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.
Who We Met
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.
What We Learned
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.
Why It Matters
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!