Steps To Thrive

Monday, April 14. 4:00pm-5:30pm. Leo K Theater.

Description 

Professionals in the field of Early Learning suffer from neglect just as many of the children in their care do. While this hasn’t happened by design, it is a systemic situation: low pay, lack of appropriate professional development and scarce benefits create a revolving door. This results in low quality care for the youngest and most vulnerable in our society – children from birth to five years of age. Explore a compassionate approach to the challenges faced by professionals in the field of Early Learning. Hear how results will improve positive early learning experiences for children. 

Presenter Bio 

Natalie Vega O’Neil, Thrive By Five Washington

Natalie Vega O'Neil is an innovative and dynamic educator dedicated to the field of early childhood education. She is a child development and educational professional with extensive experience in early childhood education, family intervention, and nonprofit development. She has taught in both public and private schools as a preschool and elementary teacher and has created programs for children and families for nonprofit organizations in the child and youth sector services. Prior to her position with Thrive by Five Washington, Natalie was the Co-Founder and Director of Early Learning for a public preK-12 charter school in Los Angeles where she created bilingual early childhood programs focusing on preschool, parent education, and health and wellness. Natalie was actively involved in the California Preschool-For-All initiative and served on several planning committees for the development of Los Angeles Universal Preschool. As a national presenter for an educational professional development firm, she worked with schools on developing innovative literacy curriculum. She has also worked for the YWCA, focused on parent support and community development for families in the diverse Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago. In addition to her work in early learning, Natalie has an extensive background in the nonprofit sector, working with organizations such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Natalie earned a master’s of science degree in Early Childhood Education and Child Development from the Erikson Institute in Chicago. Natalie joined Thrive by Five Washington’s public-private partnership, in February 2007.