Building Bridges, Not Barriers: Supporting Staff to Prevent Preschool Expulsion

Building Bridges, Not Barriers: Supporting Staff to Prevent Preschool Expulsion
Join fellow early childhood leaders for a powerful learning community focused on equity, connection, and leadership. Together, we’ll explore the root causes of preschool expulsion and the leadership practices that help prevent it. Through shared readings, reflection, and dialogue, participants will discover strategies to support staff, strengthen emotional resilience, and ensure every child experiences belonging and opportunity.  Readings will be made available.

Objectives: 

• Deepen Understanding of Equity and Exclusion:
  Participants will analyze current research and data on preschool suspension and expulsion to understand how systemic inequities, implicit bias, and stress impact young children and educators.

• Strengthen Leadership Capacity to Support Staff:
  Participants will identify and apply leadership strategies—such as reflective supervision, trauma-informed practices, and mental health consultation—that prevent exclusionary discipline and promote staff well-being.

• Commit to Action for Equitable Change:
  Participants will develop an actionable plan to review and revise program policies, practices, or professional development systems that contribute to disparities in discipline or limit children’s sense of belonging.

Watching the Preschool to Prison Documentary prior to attending is recommended but not necessary.