returned to their schools ready to strengthen family communication, build trust across grades, and bring joy and curiosity into every classroom.
One participant captured the spirit of the day:
“I loved the day today. I always appreciate these meetings. I love the energy in the room and collaborating with like-minded people.”
With a new school year fast approaching, the event sparked fresh ideas and a renewed a shared vision: schools where teachers feel supported and inspired, and where young learners can truly flourish.
Echoing the powerful words of John Lewis, “We are the light,” our ESS partnerships are lighting the way toward stronger schools, transformed systems, and joyful learning experiences for every child.
Excited to keep learning and connecting? Join a network of educators across Oregon, share ideas, celebrate wins, and bring curiosity and joy into every classroom. Register now for the 2025-2026 ESS Academy!
At Children’s Institute, we are committed to building systems that center children, families, and educators. That work lives in the daily practice of our school teams and it comes alive when we gather to reflect, share, and grow.
We saw that commitment in action on May 16, at our Early School Success(ESS) Spring Cross-Network convening. Throughout the day, participants brought care, creativity, and clarity as they explored what it takes to build more equitable, student-centered systems – together.
Here are five things we heard – and felt – at the convening:
This convening reminded us that educators are not only implementing change – they are leading the way. To every educator who showed up with curiosity, creativity, and purpose – thank you. You are moving systems with heart, and we’re honored to walk alongside you!
The Early School Success Academy equips schools and districts to build strong early learning programs with practical tools and hands-on coaching that boost student success. This professional learning experience is led by educators, for educators!
Registration is open!
To register or learn more, please contact Shawnté Hines at shawnte@childinst.org
At Children’s Institute, we believe that every child deserves a strong start in school. In 2019, Children’s Institute launched the Early School Success (ESS) initiative to help Oregon schools create smooth and supportive learning experiences for students from preschool through fifth grade. Five years after its implementation, we collaborated with Education Northwest to complete an evaluation and we are excited to share what we’ve learned about how ESS is improving classrooms, supporting teachers, and helping students thrive.
The Early School Success evaluation examined:
The evaluation used a mixed-methods approach, combining:
The report’s key findings show that Early School Success—through evidence-based strategies, cross-district collaboration, and professional development—has led to measurable improvements in early learning environments. The outcomes below highlight how ESS has supported positive change for students, educators, and school communities.
Educators observed greater student engagement while implementing ESS strategies like playful inquiry, loose parts, and movement-based learning. These approaches supported academic growth in vocabulary, oral language, writing, and math while also fostering social-emotional development. Students who previously faced challenges became more engaged, built confidence, and strengthened peer relationships. Administrators noted that ESS classrooms promote problem-solving and a sense of belonging, contributing to fewer behavioral incidents.
Educators reported feeling more confident and appreciating how their professional expertise was honored and valued. The ESS framework encouraged risk taking, skill-building, and teamwork, creating a culture of trust and shared learning. Educators also embraced an inquiry-based mindset, making small but meaningful shifts in their teaching practices.
ESS teams that included educators across grade levels was integral in expanding successful strategies, strengthening instructional alignment from preschool through elementary grades. Educators elevated playful inquiry as an equity-driven practice, sparking deeper conversations about culturally responsive teaching. Districts strengthened alignment from preschool through fifth grade by expanding professional learning opportunities and integrating ESS insights into broader curriculum discussions and equity initiatives.
ESS strategies helped deepen connections between schools and families. As students became more engaged, families reported greater trust and partnership with educators. Schools introduced new approaches like empathy interviews, positive notes sent home, and learning activity kits to foster a home-school connection. One school reported a notable increase in attendance at family engagement events, and an administrator reflected on how powerful it was for parents to better understand their children’s experiences and share their own goals.
ESS has helped cultivate a school culture centered around joy, equity, and inclusion. Educators applied an equity lens to data collection, using insights to tailor strategies for students adjusting to new cultural and linguistic environments. Many shared that ESS has broadened their perspective on learning, enabling them to better support students who may not have had positive school experiences in the past.
The 2023-24 ESS evaluation highlights meaningful progress in student engagement, instructional quality, and educator collaboration. While there is more work ahead, these early successes underscore the value of intentional, research-based strategies to strengthen early learning. This progress reflects the commitment of educators, families, and school leaders. As the ESS initiative evolves, we will continue to build on this momentum to ensure early learning systems remain responsive, equitable, and student-centered. Together, we are laying the foundation for every child to get the strong start they deserve!
