More Men in Early Childhood
Education Means Better Outcomes
| | | Join our free Dec. 6 conference on men in ECE and what it means for teaching, family engagement, and student outcomes | | |
Dear Friends and Partners,
Every day you balance standards, platforms, and the social–emotional needs of young children. You also know that who stands at the rug or small-group table matters as much as what is taught. Welcoming more men into Early Childhood Education isn’t a slogan—it’s a strategy to improve instructional quality, family engagement, and student outcomes across our classrooms.
On Saturday, December 6, 2025, Smart Start of Forsyth County will host the Triad Men in Early Childhood Education Conference at the Intergenerational Center for Arts & Wellness in Winston-Salem. The convening runs 8:00 AM–5:00 PM, followed by a Ceremony Dinner 6:30–8:30 PM, and it’s free for Forsyth County residents.
Why this matters for your classroom:
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Instructional lift. When children encounter caring male educators during read-alouds, center time, and outdoor play, they experience a wider range of language models and facilitation styles. Mixed-gender teams often report smoother behavior transitions and more effective co-regulation—freeing you to teach, not just redirect.
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Family engagement that sticks. Men on staff help many programs attract dads, grandfathers, and male caregivers—boosting home–school connections, attendance at conferences, and follow-through on learning plans.
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Workforce stability. Expanding the pipeline to include more men means stronger applicant pools, better team balance, and lower turnover—especially in high-need centers and family child care settings.
“When our students see men reading stories, kneeling at eye level, and coaching feelings into words, it resets expectations for everyone—children, families, and staff. The climate shifts, and learning follows.”
— Pre-K Teacher, Forsyth County
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What you’ll gain on December 6
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Perspective from civic and education champions. Hear from Mayor Allen Joines (City of Winston-Salem) and State Representative Dr. Amber Baker at the luncheon on how male engagement in ECE strengthens school readiness and our local economy.
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Momentum at the Ceremony Dinner. Matthew Marceron (President & CEO, Kaplan) and Mayor Cyril Jefferson (City of High Point) will join us in celebrating partners who are advancing this work.
- Community partnership in action. Presented by Smart Start of Forsyth County and M.A.L.E. (Males Aspiring Long-term Excellence) with support from Reynolds American Foundation and community sponsors.
Why we made it free for Forsyth County residents
Removing cost is an equity decision designed for you and your programs:
- Send a teacher, assistant, or family child care provider without a budget strain.
- Invite a promising volunteer, student teacher, or paraprofessional exploring ECE.
- Bring a family liaison or fatherhood champion to strengthen your home–school bridge.
Join us—bring a colleague, and invite a dad from your program.
This is your space to learn, recruit, and build a stronger pipeline together. Please reserve your spot and share the flyers with your teams for details on time, location, speakers, and sponsors.
I look forward to seeing you on December 6. Let’s open more doors for men to teach, mentor, and lead—so every child sees themselves reflected in the adults who help them learn and thrive.
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In Unity,
Dr. Louis A. Finney Jr.
Chief Executive Officer
Smart Start of Forsyth County
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SMART START NEWS & UPDATES
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Smart Start Staff Attend National Black
Child Development Institute Conference
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Smart Start of Forsyth County's Pre-K Initiatives and Finance departments' staff recently attended the National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI) conference, the only national organization focused solely on Black children from birth through age 8. The conference centered on NBCDI's framework of Eight Essential Outcomes for Black Child Development, which envisions a world where every Black child:
- Has books and toys that reflect who they are
- Enjoys nutritious meals with vegetables
- Accesses safe and appropriate internet
- Is seen and treated as a child
- Attends schools that affirm and expand them
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- Lives and plays in safe communities
- Is born at a healthy weight
- Breathes clean air and drinks clean water
NBCDI uses Afrofuturism as a guiding principle and works through their National Village Network to amplify the strengths and talents of Black children while mobilizing local advocates. Their approach integrates policy, research, and advocacy to create sustainable systems change. The conference reinforced Smart Start's commitment to equity-focused early childhood programming and provided valuable insights as we continue advancing quality early learning opportunities for all children in Forsyth County.
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By Glynnise Highsmith
Vice President of Early Childhood Initiatives
| | Smart Start Inspires Future Early Childhood Educators at the World of Work | | |
On October 22nd, Smart Start of Forsyth County partnered with Greater Winston-Salem, Inc. to introduce 10th-grade students to careers in early childhood education at the annual World of Work event.
The Smart Start team set up an interactive booth with hands-on demonstrations of infant and toddler CPR and first aid, while sharing information about SPARK, our registered apprenticeship program that allows high school students and young adults to earn while learning in the early childhood field.
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More than 400 students participated throughout the day, learning about career opportunities in early education and the positive impact early childhood educators have on young lives. The event also linked Smart Start with teachers interested in bringing SPARK presentations directly into their classrooms.
For more information about SPARK apprenticeship opportunities, visit https://smartstart-fc.org/spark/.
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By Daniel B. Ferguson
Director of Workforce Innovation and Partnerships
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Author Stan Tucker Visits
Rural Hall Elementary to
Celebrate Literacy
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Rural Hall Elementary School welcomes renowned author Stan Tucker on Tuesday, November 18 at 1:15 PM for a special literacy assembly with all students. This author visit is part of our ongoing Literacy Initiatives program, supported by Smart Start of Forsyth County and Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools.
Mr. Tucker will share his author journey, read from his works, and inspire students to explore their creativity through reading and writing. The interactive presentation engages young learners and fosters a lifelong love of literacy, giving students the chance to experience storytelling firsthand, learn about the writing and publishing process, and find inspiration for their own creative writing.
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This visit aligns with our commitment to promoting reading achievement and complements our new Literacy Vending Machine initiative. By bringing authors directly to students, we're creating memorable experiences that connect children with the joy of reading and demonstrate our community's investment in childhood literacy and education.
The assembly represents another step forward in ensuring all students have access to enriching literary experiences that support their academic and personal growth.
Want to support literacy initiatives? Contact Lesa King Bullins at lesab@smartstart-fc.org to learn more about Smart Start of Forsyth County's Literacy Initiatives program.
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Triad Men in Early Childhood
Education Conference 2025
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Building stronger families and brighter futures for the children of Forsyth County starts with community collaboration. Join us for the inaugural Triad Men's Conference, bringing together leaders and community members from across the region.
Confirmed speakers include High Point Mayor Cyril Jefferson (keynote speaker), Forsyth County Mayor Allen Joines, Representative Dr. Amber Baker, and additional distinguished guests.
This first-ever conference will provide valuable networking, resources, and inspiration for fathers and father figures throughout the Triad and surrounding areas.
Pre-Conference Social
Date: December 5, 2025
Venue: Courtyard Marriot DT | 640 W 4th St. Winston-Salem, NC 27101 | Rooftop
Time: 6:00pm-9:00pm
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Conference
Date: December 6, 2025
Time: 7:30am-5:00pm
Location: Intergenerational Wellness and Arts Center
Address:114 30th St, Suite 604, W-S, NC 27105
Theme: Breaking Barriers
Ceremony Dinner
Date: December 6, 2025
Time: 6:30-8:30pm
Location: Intergenerational Wellness and Arts Center
Address:114 30th St, Suite 604, W-S, NC 27105
Keynote: High Point Mayor Cyril Jefferson
We hope you can attend this historic event as we work together to strengthen families and support the next generation. Questions? Contact Juwon Crowell at juwonc@smartstart-fc.org or 336.926.2029. Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged.
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11/18 Infant CLASS Overview
11/25 Pre-K CLASS Overview
12/02 Stress Management and Burnout
12/9 Safe Handling for Child and Early Educator Well-being
| | Tuesday Training Series for Early Educators | Every Tuesday | 6:00-8:00 PM | Smart Start of Forsyth County | |
Boost your teaching toolkit with our weekly professional development sessions designed specifically for early childhood educators.
Each workshop features:
- Practical classroom management strategies
- Hands-on STEM activities you can use tomorrow
- Essential safety certifications to keep your credentials current
- Networking with fellow local educators
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Fruits of Your Labor: Early Educators Conference 2026 | | |
If you use a mobile device to access information or applications, please ensure that your applications on your device are up to date. Keeping these tools up to date helps maintain secure communication and protects both your information and ours from potential security risks.
To support smooth access to our shared systems, we also recommend restarting your device weekly and enabling automatic app updates. If you experience login issues or notice that a Smart Start application is not syncing correctly, please contact our IT support team for assistance.
Thank you for helping us maintain a secure and reliable technology environment.
| | North Carolina Pre-K Committee (NCPK) | | |
Smart Start of Forsyth County proudly highlights the North Carolina Pre-K (NC Pre-K) Committee.
The NC Pre-K Committee is responsible for selecting the contracting agency that operates the program locally, developing and approving local operational policies and procedures, ensuring strong collaboration among public schools, Head Start programs, and private child care centers, providing ongoing programmatic and fiscal oversight, and determining NC Pre-K slot allocations across approved sites.
For the current program year, the NC Pre-K Committee has helped allocate approximately $4.38 million in NC Pre-K funds to public schools, Head Start programs, and private child care centers, supporting high-quality classroom experiences for eligible four-year-old children across Forsyth County.
| | Through this work, the NC Pre-K Committee ensures that eligible children—especially those who are at risk—receive a strong educational foundation that supports school readiness and long-term academic success. | |
2025 NCPK Members
Dr. Alfred McQueen (Co-Chair), Dr. Effie McMillian (Co-Chair), Keturah Oglesby, Mark Flowers, Robin Payne, Charlene Jarvis, Sherita Sutton, Aledra Nelson Beal, Phoinece Green, Shantele Williams, Grisely Beckles, and Dr. Saleena Frazier.
By Marvin Fulwood
Director of Corporate Operations
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DOLLY PARTON'S IMAGINATION LIBRARY
BOOK OF THE MONTH:
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"What's New, Daniel?"
Written and Illustrated by Micha Archer
When Daniel's grandpa asks "What's new?" Daniel sets out to really find an answer. His journey through the local park reveals birds returning from winter, ducklings hatching, polliwogs growing legs—and Daniel discovering he's growing too.
Caldecott Honor winner Micha Archer's detailed collages bring Daniel's world to life, encouraging young readers to notice the wonderful changes happening around them every day, big and small. Perfect for ages 3-6, this Nancy Paulsen Books title invites families to slow down and appreciate the natural world together.
| | Take a "What's New?" walk with your child and notice seasonal changes in your neighborhood. Talk about how your child is growing and learning new things, just like the animals in the story. Ask "What's new with you today?" at bedtime to spark conversation about their discoveries. | |
By Cindia Gonzalez
Community Outreach Coordinator
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5 Ways Dads Can Build Stronger
Connections This Month
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Quick tips for father engagement during the busy holiday season:
1. Take the lead on one daily routine.
Pick bedtime, breakfast, or the morning drop-off and make it your consistent time together. Kids thrive on predictable connection with both parents.
2. Turn errands into learning moments.
Grocery shopping? Let your child help find colors, count items, or choose healthy snacks. You're teaching math, decision-making, and life skills without a single worksheet.
3. Ask open-ended questions at dinner.
Instead of "How was your day?" try "What made you laugh today?" or "What was tricky for you?" You'll get real conversation
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and show your child their thoughts matter.
4. Read together—your way.
Don't worry about doing voices or reading every word. Let your child turn pages, ask questions, and tell the story with you. Your involvement matters more than perfection.
5. Plan one special outing before the holidays.
A park visit, library trip, or neighborhood walk gives you uninterrupted time together. Put the phone away and follow your child's lead.
Father engagement strengthens families and boosts children's confidence, language development, and school readiness. Small, consistent moments add up.
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By Cindia Gonzalez
Community Outreach Coordinator
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